Chapter 019

Chapter 19: Father-in-law Misunderstands His Son-in-law

The Xin Family’s residence in the capital was only a temporary dwelling. It was not well kept, and it looked anything but grand. Xin An liked it, though. After the marquisate had been confiscated in the previous life, this had been her place of refuge, sheltering her from the wind and rain.

She glanced around and said lightly: “I will send people later to put this place in proper order, and assign a few to sweep and tidy it. We can plant some flowers and shrubs.”

Seeing she still had the leisure to think about such things, Madam Xin was truly at ease. She asked with a smile that held a trace of probing: “Is the son-in-law treating you well?”

Xin An shrugged, unbothered, and said simply: “It is what it is.”

Once they entered, she and Tang Mo paid their respects to Xin Kuan. When Xin Kuan looked at Tang Mo again, he was still dissatisfied. Who told Tang Mo to have such a poor reputation outside?

Tang Mo shot a plea for help at Xin An. She ignored it, took her mother’s arm, and went to the back courtyard. She still had many things to say.

Mother and daughter spoke in whispers for a while. Madam Xin learned that the couple had not consummated the marriage, yet she did not urge her daughter to have children early to secure her husband’s heart. In her view: [If a man does not like you, even bearing him ten children will not change it.]

She considered and then encouraged gently: “I do not think he is too bad. Why not give him a chance and take the measure of him? If it turns out to be a good match, that is the Bodhisattva’s blessing.”

“I know,” Xin An said.

Sitting to drink her tea, she set down the cup and spoke in a sober tone: “I should not say dispiriting things on a return visit, but, Mother, you must speak to Father. The Marquis of Wei Yuan’s household must not be too closely allied with. Do not, just because I am now in the marquisate, throw our full support behind them without reserve. We must keep a path of retreat for ourselves.”

Some things could not be said too bluntly, but Tang Gang’s character could hardly be called good. She asked frankly: “To put it plainly, what accumulation does the marquisate have in the Imperial Court?”

She answered her own question, words precise as a blade: “That bit of reputation all comes from the Tang Family’s Old Master who earned it years ago on the battlefield. Since they abandoned the military for civil service, the Tang Family has had no real achievements. Even if Tang Rong has a fine name outside, once he enters court, climbing upward is not a matter of reputation alone. You will have to spend heavily to grease the wheels.”

Her mouth tightened. “Tang Gang and Tang Rong are not people who repay kindness. If we hoist Tang Rong up, what benefit accrues to me?”

Madam Xin frowned. “Your father said as much last night. He was only worried you would be put in a difficult spot.”

“What is there to make things difficult for me?” Xin An laughed softly. “Your son-in-law is not the longed-for eldest legitimate son. The benefits will not land on his head, and whatever happens cannot be blamed on me.”

She added, almost offhand: “The marquisate is very empty now. Yesterday my mother-in-law wanted to give me two thousand taels of silver, and that silver is from her private reserve…”

Madam Xin felt a prick of remorse and sighed: “I should not have left you in the marquisate.”

Xin Huan leaned in, eager and anxious: “Sister, what should we do now?”

“Wave the marquisate’s banner while seeking another road,” Xin An said crisply. “Never hang yourself on one tree.”

Xin Huan nodded again and again. “Sister, explain it in detail. I will listen to you.”

She tapped him on the forehead and scolded with affection: “You are this grown and your brain is for display? When I am not here, you must learn to use your own head. In business, whether you earn more or less is secondary. The important thing is to ensure your own safety. If something goes wrong, it must not implicate you. Money can always be earned. Life is only one. Be thorough when you think.”

Xin Huan rubbed his brow, sheepish. “Since I was small I have listened to you. When I rely on my own thinking I have no confidence.”

Xin An’s brows smoothed and she thought with quiet resolve: [In this life I will certainly protect this fool.]

In the front courtyard, Tang Mo sat facing Xin Kuan, awkward enough to scratch a hole in the sole of his shoe. Xin Kuan said nothing, sipping his tea. After a long bout of mental steeling, Tang Mo finally plucked up the courage and asked with careful respect: “I hear Father-in-law will soon return to Huai Jiang?”

“Mm,” Xin Kuan answered.

Silence fell again like a pall.

