Chapter 025

Chapter 25: Tang Mo, he’s struck it rich!!!

At the entrance to the Yu Dao Immortal Tower, three men had arrived: Yan Shi Mao of the Marquis of Qing residence, Xie Chang You of the Marquis of Chang residence, and Wei Ye of the scholar’s residence. Xin An remembered the three clearly. They were all second sons who usually idled through the streets with dogs and birds, but they valued loyalty and had been friends with Tang Mo for years.

In her previous life, after Tang Mo died, these three had even blocked her carriage, interrogating her about the cause of his death, and for a long time they opposed her at every turn, making her grind her teeth with hate.

Tang Mo craned his neck, saw the trio, and broke into a grin. He said to Xin Kuan: “Father-in-law, three of my friends are here. I will go greet them.”

Xin Kuan waved him on expansively and said: “Go ahead. No need to hurry back.”

Xin Huan wanted to tag along but was pulled back by Madam Xin, who said: “Must you be everywhere? Sit.”

Xin Huan sighed, muttering that it was fun to play with Brother-in-law, and what a pity that he would soon be leaving. He grumbled: “If I had known, I would have spent more time with Brother-in-law before the wedding.”

Everyone glanced at him. Xin An’s mouth twitched; she suddenly felt her younger brother was not so clever. She counseled calmly: “When you go back, develop our family’s business well. But do not fixate only on salt. The profit is high, but the risk is higher. You must also seek other trades, those with moderate profit and not too conspicuous, as a line of retreat.”

Madam Xin glared at him and said: “Listen to your sister. You are about to marry and still think only of play.”

Xin Huan pouted and said: “We agreed today is for play and nothing else. There you go again.”

Xin Kuan only chuckled and ignored him, and Xin Huan turned his head to sulk.

Downstairs, as soon as Tang Mo approached, the three surrounded him before he could speak and demanded: “What is your situation?”

All three knew his bride had been switched. The capital already buzzed with rumor and inquiry. Xie Chang You ground his teeth and said: “Did Tang Rong scheme against you again? Do not hide it from us. Your brothers will avenge you.”

Yan Shi Mao nodded heavily and said: “The hatred of stealing a wife cannot be swallowed.”

Wei Ye swept his gaze over Tang Mo and said: “We wanted to come find you two days ago but figured the Tang family must be in an uproar. Now that we have met, tell us properly.”

Once seated in a private room on the second floor, Tang Mo did not conceal anything and explained the matter in a few concise words. The three gnashed their teeth.

They cursed: “Shameless. He can do something so filthy?”

They scolded: “Scheming at heart and sanctimonious on the surface. I said he was no good. He counted that once the rice was cooked, you would be helpless.”

They pressed on: “What did that partial old father of yours say? Did he beat Tang Rong to death?”

Tang Mo gave a wry smile and said: “What else could he do? He made him kneel in the ancestral hall for an hour and then let him out. He handed me some benefits to gag me.”

None of the three were eldest sons. They had grown up taught to listen to their big brothers. The others fared better than Tang Mo; at least they were trueborn brothers, and though the household favored the heir, they were not deprived of everything, and their elder brothers even protected them. Not like Tang Mo, whose elder brother wanted to monopolize it all.

They sighed and said: “Your old man’s heart has tilted clear to the horizon. You are a legitimate son, yet they treat you like this.”

They scolded with frustration: “Why did you not ask like a lion at the gate? At a time like this, he would give whatever you demanded…”

Beyond venting anger they could do little. Tang Mo smiled to soothe them and said: “I have turned misfortune into blessing. The Xin family’s daughter is truly good: lovely, forthright, and quick-witted. She hates Tang Rong to the bone and is of one heart with me.”

He added with genuine warmth: “My father-in-law’s family is also excellent: open, enthusiastic, and generous. They will return home in a few days, so I brought them out for a turn today. They are in a private room just ahead.”

Wei Ye frowned slightly and said: “Think it through. The Tao family is an official household, while the Xin family are salt merchants. The gap is a chasm.”

