Chapter 040

Chapter 40: Tao Yi Ran’s Hidden Disdain

Lai Lai moved quickly, and in no time reached the place where the bodyguards lived. The twenty strokes had already been delivered; several bodyguards lay facedown on the shared pallets, groaning, resentment in their hearts yet not daring to voice it. [We are servants; if the master wants to beat us, it takes only a word.]

Someone muttered with worry: “Will the Heir Apparent come back to make trouble for us?”

This was the troublesome part; the few of them sighed as one. [It is not easy to get a post as a bodyguard in the marquis’s residence; several had entered only through recommendation, and if trouble arose the Presented Scholar who vouched for them would be implicated.]

When Lai Lai came in, he was solicitous, asking: “Gentlemen, are you all right?”

Seeing it was Lai Lai, they tried to get up, but Lai Lai hastily told them to rest, saying: “Second Young Master feels guilty about what happened today and has been thinking of you. He specifically sent me with some salves for your injuries.”

He added: “He knows you were fined your wages, and Second Young Master is making it up to you. He asked me to bring a message: you were dragged into this because of him, and he is truly sorry.”

The few were flattered and startled, replying: “It was only our duty. Second Young Master acted for the safety of the marquis’s household. We failed to see clearly ourselves; it has nothing to do with Second Young Master.” [It was all because the Heir Apparent skulked about so suspiciously.]

They added politely: “Second Young Master is too courteous; how could we brothers accept such money?”

Lai Lai set down a bundle of silver, saying: “I will leave this here for you, and the medicine as well. It may not be enough, so I must trouble you to buy more yourselves. Do not leave any lingering problems.”

He concluded: “There are too many eyes and ears about. I will go back first. Rest well, everyone.”

With that he cupped his hands and left; once he was gone, their gazes fell on the bundle of silver. Someone said with a hopeful look: “It looks like quite a lot.”

Someone stepped forward and opened it. The amount far exceeded three months of their pay; divided, each would have five months’ wages and still have silver left to buy medicine. One said: “Since Second Young Master is so considerate, let us accept it. In future we will keep an extra eye out for his matters. Quick, take it, and do not let others know.” With the silver in hand, more than half their resentment melted away. They put the money away and lay back down, muttering that the second young master was actually not bad, that today’s affair could not be blamed on him, and so on, forming a much better opinion of him.

In Chun Hua Courtyard, the physician examined Tang Rong carefully and stated that the injuries were all superficial and had not damaged bone or tendon, although they were severe enough that he would need half a month to recover. As for the bruises on his face, when would they fade? He said: “They will disappear in half a month.”

Tang Rong thought he was a quack. At the moment he felt pain all over, convinced his bones had been broken, but since the physician insisted there was nothing serious he could not demand further treatment. After salves were applied all over, he lay down. Yet there was another problem: his chest and back had both been beaten, and since his arm was also injured he could not lie on his side at all. This the physician could do nothing about; he could only endure. [Everything hurts. I must be broken.]

As he managed to lie down and the attendants withdrew, Tao Yi Ran, weeping like pear blossoms in the rain, sat at the bedside and asked: “Who struck with such heavy hands? It must hurt terribly.”

She dabbed at her tears and urged: “What should we do? Why not ask Father to request an imperial physician from the palace to take a look? I cannot rest easy otherwise.”

With ointment on his face, the bluish-purple bruises were truly hard to look at. His eyelids were so swollen they gleamed; with effort he could open only a narrow slit, and he said: “We can speak of it tomorrow.”

He closed his eyes, hoping that when he woke this would all prove to be a dream, or that the wounds would have healed. Seeing his unbearable face, Tao Yi Ran wiped her tears and stood, saying: “Rest well. I will have someone keep watch at the door. If you need anything, call out.”

She left and went to sleep in the next room. Tang Rong again forced open that slit, tilting his head to watch her back recede. [I thought she would stay and keep vigil for me.]

He had thought he would not sleep, yet he slept straight through until dawn. At the moment of waking he felt nothing; once his mind cleared a little, the pain returned. He wanted to get up to relieve himself, and Ying Yue, who had come to keep watch before dawn, hurried in, saying: “Heir Apparent, you have suffered.”

He asked hoarsely: “You… have you been waiting outside the whole time?”

