Chapter 023

Chapter 23: The Triumphant Tang Mo

In Chun Hua Courtyard, Tao Yi Ran was trimming flower branches with pruning shears, in quite a good mood. Looking up at the returning Tang Rong, she said: “Lord Rong, you are back?”

Tang Rong went over to sit with her and remarked that the flowers were blooming well. Stroking a petal, Tao Yi Ran said: “I want to set up a flower trellis in the courtyard; the fragrance lifts the spirit.”

With other matters on his mind, Tang Rong only smiled in agreement, then asked why she had not gone to pay respects to Grand Matron today.

Tao Yi Ran said: “I had planned to, but toward late morning I felt a bit dizzy and dull.”

Ever since learning that Grand Matron was the daughter of a landlord family, she had looked down on her, and after seeing that roomful of vulgar ornaments, she was even less willing to curry favor. Tang Rong had no idea she thought so; while he was still gently urging her to go and speak with Grand Matron when she felt better, Tao Yi Ran nodded perfunctorily. Whether she would go was her own affair.

Upon entering the room, Tang Rong noticed a Famille Rose Intertwined Branches Vase placed on the side table beneath the window. He picked it up to examine it closely. Tao Yi Ran said: “It was brought over today with the dowry items placed in the front yard. This vase originally sat in my bedchamber; it is perfect for arranging flowers.”

Delight flickered in Tang Rong’s eyes as he said: “I think it’s even finer than Grand Matron’s.”

She said, sitting to the side: “My father brought it back from his post. He treasured it, and when he saw I liked it, he gave it to me.” Still chatting, she spoke of sending someone tomorrow morning to cut flowers to arrange in the vase. Tang Rong wanted to speak but held back, in the end saying nothing. He noticed many new ornaments in the room as well, all of fine quality; his heart grew all the more pleased, and his manner toward Tao Yi Ran became more tender.

Tang Mo did not return until close to midnight, reeking of wine, and happened to run into Tang Gang, equally redolent of wine. Father and son stared at each other at the main gate. Before Tang Gang could erupt, Tang Mo quickly said: “Today I accompanied my father-in-law and had a few cups with him.”

Tang Gang snorted, thinking this wretch good for nothing but eating, drinking, and scrambling for things, which stoked his anger further. Seeing Tang Mo about to slip away, he called him to a halt and said: “After your father-in-law returns home, you will report to the Northern Garrison Army.”

Tang Mo answered promptly: “I understand.”

Grunting in acknowledgment, Tang Gang added: “The chance to gain experience with the Northern Garrison Army was originally arranged for your brother. Now it’s given to you. From now on you will serve diligently and not shirk.”

Tang Mo was unhappy, but he dared not say anything, fearing that one word from his father would cancel the assignment.

Tang Gang went on: “Your brother’s post has been given to you, so I must make new plans for him. He should go to the Ministry of Rites. Vice Minister Wang holds him in considerable regard. I was thinking…”

Sensing keenly that whatever was coming next would not be good for him, Tang Mo cut in: “Elder Brother is so capable; he will make his way anywhere. The Ministry of Rites is one of the Six Ministries, far more promising than gaining experience in the Northern Garrison Army. I wish him a brilliant future.”

He added, putting a hand to his head: “I’m a little dizzy; I’ll go rest first.”

With that, he turned and ran. Tang Gang’s expression soured. He had intended to make this brat bring out that Famille Rose Vase to use as a gift, but since he hadn’t finished speaking, he had missed the chance, and broaching it again would not be easy.

Running all the way back to Qiu Shi Courtyard, Tang Mo collapsed onto Xin An’s beauty couch, panting. Curious, Xin An asked: “Did you run back? Was there a dog chasing you?”

Startled for a moment, Tang Mo burst into laughter, louder and louder, thoroughly pleased. Not understanding, Xin An muttered, half amused: “You’re ill.”

Seeing that he had also brought back several cases, Xin An went over to look through them. After laughing his fill, Tang Mo kicked off his boots, shifted to a more comfortable position, and sighed: “Compared with your brother, I really am old. After a whole day of walking about, I nearly ruined a pair of legs.”

Xin An asked in surprise: “Did you buy out all the good things at the Imperial Medical Office?”

Indeed, he had brought back not only Qi Nourishing Pills and Beauty Preserving Pills, but even Complexion Nourishing Balm.

All pride, Tang Mo said: “I bought everything useful. These are for you, Grand Matron, and Mother. Don’t women like these things? You’ll all use them.”

He added with satisfaction: “I already personally delivered Mother-in-law’s share. You didn’t see how delighted she was with me, calling me ‘good son-in-law’ as if I were her own.”

In the past, when he sent gifts to Tao Yi Ran’s mother, she would only nod politely and say, “You are thoughtful,” which felt dull. Today, though, his mother-in-law’s joy reached her brows as she called him a good son-in-law again and again. He felt an intense sense of accomplishment and a deep contentment, wanting to send every good thing to his mother-in-law. Even his father-in-law gave him a pleasant face today, and his young brother-in-law Xin Huan looked at him with admiration.

He said, planning ahead: “I told Mother-in-law that when she finishes these, she should send word. I’ll have people deliver more. She ought to have face when she goes back.”

Grinning, he went on: “Father-in-law even kept me for a meal. We drank to and fro with great cheer. His capacity is truly unfathomable; if Mother-in-law hadn’t stopped us, I likely wouldn’t have made it back tonight.”

He was so happy he could not stop talking, and his happiness infected Xin An; her lips unconsciously curved into a smile, though she herself did not notice. By the time he quieted, he had fallen asleep. Xin An left him be, told Chun Yang to fetch a light quilt to cover him, and herself slept peacefully through the night.

In the morning, Tang Mo woke himself by falling off the beauty couch. It was only so wide, and with one turn he tumbled to the floor. Struggling up, he recalled the previous night; thinking of his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and young brother-in-law’s fondness for him, he chuckled again. His laughter woke Xin An, who propped herself up and peeked out from the bed curtains, saying: “Laughing like this at dawn, who are you trying to scare?”

Xin An was naturally alluring. Sleepy-eyed, with a fall of dark hair cascading over her shoulder and a trace of displeasure shaded with playful reproach on her face, she made Tang Mo, who had been about to retort, close his mouth at once. Suddenly a little abashed, he said softly: “I woke you.”

For reasons he could not name, even his voice had softened.

Lifting the curtains and sitting cross-legged, Xin An yawned, her eyes brimming with sleepy tears, then said in utter resignation: “Time to go pay respects again. When will I finally endure long enough to be the mother-in-law?”

Tang Mo laughed and said: “Have you not had enough of being the ‘mother-in-law’? Being young is wonderful. Come on, get up. I’ll go with you today and curry favor.”

He was just thinking how beautiful and adorable she was at this moment and almost could not resist pinching her cheek; as soon as the thought rose, he shivered and thought: [I almost let myself be bewitched by this woman’s looks; beneath this lovely skin lies a ferocious heart.]

He said breezily: “I’ll go next door to wash up.”

As soon as he left, Chun Yang and Chun Lv came in. Nervous, Chun Yang asked: “Did the young master do anything to you?”

Setting down the basin, Chun Lv said with a snort: “He is the young master. If he wanted to do something, would you barge in and drag him out?”

Tongue-tied, Chun Yang said: “Anyway… anyway, we can’t let him off so cheaply.”

He keeps saying he will strangle our young lady at the slightest thing; [he is not a good man!]

Slipping on her shoes and standing, Xin An joked: “You two didn’t stay up all night over this, did you?”

Especially Chun Yang, with two dark smudges beneath her eyes, could not have been more obvious.