Chapter 015

Chapter 15: Tang Gang Regrets

Xin An could no longer remember the last time she had coquetted and played the ingénue; likely it was before she married. To employ this uniquely feminine charm again today came to her hand as if it had always been there, and it amused the Grand Matron into such hearty laughter that tears welled up. The old madam, wiping her eyes, urged, “Hurry and say it now; can’t you see the second boy is already impatient to choose?”

Xin An finally pointed casually and said, “That one.”

It was exactly the famille rose vase that Tang Rong had fancied. The Grand Matron smiled and said, “You know how to pick, child. That vase was a reward when I entered the palace last year to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. It was tribute, a fine thing indeed. It was originally a pair; one went to the Dowager of Prince Zhen Bei Manor.”

Startled, Xin An covered her mouth and said, “So precious; then I must not take it.”

The Grand Matron had Gan Lu fetch a case and pack the vase away, then patted Xin An’s hand and said, “I told you to choose for yourselves. Whatever you select, Grandmother is happy. Though this treasure was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, once it reached my hands I am free to dispose of it.”

She added with indulgent warmth, “When you take it back, set it up in your room; just looking at it will bring joy.”

Tang Mo and Xin An came forward together to thank her, and Tang Mo kept up a stream of playful patter until the Grand Matron’s cheeks ached from smiling.

No sooner had Gan Lu carried away the pink famille rose vase than she set out a yellow jade peony. Its luster was warm, its color rich, and its carving exquisite beyond compare; the moment it was displayed it drew every eye in the room, and seeing everyone’s appreciation, the Grand Matron was very pleased.

Tang Rong could not look away. Yellow jade was his first love, and this peony, as large as a soup bowl and without the slightest flaw, was extremely rare. Xin An and Tang Mo quickly exchanged a glance: in their previous life they had fought fiercely over this treasure. Tang Mo had wanted it for its value, since giving it as a gift could accomplish great things; Xin An had competed for it because Tang Rong desired it. Yellow jade was his heart’s favorite, and from the first time he had seen it he had whispered in Xin An’s ear about it ever after. In the end, the piece fell into Xin An’s hands, and Tang Rong coveted it for many years before finally giving it up for the sake of his good nephew Tang Hui’s future.

“The Grand Matron’s treasures are simply too many,” Xin An said with sincere admiration. “Had I not seen them with my own eyes, I would not have known such exquisite things existed in this world.”

Tang Mo chimed in, “Don’t say you haven’t seen them before; I haven’t either. Grandmother is truly remarkable.”

The Grand Matron said with quiet pride, “This was your grandfather’s war trophy from a victorious campaign. He brought it back and presented it to His Majesty the Emperor, and His Majesty rewarded him with it.”

All came forward to view. Madam Wang knew that Old Master Tang had many military merits in his day and received many rewards, but she did not know the specifics; she was again moved to envy at the Grand Matron’s good fortune in this life, to have a man who could win back any fine thing for her. Seeing that Tang Rong could not tear his gaze away, Xin An joked, “There are too many fine things in Grandmother’s room. The moment I saw this yellow jade peony I could not look away; I shall have to come here every day to admire it.”

She added playfully, “Grandmother, please don’t tire of me.”

The Grand Matron had never been so pleased by the juniors before and said, beaming, “Good, good, good. Come keep Grandmother company often. After this peony has been displayed a while longer, it too can be set in your room.”

Xin An laughed openly and said, “To see it is enough; I dare not move such a precious thing into my room. I do not have Grandmother’s magnanimity and steadiness, nor have I seen enough fine things. If I truly moved it in, wouldn’t I see a thief in everyone’s face? I would not dare go out; I would have to sit and guard it all day.”

Tang Mo put on a fawning grin and said, “Then I won’t go out either; I’ll go to sleep with it in my arms.”

“Hahahaha~~~,” everyone laughed again.

