Chapter 004

Chapter 4: Make Do Together

The bride entered the wrong bridal chamber; this matter spread through the marquisate like the wind. Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran’s Chun Hua Courtyard fell into commotion before dawn, the servants trembling with fear, but Tang Rong quickly steadied them.

Next door, separated by only a wall, Qiu Shi Courtyard also quieted after a brief spell of chaos when Tang Mo calmed everyone with a single roar.

By the time Madam Wang, as mother-in-law, arrived at Qiu Shi Courtyard, Tang Mo and Xin An were already up and had put on yesterday’s wedding garments; without any discussion, both knew what they ought to do next.

Both were still half-asleep: one lowered her swollen-red eyes, acting the part of a heart turned to ashes, and the other was in a foul temper from being roused; but if he did not say so, who would know he was angry simply because he had not slept?

Seeing Xin An’s puffy eyelids, Madam Wang stepped forward and took her hand, saying: “Good child, you have been wronged.”

Furious and grinding his teeth, Tang Mo said: “Last night, once I realized the mistake, I went to find my elder brother. Who knew he would move so fast? We clearly parted at the courtyard gate only moments before, yet by the time I followed him he had already retired. Was he so impatient to turn raw rice into cooked rice?”

He added with biting sarcasm: “So drunk he could not recognize anyone, yet still able to consummate the marriage? He truly has a talent.”

With Tang Mo speaking out, Xin An only needed to lower her eyes and let the tears fall, and she felt inexplicably light inside: [in the past, with Tang Rong, he only played the benevolent pushover; everything required her to step forward and fight for it herself, and when he reaped the benefit he not only failed to thank her but even blamed her for it.]

Tang Mo declared: “Elder brother must give me an explanation for this.”

Tang Mo adopted an uncompromising stance.

The Grand Matron had always favored him, and now she thought him all the better: having suffered such a grievance yet not making a public scene, he knew the larger picture. By comparison, the pair next door simply had no sense.

The Grand Matron said earnestly: “Good children, Grandmother knows you have been wronged, but the matter has already happened; no matter how unwilling you are, you can only acknowledge it…”

The Grand Matron spoke at length with patient sincerity. After Madam Wang offered comfort to Xin An, she moved to press Tang Mo to agree, saying: “He is your elder brother. Even if he did wrong, your Grandmother and Father will speak to him; it is not your place to shout.”

She added with a warning look to her son: “Xin An is a good girl; being able to marry her is your blessing. Do not fail to cherish your fortune.”

The Grand Matron then turned her voice sharp at Madam Wang and said: “What are you saying to him? The second boy has already suffered a grievance. As his mother you should at least comfort him, not scold him.”

After barking at Madam Wang, the Grand Matron softened her tone toward Xin An and said: “Good child, Grandmother knows you have suffered a great injustice. Rest assured, Grandmother will not let it be in vain. We have already sent to invite your father and mother to discuss; you will be given an accounting.”

Xin An nodded at last and said: “Thank you, Grandmother.”

The Grand Matron coaxed gently: “Ah, good child, do not cry. Freshen up properly; you are a beautiful new bride. Grandmother has a set of hair ornaments with a rare pigeon’s-blood red that flatters you extremely well. I will have it sent over shortly; would you wear it today?”

Xin An replied: “I will follow whatever Grandmother arranges.”

Xin An knew that set of ornaments. In her previous life, after marriage she had gone to great lengths to please the Grand Matron. Once, when the Grand Matron nearly suffered a stroke, Xin An discovered it in time and rescued her, and the Grand Matron gave her that set. No sooner had she received it than Tang Rong told her that, as the marquisate’s eldest grandson’s wife, she ought to be steady and restrained; such a luxurious and dazzling set did not suit her, but would be more fitting for Tao Yi Ran.

At that time she had been blind and foolish. She listened to Tang Rong and delivered the ornaments to Tao Yi Ran. Tao Yi Ran pushed back in all kinds of ways and finally accepted them with reluctance, only to wear them on her head the very next day. Because of this, she incurred the Grand Matron’s displeasure, and all her previous efforts were wasted.

