Chapter 016

Chapter 16: Do You Want to Inherit the Title

After drinking a cup of hawthorn water following the meal, the Grand Matron felt drowsy and told everyone to return and rest, so the group finally dispersed.

Back in Qiu Shi Courtyard, Xin An collapsed without pretense onto the beauty couch, yawned, and her eyes filled with a mist of tears as Chun Yang and Chun Lv came in to remove her hairpins and rings; after serving tea, they quietly withdrew.

Tang Mo, delighted, admired the famille rose vase he had just secured, saying with relish: “This thing is truly beautiful. It’s worth at least a thousand taels. I saw quite clearly that Tang Rong wanted it too; lucky for me I was smart enough not to let him have his way.”

Propping her head with one hand while toying with the jade pendant at her waist with the other, Xin An asked lazily: “Do you think I was too lively today? I’m afraid I may have drawn your father’s attention.”

Tang Mo answered with a shrug as he carefully set the vase down: “So what? He cares most about face; how could he fault his daughter-in-law? If he dares scold you, I’ll quietly let the word spread and see how he manages to show his face at court.”

He chuckled and added, tapping the stool closer to the beauty couch and sitting before her: “As for the others, don’t worry. My Mother will stand by you. She’ll only think you’ve come around and want to settle down and live well. As for those two next door, one is a lofty iceberg, the other a moon in the distant sky; could either descend to fight over common trinkets? Did you notice either of them speak up today?”

Xin An smiled and answered, her tone light: “They probably looked down on the two of us in their hearts, not worth a single copper.”

Tang Mo waved it off: “At worst they call us petty and grasping, fawning on the powerful and horribly vulgar. Words won’t make us lose a pound of flesh.”

Scooting his stool even closer, he grinned and urged: “Tell me what the Grand Matron likes. If I get her measure, I can curry favor too. I can’t have you doing all the work, can I?”

Xin An had meant to tell him anyway, but she laid out her conditions first, speaking evenly: “Benefits we gain from it are split fifty–fifty. And if I run into trouble, you help me unconditionally.”

Tang Mo agreed at once: “Naturally.” He had already tasted the advantages of working in tandem; today, the way they had sung in harmony before the Grand Matron and so easily won her favor felt effortless compared with his previous life, when he had charged ahead alone while the person behind him not only failed to help but dragged him back, enjoying the fruits of his labor while sneering at him for being vulgar. [In contrast, this felt as light as a dream.]

Hooking a finger, Xin An beckoned him closer; Tang Mo leaned in until their voices were for each other alone, and she quietly told him the Grand Matron’s particular likes. His eyes gleamed with craftiness as he whispered back: “Go easy. Don’t give yourself away. We have to do this step by step.”

“Truth be told, the Grand Matron is not bad,” Xin An said, her voice still low. “She likes her comforts and doesn’t torment anyone. If she doesn’t care for something, she simply won’t see it. Before she died she even instructed that all her treasures be kept for the household and not buried with her. Later, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and get some Qi Nourishing Pills. Get a good amount: half for me, half presented to the Grand Matron. Her long life is good for us.”

Tang Mo nodded repeatedly, then, [still curious about one thing], asked, eyes narrowing as he recalled her demeanor toward Tang Yong earlier: “I clearly felt your killing intent toward him today. What did that man do to you?”

Lowering her gaze, Xin An said, the mention of Tang Yong making her think of Tang Gang’s incompetence and Tang Rong’s odiousness: “Some things I’m not yet ready to tell you. When I was offering tea today I remembered the past and wanted to kill Tang Rong with a cup of poison. It wasn’t aimed at Second Uncle.”

She looked up at Tang Mo, expression cool, and said without heat: “Even right now I find your face somewhat objectionable; I only didn’t show it because I can still control myself.”

The corner of Tang Mo’s mouth twitched as he drawled: “So if I died, you still wouldn’t have cooled off? You’re holding the grudge even now?”

Xin An was not that petty; what angered her was Tang Mo’s son, Tang Hui, that wretch. She said flatly: “Be glad I still have my reason. Otherwise… I’d have killed you.”

Tang Mo’s curiosity only sharpened, but Xin An did not go on. Instead she asked: “Do you remember whether, around this time, your second uncle’s son Tang Yao Ming had anything going on?”

Tang Mo had returned earlier than Xin An and knew a bit more, so he replied after thinking: “He scraped by in the examinations, barely passing at the bottom. Second Uncle wants to arrange a decent post for him. Half a month ago he came to ask the old man for help. The old man refused, saying he had to avoid suspicion. If you ask me, he was just avoiding trouble.”

