Chapter 91: Truly Curious
Meng Chengtian watched the beauty climb into his carriage, his heart finally settling. Glancing at the tightly closed curtains, he licked his lips, swung himself onto his horse, and signaled to the coachman to set off.
The entourage moved majestically towards the city. Upon reaching their earlier gathering spot, Meng Chengtian's friends discerned the outcome by his grandeur, some congratulating, others jesting.
Meng Chengtian bid them farewell, intent on returning to the capital posthaste. The wager with Xiao Yuming had slipped from his mind, but Yan Wu and Qi Er had not forgotten. Knowing that Shi Mo had gone to retrieve the red fox, they weren't about to let Meng Chengtian slip away.
Qi Er blocked Meng Chengtian's horse, brandishing his riding crop, "What's the matter, Meng Chengtian, too scared to continue the contest?"
"He must be frightened," chimed in Yan Wu, "Xiao Er has gone into the mountains, he might soon capture the red fox, and Meng fears losing five thousand taels of silver."
Qi Er immediately echoed, "Meng Chengtian, can't you afford to lose five thousand taels?"
"Certainly!" Yan Wu leaned in towards Qi Er, adding, "I've heard his family rules are quite strict."
"What family rules?" Qi Er inquired with "curiosity".
Yan Wu smirked slyly, then looked at Meng Chengtian, saying, "Obviously, it's because his wife..."
"Yan Wu, you're courting death!"
Meng Chengtian, humiliated, charged in fury towards Qi Er and Yan Wu but was restrained by his companions. Others pleaded with Qi Er and Yan Wu, "Meng got a treasure today; he should cherish it. You should let him go."
Qi Er and Yan Wu, of course, had no intention of letting Meng Chengtian off, not with five thousand taels at stake.
Qi Er said, "What treasure? Let this young master see if it's worth five thousand taels."
Yan Wu joined in the teasing, "Right, let's see if it's worth the price."
Inside the carriage, Liu Biqin, hearing herself appraised in terms of money, flushed with anger, yet she dared not speak out or show herself.
It was at that moment a voice outside caused her heart to leap with nervousness. "Oh, Meng Chengtian, trying to flee after seeing this young master has caught a red fox, are you?"
Who else could it be but Xiao Yuming, causing Liu Biqin's heart to constrict with fear, dreading that he might discover her presence.
Outside, Xiao Yuming, not even sparing the carriage a glance, held up his red fox, "Meng Chengtian, you must honor the bet. I've caught the red fox; bring out the five thousand taels quickly."
Xiao Yuming handed the red fox over to Yan Wu, who eagerly accepted it, captivated by its beauty, something he had never seen before, truly a marvel to behold.
Xiao Yuming extended his hand towards Meng Chengtian, "Quick, five thousand taels of silver."
"I don't carry that much on me; I'll pay you later." Meng Chengtian had never expected that Xiao Yuming would actually catch the red fox. Indeed, he did not carry so much silver on him.
However, Xiao Yuming wasn't about to let him off so easily. He said, "No silver, no problem. Just leave those jade pendants and the jade crown you're wearing as collateral with me."
Meng Chengtian felt that Xiao Yuming was deliberately making things difficult for him and retorted, "Xiao Er, don't push your luck."
Xiao Yuming shrugged, idly swinging his riding crop, "I heard you acquired a treasure today. How about you leave that treasure with me as collateral? Once you've repaid the money, I'll return it to you."
How could Meng Chengtian hand over the beauty he'd just won and hadn't yet enjoyed? He could only reluctantly remove the jade pendants and crown, along with all the silver notes he had, and give them to Xiao Yuming, then said through gritted teeth, "They're all yours, okay now?"
Xiao Yuming glanced over the items indifferently, "This will do. I'll give you half a day. If I don't get the money by tonight, I'll consider these items mine."
"I'll pay you back as soon as we return to the city," Meng Chengtian said, teeth clenched.
"Fine," Xiao Yuming replied.
His affirmation allowed both Meng Chengtian and Liu Biqin inside the carriage to breathe a sigh of relief. Then Xiao Yuming and his men cleared the way for Meng Chengtian's party to pass, watching as they gradually disappeared into the distance.
Qi Er remarked, "I heard Meng Chengtian caught a beauty. Do you think she's really that remarkable?"
Yan Wu burst into laughter, "Good or not, why don't you try her out yourself when you get home?"
Qi Er smacked his lips, "I'm just curious, besides, my father is strict and currently forbids me from such indulgences."
Yan Wu shrugged, "My father forbids it, too."
In large families, although maidservants prepared for the young masters typically were destined to become concubines, respectable households did not permit their young masters to indulge prematurely. One reason was to prevent harm to their health, and the other was to avoid distraction from their studies due to obsession with women.
In strict households, the young masters were generally allowed to 'sample the wares' only before their grand weddings, primarily to gain some experience and avoid embarrassment on their wedding nights.
In the Great Qian Dynasty, men typically married after the age of sixteen, but in major families, they married a bit later, usually between eighteen and twenty years of age.
At this moment, both Yan Wu and Qi Er looked at Xiao Yuming, who snorted, "As if I could indulge, plus, I am in mourning."
Qi Er and Yan Wu both sighed. They were genuinely curious.
Suddenly, Qi Er pulled Yan Wu and Xiao Yuming close, making their heads touch. Then he whispered, "How about... after the New Year, when the mourning period is over, we... we try the brothel? We'll find someone untouched, surely disease-free."
Xiao Yuming and Yan Wu looked at him in shock. Although they were dissolute, their families strictly forbade visiting gambling houses and brothels. Being caught meant a punishment worse than death. Thus, these places were topics they never broached.
Under their gaze, Qi Er started to stammer, "I... I'm just curious, really just curious. Aren't you guys curious too?"
Xiao Yuming and Yan Wu remained silent; they were curious. But the idea of visiting a brothel was met with hesitation, for if discovered, the punishment would be severe.
"We'll see when the time comes," Yan Wu said, holding a red fox in his arms. "What woman could be as lovely as this fox?"
His words successfully diverted the attention of Qi Er and Xiao Yuming, and the three began to examine the fox with fur red as blood.
Indeed, their curiosity towards that particular indulgence was akin to their fascination with the red fox.
After playing with the fox for a while, they rode back to the city. Xiao Yuming, holding the fox, went to Duke Tang's residence first. The Duke was entertaining guests, so he went to the study to play with the fox.
"I thought you'd keep it and never return," Duke Tang joked upon returning to the study.
Xiao Yuming quickly stood up, his face a portrait of misery with the fox in his arms. "I can't let my mother see this fox; she'll surely demand I hunt a white or silver one for her."
Seeing his distressed expression, Duke Tang burst into laughter, then asked, "What happened?"
Xiao Yuming sighed heavily. "Yesterday, I hunted some rabbits, planning to make hand-warmers for my mother and Yu Zhu. My mother then asked me to hunt leopards and tigers to make boots for you."
Duke Tang laughed heartily again. "My daughter is truly filial."
Xiao Yuming: "..."
His words were in vain.
Chapter 92: Are You Really My Mother?
"What did you borrow this fox for?" Duke Tang asked Xiao Yuming, still smiling.
Xiao Yuming didn't conceal anything and recounted the events of the past two days in detail. Tang Shuyi had told him there was no need to hide anything from Duke Tang.
After listening, a proud smile appeared on Duke Tang's face, pride for his daughter's excellence. He said, "Your mother hid that girl from the Liu family in the West Mountain Villa. I always thought she was too soft-hearted, but it turns out she had a backup plan. Good, your mother's strategy this time is excellent."
Xiao Yuming's face beamed with pride as well. "My mother said, this is using their own methods against them, killing two birds with one stone, and if well executed, perhaps even three."
Duke Tang laughed heartily, "If your mother acts decisively, she can definitely achieve triple success."
"It's just... Li Biqin is doomed this time. I'm worried about my brother..." Xiao Yuming said with some concern.
"No matter," Duke Tang waved his hand dismissively, "If he can't even overcome such a minor hurdle..." The heir of the Marquis of Yongning should be replaced.
Duke Tang didn't finish his sentence in front of Xiao Yuming but changed the subject, "You are about to come of age, soon you'll be an adult. You need to be more reserved. Your elder brother is the firstborn, eligible to inherit the title. You'll have to make your own way.
"But your mother and I will plan for you. Your mother wants you to follow General Xiang Tianhe to gain experience; this is only the first step. Your grandfather and father have been operating in the northwest for many years, even though they are no longer with us, many generals there still recognize the Xiao family.
"You've been unruly since childhood, with a not-so-good reputation outside. If you can follow General Xiang for two years and gain a master-disciple relationship, it will be easier for you to expand your influence in the northwest later on. However, Xiang Tianhe is a stubborn man, immune to persuasion.
