The atmosphere in the Tao family was so joyful that Shen Xihe felt very comfortable. Before coming, Shen Xihe was a little worried that Tao Zhuanxian and Tao Yuan would not be happy with Shen Yueshan. But when he arrived, he found that they were bickering fiercely. The more so, the more it proved that they had no grudges in their hearts.
"I heard that the Princess of Huaiyang County went to see you?" Tao Zhuanxian spoke casually after finishing dinner.
Huaiyang is Shen Yingruo's title, which was given to her according to the order of princesses' titles to show the emperor's favor.
Shen Xihe's eyebrows jumped, and he said first: "Grandfather, it was Youyou who let her join the sect."
Tao Zhuanxian secretly winked at Shen Xihe, and Shen Yueshan grinned because of his daughter's protection: "Yes, I met him once. It was the first time I saw him since he was born. I didn't expect he has grown so big."
Tao Zhuanxian and Tao Yuan both stared at Shen Yueshan, not missing any of his reactions. They were relieved to see that he mentioned Shen Yingruo in a natural manner, more like an ordinary elder.
Tao Zhuanxian's expression improved a lot: "You always follow rules, and I am Youyou's grandfather. This is your family affair, and I should avoid suspicion. But there are some things I still want to say in advance."
"Father-in-law, please speak." Shen Yueshan also put away his mischievous look and said solemnly.
"I looked at that child coldly, she doesn't seem to be a bad person. I have seen her several times in Kyoto over the years, and she treated us respectfully as our elders. Don't blame her." Tao Zhuanxian said earnestly, "However, her identity is embarrassing after all. Youyou is a tolerant person, she can't bear you to be a bad person, so she tolerates her everywhere.
How many aristocratic families are incompatible with legitimate and illegitimate children? Moreover, she and Youyou are separated by one life. If it weren't for Youyou's own ability, they might be two lives now. Youyou treats her like this because she loves you as a father and doesn't want to embarrass you."
Tao Zhuanxian looked at Shen Yueshan when he said this, and Shen Yueshan nodded in agreement: "You are generous and sensible, which is the blessing I cultivated in my previous life."
"You are considerate of you as a father, and I also hope that you can understand her feelings as a daughter." Tao Zhuanxian said tactfully, "On the other hand, I don't see anything wrong with the Princess of Huaiyang, but she is your Majesty's niece after all, and the Prince Kang's Mansion is gone. Don't forget how your Majesty used the Xiao family to have the Princess of Huaiyang.
Over the years, Your Majesty has loved Princess Huaiyang much more than you, her father. Your Majesty was able to use the Xiao family back then, and he may also use Princess Huaiyang in the future."
After a pause, Tao Zhuanxian said in a more serious tone: "As for the matter of Ao Yin, we never thought that His Majesty would be so shameless as to let the Xiao family use the imperial gift to rescue you. You fell into the trap, and we, the Tao family, cannot blame you. We did not expect that they had two plans, one to assassinate you, and the other to lurk around Ao Yin and wait for an opportunity. Ao Yin's death can be regarded as a game between the monarch and his subjects where we are not as good as them.
But this kind of thing is excusable once, but if you fall into the same trap twice, and if it involves Youyou and Buwei, the Tao and Shen families will no longer be relatives, but only enemies. "
Although the Tao family was deeply saddened by Tao's incident, Tao could have been saved back then. It was she who chose to die.
Even if she was rescued, she would only live for two or three years at most, and would have to stay bedridden. In this case, not only would Xiao have to marry into the family, her husband would also be in a difficult predicament, and her children would probably also have to go to the capital as hostages to show their loyalty.