CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 328: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 17

Thinking of her grandmother, Mrs. Li wiped her tears dry and smiled at Tang Bai: "Yes, if Pei’er can come back, it means grandmother will come back too, we won’t be afraid anymore."

Tang Bai helped her up as she whispered: "Also, there’s news from the northwest, my parents and my older brother are all coming back."

"Really?"

Tang Bai couldn’t help but feel overjoyed upon hearing this.

With the Li family returning, he would finally have some backing.

Over the years, Ms. Zhang had flaunted her family’s influence at home, but what was so special about the Zhang family? Tang Bai’s father-in-law had once been the Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince; that man was an old fox. Once he comes back, he’ll surely have a way to deal with Ms. Zhang and Mrs. Song.

The thought of having the support of two major backers made Tang Bai feel utterly delighted.

He felt as if the grievances he had suffered over the years were nothing.

Once his grandmother and father-in-law returned, he would be able to win without effort.

Moreover, he had a top scorer son. With seniors looking after him from above and his son taking on responsibilities below, there would be no more worries in the future.

Thinking about the second branch’s son, who even now only cared about eating maids’ lip rouge, Tang Bai felt superior in every way. Just wait and see, he thought; he was going to find a way to infuriate Ms. Zhang and Mrs. Song until their demise.

Anning, whom Tang Bai regarded as a huge support, was now encountering an issue.

She was in Yangzhou, helping with the affairs of the Xu Family’s inner house, something she had done often and found effortless. In her spare time, she also pondered how to return and in what identity.

Of course, she couldn’t return now as the Dowager of Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion.

After all, no one would believe she was that old lady with how she looks.

There was no such thing as getting younger with age.

Besides, if word got out that the Dowager of Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion now looked like an eighteen or nineteen-year-old, even the Emperor in the palace would cause trouble, as which Emperor wouldn’t desire immortality and youth? They would certainly demand an explanation from her or seek the immortal elixir from her.

But she truly didn’t have it.

Anning contemplated assuming a high-status identity, preferably one with some familial ties to the Tang Family.

However, she couldn’t think of such a candidate in a short time.

After finishing the Xu Family’s trivial matters that day, Anning, feeling troubled, went out for a stroll.

Little did she know, this walk would indeed lead to an incident.

She actually encountered the retired Emperor in disguise.

Oh right, she forgot to mention, this Retired Emperor was not the one from over twenty years ago when Anning left the Capital.

The previous one had abdicated not long after Anning left the Capital, succeeded by the third imperial son, who now, after more than twenty years, abdicated to the Seventh Prince last year, becoming the new Retired Emperor.

Anning originally thought this Retired Emperor was in the Capital; she didn’t expect to encounter him in Yangzhou.

At that time, Anning was walking down the street when a beardless middle-aged man descended from a nearby tavern, bowed to her, and said, "Miss, my master wishes to invite you for a talk."

Anning frowned: "Your master? I do not recognize your master, and I’m busy, so please step aside."

The middle-aged man’s face was full of smiles: "Miss, it’s best if you could meet him."

His smile was affable, his demeanor was pleasant and showed no threat, but he seemed so determined.

Anning gave the middle-aged man a glance: "Fine, let’s meet."

Following the middle-aged man upstairs, she entered a private room and saw his master.

In just one look, Anning recognized him as the former third Prince, now the Retired Emperor.

Despite being the Retired Emperor, he wasn’t very old. His abdication wasn’t due to poor health, but rather because he grew tired of staying in the Capital and found it dull. He wanted to travel, but as the ruler of a country, there were too many obstacles to just leave. Plus, with the Seventh Prince being quite suitable to reign, he would do a better job than when the Retired Emperor was on the throne. Out of a fit of pique, he abdicated.

Fortunately, the current Emperor, the Seventh Prince, was very filial, still respecting the Retired Emperor even after taking the throne, so the Retired Emperor freed himself from constraints.

He had arrived in Yangzhou a few days ago, disguised as a wealthy merchant to enjoy himself.

That day, while he was dining in a tavern and admiring the bustling streets, he looked down and saw Anning.

With that single glance, the Retired Emperor felt his years had been spent in vain.

He believed he had seen countless beautiful women, and among the concubines in the harem, several were stunning beauties. However, compared to this maiden, they were reduced to mediocrity.

The middle-aged Retired Emperor felt his heartbeat quickening upon seeing Anning walking leisurely on the street, his whole being restless and agitated.

He didn’t know why, but he just wanted to talk to her—if she would agree to follow him back to the palace, that would be ideal.

Hence, the scene of sending his personal eunuch to invite Anning took place.

This was the Retired Emperor, long accustomed to his own way, who spoke and expected no contradiction.

Moreover, Anning was extraordinary; otherwise, he would indeed seem like a tyrant forcibly taking a common girl.

At this moment, looking at Anning, the Retired Emperor’s eyes brimmed with joy: "Miss, please have a seat."

Anning sat down with ease across from him: "Uncle, is there something you need from me?"

A single word, ’uncle,’ caused the Retired Emperor’s face to sour instantly.

He took several deep breaths before calming his emotions, and then, he unexpectedly poured tea for Anning himself.

Anning didn’t hesitate and started drinking.

Watching Anning’s confident demeanor, the Retired Emperor felt more and more pleased.

"I am Xiao Yuan, and upon first seeing you, Miss, my affection was piqued... May I ask if you are married or betrothed?"

He posed the question politely, but inwardly he thought that if she were indeed promised to someone else, he’d have to disrupt those plans.

Anning couldn’t help but chuckle.

She had not expected the former third Prince to be named Xiao Yuan.

Back then, Anning had just arrived in this era, intent on resolving the affairs of the Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion and had paid no heed to the royal family’s matters.

Yet, she never expected to miss crossing paths with Xiao Yuan for so many years.