"If he doesn't take a liking to you, then join the imperial guards or the suburban camp for two years of experience before heading to the northwest. Don't worry, by that time, your mother and I will have arranged everything for you."
Xiao Yuming's eyes grew warm, he never knew his mother and grandfather had planned so much for him. Since his father's death, he had never thought of returning to the northwestern army. But it was a place he once longed for.
"Grandfather, rest assured, I will work hard in the future," Xiao Yuming said earnestly.
Duke Tang raised his aged hand and patted his shoulder, "Grandfather knows you're a good boy."
Xiao Yuming felt a little embarrassed; his mother and grandfather both liked to use this tactic.
"Alright, take this fox to the garden," said Duke Tang.
In the Duke's mansion, there was a small zoo in the garden, home to rare animals like foxes, peacocks, camels, etc. Duke Tang was fond of it.
Xiao Yuming saluted Duke Tang and walked towards the garden with the red fox in his arms. As he entered, he saw the second wife of Duke Tang and her daughter, Miss Tang Fifth, coming towards him. Xiao Yuming hurriedly greeted the second madam, "Aunt, are you well?"
Then he greeted Miss Tang Fifth, "Cousin."
Miss Tang Fifth, seeing the red fox in his arms, laughed, "I was wondering where this fox had gone. So it was with you."
Xiao Yuming handed the fox over to her, "I took it out for a play."
Miss Tang Fifth giggled with delight as she held the fox. The second madam looked at her helplessly, then turned to Xiao Yuming and asked, "You often visit the mansion, why haven't we seen your elder brother these days?"
Xiao Yuming couldn't say that Xiao Yuchen was injured, so he replied, "My elder brother is studying at home."
"Yuchen is also too hardworking. For families like ours, why be so studious? Look at your eldest uncle and second uncle, they are not even successful scholars, yet they are high-ranking officials," said the second madam.
Xiao Yuming just smiled and remained silent. How could he respond to that? His mother was bent on having his elder brother pass the imperial examination.
Mrs. Tang Er had something on her mind and after exchanging a few words with Xiao Yuming, she left, and Xiao Yuming also returned home.
On the other hand, after leaving the garden, Lady Tang Er left Tang Fifth Miss to her own devices and went to the courtyard of the senior Lady Tang. The senior lady was busy with the accounts. The sisters-in-law had a good relationship over the years, so she didn't stand up but invited Lady Tang Er to sit directly.
"Sister-in-law, may I discuss something with you?" whispered the second Mrs. Tang.
Seeing her serious expression and the importance of the matter at hand, the first Mrs. Tang gestured for all the maids and servants to leave the room. Now alone, she said, "Go ahead."
The second Mrs. Tang leaned in two inches closer to the first Mrs. Tang and lowered her voice, "What do you think of our little fifth being with Yu Chen?"
Upon hearing this, the first Mrs. Tang was so shocked that she gaped for a while before exclaiming, "Have you lost your mind? Are you even her mother?"
"How am I not her mother?" The second Mrs. Tang couldn't understand the first Mrs. Tang's overreaction, saying, "Little fifth and Yu Chen are first cousins. And Yu Chen, needless to say about her looks, is also decent and honest. We know Book Yi's temperament too; if little fifth marries into the Marquis's household, she certainly won't be bullied."
The first Mrs. Tang glared at her fiercely, "Others may not know what's going on between Yu Chen and that Liu family girl, but how could we not? Yu Chen is deeply in love with that girl from the Liu family, and it's uncertain if he'll ever get over her in this lifetime. Would you want your daughter to marry such a man?"
"That Liu family girl is nothing to be afraid of," the second Mrs. Tang replied, her confidence slightly shaken by the first Mrs. Tang's words.
"It's not the Liu girl we fear, but a man who has given his whole heart to one woman," the first Mrs. Tang sighed softly, analyzing for her, "We don't fear a man without a heart when marrying off our daughters, but we do fear a man whose heart only has room for one woman, do you understand?
"A man obsessed with a single woman would live for her, die for her, and do everything for her that we can't even imagine. Have you forgotten the story of the lovesick man from the Xu family, who wanted to divorce his wife for his beloved, a few years ago?"
"This... this... Yu Chen shouldn't be like that, little fifth is his first cousin after all," the second Mrs. Tang was startled by the argument.
The first Mrs. Tang snorted, "And what difference does being first cousins make?"
The second Mrs. Tang fiddled with her handkerchief in deep thought, while the first Mrs. Tang softened her tone, "Of course, all these are just my speculations, perhaps Yu Chen won't, but what if? Do you dare to take that risk?"
The second Mrs. Tang shook her head, and the first Mrs. Tang continued, "Don't mention this to Book Yi either, I reckon she wouldn't agree. It's not that she looks down on little fifth, she probably also fears that Yu Chen would let her down."
"I... I'll think about it some more," said the second Mrs. Tang as she stood up and hurriedly left.
She hadn't thought it through before. She thought that marrying off her daughter to Xiao Yu Chen, the future Marquis of Yongning, with her aunt looking after her, and given Xiao Yu Chen's sensible nature, would make for an excellent match. Now, it seemed not so great after all.
She needed to think more carefully.
Chapter 93: He Always Felt That Something Was Being Kept From Him
Tang Shuyi was unaware of Lady Tang's intentions. Had she known, she would have remarked on her audacity. Currently, she herself was in the dark, uncertain of how her eldest son would react if Liu Biqin were to die amidst this turmoil.
Although Xiao Yuchen had burned all of Liu Biqin's portraits, his agony was evidence enough of the depth of her roots in his heart. The mere thought of sending her away, of their paths diverging forever, had distressed him so. What if she were to die?
Tang Shuyi dared not ponder on it further, nor did she wish to. This burden was Xiao Yuchen's to bear, for it was he who had sown the seeds. If he found himself incapable of shouldering the consequences, then the heir of the Marquis's estate would simply have to be replaced.
On this point, her views aligned perfectly with those of the Duke of Tang.
Of course, as parents, they naturally hoped Xiao Yuchen would overcome this obstacle.
At the moment, she was discussing the matter of Meng Chengtian and Liu Biqin with Xiao Yuming in the study. Tang Shuyi inquired, "You've had someone keep tabs on them, haven't you?"
Xiao Yuming nodded. "Yes, we're watching them. Based on his usual patterns, he's likely to hide her in Li Jian'an's residence in West Sixth Alley, south of the city. Several of his concubines are housed there."
Tang Shuyi's brows furrowed slightly. "I'd rather he hid her in another of Li Jian'an's residences. That would make it easier to frame Li Jian'an."
If several of Meng Chengtian's concubines resided in that house, even if the property belonged to Li Jian'an, he could easily disassociate himself from the matter. However, if Meng Chengtian were to isolate Liu Biqin in one of Li Jian'an's residences, and she were to die there, with no witnesses to the contrary, the blame would inevitably fall on Li Jian'an, from whose property the body would emerge.
Xiao Yuming had also considered this and fell silent for a moment before suggesting, "If it comes to it, we could move Liu Biqin to one of Li Jian'an's private properties."
Tang Shuyi hummed in agreement. "Don't worry. Once Meng Chengtian takes her in, Li Jian'an won't be able to escape implication. There are plenty who would link this affair to Li Jian'an and the Second Prince."
Xiao Yuming understood. The Second Prince had many enemies, including the Crown Prince and the Third and Fourth Princes, all of whom had numerous methods at their disposal.
At that moment, a knock sounded from outside, followed by Cuìyún's voice, "Madam, Shimo has returned."
"Let him in," Tang Shuyi ordered.
Shortly, Shimo parted the curtains and entered. After paying his respects to Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuming, he reported, "I followed Meng Chengtian and saw him and a carriage enter the city. After about half an hour, they stopped at a residence on Yangmen Street in the eastern part of the city. Miss Liu and her maid alighted from the carriage and entered the residence. Upon inquiry, I learned that the residence is usually unoccupied."
Tang Shuyi fell silent for a moment before instructing, "Have Steward Zhao investigate who owns that property."
"Understood."
Once Shimo had left to carry out his task, Xiao Yuming asked Tang Shuyi, "When do we proceed to the next step?"
"Let's wait a bit longer. Your elder brother needs to witness it himself to truly give up," Tang Shuyi replied.
To witness the woman one loves wholeheartedly, one's flesh and blood, being intimate with another man, is something no man can tolerate. Yet, such a scene was necessary to eradicate his affections completely.
Xiao Yuming leaned back in his chair without uttering a word. He knew his mother was intent on taking decisive action. Upon reflection, he realized that neither he nor his brother were ones to bring peace of mind.
"How is the injury on your knee?" Tang Shuyi shifted the topic and asked.
Xiao Yuming stretched his legs back and forth and said with a chuckle, "I'm quite resilient; it's almost healed."
"Still, you must be careful and continue applying the medicine," Tang Shuyi advised.
Xiao Yuming hummed in response, feeling a warm sensation in his heart.