Now, thinking of these things, she could not help wanting to smash herself to death: [how useless!]

Seeing her so considerate of the bigger picture, the Grand Matron was very satisfied. With a single look, Madam Wang smiled and said she had prepared a pair of gemstone-inlaid gold bangles for her daughter-in-law: “They should complement Mother’s hair ornaments.”

After speaking, she ordered someone to fetch them. Xin An knew only those who have been poor understand how precious and dear such things are. After the marquisate was confiscated, she had supported everyone up and down the household. Though her mother had a few items sent to her, the world already knew the Tang family had fallen into trouble, and even if she tried to sell things they would not fetch good prices. In those days she often worried until dawn, with funds terribly tight.

Xin An rose to curtsey and said: “With Grandmother and Mother here, I feel much more at ease. Thank you, Grandmother; thank you, Mother.”

As soon as the two left, the items were delivered. Seeing that shimmering set of ornaments, Tang Mo clicked his tongue twice and said: “I remember this set once ended up on your head too, yet you did not use it and could not keep it.”

Xin An picked up a cloud-patterned sparrow hairpin and sighed: “When the residence was confiscated, nothing could be taken away. In the end I do not even know whose pocket this set fell into.”

She ignored Tang Mo’s questioning look, turned her head, and called Chun Yang in to dress her hair. Chun Yang’s eyes were still red, and with Tang Mo present she did not dare speak. She asked: “Miss, which outfit would you like to wear?”

[She thought her mistress had been so delighted with the Heir Apparent that this marriage with Second Young Master would surely not work out in the end.]

Xin An said: “I am newly married; naturally I should dress festively, and it will set off this set of ornaments.”

Since childhood she had worn the finest clothes and the prettiest jewelry, loving bustling color and florid cheer. But Tang Rong liked simplicity and elegance; to suit his tastes she dressed plainly, like a nun day after day.

Now she no longer liked plain, drab clothing; she did not wish ever again to see that widow-like attire from her previous life.

She said with resolve: “Take out all those pale, plain outfits from my trunk and give them to you. Do with them as you will, but they are not allowed to appear before my eyes.”

Seeing that she did not seem overly sorrowful, Granny Wang, having tidied up her emotions, beamed and said: “This old woman has long said in the residence that Second Young Madam was born beautiful; in your prime years, why wear such plain, drab things? The master used to say that all his hard work and toil was for the family to live well, to wear the most splendid brocade and the brightest ornaments.”

Granny Wang added with relish: “In the capital, many married ladies celebrate in reds and greens, contending in beauty; it is all a pleasing sight.”

Xin An’s eyes reddened again: [isn’t that so? Did her father earn silver with such effort only for her to rack her brains to pave the way for Tang Rong?]

She said calmly: “I was wrong-headed before. All right, since this marriage has come to this and cannot be changed, from here on I am the marquisate’s Second Young Madam. You may go pay respects to Second Young Master.”

Tang Mo raised an eyebrow: [is this woman planning to latch onto me?]

Then he thought differently: [this woman is best at scheming, wanting to take anything she sees for herself; she matches me quite well. Making do together is not impossible.]

[Better than Tao Yi Ran, that expert at taking advantage within while siding with outsiders.]

Granny Wang led the people brought from the Xin family to pay respects to Tang Mo. Tang Mo was generous enough to reward each of them with twelve taels of silver, saying it was to fetch a good omen.

Thus Xin An was not stingy either; she likewise rewarded each of the Tang family’s servants in the courtyard with twelve taels.

Twelve taels was a year’s wages for these people. The moment it landed in their hands, each was overjoyed, kowtowing with particular vigor, and Xin An suddenly felt satisfied.

She bestowed generously, the people below happily gave thanks; everyone was pleased, and no one said she reeked of copper and was unbearably vulgar.

The laughter of Qiu Shi Courtyard carried to Chun Hua Courtyard next door. Tang Rong, who had returned to await how the matter would be handled, still did not know what was happening; he was in the bedchamber expressing his feelings with Tao Yi Ran.