The Grand Matron could not have laughed more freely, and Madam Wang was all smiles as well, joining in the fun and finding Xin An more pleasing the more she looked at her. Tang Gang, however, looked over at Xin An several more times. Then, seeing Tao Yi Ran stand aloof with a faint frown, he thought, [The second son’s wife is clearly no easy character. With just a few words she has coaxed the Grand Matron into blooming delight. Everyone knows the Grand Matron is stingy; she guards a room full of treasures and gives them to no one. Yet in merely two days, Xin An has received two items. Now she says she will come daily; who knows how many more fine things she will fish away.]

[As the father-in-law I cannot say anything, and Madam Wang, as the second wife, will of course lean toward her own son. The only one who can plan for my eldest is my daughter-in-law; the only one qualified to step forth and spar with the second son’s wife is the eldest son’s wife. Just now the eldest chose a flower instead of a treasure, already a misstep. The eldest daughter-in-law should have stepped out to make it up, but she just stood there unmoving, and now watches with open eyes as the second couple coaxes the Grand Matron for advantages, utterly indifferent. What is the meaning of this?] Thinking of how, on a whim yesterday, he had handed the chance to go train with the Northern Garrison Army to the second son, he reckoned that the second couple had gained far too much over these two days.

The Grand Matron was in high spirits today and, wishing to show off a little more, had Gan Lu bring out a few additional pieces for everyone to admire together.

Xin An and Tang Mo gave full measure to her face; from start to finish, it was the two of them who kept up the praises. Madam Wang followed along with her own compliments, and Tang Gang would add a word or two from time to time. Tang Rong wore a slightly awkward yet polite smile, while Tao Yi Ran’s expression remained cool even as her eyes never left the treasures.

Soon it was time for the noon meal, and naturally a table of delicacies was set out. The day she married, Xin An had scarcely eaten, and yesterday hardly at all; she had long been hungry enough that her belly sang an empty tune. More importantly, after the marquisate was searched and confiscated in her previous life, she had not eaten anything decent; now she felt she could eat a whole ox on the spot.

Ordinarily she ought to have stood to serve dishes to her elders, but her stomach could not help sounding the emptiness, and the Grand Matron, mindful that the two young couples had eaten little these two days, waived the rules.

Without affectation, Xin An quietly finished a bowl of rice, then, smiling, asked the serving maid to ladle her another. At that moment Tao Yi Ran had eaten only half a small bowl with exquisite restraint.

The Grand Matron had been a landlord’s daughter; before Old Master had made his mark, her father had perceived his promise and married her to him. She had read little and had little worldly knowledge; she simply waited at home, and after a few years of waiting her man had become a Marquis. He remembered the bonds of those days and, in a blaze of glory, fetched her to the capital; she transformed into a Marchioness, and the whole clan rose with her.

Aside from her own husband, what she loved best in this life were gold, silver, and jade—indeed, anything costly delighted her. She had always had a hearty appetite too. She did not like to dine with Madam Wang because Madam Wang was also a lady of standing, full of table etiquette, eating like a cat; the Grand Matron did not wish to be looked down upon by her and so could never eat her fill.

Today as well she had worried about being disdained by the two granddaughters-in-law for eating too much and had planned to hold back, but seeing Xin An already on her second bowl, she teased herself with a laugh: “The second granddaughter-in-law eats with such relish that even this old woman’s appetite opens up. Gan Lu, serve me another bowl too.”

Tang Gang spoiled the mood as he cautioned, “Mother, mind your digestion.”

The Grand Matron’s heart felt a prick of displeasure, though her face wore a smile as she said, “It is no matter. I will drink a bowl of hawthorn soup after the meal, then walk a bit after my nap.”

Understanding her, Xin An took the freshly filled bowl and said with a smile, “My grandmother often says that to be able to eat is a blessing. Those who fall ill spend large sums to be cured, all so they can go on eating. Grandmother has a good appetite and looks in fine health; that is our blessing too.”

The Grand Matron was pleased again, and Tang Gang did not continue. His gaze once more fell upon the silent Tao Yi Ran, and suddenly he understood a little why the Old Master, before his death, had insisted that Tang Rong marry a girl of the Xin family. [Had that match not gone awry, would I, as the father, still need to worry over my eldest son?]