Ying Yue answered vaguely: “With the Heir Apparent injured, this maid could not sleep for worry. Only by keeping watch outside did I feel at ease.”

She added softly: “Heir Apparent, does it still hurt badly?”

She had served him for a long time and attended to him with care; he had been satisfied with her in ordinary days, and only lately had he ignored her for the sake of Tao Yi Ran. At this moment Tang Rong again remembered Ying Yue’s goodness, leaning half his weight on her as he said: “It hurts.” [She has always been dependable.]

Ying Yue shed tears, supported Tang Rong to relieve himself, then carefully helped him back to bed. Seeing the injuries on his face, she wept again, then hurriedly wiped her tears and said: “Heir Apparent must be hungry. I have simmered pig’s blood congee, which nourishes best. I will bring it for you.”

Tang Rong caught her hand, saying: “Do not run about. You must be tired after keeping watch so long.”

She smiled through tears and said: “To serve the Heir Apparent is no burden.”

Ying Yue smiled through tears and said: “Heir Apparent, wait here. This maid will fetch it.”

Because Tao Yi Ran had not been willing to sit up all night at his bedside, Ying Yue found an opening. She returned with the pig’s blood congee and fed Tang Rong half the bowl before Tao Yi Ran finally appeared. Entering, she saw the two in a scene of gentle intimacy, and her eyes immediately reddened. Ying Yue rose to curtsey quickly and said: “Young Madam, please do not misunderstand the Heir Apparent. It was because this maid was worried for the Heir Apparent that I came. The Heir Apparent did not summon me.”

As she spoke she hurried to hand the half bowl of congee to Tao Yi Ran, saying: “Since Young Madam is here, this maid will withdraw.” She acted very deferential and fearful toward Tao Yi Ran. Tao Yi Ran’s brows knit lightly; she only wanted to smash the bowl of pig’s blood congee in her hands, for the sight sickened her. Tang Rong felt ill at ease. [He still minded that Tao Yi Ran had not kept vigil for him and had not shown him more care.]

He told Tao Yi Ran: “Ying Yue has served me a long time. She is sensible and knows her place; you need not mind her.”

Tao Yi Ran’s tears fell. Holding the congee, she sat at the bedside and said: “Eat.”

Meanwhile next door, Tang Mo and Xin An were already taking breakfast with the Grand Matron in Chun Rong Courtyard. The two had risen especially early, eager to get a close look at Pig-Head Rong’s miserable condition. In high spirits, they were all the more attentive while serving the Grand Matron breakfast, their skill at fawning and coaxing ever more practiced. Tang Mo said sweetly: “If Grandmother had not saved me last night, I fear Father would have beaten me to death.”

He added with grievance: “Father is far too partial. I was worried too when Eldest Brother was beaten like that. How could he say I did it? It truly hurts the heart.”

The Grand Matron looked full of pity and said: “Your father only loses his head because he cares. Who told you to be so unruly in ordinary days?”

He chirped: “I have changed. Grandmother, would you say I have reformed lately?”

The Grand Matron laughed and said: “Good, as long as you have changed. If your father does not dote on you, your grandmother will.”

Xin An sat smiling at the side, thinking that Tang Mo’s shamelessness could never be underestimated. In just a few days he had mastered the essence of winning the Grand Matron’s favor. She also thought that a grown man acting spoiled could be fatal, especially one with a rather good-looking face. If one day he acted spoiled toward her like this, could she withstand it? [I only have an older mindset, not a heart of still water. Besides, the older one is, the more one likes the young.] [This is going to be the death of me.]

Seeing the moment was right, Tang Mo spoke considerately, saying: “Grandmother, shall we go see Eldest Brother? The physician said there is no damage to tendon or bone, but the external injuries are heavy. Just thinking of it makes one ache.”

The Grand Matron nodded, feeling that Tang Mo truly had become sensible. She raised a hand for him to support her, and then heard Tang Mo say that they could go to the estate the day after tomorrow: “I have spoken with Father. As for the Northern Garrison Army, I will go after we return from the estate.”

The Grand Matron was already looking forward to it and instructed Gan Lu to bring some nourishing medicinal ingredients along. The group ambled toward Chun Hua Courtyard.