Chapter 043: Negotiating with a Tiger for Its Hide

Madam Wu, realizing her intentions had been seen through, felt a flush of embarrassment on her face. To cover her awkwardness, she shifted her attention and instructed the maid beside her, “I have something to discuss with Young Master Xue. Go stand outside the door and do not allow anyone to approach.”

“Yes, Madam,” the maid replied. She was clearly one of Madam Wu’s confidantes, which was why Wu felt comfortable having her keep watch.

Once the maid had left, Madam Wu lowered her voice and asked, “Do you know what troubles me?”

Xue Rui replied without hesitation, “Madam, your worry is nothing other than the matter of the succession of the Duke’s title, isn’t that so?”

Madam Wu’s expression changed. She glanced anxiously toward the door before composing herself and speaking sternly, “Let’s not speak of the Duke’s lack of news. Even if, heaven forbid, the Duke is no longer with us, the title is rightfully inherited by the legitimate son. What does this have to do with me? Young Master Xue, you mustn’t speak so carelessly.”

In ancient times, whether among royalty or commoners, inheritance always followed the laws of primogeniture, with titles typically passed on to the eldest legitimate son. If the Duke of England were no longer alive, the title would naturally pass to the eldest son, Zhang Zhong; even if Zhang Zhong were gone, the title would go to his son, the legitimate grandson of the family. The illegitimate son, Zhang Mao, would have nothing to do with it.

By raising the issue of succession now, Xue Rui was clearly insinuating that she harbored intentions of helping her own son seize the title—a notion that, if whispered outside these walls, would be enough to send Zhang Zhong into a rage that could tear the household apart.

Madam Wu, after all, was a woman and not particularly bold. She was unsure of Xue Rui’s intentions and could only conceal her true feelings for the time being.

Xue Rui, seeing Madam Wu’s pretense, chose not to expose her. He saluted and said, “Since this is how you feel, Madam, I was presumptuous. Let’s pretend I was never here. I take my leave.”

With those words, he began to walk out. The distance to the door was but a dozen or so steps, but Xue Rui felt as though it stretched on for miles. Each step felt interminable.

Reaching the threshold, Xue Rui sighed softly and was about to step over when Madam Wu’s voice called out, “Wait!”

He exhaled in relief.

Whether Madam Wu truly intended to help her son seize the title, he could not say for certain. Even if she did, she might have found him too young and unfit for such a responsibility, and therefore reluctant to conspire with him. If that were the case, his plan to save his father would come to nothing.

Fortunately, it seemed Madam Wu could not maintain her composure after all.

Xue Rui calmed his excitement, striving to keep his expression serene, and turned back to ask, “Does Madam have further orders?”

Madam Wu rose and walked to the door, glancing outside several times. Seeing only her own trusted maid nearby, she closed the door, drew Xue Rui back to sit, and said in a low voice, “The matter of the title is grave. I was merely being cautious before. I hope you won’t hold it against me, sir.”

She personally poured Xue Rui a cup of tea, her tone much more courteous than before.

Xue Rui asked earnestly, “Madam, do you truly intend to help your son contend for the title?”

Madam Wu fell silent for a moment, finally sighing, “No mother in this world does not consider her child’s future. Our family is vast and wealthy, yet all this will ultimately fall to the legitimate heir. Once Mao grows up, he’ll have to leave the household. With no rank or title of his own, he’ll inevitably be bullied. As his mother, if I don’t look after him now, am I to stand by and watch others mistreat him in the future?”

The reason she gave was rather flimsy. Even if Zhang Mao left the household, as the Duke’s second son, he would hardly be an easy target for bullying. Madam Wu only sought a dignified excuse; in truth, she was simply unwilling to relinquish her share of wealth and privilege and wanted to fight for her son’s sake.

Xue Rui was unfazed and lowered his voice, “As long as you have the will, Madam, I have a way to help you achieve your wish!”

“What way?” Madam Wu asked, springing to her feet.

“Please, Madam, don’t get agitated. My plan can only be set in motion once we receive definitive news of the Duke,” Xue Rui replied, deliberately keeping the details to himself.

Madam Wu, realizing her lapse in composure, forced herself to calm down. She asked, puzzled, “Since you’re so eager to help us, sir, may I ask what you hope to gain from all this?”

This was her chief concern. As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. In fact, sometimes what’s offered for free comes at the highest cost. While she needed someone to advise her, she had to consider what he wanted in return. If his demands were outrageous, they would part ways on bad terms; if he asked for nothing, she’d have to wonder if he had ulterior motives.

Xue Rui understood her worries and answered calmly, “You know, Madam, that my father is currently imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. My mother is beside herself with worry and weeps every day. As their son, I can only run about, doing all I can for their safety. If the Duke’s household would lend its strength to save my father, I would be eternally grateful.”

“So, he wants to use the Duke’s influence to save his own father!” Madam Wu felt much more at ease. If Xue Rui had offered his help for nothing, she would not have dared to trust him, but that he was risking himself for his father made perfect sense.

However, Xue Yuanhao was locked in the Imperial Prison. The Duke’s family, for all its power and connections, could hardly break him out in broad daylight—such an act would be tantamount to rebellion, given that the Embroidered Guards were the emperor’s own eyes and ears. Besides, with Zhang Fu’s fate still uncertain, who could say if the Duke’s name held any sway now?

Upon hearing these concerns, Xue Rui remained unperturbed. “There’s no need to worry, Madam. I’m not asking the Duke’s family to storm the prison. The time isn’t right yet. When I’m confident of success, I’ll ask for the Duke’s help, and by then, it will be both reasonable and legal to secure my father’s release. For now, I only ask that you help me learn of my father’s condition and deliver a message to him: let him know all is well at home and that I’ll soon be able to set him free.”

Such a small matter was no trouble for Madam Wu, who nodded at once. “I’ll have someone see to it immediately. At the latest, you’ll have word by tomorrow.”

“Then I shall await your good news, Madam. Once word of the Duke arrives, we can set our plan in motion.”

Madam Wu was intensely curious about his mysterious plan, but Xue Rui was tight-lipped. After several attempts at probing yielded nothing, she had to give up.

Once they had reached a preliminary agreement, Xue Rui took his leave.

After he departed, Zhang Mao, still indignant, turned to his mother. “Mother, do you really trust him? If Father comes back and finds out we’ve been scheming with that Xue fellow for his title, he’ll be furious. I think we’d be better off not working with him at all.”

“Oh, my foolish child, you know nothing of people’s true hearts. All these years, I’ve managed the household, always at odds with your elder brother because of his extravagant spending. When your father sent him to live in the side courtyard as punishment, he grew resentful toward me. Imagine—if he inherits the title, what good could possibly come to us?”

Madam Wu hugged her son, her face full of worry.

“But can we trust that Xue fellow?” Zhang Mao, though still young, understood the dangers of making deals with the cunning. If Xue Rui proved unreliable, it would be they who suffered in the end.

Madam Wu forced a smile. “Xue Rui may be young, but his words reveal him to be a dutiful son. As the saying goes, filial piety is the root of all virtue; a filial person cannot be all bad. Besides, I have no one else to rely on. We have no choice but to trust him.”

“Oh. Then I’ll treat him more politely in the future,” Zhang Mao replied, nodding sensibly.