Chapter 414: Congratulations

Chapter 414: Congratulations

Having been raised by Old Madam Lan's side since her teens, Concubine Rong knew precisely what to say to sway her. Like now, after hearing her words, Old Madam Lan fell into deep contemplation. Yet, after a moment, she hesitantly said:

"The scholar Feibai spoke of was meticulously chosen by him. Although from a farming family, he isn't destitute; I've heard they own over a hundred acres of land. Besides, when you marry, I'll prepare a dowry for you. Your life may not be illustrious, but it won't be poor either. It's surely better than being someone's concubine."

Lan Shuyu resumed crying, "Grandmother, I've seen the man. He's short, skinny, and dark. I feel nauseated at the mere sight of him; how could I spend my life with him?"

Old Madam Lan responded helplessly, "A man's appearance isn't what counts, and besides, how many in the entire capital can match the Heir of Xiao's looks? You shouldn't compare others to him."

"But I've decided I will marry the Heir of Xiao, or else I'd rather die."

Once again, Blue Book Yu burst into tears, with Auntie Rong weeping alongside her. The noise gave Old Lady Lan a headache, leading her to finally exclaim, "Let me think, please, just let me think this through."

On hearing Old Lady Lan relent, both Blue Book Yu and Auntie Rong breathed a sigh of relief.

…………

Neither Tang Shuyi nor Jianing took Blue Book Yu seriously, and it was even more so for Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Huai. However, none of them expected that a few days later, rumors would begin to spread outside.

The rumors claimed that Blue Book Yu harbored a deep-seated love for Xiao Yuchen, one that had made her ill with longing. As for Xiao Yuchen, he was not without affection for her, having once given up his carriage for her use.

Such gossip sparked other speculations. For instance, it had been almost a year since Jianing married Xiao Yuchen and she hadn't conceived. Could it be that she was barren? With the daughter-in-law remaining childless, would the Lady of Dingguo consider taking a concubine for her son? And so on.

Naturally, Tang Shuyi and the others were angered by these rumors, but they were too preoccupied to pay them any mind. That morning at breakfast, Jianing had vomited after just a bite, prompting Tang Shuyi to hastily summon the physician.

The residence already employed a physician, who arrived shortly. Taking out his pulse pillow, he felt her pulse under the expectant gazes of the family. Xiao Yuchen stood by Jianing's side, his arm around her shoulders, visibly anxious.

Although he wasn't in a rush to have children, Jianing's concerns over her lack of pregnancy, compounded by the outside whispers, made him hope that this time, the pregnancy was real, which would put everyone's mind at ease.

After a while, the physician withdrew his hand, smiling as he announced, "Congratulations, the Heir's wife is with child, about one month along."

His words were met with silence in the room, which then burst into Xiao Yuchen's hearty laughter, followed by big smiles from Tang Shuyi and Xiao Huai. Naturally, Jianing was the happiest of all, her eyes brimming with tears. Even with a strong bond with Xiao Yuchen, the pressure of infertility had weighed heavily on her.

At that moment, Steward Zhao came to report that Old Lady Lan requested an audience. Tang Shuyi, without a second thought, declined: "No audience."

It didn't take much to surmise that the Lan family was behind the circulating rumors. It was a face-losing act, resorting to such despicable means just to become a concubine.

After Steward Zhao affirmed and left, Tang Shuyi assured Jianing, "Don't worry, mother will handle this for you."

But Jianing replied, "Thank you, Mother, but I'll take care of it myself."

"What do you plan to do?" Tang Shuyi asked. Normally, she would not interfere, as the child should handle their own matters. But now that Jianing was pregnant, it was better she remained untroubled.

Jianing simply stated, "I'll have my father deal with it."

The room fell silent again at her words, then everyone agreed that it was an excellent idea, exceptionally so. Prince Duan was a formidable man; if he were to confront the Lan family, they would have no ground to argue. Whether Prince Duan was willing to avenge Jianing was not a matter of concern; in the end, he would surely agree.

"We'll keep your pregnancy just among ourselves for now, but your grandmother and father should be informed," Tang Shuyi said to Jianing with a smile.

It's common practice not to announce a pregnancy during the unstable first trimester.

Jianing nodded, and Tang Shuyi arranged for messengers to report the news to the Duke of Liguo's residence and Prince Duan's estate. The old Duchess of Liguo, upon hearing of Jianing's pregnancy, was so overjoyed that she stood up, ready to visit the Duke of Dingguo's residence but was stopped by her maid.

"The princess has just been found with child. The Duchess must be busy with arrangements. Moreover, you also need to prepare some nourishment and necessities for the princess."

"Yes, yes, that's true. I will go tomorrow then," the old Duchess said happily.

Over at Prince Duan's estate, Prince Duan and Li Jinghao received the news together. Li Jinghao was ecstatic about his sister's pregnancy, almost jumping with joy, while Prince Duan was nonchalant, merely acknowledging the news.

Li Jinghao was well aware of his father's demeanor and took no offense, focusing instead on preparing gifts for his sister's visit. Before he left, he turned to Prince Duan and said, "Father, don't go out tomorrow. Come with me to the Duke of Dingguo's residence to visit my sister."

Prince Duan frowned. "I have made arrangements with others. You go on your own."

Li Jinghao stepped forward, his gaze stern. "Are you unaware of the rumors circulating? Now is precisely the time to stand by our sister's side. You must go."

Prince Duan snorted, "She is so capable, does she need my support?"

"Regardless, you must come with me tomorrow. Otherwise, I will petition the Emperor that we wish to return to our fief, and he will surely consent," Li Jinghao insisted.

"You..." Prince Duan, pointing at him, was lost for words. He wasn't ready to leave the capital and return to the fiefdom but had no choice but to agree.

Seeing his father's agreement, Li Jinghao turned and left, then inquired from the experienced maids in the estate about the necessities for a pregnant woman.

Meanwhile, the old Lady Lan, standing at the gates of the Duke of Dingguo's residence, was turned away, her face flushed with shame. She had not expected to be outright denied an audience, especially as a mother of a second-rank official.

No matter how angry she was, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't just force her way in and had to return home in her carriage. At that moment, she realized she might have miscalculated again.

Initially, she thought spreading some rumors and then speaking personally to the Duchess of Dingguo would ensure success. After all, Lan Shuyu was the daughter of a second-rank official, which could be beneficial to the Duke of Dingguo's household. But now, things didn't seem as simple as she had anticipated.

She returned home in a flurry of distress, and just as she sat down, Lan Feibai arrived. He had also heard the rumors and was shaking with anger, "Mother, if Wanru and Shuyu are thoughtless, have you no sense as well? Spreading such rumors, the only ones who will be disgraced are ourselves."

The old Lady Lan wanted to say it wasn't her who spread the rumors, but facing Lan Feibai's piercing gaze, she found herself unable to speak, only managing to say, "I didn't expect that even now, the Duchess of Dingguo would not agree."

"Of course, she wouldn't agree," Lan Feibai shouted, "Given the Duke and Duchess's character, do you think they would yield to coercion?"

"But what if Shuyu seeks death again if they don’t agree?" the old Lady Lan said. Her primary motive was, in fact, out of sympathy for Lan Shuyu.

"Then let her die."

With that harsh statement, Lan Feibai left. He needed to quickly figure out a solution to the predicament.