Chapter 419: Chapter 412: I’m Just Obsessed With Good Looks 54
Xiao Yuan did not stay too long at Prince Su’s Mansion.
After discussing business matters and reaching an agreement with Prince Su, he took his leave.
After Xiao Yuan had left, Prince Su immediately summoned Nanny Yu to send the silver notes and several pieces of jade given by Xiao Yuan to Ninth Prince inside the palace.
In the following days, Prince Su was in a rather good mood.
He was in need of funds for his plans, and unexpectedly Xiao Yuan had not only provided money but also handed over a "money tree".
What were Xiao Yuan and Mr. Xiao doing?
They were on their way back to Qingyuan.
Having come out as the top scorer, Mr. Xiao was undoubtedly heading back to honor his ancestors.
If it weren’t for Anning’s pregnancy, Mr. Xiao might have taken the whole family back with him. But now, with Anning unable to travel long distances, Mrs. Xiao was left behind in the Capital to take care of Anning, and he took Xiao Yuan with him back to the village.
Before leaving, Mrs. Xiao specially called Xiao Yuan into her room to give him a stern reminder.
"Don’t go back home and mess around with those useless friends again, do you hear me?"
Xiao Yuan responded, "Mother, rest assured, I definitely won’t hang out with them. I didn’t see it before, but now I do—they all have bad intentions, and many want to lead me astray."
Mrs. Xiao was quite pleased to hear this: "Also, don’t act recklessly back home, and don’t flirt with other women. Keep your distance from the maids back at home, and don’t let anyone climb into your bed."
This was something Mrs. Xiao had to make clear.
She wasn’t like some mother-in-laws who fear their sons having a good relationship with their wives and do everything possible to sabotage it, even going so far as to bring concubines into the house for their sons.
Mrs. Xiao detested such people, thinking, "What kind of mother provides concubines for her son? You’re supposed to be a mother, not a pimp."
Moreover, Mrs. Xiao got along very well with Anning, and she did not want Xiao Yuan to have a bunch of concubines causing unrest at home.
Most importantly, Anning was now pregnant.
Mrs. Xiao was worried that Xiao Yuan would do something to upset Anning, which could be harmful to the child in a moment of agitation.
Having given her warnings, Mrs. Xiao could do no more about how Xiao Yuan would actually behave.
As soon as Xiao Yuan heard his mother mention the matter of concubines climbing into bed, he immediately got angry: "Mother, do you take me for a fool? I may enjoy having fun, but that doesn’t mean I lack sense. Can’t I tell which maids are honest and which have ulterior motives?"
Mrs. Xiao sighed softly, feeling it awkward to call Xiao Yuan a fool.
However, thinking back on Xiao Yuan growing up, she recognized that he had never really suffered a loss because of his interest in female company.
Despite his wild ways in the past, he had never really entangled himself with any women.
Ever since he married Anning, he had become more settled, no longer roaming about and focusing more at home. It seemed he had matured, and his temperament had grown steadier.
Comforted by these thoughts, Mrs. Xiao set her mind at ease.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Xiao was giving advice to Xiao Yuan.
Elsewhere, Anning sought out Mr. Xiao for a conversation.
Seated gently in the study chair, she softly said, "Father, those Western crops that our family planted earlier have been improved now, and since my husband is the top scorer, I was thinking it might be time to report this to the court."
It was then that Mr. Xiao recalled the Western seeds he had purchased that were planted in one of the family’s manors.
Thinking about the potential impact on the Xiao Family once these were reported to the court, Mr. Xiao felt a mix of fear and excitement: "Yuanyuan’s wife, can we really do this? Is our family capable of handling it?"
Anning pondered briefly: "Let my husband visit Prince Su’s Mansion once more. We need to consult with Prince Su about this matter."
"Good."
Mr. Xiao took a moment to make up his mind, "I’ll have Yuanyuan go there in a while. Also, I plan to attribute this accomplishment to you. We should at least get you the title of Imperial Decree Lady."
Anning did not refuse, smiling as she agreed.
In fact, she had plans of her own.
This matter, Anning thought that after reporting to the court, Emperor Taichu might bestow a noble title on Mr. Xiao. By then, the title of Imperial Decree would still fall upon Mrs. Xiao’s head.
But she did not mention this to Mr. Xiao.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan went to Prince Su’s Mansion again, and as a result, when he returned to his hometown, Prince Su also went with him.
Anning originally thought that Mr. Xiao and Xiao Yuan would be gone for quite a long time, but less than half a month passed before Xiao Yuan and Prince Su hurried back at full speed.
It turned out that there had been an incident with the Ninth Prince in the palace, and upon receiving the news, Prince Su rushed back urgently.
This time, Xiao Yuan could be said to have performed a great service.
He feared that something might happen to Prince Su on the road because of his worry for the Ninth Prince, so he returned with him.
Only Mr. Xiao was left at Qingyuan to handle the matters.
When Anning saw Xiao Yuan return, she quickly asked what had happened.
Xiao Yuan was not very sure himself, only knowing that after the Ninth Prince was rescued from drowning, he became somewhat abnormal.
By this time, Prince Su had already entered the palace.
He went straight to where the Ninth Prince lived.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw the Ninth Prince squatting in the courtyard, seemingly engaged in something inexplicable.
"Ninth brother."
Prince Su called out.
The Ninth Prince looked up at Prince Su.
When Prince Su saw the look in the Ninth Prince’s eyes, his heart skipped a beat, and he knew for certain something had happened to the Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince was still young. Previously, when he looked at Prince Su, his eyes were very pure and carried warmth and respect.
But now, there was a hint of world-weariness in the Ninth Prince’s eyes. Although he tried to conceal it, Prince Su still sensed something was amiss.
"Big brother."
The Ninth Prince smiled and stood up, warmly calling out.
"How is your health, ninth brother?"
Prince Su put on a caring appearance for his younger brother, holding the Ninth Prince’s hand warmly as he inquired.
The Ninth Prince also answered with a smile, "Much better. You can tell by my lively jumping around that there’s definitely nothing wrong with me."
Prince Su concealed the shock in his eyes. After talking with the Ninth Prince a bit more, he then smilingly said, "Ninth brother, you must have been bored recently. How about staying with me for a few days? I’ll take you out to have some fun, how about it?"
The Ninth Prince immediately became overjoyed upon hearing this, "Really? Can you really take me out to play?"
Prince Su nodded, "I’ll speak to Father Emperor then take you out of the palace."
When Prince Su went to the Taiji Palace, he had already instructed his attendants to quickly leave the palace and go to the Xiao Family.
By the time Prince Su returned to Prince Su’s Mansion with the Ninth Prince, Xiao Yuan and Anning were already waiting there.
Anning observed the Ninth Prince from behind the screen.
After she saw the Ninth Prince, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her mind became clear.
Prince Su played with the Ninth Prince for a while, then sent servants to accompany him to the streets to shop.
After the Ninth Prince left, Prince Su asked Anning, "What do you think? Is there something wrong with the ninth brother?"
Anning nodded, "The Ninth Prince seems to have been possessed."
Anning used the term "possessed" instead of "soul transmigration," fearing that Prince Su would not understand the latter.
Prince Su understood the term and said through gritted teeth, "Damn it, who’s so bold as to target my ninth brother?"
After cursing, Prince Su asked Anning again, "Does Mrs. Xiao have any way to save the ninth brother?"