After talking for a while, it was time for dinner. Mother and son left the study together and happened to run into Xiao Yuchen, who was coming for the meal. Xiao Yuming felt guilty and subconsciously thought of an excuse for why he was in the study with Tang Shuyi.
But at that moment, Tang Shuyi nonchalantly asked Xiao Yuchen, "How's your injury?"
"It's nothing serious," Xiao Yuchen replied.
"You must be careful with your diet these next few days, and avoid overthinking. Some matters can be postponed," Tang Shuyi said to Xiao Yuchen as they entered the dining room together.
Xiao Yuming followed behind, immensely admiring his mother's composure in the face of crisis, feeling he couldn't compare.
Upon entering the dining room, they found Xiao Yuzhu already there, feeding her little rabbit. Xiao Yuming approached and said, "Why fuss over a rabbit? I'll hunt a tiger for you to feed one day."
Xiao Yuzhu, knowing he was just teasing her, rolled her eyes and said, "More likely you'll be hunted by the tiger."
Hearing this, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh, "Then our second young master must practice martial arts diligently, lest one day he encounters a tiger and ends up being the hunted."
The image this conjured in her mind was too amusing. Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuchen both started laughing. Xiao Yuming, unfazed, added, "If I can't beat it, I'll just run. How could I let a beast hunt me?"
Everyone burst into laughter, Tang Shuyi so much that she was almost in tears. She gestured for the three children to sit down and start the meal. The dishes were catered to accommodate the two injured, Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming, with many light options.
After the meal, the family sat together and talked. Xiao Yuzhu shared her day's experience at the family school: "Today, my second uncle came to the school and pulled me aside, telling me not to bully Xiao Qingyu. Humph, it must've been Xiao Qingyu complaining to him."
Hearing this, Tang Shuyi frowned slightly. Xiao Jing was really not handling things well. Such minor squabbles between the girls of the household, without any serious consequence, should be resolved among themselves. Besides, even if it had escalated, wasn't there his wife? Why was he meddling in the inner house affairs?
After pondering, she said to Xiao Yuzhu, "Don't mind it, continue as usual. If she comes to you again, just say, 'Let your second aunt come to me.'"
Xiao Yuzhu snickered, "Second uncle isn't as decisive as second aunt."
Tang Shuyi responded to her remark, "Your second uncle's temperament, I suspect, was deliberately cultivated by your grandparents. He is a concubine-born son, not of the same mother as your father. Had he been more assertive, it would take little instigation for him to vie for titles. Such occurrences are not rare in the capital."
The three siblings listened intently without speaking. Tang Shuyi then said, "Our family is considered peaceful, your father's two concubines, previously from the northwest, were sent back and have been quietly living here without children.
"But look at those families swarming with illegitimate sons and daughters, how many of them are truly at peace? In my opinion, concubines and their children are the root of unrest within a household."
After speaking, her gaze swept over Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Yuming. The brothers caught her eye, opened their mouths as if to say something, but seemed at a loss for words.
What could they say? That they would never take concubines and father illegitimate children?
Would such a stance make them oddities among men? Not necessarily, their own father had no illegitimate children. For a moment, their thoughts were a tangle of confusion.
At that moment, the voice of Cuiyun came from outside, saying that Steward Zhao had matters to report. Tang Shuyi stood up and said, "Let's go to the study."
In the study, Xiao Yuchen wore a puzzled expression and asked Xiao Yuming, "What has mother been busy with these past few days?"
Xiao Yuming spread his hands, "How would I know?"
Xiao Yuchen turned to Xiao Yuzhu, who shook her head, "I don't know either."
Xiao Yuchen frowned; he couldn't shake the feeling that something was being kept from him.
Chapter 94: Taking Fate into One's Own Hands
Inside the study, Steward Zhao was reporting to Tang Shuyi, "This old servant went to the yamen to investigate the background, and the residence where Miss Liu is staying was indeed owned by Liang Jian'an."
Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh; Meng Chengtian really seemed to be in no hurry to see Liang Jian'an's demise.
"Should we take action immediately?" Steward Zhao asked quietly.
Tang Shuyi shook her head, "Keep a constant watch, twelve hours a day. When Meng Chengtian and Liu Biqin set the date, then come and tell me."
"This..." Steward Zhao was somewhat puzzled; given the Marchioness's current style of handling things, she was never one to delay.
"Some things, you need to see with your own eyes before you can give up hope," Tang Shuyi explained.
Steward Zhao nodded in understanding, "I will ensure someone watches closely, without a single slip."
"Good," Tang Shuyi said, confident in Steward Zhao's abilities.
After bowing to Tang Shuyi, Steward Zhao went out and soon encountered Xiao Yuchen not far from the Shian Garden. He hurriedly approached and bowed. Xiao Yuchen gestured for him to rise, then said, "Steward Zhao, has something happened at home these past few days?"
Steward Zhao appeared bewildered, "What matter? This old servant is unaware."
Xiao Yuchen: "..." Pretend all you want.
"What were you reporting to my mother just now?" he asked.
Steward Zhao looked troubled, "The madam has forbidden me from speaking of it. Please, Young Master, don't put me in a difficult position."
And you say there's nothing going on?
Xiao Yuchen huffed and turned to leave. Steward Zhao watched his retreating figure and sighed; their eldest young master would be heartbroken when he finds out.
In the World of Peace Garden, Xiao Yuming hadn't left; he was waiting to learn what Steward Zhao had reported. Tang Shuyi called him into the study and confirmed that the residence indeed belonged to Liang Jianan, making him laugh heartily.
Choosing Meng Chengtian to trap Liang Jianan was truly the right decision.
Tang Shuyi also smiled, then said, "I've instructed Steward Zhao to keep a close watch on that place. As for you, keep an eye on your elder brother and don't let him make any moves. I don't think it will take too long."
Meng Chengtian was not like Xiao Yuchen, who could indulge in pure love without crossing the line. Liu Biqin moving into the courtyard prepared by Meng Chengtian should have known what would come next.
"Mother, rest assured, I will keep a close watch on my elder brother," Xiao Yuming promised.
"Good."
After their conversation, Xiao Yuming left. Tang Shuyi returned to her bedroom to find Xiao Yuzhu still awake. She sat down beside her and asked, "Why haven't you gone to bed yet?"
"I was waiting for you," Xiao Yuzhu replied. "Earlier, my elder brother asked me and my second brother if something had happened at home."
Tang Shuyi smoothed her daughter's hair and asked, "What did you say?"
"I don't know," Xiao Yuzhu said, for she truly was unaware of everything.
After a moment of silence, Tang Shuyi recounted the entire situation to her. Hearing that Liu Biqin had left with Meng Chengtian, Xiao Yuzhu's face puffed up in anger, "How could she do this to my elder brother? She has betrayed him."
Tang Shuyi hummed in response, her gaze drifting through the window into the darkness outside, "That's why she will not have a good end."
"Will she die?" asked Xiao Yuzhu.
Tang Shuyi nodded, "Without a doubt."
Xiao Yuzhu pursed her lips, "Big brother will definitely be heartbroken."
Tang Shuyi turned to look at her, "No matter how heartbroken, he must endure it."
She then stroked Xiao Yuzhu's head and whispered, "Yuzhu, I want you to know that all those ancient teachings about women obeying their fathers before marriage and their husbands after are nonsense. Only by taking control of your own destiny can you live with peace of mind and grace."
Xiao Yuzhu didn't quite understand, her eyes filled with confusion.
Tang Shuyi explained, "Liu Biqin surrendered her fate to others, which led to her current predicament. She's a traitor's daughter, and your elder brother risked a lot to rescue her from prison. Staying in the capital endangered not only your brother but herself as well.
From the moment your brother rescued her from prison, she should have taken the initiative to ask him for some money and leave the capital. Given your brother's affection for her, he would have surely provided her with a substantial sum, along with guards, attendants, and a false identity.
With the money, she could have settled in a small town, started a small business, or bought some land. Over time, she could have built a different life. But she didn't. She chose to be supported by your brother, like a caged canary. That's why later, I could easily send her away to the manor.
Even before sending her to the manor, I had offered to let her go, but she refused. When she was at the manor, I didn't restrict her freedom. She could have left at any time, but she chose to place her fate in the hands of Meng Chengtian, a man she had met only once. Having made that choice, she must bear the consequences."
This time, Xiao Yuzhu grasped some understanding and said, "So, no matter what, one must have the ability to survive on their own."
Tang Shuyi smiled with relief, "Exactly, no matter the predicament, one must do everything possible to keep their fate in their own hands and not be manipulated by others."
Xiao Yuzhu nodded earnestly, and Tang Shuyi embraced her, adding, "But you don't have to worry, I won't let you fall into a situation like Liu Biqin's."
