Chapter 198 Rumors
Is it delicious?
Ren Shun pursed his lips, saying one thing but meaning another: "It doesn't taste good."
"Then you'll be punished by eating all of these."
Qi Yuxuan pointed to the grapes on the plate that she had eaten most of, a rare hint of spoiled arrogance on her face.
Her head maids had already tasted the sweetness of grapes. Ren Shun worked tirelessly for her, braving wind and rain. Although he was stubborn, his eyes softened with the sweetness of the grapes, which seemed genuine. She knew that this young man also had a sweet tooth.
"If my master gives the order, I will do as he commands."
Ren Shun's ears turned slightly red, though his words still came out stiffly, with a stubborn look of being forced and helpless.
"The Xiao family father and son are both officials in the court, and now they have lost the emperor's favor. They will definitely have to return to their old residence in Jiangnan to observe mourning for their parents... I need you to do something for them before they leave..."
The girl's voice was calm and unhurried, but Ren Shun's pupils constricted slightly upon hearing it.
The next morning at court, it was already a done deal that Xiao Su and Xiao Jue were in mourning for their fathers, and they would be leaving soon. However, the teahouses in the capital were also buzzing with discussion about the matter.
According to the old customs of the State of Qi, all officials in the court were allowed to suspend their duties and return to their ancestral home to observe mourning when their parents or grandparents died. The Xiao family father and son observed mourning for 28 months, which was almost two and a half years.
Historically, unless they were close and beloved ministers of the emperor, no one would be reinstated to their original position after returning from mourning. It was uncertain whether there would still be a place left for them in the court after they returned two and a half years later.
The tea drinkers were all commoners living under the emperor's nose, and their families were all related to powerful officials and dignitaries, so they had no inhibitions and chatted enthusiastically.
"I think the Xiao family has no hope of recovery this time. After the incident with Princess Chang Le, it's obvious that the Princess doesn't like the Xiao family. Plus, the Xiao family has a lot of scandals of its own."
"Who says otherwise? I have a distant cousin studying at the Imperial Academy. Those few days, he always looked extremely unwell whenever he saw Chancellor Lin. I'm afraid that if it weren't for the lack of legal constraints, the Lin family would have come knocking on our door..."
Two tea drinkers were sipping their tea and sighing when someone suddenly interrupted, offering a mild rebuttal:
"But Old Madam Xiao's sudden death, don't you find it very suspicious? Could it be that someone is deliberately targeting her, with the aim of suppressing the Xiao family and making it impossible for them to recover completely?"
The two scoffed:
"Unless the Xiao family suddenly produces a golden nugget, who can turn their fortunes around?"
One of them looked around, then lowered his voice to the man who had suddenly spoken:
"Besides, do you really think Old Madam Xiao's death was an accident?"
"What, there's a reason behind this?"
The whispers among them made everyone around them perk up their ears.
Teahouses and taverns are like this: the information is mixed and numerous. You can hear a bit from one side and a bit from the other, and that's enough to fill in the gaps in the truth. Regardless of whether it's true or false, as long as you enjoy what you hear and say, that's all that matters.
"I bet Old Madam Xiao died from a stroke caused by extreme anger!"
"Huh? Isn't the Xiao family's old house only occupied by some distant relatives? Who angered Old Madam Xiao?"
The man's voice was even lower, almost a whisper: "Is that even a question? Who else could it be but that princess who was all the rage a while ago? Haven't you noticed yet? The Xiao family members are all outwardly magnanimous, but in reality, they are very petty."
Changing one's surname without authorization is something no elder would easily accept.
If Princess Chang Le had fallen on hard times after leaving the Xiao family, that would have been one thing, but instead, she has become better and better off. It's almost as if she's directly mocking the Xiao family for mistaking a fish eye for a pearl and reaping the consequences of their own actions.