Tang Mo forced a smile and ventured: “When will Father-in-law come next time?”

“When you are treating An poorly,” Xin Kuan said without inflection.

Tang Mo was speechless.

He rallied, then protested with a strained laugh: “Father-in-law jests. Though I have played the scapegrace a little, I would not mistreat my own wife. How could I do her wrong?”

Xin Kuan fixed him with a look that seemed to see through him and said evenly: “As long as you know it in your heart. I do not know whether the tales about you are true or false, but once you are married you cannot be as you were before.” He tapped the wooden casket at his side and added: “Take this with you later. As long as you treat An well and let her live comfortably and at ease, you will not lack this in the future. When you see something rare, there is no need to fight others for it.”

Curious, Tang Mo stepped forward. Seeing the casket full of silver, he found himself at a loss for words. He could only curse inwardly: [Tang Rong ruined my reputation so badly that even my father-in-law believes I am a petty man who likes to grab and scramble.]

He bowed and said, a touch aggrieved: “Father-in-law has misunderstood his son-in-law.”

Xin Kuan arched a brow. “You never fought your elder brother for things?”

“I have,” Tang Mo admitted, exhausted by the truth.

“Then there it is,” Xin Kuan concluded, refusing to hear explanations. “In the future, unless it is something truly important, do not grab. It is only a matter of a few coins.”

A wealthy father-in-law spoke with natural authority. Suddenly exhilarated, Tang Mo thought with relish: [In the past life, Tang Rong received the Xin Family’s support and lived in high style, while the Tao Family was ordinary, not only unhelpful but full of excessive demands. I was so jealous I could not sleep. Now at last, this fine turn has come to me.]

He rose and thanked him sincerely: “I am grateful for Father-in-law’s favor.” Then he promised solemnly: “Please rest assured. I will respect my lady and put her first in all things.”

Xin Kuan was finally somewhat satisfied. He thought, mildly pleased: [As I said, silver will make this lad behave. First feed his appetite. Should he dare treat my An badly, I will cut off his silver and see whether he does not submit.]

After the meal, when Xin An learned of her father’s grand “plan,” she smiled, embarrassed yet polite. She thought with helpless fondness: [My father is a salt merchant who has dealt with many dignitaries, and yet he devised such a childish way to handle his own son-in-law.]

Seizing the chance, Tang Mo leaned close and murmured by her ear, smug: “Father-in-law is cautious about striking the rat for fear of breaking the vase. After all, you are in my hands.”

Xin An gave a dry chuckle and warned under her breath: “Split the benefits in half. Do not forget that I decide how well I am doing.”

“Deal,” he said at once.

At the moment Tang Mo was radiant. He was all warmth toward Xin Kuan, calling him Father-in-law at every turn. He was equally affectionate to Madam Xin and even said he would take Xin Huan around the city tomorrow. When Xin An mentioned the Qi Nourishing Pill, he thumped his chest and said, robust with confidence: “I can get it tomorrow.” This attitude successfully made Xin Kuan feel he was not a bad sort after all.

After dinner, father-in-law and son-in-law sat drinking tea. Tang Mo generously told Xin Kuan everything he wanted to know. Xin Kuan visited the capital seldom and did not clearly understand the relationships among the powerful, and this happened to be Tang Mo’s forte.

Tang Mo concluded with an easy promise: “If Father-in-law ever wants to know anything, write at once. Your son-in-law will assist with all his strength.”

“Listen more to An in the future,” Xin Kuan said with a brief nod. “She will not harm you.”

The corner of Tang Mo’s mouth twitched. He thought with rueful amusement: [This is the second time I have heard that today. How interesting.]

At dusk, Madam Xin urged Xin An to return to the marquisate. The Xin Family rarely came to the capital, and every visit they bought many things. When they left, they could not take it all, so they packed everything up for Xin An.

As a result, when Xin An and Tang Mo had arrived with two carriages, they set out back with a third. By coincidence they ran into Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran returning from the Tao Family. Seeing the servants busy unloading and the goods blocking the marquisate’s gate, Tang Rong narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze across everything one by one. He was just about to lead Tao Yi Ran inside when Tang Mo seized the chance to step forward and greet them cheerfully: “Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, you are back? I am truly sorry. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law gave us so many things that we blocked your way.”