Chapter 014

Chapter 14: Courting the Grand Matron

After the new-daughter-in-law tea, Tang Gang and the others had no intention of leaving; they said they would keep the Grand Matron company for a chat, and added that today was a fine day and the whole family ought to dine together. Tang Yong, being tactful, offered to take his leave, and not a single person of the marquisate called after him; there was not even a perfunctory attempt to be polite.

Once only the family remained in the room, Tang Gang hesitated to speak, but the Grand Matron asked directly about Tang Rong’s mother’s dowry. Tang Gang, perfectly composed, handed over in public the remainder of the trousseau to Tang Rong. Several large chests were locked, and no one knew what lay inside, yet by quantity alone one could estimate that what remained should not fall far short of the full measure.

Catching his mother’s eye, Tang Mo gave her a hint, and Madam Wang said to Tang Rong, “Yesterday your father said he would give thirty percent of your mother’s dowry to your younger brother’s wife, but she told me she had no reason to take what belonged to your mother. Your father and I thought that since it is your mother’s, it should all go to you, so we, as parents, will take out two thousand taels of silver for your younger brother’s wife.”

Caught off guard and sensing that something about this was not quite right though he could not put it into words, Tang Rong cupped his hands and said, “I leave everything to Father and Mother to decide.”

Madam Wang had someone carry a small casket to Xin An. Xin An lifted the lid and glimpsed the neat stack of banknotes inside, and Tao Yi Ran felt her chest tighten; they were both newly married into the family, yet in so short a time the second branch had already gained a shop and a set of head ornaments, and now silver besides. She claimed she did not care about such vulgar things, but this was plainly a slap in her face, as if no more than saying she owed Xin An an apology.

Closing the lid, Xin An personally returned the casket to Madam Wang’s hands, then said, “Mother, last night the second young master and I spoke at length; he promised he would treat me well. I did not leave with my own mother yesterday precisely because I had decided to live well with the second young master; how then could I accept this silver.”

She added with a smile, “Please keep it, Mother. Managing the household is no easy task, and the estate’s expenses are heavy; treat it as a small token of my regard.”

Madam Wang’s eyes brimmed with delighted surprise as she asked, “Good child, do you truly mean it?”

Xin An answered softly, “I do.”

Overjoyed to tears, Madam Wang turned to the Grand Matron and exclaimed, “Mother, did you hear that?”

The Grand Matron had of course heard and wore satisfaction on her face: “For the girl to think it through is the second boy’s blessing, and yours too as her mother-in-law.” She then said, “Gan Lu, go and bring the headpiece the Empress rewarded me back then, and also the pink tourmaline bracelet.”

[Tang Mo clicked his tongue inwardly. He had said all along that a woman so keen-sighted about money would never push away silver already in her hands; so it turns out she was taking a small loss for a greater gain. This was a lesson delivered on the spot.]

Very soon the items arrived. The headpiece bestowed by the Empress was palace-made, peerlessly splendid, and was maintained each year so that it looked almost new; to say nothing else, the two strings of perfectly round, plump pearls alone were worth a tidy sum.

The Grand Matron first took up the strand of pink tourmaline beads and, after explaining how rare and precious its origin was, solemnly placed it into Tao Yi Ran’s hands as she said, “Your skin is translucent as jade; pink suits you best.”

Had it been presented alone, Tao Yi Ran would naturally have liked it, for the bracelet too was a rare treasure. Yet before that headpiece, no matter how fine the bracelet, it paled into dimness. She said evenly, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Her expression remained cool, showing no great delight, and the Grand Matron at once felt displeased. She was the old madam of the marquisate, the most exalted person in the household; even if she sent a single blade of grass, one ought to say that blade was no common sprig.

When it was Xin An’s turn, she, who understood the old madam’s tastes, vividly performed for the Grand Matron and Tang Mo what it meant to be surprised, delighted, incredulous, overwhelmed by favor, moved to tears, cautious and reverent, and unspeakably cherishing; the layered progression of her expressions alone coaxed the Grand Matron into blossoming joy and great ease. When giving something to the juniors, she only hoped they would be this grateful and make her happy.