Human nature is always selfish and greedy. When a pearl is covered in dust, people are indifferent to it, but once it falls into the hands of others, the dust is wiped away, and it shines brightly, people covet it and are unwilling to accept it, blaming others and complaining about fate.
"If that's really the case, wouldn't the Xiao family hold a grudge against Princess Chang Le?"
"More than that? A friend of mine works as a doorman at the Xiao family. He said that yesterday, Princess Chang Le kindly sent someone to deliver funeral gifts to the Xiao family, and guess what? The second young master of the Xiao family threw away all the gifts sent by the princess's residence, and was just short of cursing and swearing..."
"Tsk tsk..."
Tea drinkers are the most opportunistic. One second they are lamenting that Old Madam Xiao lived to such an old age and was still angered to death by her unfilial children, and the next second they sympathize with Princess Chang Le for not holding a grudge but taking her good intentions for granted.
Rumors in the streets are like willow catkins drifting in the air; with any breeze, they will spread everywhere and become common knowledge.
No one really cared how Old Madam Xiao passed away. They only knew that the Xiao family did ugly things, and they wondered if it was because they were about to die that they were too lazy to even bother with appearances.
In a short time, so many people looked down on the Xiao family that even the palace was alarmed.
Xiao Su has not made any major mistakes in politics so far. After his mother's death, the emperor felt some pity for him and even prepared to send some rewards to the Xiao family before leaving as a token of comfort.
"Biluoquan, go to the storeroom and pick out some things to send to the Xiao family. Tell them that I told him to return to Jiangnan to observe mourning for his parents."
The emperor waved his hand, but when he looked up, he saw that Bilge looked somewhat troubled.
What are you stammering about?
Biluquan had served the emperor since he was a child, and he didn't speak as cautiously as other eunuchs. However, he spoke late in the day, and it sounded like he was refuting the emperor. He was afraid that if he didn't speak well, he would also be implicated.
"Your Majesty, this servant was just about to tell you about this matter. Yesterday, when the Eldest Princess and Princess Chang Le heard about it, they immediately sent gifts to the Xiao family. However, for some reason, the Xiao family threw all the gifts out. They intended to do it quietly, but unexpectedly, it was noticed and spread..."
The emperor's face darkened.
He kindly tried to save face for the Xiao family, but unexpectedly, the Xiao family offended the princess first.
Perhaps the Xiao family's grief right now isn't entirely for Old Madam Xiao, but rather for their own official positions and future prospects?
Thinking of this, the emperor abandoned his intention to bestow rewards and instead said:
"You don't need to pick anything out. You just need to make a trip to the Xiao family."
Biluquan immediately understood and bowed in agreement.
If there is no reward, then it is a warning.
It seems the Xiao family is increasingly losing favor with the Emperor. Whether they can return to the capital in the future depends on their fate.
A gloomy atmosphere hung over the Xiao family, and Xiao Su was disciplining his son.
When Xiao Su returned from court, he noticed many people staring at him. He assumed they were sympathizing with him for returning to Jiangnan to observe mourning for his parents. However, after changing into mourning clothes at home, he heard his steward recount the rumors circulating outside.
It turns out that yesterday, Xiao Mintu acted impulsively and threw away the gifts sent by the Princess's residence, thinking that no one would care. However, today it has become a public scandal, which has completely disgraced the Xiao family!
"Your son was just angry for a moment, annoyed by her feigned concern. He absolutely did not mean to look down on the Princess!"
Xiao Min knelt in the hall, crying with snot and tears streaming down his face, looking very pitiful.
How could Xiao Su not know?
Even if he did have it, he wouldn't dare.
He was just young and impetuous, and didn't know how to restrain himself. He wanted to vent his anger in secret, but he would never let the Princess's mansion know.
Xiao Su wasn't angry at his arrogance, but at his stupidity!
So stupid!
Seeing his eighteen-year-old second son still crying his eyes out like a child, Xiao Su felt annoyed.
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