CHAPTER 1462: CHAPTER 1410: THE SEEMINGLY MELANCHOLIC TANG CONSORT

To be honest, Chen Xi is quite curious about the relationship between Jia Xu and Tang Consort. Given Jia Xu’s character, helping Tang Consort surely has other reasons.

In this lifetime, there hasn’t been any incident like Li Jue forcibly marrying Tang Consort, so ever since Tang Consort returned to her old home in Yingchuan, apart from closing her doors to visitors, there hasn’t been much difference. The Tang Family is large enough to afford supporting an idle person without any issues.

Tang Mao nodded in agreement without further inquiry. In today’s world, only a few can establish connections reaching Chen Xi; after a brief consideration, Tang Mao understood who might have connected with Chen Xi to deliver a message.

{"It’s either Cai Zhaoji or Jia Wenhe, or even Li Wenru. Among Liu Xuande’s followers who could command Chen Zichuan, it’s likely just these few individuals."} Tang Mao contemplated briefly and understood most of it.

After all, the circle Chen Xi mingles with naturally doesn’t include many people, and Tang Consort herself rarely interacts with outsiders, so there are only a few places where their circles might overlap.

"Marquis Chen can visit the Tang Family when convenient. My daughter now closes her doors to visitors and remains at home," Tang Mao nodded. Regardless of the reason, anyone who has Chen Xi deliver a message must have a decent relationship with my daughter, and having someone show concern might improve her mood.

"Thank you." Chen Xi cupped his hands in thanks. To be honest, he is quite fearful of knocking on a widow’s door. He rarely visits Cai Zhaoji for fear of gossip, even though it’s just town rumors that hardly affect him, but they could damage the other’s reputation.

After clarifying with Tang Mao, the next day, Chen Xi took some spare time to visit the Tang Family with gifts. Although it wasn’t an official visit, the Tang Family was waiting, so he couldn’t go empty-handed. He casually wrapped a book as a gift.

Tang Mao knew why Chen Xi came, so he didn’t flaunt it, receiving the book, and led Chen Xi to a secluded and independent courtyard in the rear of the house. After knocking on the door, he brought Chen Xi inside, where Tang Consort was sitting on the ground; upon seeing Tang Mao enter, she stood up to salute.

"Greetings, Sir, Marquis Chen," Tang Consort bowed and saluted, then waved to the maid beside her, who held Liu Min and retreated inside.

When Tang Consort rose to greet, Chen Xi could finally see Tang Consort’s visage. In terms of appearance, she was not as stunning as Mi Zhen or Zhen Mi, but her temperament was distinct from any woman Chen Xi had ever seen.

If she were similar to anyone, it would be somewhat like Cai Yan when she first arrived at Mount Tai. Cai Yan had already escaped hardship, though carrying the stigma of being a kef, her intelligent elegance had erased much of the sorrow.

However, the Tang Consort Chen Xi saw now was shrouded in a dusk-like grief, even her eyes exuded cold emptiness, revealing some emotion only when instructing the maid to take away her son.

Tang Mao’s eyes clearly showed a hint of bitterness, presumably any father seeing his daughter in such a state would feel sadness. This is also why Tang Mao rarely mentions marriage to Tang Consort now; after all, his daughter’s eyes told all—death might be liberation.

"Cough cough, Cai Zhaoji asked me to inquire if you would like to stay with her for a short period." Tang Mao cupped his hands to Chen Xi, then departed. After Tang Mao left, Chen Xi began to inquire.

"Young sister Zhaoji?" Tang Consort’s eyes rarely showed a trace of color, but it was soon hidden beneath her slightly vacant gaze.

"Yes, she learned I came to Yingchuan, discovered you are currently at the Tang Family, and asked me to inquire." Chen Xi nodded and said.

"She can’t even solve her own issues." Tang Consort spoke slowly, her speech very light, as though she hadn’t conversed for a long time.

"Indeed, she can’t solve her own problem, which is why she sought you out. At least you both share a common language." Chen Xi didn’t deny, although Cai Yan didn’t say to invite Tang Consort for a visit, everyone understood what the concern really was.

"She remains wise, yet sometimes wisdom cannot solve everything." Tang Consort stated, her voice slightly bitter, likely reminiscing old times.

"That’s simply because the wisdom isn’t sufficient." Chen Xi, whose unfavorable nature doesn’t allow being suppressed easily, seized the chance to counter, if continuously stifled, the conversation wouldn’t proceed further.

Tang Consort’s hollow eyes once again showed a trace of other color, clearly surprised at Chen Xi’s ability to rebut.

"Alright, let’s get to the point, there are two things; one, Cai Yan asked me to convey greetings, but it seems you lack interest." Chen Xi spoke irritably; he could guarantee half of Tang Consort’s current state was feigned by herself.

If true grief surpassed despair, her visage would deteriorate, but currently, Tang Consort does suffer, yet her mental logic and personal thoughts are intact, which is abnormal.

Thus, Chen Xi quickly realized this was actually a protective facade.

Without this aura of grief, Tang Consort might have been married off by Tang Mao under the pretense of good intentions.

This current aloof sorrow, vacant eyes—they all indicate that this unspeaking and peaceful person possibly harbors thoughts of death for relief, kept secret from others.

Tang Consort’s eyes this time showed hardly any movement, yet Chen Xi at this point had basically confirmed, Tang Consort was hiding, and Tang Mao was probably confused out of concern.

"Cai Yan’s situation, in your words, is just mutual solace, but honestly, having witnessed both of you, I feel neither of you needs comfort." Chen Xi spoke in irritation, suggesting that friends of the wise aren’t foolish.

"So I’ll directly proceed to the second matter, Wen He asked me to convey greetings." Chen Xi didn’t deliver any shocking news.

This time, Tang Consort’s expression visibly shifted. After some time, presumably understanding the meaning behind Chen Xi’s previous sentence, she slowly closed her eyes, and upon reopening them, still enveloped in sorrow, lacked the grievous aura.

"Would Jia Wenhe ask you to say such words?" Tang Consort’s eyes, akin to a deep spring, stared calmly at Chen Xi, yet her rhetorical tone left him speechless.

"A yes or no is just one word; although I didn’t understand the cause and effect from Wen He, the relationship between you and Wen He is likely not shallow. I don’t believe that wretch Wen He would help you for no reason." Chen Xi spoke in frustration.