Chapter 410: I Will Not Agree to This Matter

Chapter 410: I Will Not Agree to This Matter

Tang Shuyi was puzzled upon hearing that Mrs. Rong was kneeling at the gate, begging her to save Lan Shuyu's life. She was neither a doctor nor had their families much interaction; how could she save Lan Shuyu's life?

It wasn't that she was slow-witted; given Lan Shuyu's status, even if Lady Lan despised her, she would not reduce her to a concubine and risk tarnishing her reputation with allegations of mistreating her legitimate daughter. Moreover, Master Lan and Elder Lady Lan would never agree to such a disgraceful arrangement.

Besides, any clear-minded person who could honorably become a wife would not opt to be a concubine. However, unable to make sense of the situation, Tang Shuyi stopped pondering it, expecting the Lan family to provide an explanation.

Sure enough, Lady Lan arrived shortly after. At the gate of the Duke of Dingguo's residence, upon seeing the weeping Mrs. Rong, she scoffed and coldly instructed her companion, "Escort Auntie Rong back to our residence."

Two sturdy old women came forward to drag her away, but Nanny Rong knelt and shuffled a few steps towards Lady Lan, pleading with tears, "Madam, I beg you, allow me the honor to see the Duchess of Dingguo, I implore you."

Lady Lan looked down at her, a cold smile lingering on her lips for a long while before saying, "Alright, follow me."

She then instructed Zhao, the steward, "Please inform the Duchess of Dingguo of our arrival."

Zhao sent a young servant to notify the duchess in Shi'an Garden, and soon after, Cuíyún came to pay her respects to Lady Lan and then led her inside. Nanny Rong immediately got up and followed closely behind.

Once in the hall of Shi'an Garden, Tang Shuyi greeted Lady Lan with a smile and offered her a seat. Nanny Rong, naturally without a place to sit, stood behind Lady Lan with reddened eyes.

"I truly apologize for the intrusion," Lady Lan said with an embarrassed expression.

Tang Shuyi waved it off, "It's no trouble at all, but I heard that your nanny was kneeling at our gates, begging me to save your third young mistress' life. What is this about?"

Lady Lan felt even more awkward and glanced at Jiāníng seated next to Tang Shuyi, "May I speak with you in private?"

Hearing this, Jiāníng clenched her hands tighter. Tang Shuyi frowned slightly and said to Jiāníng, "You and Yuzhu go to the study to read."

Jiāníng forced a smile and then left with Xiao Yuzhu. Noticing her pale face, Xiao Yuzhu asked, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

Jiāníng shook her head, "Nothing, I just find the behavior of the Lan family to be quite improper."

Xiao Yuzhu nodded in agreement, "To bring their family squabbles to another's doorstep is truly shameful."

Jiāníng smiled weakly, her hands clenched tightly...

Back in the hall, with Jiāníng and Xiao Yuzhu gone, Nanny Rong stepped forward and knelt with a thud, "I beseech the Duchess of Dingguo to save our third young mistress."

Tang Shuyi glanced at her and then turned to Lady Lan, "This..."

Lady Lan looked utterly embarrassed, "I... I'm at a loss for words."

It was then that Nanny Rong cried out, "Duchess, my third young mistress harbors deep affections for the Crown Prince, desiring none but him. Our master disagrees, and yesterday she attempted to hang herself. Had she not been discovered in time, she would have perished. Now she has taken to fasting... Please, Duchess, allow her to serve the Crown Prince in your household, I beg of you..."

Tang Shuyi was truly shocked; she had never imagined that the daughter of a high-ranking official would resort to threatening suicide to become a concubine. What madness must occupy her thoughts!

Still ignoring Nanny Rong, she looked directly at Lady Lan and said, "It would be best if you resolve your family's issues at home."

This was a clear refusal to accept Lan Shuyu, and Lady Lan, with an apologetic face, said, "I apologize for the disturbance."

As she was about to rise and take her leave, Madame Rong suddenly grasped Tang Shuyi's garment hem, pleading with tears, "Madam Duke, I implore you, if you do not consent, my third young lady will lose her life."

Tang Shuyi’s brow furrowed deeply. She glanced at Madame Lan, who promptly summoned her housemaids and began dragging Madame Rong out.

"Madam Duke, I beg of you, please. If you do not agree, my third young lady will have no chance of survival!"

Her crying echoed throughout the entire Shi'an Garden, attracting Jianning and Xiao Yuzhu to the study door to look outside. Just as Madame Rong was pulled to the door, she saw Jianning, broke free from the maids, ran to Jianning, knelt down, and cried out:

"Princess, please take in the third young miss. If you do not, she will surely die! I assure you, once she enters your household, she will be well-behaved and will not contest for the heir. Princess, I implore you, wuu wuu wuu..."

Jianning looked down at her, took a deep breath, and realized her suspicions were correct - Lan Shuyu truly intended to become a concubine to Xiao Yuchen!

Turning to Madame Lan, she said, "Are the daughters of the Lan family so worthless? Crying and begging to be someone's concubine."

Madame Lan, taken aback by her bluntness, even more so than Tang Shuyi's, felt utterly humiliated. She bowed to Jianning and said, "My apologies for disturbing you, Princess."

"Take her away at once."

Madame Lan commanded loudly, prompting the maids to immediately step forward, gag Madame Rong, and drag her away. Madame Lan bowed once again to Jianning before quickly departing.

"Elder sister, don't be upset with them. Big brother will not take her as a concubine," Xiao Yuzhu said to Jianning with concern.

Despite her young age, she could understand Jianning's feelings well, as she also felt upset whenever there was talk of Li Jingyi choosing consorts.

Jianning managed a smile, reached out to pat her head, and said, "I know."

They both returned to the hall. Tang Shuyi had Jianning sit by her side, took her hand, and said, "Don't worry, I won't agree to this matter, and neither will Yuchen."

Jianning nodded, yet she still felt a tightness in her chest.

Seeing Jianning's still troubled expression, Tang Shuyi continued, "A couple must be candid with each other for a lasting relationship. Speak to Yuchen about your worries, and do not harbor suspicions."

Tears welled up in Jianning's eyes as she leaned on Tang Shuyi's shoulder and said, "Thank you, Mother."

Tang Shuyi patted her hand, "As I’ve told you before, I will not interfere with you and Yuchen having children, nor will I meddle in the matter of taking concubines. Rest assured, neither I nor the Duke will suggest that Yuchen take a concubine."

As for whether Xiao Yuchen wished to take a concubine, that was not for them to decide. After all, in ancient society, it was lawful for men to take concubines; it was merely a question of the man's desire. Xiao Yuchen was a man of ancient times, and they could not impose modern thinking upon him.

Of course, if Xiao Yuchen were to favor a concubine over his wife, that would be a matter they could not ignore.

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