Gently stroking Xin An’s hand, the Grand Matron said, “Good child, come often to Grandmother to sit and talk when you have nothing to do.”

Xin An answered with bright warmth, “Even if Grandmother did not say so, I would. From my first glance at Grandmother, I felt especially close; Grandmother looks just like my own grandmother, so kindly and amiable.”

The Grand Matron smiled even more broadly, feeling that this granddaughter-in-law and she were fated to be close. Xin An’s smile was radiant; even she did not notice that, at this moment, she looked so much younger.

Seeing the benefits all drifting to Xin An, Tang Mo sidled up imitating her manner and, grinning, said, “Grandmother is too partial; once there is a granddaughter-in-law in your eyes, there is no longer this grandson. I too find Grandmother most kindly and amiable; would Grandmother perhaps reward me with something as well?”

Xin An got a full-body shiver from the cheesiness, but the Grand Matron could not stop laughing: “This rascal, when he came to pay respects before he only knew to look at the good things in my room. I fear he has been coveting them for a long while, and today he has finally seized the chance to speak up.”

[She thought that, having gone through this matter, he had grown a bit. He now knew the benefits of courting favor with her, the Grand Matron. Her heart broadened as well; after all, even if she took all the treasures in this room with her into the earth, they would become mud. Better to bestow them upon those who please her.]

“Today Grandmother will be partial to none of you,” she said with genial grandeur. “You two brothers, each choose one item you like from the curio shelf and take it with you.”

What could be placed upon the Grand Matron’s curio shelf was never judged by meaning or form, only by price and rarity. Tang Mo felt clear and refreshed in spirit. [Following this woman’s lead truly brings benefits,] he thought, [and remember, in her previous life she died after many others, and naturally had everyone’s preferences figured out. Following her is a sure bet.]

“I knew Grandmother dotes on me,” he said breezily, then turned to Tang Rong: “Big Brother, you choose first.”

Disliking the mercenary show of the two currying favor with the Grand Matron, and seeing the items on the curio shelf lumped together like a nouveau riche display without a jot of elegance, Tang Rong cupped his hands in thanks but delayed choosing. On closer look, he discovered that every single piece was a treasure difficult to acquire for a thousand gold; somehow the objects on the curio shelf had been changed out without his noticing.

“Brother, why not choose?” asked Tang Mo, and when he saw Tang Rong staring, entranced, at a famille rose Hundred Flowers vase, he stepped up with a cheerful smile: “Grandmother’s treasures are rare sights on the market. Every time I come, I can hardly bear to look away.”

He slapped his forehead in mock regret: “I forgot Big Brother does not favor gold, silver, and jadeware but prefers painting and yellow jade.”

Tang Rong straightened a touch, reached into a sky-blue porcelain vase, and drew out a dewy rose with easy grace: “I dare not take what Grandmother cherishes. This rose is just right: alluring but not gaudy, fragrant and pleasant.”

As he spoke, the corner of his eye swept toward Tao Yi Ran. She flushed scarlet and could not help a surge of joy within.

Tang Rong smiled faintly. He knew that anything placed upon the curio shelf was the Grand Matron’s heart’s treasure, guarded closely in ordinary days and never promised to anyone. Her letting him take something today was only because Tang Mo had brazenly begged just now. Fancying he had seen through the Grand Matron’s mind, he looked at Tang Mo with a smile and said, “Mo, it’s your turn to choose.”

Having suffered too many losses at his hands, Tang Mo for a moment could not take the other’s measure. A quick idea came to him, and he looked at Xin An: “Which one do you want? I will take it for you.”

Playing the part, Xin An put on a shy face and said, “Grandmother, look at him.”

Having just had her delight dampened by Tang Rong, the Grand Matron was amused anew by this little act of Xin An’s: “It means his heart has you in it; you should be pleased.”

“Grandmother is teasing me too,” Xin An replied with a smile.

Laughter spilled out: “Hahaha~~~”