Xiao Yuzhu nestled in Tang Shuyi's warm embrace, feeling comfort and warmth throughout her body and heart. After a while, she said, "Liu Biqin chose this path because it seemed the easiest way to get what she wanted."
"But there are no gains without pains," Tang Shuyi murmured, "The wealth she obtained so easily came at the expense of her dignity and fate. Of course, this presumes she has something to trade – her beauty. Beauty is priceless to a man who desires it, but worthless to one who has grown tired of it."
After hearing this, Xiao Yuzhu furrowed her brow in thought and said, "So... a woman shouldn't live on a man's affections alone, for what if one day he no longer cares for her?"
Tang Shuyi laughed heartily, expressing her admiration, "Exactly, my Yuzhu is indeed clever."
Xiao Yuzhu, upon being praised, also smiled joyfully.
The mother and daughter talked a while longer until Xiao Yuzhu's eyelids began to droop. Tang Shuyi sent her to bed and after tidying up herself, soon fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Liu Biqin found herself unable to sleep.
After Meng Chengtian brought her to this residence, he confessed his admiration and said he could support her indefinitely. She hadn't refused, but neither had she immediately agreed. Sometimes, it's wise to keep a man in suspense. Yet, her heart was restless.
"Hong'er, my heart is uneasy, as if something bad is going to happen," Liu Biqin whispered to Hong'er.
She spoke softly because unfamiliar maids and servants guarded outside. Being in unfamiliar surroundings, caution was paramount.
Chapter 95: A Bloody Scene
Having just arrived in a new environment, Hong'er was somewhat uneasy. Meng Chengtian was different from Xiao Yuchen; Liu Biqin had grown up with Xiao Yuchen as childhood friends and trusted him implicitly, whereas she had only met Meng Chengtian once.
But Hong'er didn't show her panic, instead smiling and saying, "Oh my, miss, just look at how well Master Meng treats you. What is there to be anxious about?"
Liu Biqin remained apprehensive, "But Meng Chengtian is married. What about his wife? Will she come looking for us here?"
"That's why, miss, you must swiftly capture Master Meng's heart without any hesitation," advised Hong'er.
Liu Biqin pursed her lips in silence, while Hong'er grew so anxious she was nearly sweating. When Meng Chengtian left, he had given her a silver note worth fifty taels and promised that if she could help him win his beloved within three days, she would be freed from servitude.
After what felt like an eternity, Hong'er heard Liu Biqin whisper, "I understand."
Hong'er's smile blossomed like a jubilant flower.
Three days later, Tang Shuyi received the report that Liu Biqin and Meng Chengtian had consummated their relationship. Tang Shuyi couldn't quite articulate her feelings, but she was certainly not overjoyed.
She summoned Xiao Yuming and briefed him on the situation, then said, "Meng Chengtian will likely visit Liu Biqin tonight. Take your elder brother to watch the play."
Xiao Yuming nodded with a solemn expression, only to hear Tang Shuyi add, "Bring your brother back safely."
"I understand," Xiao Yuming replied earnestly.
Tang Shuyi waved her hand, "Go get ready."
"Alright."
Xiao Yuming responded and left. Instead of returning to his own courtyard, he went to seek out Niu Hongliang, the most skilled fighter in the marquis's residence. Sneaking into another household at night would certainly not involve going through the front door; scaling walls was much more likely.
While he could manage it himself, the addition of another person complicated matters. Moreover, it was uncertain whether Meng Chengtian had arranged guards in that residence, so it was best to scout out the location first and then have an expert accompany them at night.
Upon meeting Niu Hongliang, Xiao Yuming explained the plan. Niu Hongliang couldn't help but frown and advise, "Second young master, this business of climbing over walls at night seems..."
"My mother ordered me to do this," Xiao Yuming interrupted him, adding, "She also asked me to take my brother with me. Master Niu, your task will be to assist my brother in scaling the wall."
Niu Hongliang: "…I need to consult the Lady Marquise."
"No need," Xiao Yuming leaned closer and recounted the matter between Xiao Yuzhen and Liu Biqin, omitting certain details like their current scheme, of course.
With a clearer picture, Niu Hongliang understood that the Lady of the Marquis intended to make the eldest son give up on his pursuit. He agreed, "Alright, have someone scout the area first, and I'll accompany you and the eldest son tonight."
Climbing walls with someone in tow was hardly a challenge.
Xiao Yuming arranged for the reconnaissance. By afternoon, the scout reported back that there were no guards inside or outside the residence. Xiao Yuming speculated that Meng Chengtian's lack of guards was likely to avoid stirring up trouble and attracting his ferocious wife's attention.
Regardless of the reason, the absence of guards made their task easier.
That evening, the family of four dined in Tang Shuyi's courtyard as usual. However, after the meal, Tang Shuyi excused herself for some work, sending the three siblings away and breaking the usual routine of after-dinner conversation.
Once they left Shian Garden, Xiao Yuming draped his arm over Xiao Yuzhen's shoulder, grinning. "There's a fantastic play tonight. I'll take you to see it."
Xiao Yuzhen turned to look at him. "What play?"
Xiao Yuming's voice was hushed and mysterious. "Liang Jianan's play. Interested?"
Realization dawned on Xiao Yuzhen's face. "Is this what you've been keeping from me?"
Xiao Yuming replied hesitantly, "…Yes. Are you coming or not?"
"Of course, I am," Xiao Yuzhen immediately responded. He might not be taking direct action, but the downfall of Liang Jianan would bring him joy.
Seeing his brother's enthusiasm, Xiao Yuming didn't know what to say. He just sighed internally, acknowledging that discomfort was inevitable, sooner or later.
After changing into dark clothes, Xiao Yuming led Xiao Yuzhen to meet Niu Hongliang, and the trio headed to Liu Biqin's hideout. Reaching the residence, Xiao Yuming scaled the wall with practiced ease.
Xiao Yuzhen, however, looked at the high wall with mixed feelings. He had never done anything like this in his life; it was unbecoming of a gentleman.
"Hurry up," Xiao Yuming whispered down from the wall.
"My apologies, Eldest Young Master."
As soon as Niu Hongliang's voice faded, Xiao Yuzhen felt himself being hoisted by the collar and thrown upwards. He landed on the wall, almost tumbling down, only to be steadied by Xiao Yuming.
Sitting atop the wall and catching his breath, Niu Hongliang joined them quietly.
Xiao Yuzhen had something to say but chose silence, following Xiao Yuming along the wall to a rooftop. Niu Hongliang carefully lifted some tiles, cleared underneath, peeked down, and then looked up with a complicated expression.
Xiao Yuming followed suit and looked down, maintaining a calm facade upon looking up. But Xiao Yuzhen knew he was hiding something. Then he heard him say, "Brother, the show is right below. Take a look."
Xiao Yuchen suddenly felt that tonight was probably not about watching Liang Jianan's play, but something else entirely.
"Big brother, look." Xiao Yuming urged.
Xiao Yuchen frowned slightly and looked down. Through the square gap between the tiles, he could clearly see the scene in the room below.
He saw in the elegantly furnished room, a woman sitting on a man's lap, smiling sweetly as she fed him, while the man kissed her rosy lips...
That woman was the one he longed for day and night, the one he decided to let go of, causing him pain - his beloved Miss Qin.
Xiao Yuchen felt as if the whole world had come to a standstill, except for the two lively figures below.
His heart seemed to ache, but he felt numb; his only thought was to kill, to take the life of that man. He abruptly stood up, intending to leap down from the rooftop, but was firmly held back.
"Big brother, what are you trying to do?" Xiao Yuming's hands tightly clamped down on Xiao Yuchen's shoulders as he asked.
"Kill him, kill Meng Chengtian." Xiao Yuchen's eyes were filled with rage.
"If you kill him, you'll ruin mother's plan," Xiao Yuming stared intently into Xiao Yuchen's eyes, continuing, "Didn't you see? Your Miss Qin willingly betrayed your so-called love. She offered herself to Meng Chengtian of her own volition."
Confronted with the harsh reality, Xiao Yuchen felt as if a blade had violently pierced his heart, the pain was unbearable. Then, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood...
Chapter 96: Would You Have Me Be Your Blade?
When Tang Shuyi saw her eldest son being carried back, her expression remained calm; she had anticipated this outcome. She had long witnessed the depth of her eldest son's affection for Liu Biqin.
"Place him on the couch," she instructed Xiao Yuming, who was carrying Xiao Yuchen.
Xiao Yuming approached the brocade couch, and Cui Zhu and Cui Yun hurriedly stepped forward to assist. Both were startled upon seeing the blood at the corner of Xiao Yuchen's mouth. Tang Shuyi noticed as well and could guess what had happened without asking.
Her expression still showed no fluctuation as she sat down in a chair to the side and instructed Cui Yun, "Send for Steward Zhao."