Xie Chang You and Yan Shi Mao shared the same concern. Tang Mo had thought far more on it than they had; after all, he had experienced the Tao family’s conduct in his previous life. He said calmly: “I know my own ability. The Tao family would look down on me no end. My ambitions are modest: a wealthy father-in-law who also cherishes me. That is comfort.”

The three fell silent, faces heavy. They assumed Tang Mo was merely consoling them. Tang Mo grinned and kept reassuring them that he truly was fine. Then he said: “Come, let me introduce you to my father-in-law. He has also suffered a bitter loss this time. Lend me some face later.”

They rose with him, hastily straightening their clothes. The folding fans that had been wagging in their hands were tucked away. They muttered to one another: “We must leave a good impression on our Third Brother’s father-in-law.”

There was no turning the matter back. Anger would change nothing. Better to look ahead.

Following Tang Mo to the room, they were introduced one by one, and then the three set to showing their best manners. Yan Shi Mao stepped forward and said: “Uncle Xin, my surname is Yan and my given name is Shi Mao. I am Second Younger Brother Tang’s close friend. Meeting you today, it feels like we have known each other at first sight. You are Second Younger Brother Tang’s father-in-law, which makes you our elder.”

Xie Chang You cupped his hands and said: “Uncle Xin, I am Xie Chang You, a brother to Second Younger Brother Tang outside the household, the kind who could share a pair of pants.”

Wei Ye smiled and said: “Uncle Xin, I am Wei Ye. When you come to the capital again, find me. I know all the interesting places and will arrange everything properly for you.”

Before entering, they had meant to maintain an air of decorum; once they opened their mouths, their true natures showed. Xin An’s eyes curved with amusement as she thought: [Now that they are not crossing me, they are actually rather agreeable.]

Xin Kuan exchanged a few genial words with them. The trio then turned together to bow to Madam Xin and said: “We greet you, Aunt.”

Madam Xin was delighted. She wished to offer the juniors a token but had not prepared for it. Feeling about, she found only a stack of banknotes. On impulse, she handed each of them two and said: “Since you are my good son-in-law’s brothers, as your aunt I ought to give you a meeting gift. I did not prepare anything today, so I will be vulgar this once. Do not mind.”

Each banknote was for one hundred taels. The three were overjoyed. For all they seemed like grand young lords, they lived on their household stipends. Yan Shi Mao had the highest monthly allowance at twenty taels; Wei Ye had only twelve. At times they might get a bit of extra money from their mothers, and the three of them together ran a teahouse that barely turned a profit and provided a small share. Two hundred taels at once was a fortune.

At that moment, each nearly blurted out “Mother-in-law” to Madam Xin, but good sense prevailed. They bowed again with bright faces and said: “Aunt is too kind.”

They chimed: “Indeed, Aunt is so gracious. We are overwhelmed.”

They added with mock solemnity: “When a senior bestows a gift, one does not decline. We will shamelessly accept.”

No wonder Tang Mo looked so pleased; he had clearly benefited.

If even they received two hundred taels, would he not have gotten two thousand? They thought with a collective flash of envy and glee: [Tang Mo, he’s struck it rich!!!]

Tang Mo was genuinely happy. No one here killed the mood, and it was easy to get along. He then solemnly introduced Xin An to the trio. Seeing her, truly as lovely as peach blossoms and as radiant as rosy clouds, they first paid proper respects, then teased Tang Mo about his good fortune, giving the Xin family full face.

Xin Huan, too excited to wait for an introduction, introduced himself. Tang Mo praised him extravagantly, saying he had a knack for business and no small amount of ability. Xin Huan preened, feeling that Brother-in-law indeed had sharp eyes to perceive his extraordinariness.

Xin An pressed a hand to her forehead, thinking: [With the brother-in-law changed, even his temperament has changed along with him. In front of Tang Rong he used to be a steady, mature man; now he is downright lively.]