Chapter 033

Chapter 33: Tang Mo’s Intentions

Xin An devoted herself to pleasing the Grand Matron. Each morning she went early to the Grand Matron’s courtyard to share breakfast; whenever Tang Mo had leisure, he accompanied her. After breakfast, he laid out the day’s plan with care: “Father-in-law and Mother-in-law leave the capital tomorrow. I had wanted to invite them to dine together, but Father-in-law already has an engagement today. I am thinking of buying some gifts to take over, and tomorrow morning I will go to see them off. It is only right.”

The Grand Matron truly felt he had grown up. He handled matters thoroughly and was nothing like his wastrel father. Her in-law was about to leave yet had not thought to arrange a farewell banquet; all he knew was to accept others’ money, never fearing it would scald his hands.

“Go about it, then,” she said generously. “Take your wife with you today. She has married far; who knows when she will see her parents again. Go.”

It had to be said, most of the time the Grand Matron was easy to talk to.

Beaming, Xin An thanked her. She and Tang Mo then left the marquisate together. In the ten-odd days since her marriage, she had already gone out twice, more than in the entire previous month.

The Ministry of War’s Assistant Minister Xu had recently connected with Xin Kuan, and the two had been very close these past days. Learning that Xin Kuan would leave tomorrow, Assistant Minister Xu specially arranged a farewell banquet. When Tang Mo arrived, he happened to meet Xin Kuan stepping out. Without need for words, the father-in-law and son-in-law went together, with Xin Huan trailing happily behind.

Madam Xin drew Xin An inside and confided as soon as they sat down: “If there truly were not matters at home that your father must go back to handle, I think he would be unwilling to leave.”

She added with amused exasperation: “Your brother is even more reluctant. He opens his mouth and closes it with nothing but ‘Brother?in?law.’”

Madam Xin squeezed her hand and smiled: “Your father is truly satisfied with this son-in-law.”

Lowering her voice, she added candidly: “He is better than your father-in-law.”

Xin Kuan did not think much of Tang Gang. In his heart he judged him selfish and self-serving. As a marquis without real power, the advantages he could offer were limited, yet he wanted greater returns. “He has visited the capital more than once,” Madam Xin said tartly. “When has he ever gone to the trouble of arranging anything? Every time it is your father who spends money to treat him to wine.”

She went on with a snort: “He never introduces your father to his friends, as if afraid others will laugh at him for being related to merchants. Yet when it comes to spending our silver, he never feels the slightest embarrassment.”

“Your father said that from now on we will reduce the funds we give the marquisate and hand them directly to the son-in-law. Why should our money pave the way for his eldest son? Let him dream.”

Tang Gang had believed that marrying into the Xin family would tether them to him and thus had been even less willing to lift a finger, never imagining the Xin family thought the same way. Now that the two families were in-laws and everybody knew it, the Xin family could justifiably fly the marquisate banner. Could the marquisate afford to tear its face with the Xin family?

“Your father says we will support our son-in-law until we no longer have to watch your father-in-law’s face,” Madam Xin concluded with satisfaction. “With a capable husband and your maiden family backing you, and with your mother-in-law on your side, even if your father-in-law is unwilling, he will have to hold his nose and accept it.”

Hearing her mother call him “son-in-law” again and again, Xin An reflected that Tang Mo truly had not skimped on effort these past days. To win her parents’ favor in so short a time—who could say he lacked ability?

“Father and Mother need not worry about me,” she said serenely. “I will live well in the marquisate and will not be bullied.”

“As for your son-in-law, he should also be able to stand tall.”

Madam Xin laughed: “You must not keep bullying him.”

Knowing the two had not yet consummated their marriage, Madam Xin did not press; such matters come when the feelings ripen.

Xin An then spoke of her plan to go into business: “You know there is more than just your son-in-law in the marquisate. If anything is made public, it will surely attract covetous eyes. I want to do it another way, to leave myself a fallback. I cannot sit and eat up the dowry.”