With significant events unfolding tonight, Steward Zhao had been waiting outside. Cui Yun stepped out, and he soon arrived. Tang Shuyi told him, "Inform the Grand Tutor's mansion about the daughter of the convicted Liu Yushan, Liu Biqin, and her affair in Liang Jianan's residence. Go personally, there's no need to hide your identity."
The whole matter, if traced back, would reveal their plot against Liang Jianan, so there was no need for secrecy.
"Understood."
Butler Zhao wasted no time after leaving the marquis' residence, heading straight for the Grand Tutor's mansion. It was around the second watch of the night (approximately 8 PM), and he assumed the Grand Tutor would not have retired yet. As he rode in the carriage, he pondered over how to present his report upon reaching the Grand Tutor's mansion.
Since the carriage bore the insignia of the Marquis of Yongning, the guards at the Grand Tutor's mansion did not shoo it away but instead saluted respectfully before inquiring about Butler Zhao's business.
With a grave expression, Butler Zhao stated, "I am Zhao Jie, the steward of Marquis of Yongning's household, bearing urgent news for the Grand Tutor and request an audience."
As he spoke, he produced a visiting card from the Marquis of Yongning. The guard scrutinized the card and took a good look at Butler Zhao before responding, "Please wait a moment. I will announce your arrival."
A visit from the steward of the Marquis of Yongning at such a late hour was certainly no small matter, so the guard hastened into the mansion to find the Grand Tutor's steward. Upon hearing the situation, the Grand Tutor's steward took it very seriously and promptly invited Butler Zhao into the mansion, offering him tea while he went to inform the Grand Tutor.
At that moment, the Grand Tutor was in his study, discussing matters with his advisors. Hearing that his steward had an urgent message, he received him in the adjoining parlor. After the steward relayed the message, the Grand Tutor, with his aged eyelids drooping, stroked his beard and fell silent for a moment before saying, "Bring the man in."
Even during the lifetimes of Xiao Chengkun and Xiao Huai, there was little interaction between the Marquis of Yongning's residence and the Grand Tutor's mansion. The Grand Tutor couldn't fathom why the Marquis of Yongning's steward would visit in the middle of the night, but he sensed it must be a matter of great importance.
Soon, Butler Zhao arrived, led by the Grand Tutor's steward. Upon seeing the Grand Tutor, he quickly paid his respects and said, "I am Zhao Jie, steward of the Marquis of Yongning's household. I apologize for the intrusion at such a late hour."
The Grand Tutor hummed indifferently before asking, "What is the matter?"
Butler Zhao reported, "The criminal Liu Yushan's daughter, Liu Biqin, is currently in the outer residence of Prince Liang Jian'an's uncle. The residence is located on Dongcheng Yangmen Street."
Upon his words, the room fell so silent one could hear a pin drop. The Grand Tutor's gaze was faintly fixed on him, and even though it was a subdued look, Butler Zhao still felt an immense pressure. Nevertheless, he remained respectfully bowed, not showing a trace of panic.
After a lengthy pause, the Grand Tutor finally said, "Wasn't it rumored that the Liu girl was hidden away by your marquis' eldest son?"
Butler Zhao replied, "That was a false accusation, and the accuser has since apologized to our young master and the lady."
The Grand Tutor chuckled twice before saying, "Ah, so you're employing their own tactics against them, but you expect me to be the blade for your cause."
To this, Butler Zhao remained silent.
After another long silence, the Grand Tutor added, "Is this the strategy of Duke Tang, or the Marquis of Yongning's lady?"
Butler Zhao answered, "I do not know."
"Very well, I understand. Tell your lady that I will be the blade for you this time," the Grand Tutor declared.
To this, Butler Zhao remained silent once more. With the character of their lady, who would not admit to taking advantage, she likely saw it as presenting a grand gift to the Grand Tutor.
The Grand Tutor was the maternal grandfather of the Crown Prince but spent every day scheming how to bring down the Second Prince.
"Then, I take my leave," said Butler Zhao, bowing respectfully once again. Upon seeing the Grand Tutor's dismissive wave, he withdrew.
As he left, a smile crept over the Grand Tutor's face, followed by a burst of hearty laughter. The Second Prince indeed has an excellent family by marriage!
Upon returning to the Marquis of Yongning's mansion, Steward Zhao recounted in detail his visit to the Grand Tutor's residence to Tang Shuyi. Hearing that the Grand Tutor had made them a favor, Tang Shuyi snorted, "The old fox is indeed trying to make us indebted to him. Why didn't he mention the grand gift I sent him?"
Steward Zhao: Just as expected.
Regardless, the Marquis of Yongning's household no longer had any part to play in what was to come; they were merely spectators now. The focus now was on their eldest son, who had suffered a heartbreak.
After sending Steward Zhao off to rest, Tang Shuyi returned to the small flower hall where she often spent her time. At this moment, Xiao Yuchen had awakened and was sitting on the brocade couch, his head lowered in silence, resembling a carved stone statue.
Sitting down beside the brocade couch, Tang Shuyi also remained silent, giving Xiao Yuchen time to think. Xiao Yuming and Xiao Yuzhu sat in chairs nearby, neither daring to speak. The room was so quiet it seemed as if only air existed.
After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Yuchen stirred. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Tang Shuyi, "Mother, why? I had already resolved to let her go. Why did you have to... she could die."
Tang Shuyi watched the tears stream down from his lifeless eyes, feeling a tightness in her heart. However, her voice was eerily calm as she spoke, "This was a test. Had she passed, I would have let her go and ensured a future for her free from want. Sadly, she did not pass."
"Why?" Xiao Yuchen asked again.
"You ask why I tested her?" Tang Shuyi questioned, and upon seeing Xiao Yuchen nod, she continued, "Have you forgotten what you have done? The most significant threat is the evidence you hold, harboring the daughter of a criminal. Your deep affection for her—if she reciprocated and protected you in all things, never harming you in the slightest, I would have been reassured. Sending her to a future free from want would have been unproblematic.
But she failed, didn't she? A minor setback shattered her trust in you. A slight temptation, and she betrayed the bond between you. Tell me, if she were manipulated by others in the future, might she not be the one to plunge a dagger into you? You may be willing to gamble on that possibility, but I am not."
The room fell silent once more. Xiao Yuchen asked himself, if someone threatened his life and demanded that he kill Liu Biqin, would he do it? He would not; he would rather die than harm her in the slightest. But would she?
She would, as the facts have already proven. Merely a few months without communication, without seeing each other, and she had fallen into another's embrace.
"Mother... Mother, why must she do this? I never intended to hurt her, and even if I had to send her away, it was a last resort. But why would she do this?"
Xiao Yuchen was now sobbing uncontrollably, clutching Tang Shuyi's arm and weeping heart-wrenchingly, "Mother, your son is in agony, in such agony..."
Chapter 97: Is Mother Particularly Disappointed in Her Son?
Tang Shuyi watched her eldest son cry like a child, clinging to her and expressing his anguish, her own eyes could not help but moisten. She reached out to gently stroke his back, murmuring,
"This is human nature. When times are good, everyone is happy, and love abounds, a perfect life seems possible. But when faced with danger, true character is revealed. Selfishness is a natural human response in the face of peril.
However, those who possess loyalty and integrity would never compromise others for their own benefit. Those without compassion or honor have no scruples, seeking only their own well-being without regard for the harm they may cause others."
Does Liu Biqin have feelings for you? She probably does, but definitely not deeply. Otherwise, she wouldn't have so easily lost trust in you, nor would she have disregarded your safety to throw herself at Meng Chengtian.
Doesn't she know that Meng Chengtian's brother-in-law is Liang Jian'an? Doesn't she realize that the Liang family is our enemy? Hasn't she considered that someday the Liang family might use her to harm you?"
Xiao Yuchen's sobbing gradually subsided. Tang Shuyi continued, "Romantic love, familial affection, the responsibilities of an eldest son, the prospects of a future career, the rise and fall of the family clan—weigh these matters carefully in your mind."
"Changming, Changfeng," Tang Shuyi called out. Changming and Changfeng swiftly entered upon lifting the curtain.
"Help your master back to rest." Tang Shuyi stood up and, looking at Xiao Yuchen sitting on the brocade couch, added, "I'll give you three days. In three days, I expect you to be a worthy heir to the Marquis of Yongning's estate."
Changming and Changfeng promptly stepped forward to help Xiao Yuchen off the couch, while Cuizhu and Cuiyun draped a cloak over his shoulders and put shoes on his feet. Once ready, Changming and Changfeng escorted him out. A sedan chair was already prepared outside, into which they settled him before swiftly returning to the Qingfeng Pavilion.
Back in the room, Tang Shuyi addressed Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming, "I don't wish to see you make the same mistakes your elder brother has made. It's fine to harbor feelings, but you must choose the right person and understand what matters most."
Xiao Yuzhu and Xiao Yuming nodded vigorously; they would certainly not make such foolish mistakes.
