Chapter 45: Attempting to Trade Treasures for Tang Mi’s Painting

In the main courtyard of the Yong’an Marquis Manor:

“Madam, Fourth Young Master is here,” the maid reported.

Madam Xiao was genuinely surprised for a moment.
This boy never came to her voluntarily. Was the sun rising in the west today?

They had just hosted a poetry gathering today. Remembering why she had asked her daughter to host it in the first place, Madam Xiao’s heart leapt with joy. She immediately said, “Let him in.”

After the maid lifted the curtain, Xiao Yihuan walked into the room. “Mother.”

“What brings you here to sit with me today?” Madam Xiao teased her son while personally pouring him a cup of tea.

Xiao Yihuan sat down, awkwardly sipped the tea, only to realize it was scalding hot.

Seeing his distracted state, Madam Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you meet someone at the poetry gathering today who’s caught your fancy? You look absolutely dazed.”

Exposed, Xiao Yihuan’s face flushed a bright red. He stammered for a while before mustering up the courage to meet her gaze.
“If you insist on marrying me off, then I want the eldest daughter of the Tang family.”

Xiao Yihuan had never been the kind to compromise. He didn’t want to marry at all, but if he had to, it would be someone he truly liked.

“Tang family’s eldest daughter?” Madam Xiao paused, trying to recall which Tang daughter he meant.

“From the General’s Manor,” he added, cheeks still burning red, in case she misunderstood.

Madam Xiao finally remembered who he was talking about. She’d seen this Tang girl twice, once at the Princess Royal’s birthday banquet and once at the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace.

Though only twice, the girl had left a deep impression. Primarily because of her stunning looks, likely the most outstanding beauty in the entire capital. On top of that, she played the zither quite well.

However, she had also heard of some disturbances at the Tang household, and both times this girl was involved. Clearly, she wasn’t a simple character.

“No other girls caught your eye at the gathering? You’re sure it must be her?” Madam Xiao wasn’t fond of having a daughter-in-law too dazzling. She preferred one who was dependable and stayed in her place. After all, her eldest daughter-in-law was a modest woman, and a too-capable second daughter-in-law might create tension.

“I only want her. Please don’t pick someone else for me, I won’t like them,” Xiao Yihuan quickly insisted. “It must be the eldest Tang daughter. Don’t get the wrong one.”

With that final reminder, he left, still blushing.

Seeing her son’s bashful demeanor, Madam Xiao found it amusing. But she also grew curious about this Tang girl.

She didn’t believe that a pretty face alone could have bewitched her son. She knew him well, he must have been drawn to her talent and character, too.

Given his determination, it seemed this Tang girl was the one.

With that, Madam Xiao got up and went to the south courtyard.

When Xiao Lengyu saw her mother arrive, she immediately rose to greet her. “Mother.”

“Sit, child. You’re not in the best health. You must be tired after today,” Madam Xiao said lovingly, gently touching her daughter’s cheek.

“I’m all right, not too tired,” Xiao Lengyu replied with a soft smile and a shake of her head.

Seeing that she looked well, Madam Xiao was a bit relieved. “Was there anything interesting at today’s poetry gathering?”

“Not so much interesting events, but there was an interesting person,” Xiao Lengyu said with a smile.

Madam Xiao was intrigued. “Oh? Did someone catch your eye?”

Xiao Lengyu’s face turned red, and she quickly shot her mother a look. “Mother, what are you saying? I meant Miss Tang.”

“Miss Tang again?” Madam Xiao was now truly surprised. “Tell me, what’s so interesting about her?”

Realizing that her brother must have already spoken to their mother, Xiao Lengyu didn’t hide it and gave her a general account of what had happened at the poetry gathering.

“Miss Tang has a lovely personality, is incredibly talented, and more importantly, her conduct is calm and steady. It’s clear she was raised with excellent manners.”

Madam Xiao was taken aback. She hadn’t expected the girl to be so talented, not only good at poetry but also skilled in painting and flute playing. No wonder Xiao Yihuan liked her.

But what surprised her most was her daughter’s high praise. Knowing how proud and discerning Xiao Lengyu was, few ever earned her approval.

“If Fourth Brother really could marry her, she would make a wonderful daughter-in-law.”
Though she doubted her brother had the good fortune to wed someone like Tang Mi, she was fully supportive of the idea.

Madam Xiao smiled. “I’ll find a chance to meet this Miss Tang myself and see if she’s as remarkable as you all say.”

Originally, she hadn’t been very interested in the Tang family. But now, with her son and proud daughter both taken by the girl, she couldn’t help but be curious.

Xiao Lengyu nodded silently.

Her mother had always been responsible. She had carefully vetted her elder sons’ wives before approving the matches. Her younger brother’s marriage would be no exception.

With Miss Tang’s talent, beauty, and character, she believed her mother would like her too.
But judging from today’s poetry gathering, it was clear that Xiao Yihuan wasn’t the only one interested in her. Though their family wasn’t lacking in status, compared to Prince Yu, they were still a bit outmatched. Would this marriage even be possible?

Madam Xiao didn’t want to disturb her daughter’s rest and soon returned to her courtyard.

“Miss, His Highness Prince Yu sent something over,” reported Pearl, Xiao Lengyu’s maid, excitedly as she entered with a box.

Xiao Lengyu frowned. Prince Yu sending a gift? Had he sent it to the wrong person?

Pearl handed over the box. “Miss, have a look, see what he sent.”

Xiao Lengyu opened it and frowned even more deeply.

The box was filled with valuable items, clearly worth a great deal of silver.

Beneath the items, there was a letter. She picked it up and read it. Her expression darkened immediately.

Pearl grew worried at her reaction. “Miss, are you all right?”

Xiao Lengyu said nothing, staring at the letter.

Prince Yu wanted the painting Tang Mi had given her. He had sent these treasures hoping to trade for it.

In truth, she cherished that painting. She also liked Tang Mi as a person. That painting had been a token of friendship, and she didn’t want to give it away, not to anyone. Doing so would be a betrayal to both herself and Tang Mi.

But Prince Yu seemed determined to have it, could she really refuse?

“Miss! His Highness Prince Xuan also sent a gift!” Amber suddenly burst in with excitement.