Madam Xin thought she worried too much and offered an easier path: “Why work yourself so hard? If you need silver, write home.”

Xin An chuckled and shook her head: “I cannot have my family support me for a lifetime. Supporting me is one thing, but must they also support a son-in-law, and a whole family of in?laws?”

“I am not asking for much,” she continued matter-of-factly. “Give me Uncle Fang Da and Uncle Bo, and that will do. Uncle Fang Da is originally from the capital. I imagine he would be willing to return. As for Uncle Bo, just say that I need him.”

Uncle Fang Da was a steward of the Xin family, a man Xin Kuan had once rescued in the capital years ago; he had sold himself into the Xin household and had considerable ability. As for Uncle Bo, he was a physician the Xin family had supported for many years. He had learned a full set of skills but had never been put to great use. Xin An felt it a pity.

What could Madam Xin say to a daughter who, once resolved, would surely act? She handed over her support with a smile: “Take them. I will tell your father later. Do you need more capital?”

“No,” Xin An said lightly. “Your son?in?law says he wants half; let him pay. We will not start with anything big. We can take it slowly.”

Madam Xin let her toss about as she pleased. So long as her daughter was happy, she was content.

Mother and daughter passed a pleasant half day. When Xin Kuan and the others returned in the afternoon, they brought back many gifts. Xin Kuan’s face shone. Assistant Minister Xu had invited several familiar officials to join them today, which gave him considerable face. He felt that all the dignity he had lost at Tang Gang’s house had been restored in full.

Tang Mo was delighted as well. He had met several officials alongside his father?in?law, and they had treated him with exceptional warmth. The kind of flattery he had seen only on Tang Rong had finally fallen upon him too, which filled him with pride and satisfaction. The father?in?law and son?in?law grinned from ear to ear, not the least bit reserved. Madam Xin was helpless about it, especially since Xin Huan was smiling even more foolishly, which pained her head.

When Tang Mo awoke from his nap, it was already dusk. Head aching or not, he wore a blissful smile, though he regretted that his father?in?law would leave tomorrow and he could not bask longer in reflected favor.

“Enough,” Xin An scolded with a smile. “You are grinning like a cheap trinket. Do not float away. Be steadier.”

Carrying in a bowl, she said: “Drink up. I cooked millet porridge just for you all. For the next couple of days, drink less. I fear in this lifetime you will…”

“Please, do not finish that sentence,” he cut in quickly with mock horror. “I will surely live to a ripe old age.”

After the millet porridge, it was already time for supper. Hands on his hips, Tang Mo looked at the sky and thought with amusement: [It feels like all I did today was eat.]

That night the family spoke at length and gave many instructions for the road. When Xin An went out, Madam Xin secretly wiped away tears; Xin An’s eyes were red as well. They were already in the carriage when Tang Mo tugged her back down with a laugh and said: “You are making me out to be some heinous villain. Stay here tonight. I will go back and explain to my mother, have someone bring you a change of clothes, and pick you up tomorrow morning.”

A married daughter rarely had the chance to stay over at her mother’s home. Xin An admitted she was genuinely moved: “Thank you.”

Tang Mo took her back before Madam Xin, said a few reassuring words, and Madam Xin’s face lit up with joy through the tears. Xin Huan bounded forward and clutched Tang Mo’s arm, exclaiming with unrestrained affection: “Brother?in?law, you are wonderful!”

Gooseflesh prickled up Tang Mo’s arm. He managed a wry smile and said: “It is only proper. I will head back now and come again early tomorrow.”

“How about you stay too, Brother?in?law? We can sleep together,” Xin Huan said earnestly.

Tang Mo smiled with polite awkwardness and replied: “Well… I am not used to that.”

Only after he climbed into the carriage and left did the family, all smiles, return inside. Hooking her arm through her mother’s, Xin An said with girlish delight: “I am sleeping with Mother tonight.”

“Very well,” Madam Xin laughed. “Married, and still you have not grown up.”