Tang Shuyi waved them off to rest, then turned to Cuizhu and Cuiyun, "Keep an eye on the situation in Qingfeng Pavilion and have a physician wait on standby."
Xiao Yuchen was already injured and now deeply traumatized, even to the point of vomiting blood; his condition might worsen by night.
After receiving their instructions, Cuizhu and Cuiyun hastened to fulfill them. Tang Shuyi sighed deeply and leaned back on the brocade couch, hoping her eldest son would pull through this ordeal.
Inside Qingfeng Pavilion, Xiao Yuchen lay in bed being attended to. Changming and Changfeng, not daring to leave, sat on stools beside the bed. Noticing Xiao Yuchen staring blankly at the canopy, they exchanged glances and began to console him:
Changming said, "My lord, grieving won't change what has happened."
Changfeng added, "The lady did all this for your sake. That Liu... she clearly wasn't a good person; the lady couldn't very well let her harm you and the Marquis's estate."
Changming agreed, "Indeed, she isn't worthy of your kindness."
…
They went back and forth, almost unsure of what more to say, when Xiao Yuchen suddenly spoke, "Did you know she was such a person all along?"
Changming and Changfeng nodded together, with Changming adding, "When you knelt at the ancestral hall last time, I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't let me."
"Actually, you can't be blamed," Changfeng said. "We are merely observers."
Xiao Yuchen let out a self-deprecating laugh, then closed his eyes, tears once again trickling down from the corners. He murmured, "I must be the biggest fool in the capital."
Seeing this, Changming and Changfeng became anxious again and were about to start consoling him when Xiao Yuchen said, "Leave me. Let me be alone for a while."
Changming and Changfeng could only leave, but they dared not stray too far, staying on guard just outside the bedroom door. Every few moments, they would tiptoe in to check. About half an hour later, hearing the long, steady breaths of Xiao Yuchen, they finally eased their worries.
However, more than two hours later, when they checked again, they found Xiao Yuchen breathing somewhat rapidly. Changming climbed to the edge of the bed, illuminated his face with a lamp, and saw his complexion flushed. Touching his forehead, it was so hot it could almost cook an egg.
The two hurriedly called for the doctor. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Xiao Yuchen awoke. His first words were, "Don't tell mother; she's already worried herself sick over me."
Changming and Changfeng nodded, but the news still reached Shian Garden.
Tang Shuyi had been sleeping restlessly that night, waking at the slightest disturbance. Hearing that Xiao Yuchen had a high fever, she immediately got out of bed and hurried to Qingfeng Garden with Cuizhu and Cuixian.
Upon arrival, she inquired about his condition. The doctor said, "The Young Master's wounds had not yet healed, and today's fit of rage compounded by suppressed emotions has caused his internal heat to flare."
"Can the fever be reduced?" Tang Shuyi asked.
The doctor shook his head, "Not so quickly."
Tang Shuyi entered the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed, and touched his forehead, which was burning hot. This couldn't go on, or it might cause further complications. After pondering for a moment, she said to Cuizhu and Cuixian, "Prepare some wine, pour it into hot water, and use it to wipe his body."
The doctor, hearing this, became anxious. "What kind of method is this? Wiping the body now and catching a chill could worsen his condition."
Tang Shuyi didn't explain but simply urged Cuizhu and Cuixian to hurry. To the doctor, she said, "Let's try it."
Seeing her insistence, the doctor had no choice but to comply.
"Mother, I am unharmed," murmured Xiao Yuchen, who, hearing Tang Shuyi's voice, slowly opened his eyes.
Tang Shuyi turned back, saw he was awake, and touched his forehead again, saying, "I know, it's nothing serious, just a fever. Once it subsides, you'll be fine."
Xiao Yuchen forced a bitter smile. "Is mother especially disappointed in her son?"
Tang Shuyi shook her head, speaking earnestly, "No one goes through life without making mistakes. What's important is whether one can learn and change after making them. I believe my son can overcome this obstacle and will make me proud in the future."
Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, Xiao Yuchen said, "Your son... your son will definitely try his hardest."
Tang Shuyi smiled, "I believe you will."
At that moment, Cuizhu and Cuixian brought in the hot water mixed with wine. Tang Shuyi instructed Changming to remove all of Xiao Yuchen's clothes and wipe his body. She then stepped out of the bedroom to rest on the couch outside.
Inside, Changming and Changfeng assisted Xiao Yuchen in wiping his body back and forth several times. Finally, the fever subsided, leaving the physician astounded. He wanted to ask Tang Shuyi how she thought of this method, but Cui Zhu and Cui Yun hustled her out. Tang Shuyi had fallen asleep, leaning against the couch.
After a tumultuous night, Xiao Yuchen felt considerably better the next day. His fever had dissipated, and his spirits had lifted. Learning that Tang Shuyi had spent the night on a small couch outside his chamber, he quickly got out of bed and went to see her, only to find her sitting there, sipping tea. She greeted him with a smile, "It seems you're recovering nicely."
"Son has caused Mother much worry," Xiao Yuchen said, bowing deeply.
Tang Shuyi sighed. Her eldest son was truly old-fashioned. Handing her cup to Cui Yun, she stood up and said, "Seeing you well eases my mind. Rest up. In a few days, your grandfather will take you to meet Master Fang Daryu."
"Alright," Xiao Yuchen responded, feeling a warmth in his voice.
"Good, then I'll be going. Take care and rest well."
As Tang Shuyi left, Xiao Yuchen escorted her to the door. Watching her retreating figure, he suddenly realized, what were his heartaches in comparison?
He had his mother, his siblings. Nothing else truly mattered.
Chapter 98: What a Drama!
After returning from Qingfeng Garden to Shi'an Garden, Tang Shuyi freshened up briefly and went back to bed. Having offloaded the burden that was Liu Biqin, she felt relieved. That night, she slept soundly.
But as she slept peacefully, another significant event unfolded in the capital:
A runaway slave from the house of the Imperial Censor, Cao Hongsheng, sought refuge in a mansion on Dongchengyang Street. Cao's steward, along with a group, chased the slave to the mansion. After knocking for quite some time, a young maid opened the door. When the steward demanded entry to search for the slave, the maid refused, sparking an argument.
During the altercation, an old woman from the Cao household entered the mansion and recognized someone familiar. Upon closer inspection, she was shocked to find Liu Biqin, the daughter of the disgraced official Liu Yushan.
This revelation caused quite a stir. Liu Yushan's crime had resulted in the execution and confiscation of his property, with his female relatives to be sold off. How could his daughter be living as the mistress of this mansion? Moreover, rumors had it that this young Miss Liu had died of illness shortly after her imprisonment!
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cao's steward secured the premises and hurried back to inform Censor Cao. Censor Cao rushed to the mansion, only to find his household servants confronting the son of the Meng family. The young Meng insisted that the mansion belonged to his brother-in-law, Liang Jian'an, and he had come to inspect the property, only to be blocked by the Caos.
As Censor Cao stepped forward to clarify the situation, Meng Chengtian pointed at his nose and bellowed, "You censors make a fuss over trivial matters and impeach at the drop of a hat. I tell you, I hold no office. Do your worst."
Censor Cao, having never been insulted to his face, bristled with anger. Pointing at Meng Chengtian, he retorted, "A young man like you is not worth my attention. I will, however, question your father and grandfather about the upbringing of their family's youth."
With a snort, he pushed open the mansion gates and entered. Meng Chengtian tried to stop him, but Censor Cao was prepared; he had brought a number of household guards, who quickly restrained Meng Chengtian.
Meng Chengtian, never having been humiliated in such a manner, lay prostrate on the ground, yelling after Censor Cao's retreating back, "Cao Hongsheng, do you know whose mansion this is? How dare you trespass!"
Censor Cao turned and asked, "Whose mansion is this?"
Meng Chengtian sneered, "This mansion belongs to my brother-in-law, Liang Jian'an. You should know who he is—none other than the Empress's own brother."
Magistrate Cao uttered an "oh," a look of realization dawning on him, then inquired further, "Does that mean the people in this residence are also Liang Jian'an's?"
Upon hearing his words, Meng Chengtian hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes, they are my brother-in-law's men. Dare to touch them and see what happens."
Fearing the tigress at home, he didn't dare admit that Liu Biqin was his, resorting to this vague response to fend off inquiries for the time being.
Magistrate Cao, upon hearing his explanation and observing the onlookers gathered outside, a satisfied smile surfaced on his face before he declared, "This official understands."
Entering the courtyard, he encountered the eye of the storm—the Liu family's daughter, Liu Biqin. Scanning her from head to toe, Magistrate Cao internally sighed at the calamities wrought by a beauty. First, the Prince of Yongning, and now Meng Chengtian.
However, the ultimate victims of this disaster, strangely enough, were Liang Jian'an and the Second Prince, who had little to do with her.
What a grand spectacle indeed!