“Your Second Uncle is much more reliable than your father,” Xin An said with conviction. “When the marquisate ran into trouble, your Second Uncle pulled strings and ran all over.”

She fixed him with a bright, intent gaze and asked: “Do you want to inherit the marquisate’s title?”

Tang Mo paused in surprise, then said with a short laugh: “Why not? I am a legitimate son. I have the standing.”

“If Tang Rong inherits, we’ll have to live our whole lives under his nose,” Xin An said, one brow arched. “Do you want that?”

She raised her brows higher, decisive: “In that case, let’s make a plan. Go close the door.”

Tang Mo sprang up, shut the door quickly, then sat back down, unable to hide his eagerness as he leaned in: “I already have a plan…”

With the door closed, the two of them whispered and plotted, their energy rising as they spoke. Meanwhile, in the neighboring Chun Hua Courtyard, Tao Yi Ran was stewing in silence. A wilting rose lay in the vase before her; the more she looked, the more upset she felt. She had the distinct sense that, though both of them were newly married granddaughters-in-law, she had been treated differently today.

Seeing her mood, Tang Rong came up behind her and set a hand on her shoulder, asking gently: “What’s wrong, unhappy?”

Tao Yi Ran’s eyes reddened on the instant as she lowered her gaze and wiped away tears, murmuring: “Does Grandmother not like me? I clearly saw it. Grandmother must think I’m not a reserved woman and so is rather indifferent to you as well. I’ve implicated you. Perhaps I should go home.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Tang Rong said, though he too felt a twinge recalling the day’s events. For years, wherever he went he had been the center of attention, praised by all; today he had played second fiddle. He soothed her in a low voice: “You and I are not people who crave the spotlight. Why should we mind? Grandmother is easy enough to get along with. When you have nothing to do, spend time chatting with her. She will grow fond of you.”

Thinking of the yellow jade peony, he smiled at the corner of his lips and said: “Speaking of which, that yellow jade peony suits you exceedingly well. I’ll choose the right moment later and ask Grandmother to gift it to you.”

Tempted, Tao Yi Ran turned slightly and said, feigning hesitation: “That yellow jade peony truly is extraordinary, luminous and elegant. But I saw that Second Sister-in-law liked it too. Let her have it.”

“Only you are so kindhearted,” Tang Rong said as he sat beside her and took her hand. “Marrying you is my good fortune. Father says he will secure a post for me next month. Rest assured, I will win you an imperial title and won’t let anyone press you down.”

Tao Yi Ran brightened and said with heartfelt sweetness: “I knew Lord Rong is the best man under heaven. Are you still going to the Northern Garrison Army?”

Tang Rong shook his head: “Father told me long ago that I could go to the Northern Garrison Army for seasoning. I hesitated at first. Now that I see Second Brother fancies it more, let him go. Father says he will try to get me into the Ministry of Rites. Vice Minister Wang mentioned earlier that the ministry needs someone dedicated to receiving foreign envoys. I want to give it a try.”

Softly, Tao Yi Ran replied: “Wherever Lord Rong goes, you will certainly achieve something.”

Before long, the servants arrived with the dowry from Tang Rong’s Mother. The inventory ledger and keys to the chests were handed to him by Steward Zhang, who served at Tang Gang’s side. Bowing, the steward said respectfully: “Heir Apparent, the Marquis says everything is here. Please inspect and verify.”

Auntie Cai reached out first to take them, but Tang Rong was faster by a step and said with calm assurance: “I naturally trust Father and Mother. Thank you for making the trip, Uncle Zhang.”

“Only my duty,” Steward Zhang replied with a cupped-fist salute before taking his leave.

Once he had gone, Tao Yi Ran’s eyes shone with undisguised delight at the heap of chests piled high in the courtyard: “Are these all Mother’s dowry?”

Tang Rong nodded and ordered the servants to lock all the chests in the treasury. He said, half explaining, half reminiscing: “Mother’s family used to be wealthy, and she was much favored at home, so her dowry was abundant. Unfortunately, her uncle’s family has declined in recent years, and they have been out of the capital for five years without returning.”

“Heir Apparent.” Auntie Cai, unaware of the inside story and only knowing that these things had passed through the second Marchioness’s hands, frowned and said carefully: “We should still open the chests and check. Many of the lady’s dowry items are of great value. One cannot be too cautious.”

Tang Rong had the chests carried straight into the treasury, then turned his head and said evenly to Auntie Cai: “I already examined them yesterday. There are no problems. Aunt, you are overthinking.”