Chapter 408: Could It Be She Wishes to Become a Concubine to the Heir Xiao?

Chapter 408: Could It Be She Wishes to Become a Concubine to the Heir Xiao?

As the carriage resumed its slow journey, Tang Shuyi placed a chess piece on the board and said, "Even emperors have their share of peculiar relatives!"

Xiao Huai couldn't help but laugh, "Emperors' relatives are human too, naturally some of them are bound to be oddities."

………

Lady Ming the second boarded her carriage and through the slit of the curtain watched the Duke of Dingguo's carriage pull away, her teeth still tightly clenched.

Her daughter, Ming Yu, asked in a whisper, "Mother, did you see the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo?"

Ever since their return from the palace, Lady Ming the second and her daughter had been eager to catch a glimpse of Xiao Yuzhu, to see what sort of celestial being she was, and they also harbored a sense of comparison.

But even being relatives of the emperor, they couldn't easily make contact with the top echelons of the capital. Although Xiao Yuzhu was not completely secluded, she wouldn't casually stroll on the streets, so despite the time passed, they had yet to see her.

Therefore, having encountered her today, Lady Ming the second had hoped for a glimpse. But to her surprise, Xiao Yuzhu was not in the same carriage as Tang Shuyi; she was squeezed into another with Xiao Yuchen and Jia Ning.

"No," said Lady Ming the second.

Ming Yu gripped her handkerchief tightly and said, "I've heard that the Duke of Dingguo's legitimate daughter is a beauty that outshines most in the capital."

Lady Ming the second bit her teeth harder, "So what? The emperor's harem will not consist of her alone. You're his first cousin; if you enter the palace, the emperor will surely show you some favor. That little favor will be enough. In time, if you bear a prince, it will be glory for a lifetime."

Mingyu sighed, "But that requires the Emperor to hold a selection. How can I enter the palace if the Emperor doesn't choose consorts?"

Lady Ming the second's face fell too, but after a moment, she said, "Mother will find a way."

………

It wasn’t long after leaving the city that they arrived at the secondary estate of the Duke of Dingguo. Xiao Huai had no pressing matters these past two days and decided to stay. However, Xiao Yuchen had to return to his duties at the Hanlin Academy the following day, hence he lingered until dusk before departing. With Steward Zhao and a squad of guards accompanying him, safety was not an issue.

Steward Zhao and the guards rode horses, while Xiao Yuchen took the carriage, hastening towards the city. But they hadn’t gone far when they saw several people on the roadside signaling to them. The procession halted and they recognized a young lady dressed in fine clothes, accompanied by two maidservants and a coachman, all looking at them with an air of urgency.

“Go and see what the matter is,” Xiao Yuchen instructed Chang Feng.

Chang Feng dismounted and inquired about the situation, returning to report, “It's the daughter of Lord Lan from the Secretariat, her carriage broke down on her way back from offering incense.”

Seeing nightfall was imminent, Xiao Yuchen said, “They can take my carriage; I’ll ride back on horseback.”

With these words, he stepped down from the carriage, and Chang Ming immediately offered his horse. At this moment, Miss Lan approached and gave a curtsy, saying, “I’m indebted to the young master for his aid.”

Xiao Yuchen waved his hand dismissively, “It's a small effort.”

After mounting his horse, he departed, followed by Steward Zhao and the guards. Miss Lan Shuyu watched the retreating figures for a long time, unable to snap out of her trance.

Seeing the sky darken, a maid whispered, “Miss, we must leave before it gets too dark.”

Reluctantly, Lan Shuyu withdrew her gaze and allowed the maid to help her into the carriage, which was pleasantly cool with an ice basin and carried a faint scent of bamboo, as refined and graceful as Xiao Yuchen himself.

“It’s been half a year since the young master married, hasn’t it?” mused Lan Shuyu.

After a moment of thought, the maid replied, “Almost half a year, indeed.”

“I haven't heard any news about Princess Jianing being with child,” Lan Shuyu pondered.

The maid nodded, “The Princess likely isn't expecting. If she were, she'd stay in the main estate to nurture her health, not travel to the secondary one.”

A smile crept across Lan Shuyu’s face, “Half a year without issue, it would be reasonable for the young master to take a concubine.”

The maid, shocked to her core, took a while before saying, “Miss, you’re not considering becoming… a concubine to the young master, are you?”

Lan Shuyu glanced at her, “Why not? Being a concubine is far better than marrying into a lesser household, especially since my stepmother and aunt view me as a thorn in their side and will surely sabotage my marital prospects.”

Terrified, the maid was at a loss for words, and after a long pause finally said, “Miss, the master will never agree to it.”

Lan Shuyu was unconcerned, "My father and grandmother dote on me. If I threaten them with death, they will surely agree."

The maid fell silent, her heart filled with trepidation. Often, when the masters erred, it was they, the servants, who suffered the punishment.

Xiao Yuchen, of course, was unaware that he was once again the subject of someone's attention. He attended to his duties at the Hanlin Academy daily, and after work, his thoughts turned to his wife. He managed to contain his longing for the first few days, but after five or six, he could bear it no longer. He started visiting the countryside residence directly after work each day, returning early the next morning to resume his duties. It was tiring, but it beat the loneliness of an empty house.

Tang Shuyi couldn't resist teasing Xiao Huai, "This clinginess, he must have learned it from you."

Xiao Huai: "........."

Is this her growing tired of me?

With a stern face and silent, Tang Shuyi quickly commented upon seeing this, "You should pass on these virtues to him."

Xiao Huai's face was lit with a smile, and Tang Shuyi, turning her face away, also smiled. Indeed, men could be as childish as children. However, she was naturally happy to see the good relationship between Xiao Yuchen and his wife, Jianing.

After some thought, she called the young couple to her side and had them return to their residence together, to avoid a situation reminiscent of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Xiao Yuchen and Jia Ning were a bit embarrassed, but still happily packed their belongings and went back.

Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu stayed in another courtyard for over a month before returning. The very next day, they received an invitation from Old Madame Lan. Not very familiar with her but having met a few times at banquets and knowing her position as a senior second-rank official in the Secretariat, Tang Shuyi felt obliged to meet her.

The next day, shortly after breakfast, Old Madame Lan arrived with Lan Shuyu, and Tang Shuyi, along with Jia Ning and Xiao Yuzhu, welcomed them.

"A few days ago, my granddaughter went to offer prayers and on her way back, her carriage broke down. It was thanks to the young master that she could safely return home by lending her his carriage. We're very grateful," said Old Madame Lan.

Tang Shuyi and Jianing were both taken aback, as neither of them was aware of the situation. However, it wasn't a significant matter, and Tang Shuyi said with a smile, "It's only right to lend a hand when needed."

Elder Lady Lan commented, "The heir has a kind heart."

While Tang Shuyi conversed with Elder Lady Lan, Lan Shuyu’s gaze kept drifting towards Princess Jianing, frequently observing her abdomen. She thought that in terms of appearance, she was not inferior to Princess Jianing. Although she was a concubine-born daughter, her father was a second-rank official, and becoming a concubine to Xiao Yuchen was beneath her status. Moreover, since Princess Jianing had not borne any children, she believed that the Duke's wife and Xiao Yuchen would not reject her.

PS: I apologize for the unstable updates last month due to ill health, but I will resume stable updates from today onwards.

Also, the book is nearing its end, and I am slowly drawing it to a close. There will be side stories after the main story concludes. You can leave a message if you want to see a side story about any particular character, and I will prepare it.