"Are you Liu Biqin? Is your father Liu Yushan?" Magistrate Cao stared into Liu Biqin's eyes as he asked.
Liu Biqin, trembling with fear, found herself in a situation reminiscent of when her family was raided. She wanted to deny her relation to Liu Yushan, but with her former nanny standing right beside her, denial was not an option. Thus, she remained silent, head bowed and tears streaming.
Even in such a state, her beauty remained, but Magistrate Cao, a man of over fifty, had seen all manner of scenes and was not easily swayed. He stated indifferently, "You are the daughter of a convicted official, and according to the Ministry of Justice's records, you are deceased. How come you are here?"
Liu Biqin continued to weep without speaking, prompting Magistrate Cao to ask further, "Meng Chengtian claims you are Liang Jian'an's. Were you hidden here by Liang Jian'an?"
Liu Biqin maintained her silence amidst her tears, but Magistrate Cao appeared as if he understood everything. He pressed on, "You faked your death to escape, and now you're hidden here, all orchestrated by Liang Jian'an, correct?"
Liu Biqin persisted in her silent weeping. However, Magistrate Cao took this as a tacit admission and inquired further, "When your father embezzled military provisions, was Liang Jian'an involved?"
Liu Biqin was utterly confounded, never anticipating that her departure from the Marquis of Yongning's household and attachment to Meng Chengtian would result in such a predicament. Clueless about what to do next, she was at a complete loss.
In that moment, her thoughts turned to Xiao Yuchen, wishing he would rescue her from this dire situation as he had once before. But she knew all too well the slim chance of that happening; allying with Meng Chengtian had essentially severed her ties with Xiao Yuchen.
"Enough, this official has understood everything," Magistrate Cao stated, casting a profound glance at Liu Biqin before turning to leave, instructing his servants to secure the residence and await the arrival of the Ministry of Justice's personnel.
He mounted his carriage and departed, leaving Meng Chengtian utterly bewildered. Held back outside the residence, he was oblivious to the conversation within, but he vaguely sensed he might have stirred up a grave disaster.
Breaking free from his constraints, he lost all concern for whether the beauty inside had been frightened, clambering onto his own carriage and bellowing at the coachman, "Home, go home, quickly, back home."
Meanwhile, Magistrate Cao acted swiftly; within a quarter of an hour, the Ministry of Justice's officials had taken Liu Biqin away. Half an hour later, his impeachment memorandum accusing Liang Jian'an of harboring the daughter of a convicted official was presented before the Emperor.
The Emperor had been feeling unwell these past few days, experiencing difficulty with his morning routines that seemed to drag on endlessly. Moreover, his nights were haunted by dreams of his brother who had passed nearly three years ago. Each time he awoke from such dreams, his heart would be pounding fiercely.
Under these circumstances, it was only natural that his mood was far from good.
After sipping a cup of tea designed to ease digestion and soothe the spirit, the Emperor picked up a memorial and continued with his imperial duties. Being an Emperor could sometimes be quite frustrating, just like dealing with these memorials which piled up day after day. No matter how many he reviewed today, there would always be a fresh stack awaiting him in the imperial study the next day.
Glancing through several memorials with growing impatience, the Emperor picked up another and, after reading it, frowned and said, "I recall, wasn't it Liang Jian'an from the Liang family who claimed that the heir of the Yongning Marquis had harbored Liang Yushan's daughter?"
The chief eunuch, Jiao Kangsheng, pondered for a moment before responding, "Indeed, that was the case. Later, Liang Jian'an searched the property, only to find it empty. In a fit of rage, he demolished the artificial mountain within the Yongning Marquis's estate and had to compensate thirty thousand taels of silver."
"Hmph, all this fuss over a girl from the Liang family," the Emperor remarked displeased, "Now Cao Hongsheng has impeached Liang Jian'an for harboring the daughter of a criminal, and they even have the evidence and the girl in custody. Quite the drama indeed!"
The Emperor tossed the memorial aside and commanded, "Summon the Second Prince. Have him explain this to me."
Chapter 99: How Could He Be So Foolish?
At that moment, in the residence of the Second Prince, the air was filled with the melodious sound of strings and flutes, accompanied by the seductive dance of the courtesans. The Second Prince, with narrowed eyes, lounged comfortably on his couch, rhythmically tapping his knee to the music while holding a wine cup in his other hand.
These days, the Second Prince was in high spirits, for the Crown Prince had botched a task entrusted by the Emperor and had been sternly reprimanded. Anything that displeased the Crown Prince was a source of joy for him.
Suddenly, a young eunuch approached swiftly and whispered into the prince's ear, "Your Highness, trouble is afoot. Your uncle's estate was found to be harboring Liang Yushan's daughter, Liang Biqin. The Imperial Censor has discovered this, and the memorial has already reached the Emperor."
"Clang!"
The wine cup fell from the hands of the Second Prince. Wiping his face, he asked, "What's going on? Wasn't Liang Yushan's daughter hidden away by Xiao Yuchen? How did she end up in my uncle's estate?"
The young eunuch shook his head, "This servant does not know."
At this moment, another eunuch hurried over and, kneeling before the Second Prince, said, "Your Highness, Eunuch Jiao from the Emperor's side has arrived."
The Second Prince's heart tightened, and with a deep frown, he said, "Invite Eunuch Jiao in."
Soon, Jiao Kangsheng entered with a smile. After paying his respects, he said, "Your Highness, the Emperor requests your presence in the imperial study immediately."
The Second Prince, striving to maintain his composure, asked with a smile, "Does Eunuch Jiao know the reason?"
"This humble servant isn't quite sure," replied Jiao Kangsheng, "only that the Emperor is very angry."
The Second Prince rose to his feet and bowed to Jiao Kangsheng, "Thank you, Eunuch Jiao."
Jiao Kangsheng had essentially informed him—the Emperor was displeased.
"This servant wouldn't dare," Focused Cheng hastily returned the gesture, not daring to accept such a formality from a prince.
With his heart pounding, the Second Prince followed Focused Cheng to the imperial study. The emperor's face was calm as he handed over the document, saying, "Take a look."
The Second Prince unfolded the document, and his heart sank with each line he read. It was signed by Cao Hongsheng, a known ally of the First Prince. Just yesterday, he had mocked the First Prince, and today, this happened.
"Speak, what is all this about?"
The emperor's voice echoed, prompting the Second Prince to kneel hastily. "Your Majesty, I am as puzzled as you are. My uncle has had no dealings with Liu Yushan."
"What about you? Have you had dealings with Liu Yushan?" the emperor inquired.
Sweat began to form on the Second Prince's forehead. He had tried to recruit Liu Yushan while working at the Ministry of War, and they had been in close contact for a while. However, he was unaware of Liu Yushan's embezzlement!
"Why are you silent? Have you had dealings with Liu Yushan?" the emperor's voice came again, and the Second Prince prostrated himself, "Your Majesty, when I served in the Ministry of War, I worked with Liu Yushan, but our interactions were purely official."
"So, there were dealings?" the emperor's voice grew angry. "Was it a deliberate frame-up when Liang Jianan accused the heir of Yongning Marquis of harboring the criminal's daughter?"
"Your Majesty!" The Second Prince kowtowed again. "I was unaware of this matter. Allow me to investigate and report back."
The emperor sat behind his desk, looking down at his kneeling son, feeling a sense of helplessness. How could he be so foolish?
Weary, the emperor waved his hand, "Go, investigate this matter thoroughly and report back to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Second Prince wiped the sweat from his forehead and left the room.
The emperor leaned back in his chair, sighing deeply, "Foolishness, always courting trouble. Do they really think being a prince makes them invincible? They're just being played."
Focused Cheng stood by, pretending not to exist. In his opinion, the Second Prince was indeed foolish. The whole affair reeked of a scheme by Yongning Marquis and the Grand Tutor's families, yet carried out flawlessly without leaving any evidence.
Besides, the Grand Tutor represented the First Prince. When it came to the princes' rivalry, the emperor wouldn't side with either.
After a long silence, the emperor muttered, "Let them be. If they can't handle such trivial matters, they can forget about the throne."
This meant letting the princes squabble among themselves. Focused Cheng believed the Second Prince stood no chance against the First Prince, who had the Grand Tutor's support, while the Second Prince only had a troublemaking uncle.
Meanwhile, the Second Prince rushed to the Liang residence, only to find the elderly Master Meng Hansheng viciously whipping Meng Chengtian, with Liang Jianan's face twisted in rage, as if ready to kill.
Upon his arrival, everyone in the courtyard knelt, including Liang Jian'an.
The Second Prince walked to the large chair in the center of the yard and took a seat before inquiring of Liang Jian'an, "What has transpired?"
Liang Jian'an, kneeling on the ground, his forehead beaded with sweat, had not anticipated the Marquis of Yongning's ruthless move aimed to seal his doom.
Hands clasped on the ground, he bowed his head and said, "Meng Chengtian was outwitted by Xiao Yuming of the Marquis of Yongning's household, who brought Liang Yushan's daughter to an estate of mine, where she was later discovered by the Censor's family."
"And the whereabouts of Liang Bichin?" asked the Second Prince.
"She has been… taken to the Ministry of Justice," Liang Jian'an replied, his voice strained.
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince, fueled by rage, stood up and delivered a fierce kick to Liang Jian'an's chest, followed by one to the kneeling Meng Hansheng. His anger lending strength to his blows, Liang Jian'an, being young, fared better, but Meng Hansheng struggled several times without success to rise from the ground.
"Are you all dead? Allowing someone to be taken from your own residence?" the Second Prince bellowed at everyone in the courtyard.
Had they retained Liang Bichin, there might have been a chance for reversal, but with her now in the custody of the Ministry of Justice, she could already be under interrogation.
"The Censor came prepared; I simply could not stop him," Meng Chengtian, his back a gory mess from the beating, still tried to defend himself.
But his words only fanned the flames of the Second Prince's fury, who bent down to pick up a whip from the ground and lashed Meng Chengtian viciously over a dozen times. Having vented his wrath, he turned to Meng Hansheng and said, "Lord Meng, you'd best devise a remedy, or else..."
With a huff, he strode away, determined to head to the Ministry of Justice, praying that the Crown Prince and his faction had not acted with haste.
After the Second Prince departed, everyone in the courtyard breathed a collective sigh of relief, yet their expressions were as if in mourning. Should this affair be mishandled, Liang Jian'an could be accused of harboring a criminal's daughter, with exile a likely sentence. His ties to the Imperial Consort mattered little; the Crown Prince's faction was watching like a hawk.
"It's all Tang Shuyi's doing. I'll confront her," Liang's wife rose from the ground, hysterical, and made for the Marquis of Yongning's residence, demanding justice from Tang Shuyi.
"Do you wish to escalate matters further?" Meng Hansheng yelled after her retreating figure, "If you go to the Marquis of Yongning's household, will they admit to anything? Do you possess any evidence to prove their scheme against Chengtian?"
Chapter 100: Blinded by Beauty
At that moment, Liang's wife felt a profound sense of fear and helplessness. She and Tang Shuyi, being of similar age, had always been rivals. They competed in looks, clothes, jewelry, and accomplishments in arts and literature. Whatever could be contested, she vied with Tang Shuyi, yet it seemed she was always outmatched.
Later, her affections turned to Xiao Huai, but his heart belonged to Tang Shuyi. She had once witnessed a young Xiao Huai, braving heights on a tree to pluck the most beautiful flower for Tang Shuyi, nearly falling in the process. Yet, he persisted and presented the bloom to Tang Shuyi with a foolish grin.
Despite being bested repeatedly over the years, she never bore Tang Shuyi any resentment until that moment, when her hatred was kindled by the sight of Xiao Huai's undivided love for Tang Shuyi.
After their marriage, rumor had it that Xiao Huai's chamber was graced solely by Tang Shuyi, without even a concubine for company. Each whisper of their blissful union stoked her envy.
Eventually, she wed Liang Jian'an, but he brought home one concubine after another. Her protests were futile, and she even faced reprimand from the Imperial Consort in the palace, scolded for lacking the grace befitting a lady of her station.
"Ha-ha!"
Later on, she stopped caring how many concubines Liang Jian'an took; however, she began to speak ill of Xiao Huai in front of him, criticizing the faults of the Duke of Tang's household and inciting hostility between the Liang family and the Marquis of Yongning. At that time, she thought that with the imperial concubine backing the Liang family, Xiao Huai was nothing to fear.
But what she hadn't anticipated was that, time and again, the Second Prince clashed with Xiao Huai and never once came out victorious; Tang Shuyi remained the distinguished and respected Marchioness.
Later, when Xiao Huai died in battle, she thought she would be pleased, but in reality, she felt nothing of the sort; in fact, she even returned to her maiden home to weep bitterly. In the Liang household, she wouldn't dare shed tears over Xiao Huai's death.
Although she wasn't particularly glad about Xiao Huai's death, she was quite delighted that Tang Shuyi became a widow. Especially upon hearing that Xiao Huai's two concubines were sent back from the northwest, she reveled in joy for many days. She believed that from then on, she could mock Tang Shuyi and stand high above her.
However, their first conflict after Xiao Huai's death ended with her apologizing to Tang Shuyi. In this instance, her defeat was utterly complete.
Tang Shuyi was her nemesis.
Halting her steps to settle the score with Tang Shuyi, Madam Liang looked back at the white-haired Meng Hansheng and said, "Grandfather, what should we do? How should we proceed?"
Struggling, Meng Hansheng rose from the ground; the Second Prince's kick had almost cost him his life.
Madam Liang stepped forward to help him sit down and said again, "Grandfather, please think of a solution."
Liang Jian'an also looked at Meng Hansheng with hopeful eyes; now, he was the only one who could offer advice.
Meng Hansheng furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before saying, "Even if this incident originated from the Marquis of Yongning's household, let's not direct our spearheads at them for now. The current key players are the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor. We can deal with the Marquis of Yongning later."
Both Liang Jian'an and Madam Liang clenched their teeth and nodded in agreement. Despite their reluctance, they understood the priorities at hand.
"I will go back immediately to gather dirt on the Grand Tutor and the Crown Prince, to see if I can coerce them," Meng Hansheng said as he stood up and hurried home. Saving Liang Jian'an and the Second Prince was akin to saving himself; he had to fight tooth and nail.
Of course, when he left, he also took with him Meng Chengtian, who was almost reduced to a puddle on the ground.
"Did you provoke the Marquis of Yongning's household again? Otherwise, why would they suddenly target us?" After Meng Hansheng left, Madam Liang pointed at Liang Jian'an and questioned.
Liang Jian'an, whose anger had subsided considerably because of Meng Hansheng, felt his temper flare up again at her attitude.
He lifted his hand and, with a slap, pushed away Madam Liang's hand, saying, "Blaming me? Why don't you talk about how stupid your brother is, like a pig falling for such a simple trap?"
"How is my brother stupid? He has never seen Liu Biqin; how could he know she is Liu Yushan's daughter?" retorted Madam Liang.
Indeed, Meng Chentian was five or six years older than Liu Biqin, and since their families weren't close, he naturally had no chance to meet her before and therefore didn't recognize her.
"And then Xiao Yuming inexplicably challenged him to a fox hunting contest. It was clearly a trap, and yet he believed it," Liang Jianan said with disdain. "Also, the Yongning Marquis has a villa in the Western Hills. It's likely that Liu Biqin had been hidden there before. Didn't your pig-headed brother inquire about the owner of the villa before bringing her back to the capital?"
Madam Liang had nothing to say, only feeling resentful that her brother truly was a fool.
In fact, Meng Chentian did make some inquiries at the time. He was somewhat dubious about the sudden appearance of a beautiful woman in the desolate wilderness. However, distracted by the beauty, he didn't investigate thoroughly and only heard that the owner of the villa had the surname Guan. After considering his enemies and finding none with that surname, he let his guard down.
It can only be said that he was blinded by beauty.
"Let's not talk about my brother for now, what did you do to provoke the Yongning Marquis?" Madam Liang redirected the question.
This time, Liang Jianan didn't retort and began to frown, pondering over what he had recently done to the Yongning Marquis. Truth be told, he thought about how to deal with the Yongning Marquis almost every day and had cast many lines, but he really didn't know which one had taken effect.
After thinking for a while, he hesitantly said, "Could it be because I had Kong Wenzhe mention in front of Princess Changping the idea of making Xiao Yuxin her chamberlain?"
He had started planning this after learning that Xiao Yuxin and the second Miss Wu had broken off their engagement. But later, Princess Changping was reprimanded and confined by the emperor for wanting to make Qi Liangsheng her consort. Kong Wenzhe even told him that the princess now preferred mature and steady men, and didn't like the likes of Xiao Yuxin, thus she rejected the idea. He thought the matter had ended there.
Could it really be because of this?
If not, other plans hadn't even started yet. Only this one had begun, but it had ended in failure.
If it was because of this, how did the people from the Yongning Marquis know? After all, Princess Changping had rejected the proposal, hadn't she?
Liang Jianan was baffled.
Hearing him mention Kong Wenzhe, Madam Liang asked, "Kong Wenzhe? The cousin of your beloved Auntie Kong?"
Liang Jianan didn't answer, but Madam Liang took his silence as an affirmation and stood up to rush towards Auntie Kong's courtyard. Liang Jianan chased after her, "What are you doing?"
"What am I doing? Her cousin is about to get you killed, and you're still protecting her," Madam Liang said.
"What does she have to do with this?"
"I'm going to beat her to death today."
…
The couple began to argue again…