Chapter 041

Chapter 41: Better to Share Joy Than Enjoy It Alone

Tang Rong did not want to see anyone, nor to let anyone see his wretched state. But since it was the Grand Matron who came, he could only present himself as well as he could. After taking two good beatings in a row, what image could there be to maintain?

At the first glimpse of him, Tang Mo and Xin An almost burst into laughter. After a night’s sleep the wounds on Tang Rong’s face were less horrific, but the colors had deepened; the whole face was a riot of hues and still swollen, the two eye sockets particularly comical. Both clenched their fists tightly, struggling to suppress their smiles. Xin An could keep silent, but Tang Mo could not. The moment he opened his mouth he nearly laughed aloud, so he turned away and coughed lightly to cover it.

When the Grand Matron saw that face, she was startled for an instant and said: “Do not move. Rest well. Fortunately you did not injure tendon or bone, nor mar your looks. In a few days you will recover as before.” She felt he was quite pitiful. [Such a handsome face; how could it be beaten like this? The ruffians must have done it on purpose.]

Tang Mo chimed in, saying: “Exactly, Eldest Brother, you must nurse yourself well. Thanks to the Ancestral Forebears, these are only superficial injuries. Leave outside matters alone for now. Nothing is more important than your health.” He was suppressing laughter so hard that tears squeezed out. The Grand Matron grew even more gratified, saying: “Your second brother has truly become sensible, thinking of you as his elder brother.”

Tang Rong felt stifled to death inside. He suspected this secret beating could not be separated from Tang Mo, yet he had no evidence, and had to show a grateful face as he said: “Second Brother is considerate.” [This must have something to do with him.]

Tang Mo sounded utterly sincere as he even helped analyze, saying: “How could a brother not worry when his elder is injured? I keep wondering who struck at Eldest Brother in the dark. It is not so easy to ‘mistake’ your target. After thinking it over, could it be because Eldest Brother is going to the Ministry of Rites?” He went on: “A post at the Ministry of Rites is a prized one. With Eldest Brother’s face injured so badly, it will not heal in ten days or half a month. Each day you fail to take up the appointment is a day for variables. If the Ministry of Rites urgently needs a man, replacing you would not be impossible.” He pressed: “Think, is there anyone else competing with you for this position?”

This was called shifting disaster elsewhere; Xin An had taught him that.

Although Tang Rong still suspected Tang Mo, he also felt that what he said was not without reason. The post at the Ministry of Rites placed great weight on bearing, presence and looks; those men last night had aimed specifically at his face. If they had been instigated by someone, then… He thought of something, but with that chaotic face no expression could be read, and he said: “Father will find out the truth.” [Someone wanted my face ruined.]

Tang Mo gave a noncommittal grunt. [Those men left the city at dawn today. How can he possibly investigate?]

Having admired Tang Rong’s misery enough, Tang Mo supported the Grand Matron away. Xin An did not say a word the entire time, but it was hard work holding back her laughter. Back in Qiu Shi Courtyard, she sprawled happily on the beauty couch and said: “Tomorrow find a pretext. We will go admire it again.”

Tang Mo laughed and said: “I almost failed to hold it in just now. It was too comical. I wanted to hand him a mirror on the spot. Better to share joy than enjoy it alone. What a pity.”

He added: “They say Tao Yi Ran did not keep watch over him last night and went to sleep next door, which gave that maid Ying Yue an opening. There will certainly be drama to watch later.” As long as the other party lived poorly, his heart felt at ease. [I cannot help it. I am just this petty.]

Xin An said: “It is not bad to have a daily amusement to listen to.” She felt that Tang Mo did have some wits about him; he had placed people around Tang Rong early on, and news came fast and accurate. She continued: “I want to open the Herbal Cuisine House, but I will have to wait until my parents return to Huaijiang so they can send me staff. Later you can help me choose a good location, one that is respectable and imposing.”

Tang Mo perked up, asking: “Herbal cuisine?”

He grew interested. Herbal cuisine was nothing new; wealthy households had all eaten it, but there were not yet such establishments outside. He asked: “Do we need a physician in residence?”

She replied: “Naturally. My father has a physician under him who has studied this quite a bit.”

Tang Mo quickly grasped the drift and said: “Could we open it under Father-in-law’s name while I handle operations? That way the profits will have nothing to do with the household, and I can use it to make more connections.”

This had been Xin An’s idea as well. Although she and Tang Mo were only in partnership for the time being, in name they were husband and wife and they shared common enemies. The more Tang Mo developed, the easier it would be for her to accomplish much. She lifted her eyes and curved her lips into a smile, saying: “Second Young Master’s recent conduct has pleased me greatly. Naturally I will grant you this favor.”

Tang Mo beamed, stepped back and cupped his hands in salute, saying: “Many thanks for Boss Xin’s favor.”

She nodded and said: “Yes. Make arrangements to go to the estate as soon as possible.”

He responded with mock servility: “Your humble one will see to it properly.”

Xin An was amused again and said: “We cannot keep our eyes fixed only on the other side. We have to plan actively. As for Tang Rong, he was beaten yesterday. After a while, arrange some laxatives for him. In future, whenever he behaves, let him out to work; when he gets in the way, arrange an ‘accident’ and make him lie down. Save ourselves his constant fuss.”

Tang Mo nodded repeatedly and said: “I understand. When we need him, we send him out to work. When we find him an eyesore, we make him lie down.” He added: “I will see to these arrangements clearly.” The two laughed with satisfaction. Outside, busy with affairs, Tang Gang was at that moment smiling and talking with Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites. Vice Minister Wang was uneasy and ill at ease and asked: “Have you caught who did it?”

He went on: “Marquis, this may happen once but must never happen twice. If the Heir Apparent has made enemies outside, please resolve them quickly. If, when the Heir Apparent is to undertake important matters in the future, something like this happens again and delays great affairs, who will bear the responsibility?” [What if tomorrow we were to receive an envoy from another state, everything arranged, and the man in charge were waylaid and turned into a pig’s head? Would that not be disastrous?]

Tang Gang repeatedly promised to find the assailants as soon as possible and asked Vice Minister Wang to help smooth things over by granting Tang Rong half a month more. Vice Minister Wang sighed and reluctantly agreed, feeling some regret at that moment.

Their Great Qian was powerful, and with foreign trade and the lifting of the maritime ban, more and more envoys from other states had come to pay court in recent years. The Ministry of Rites had offices dedicated to receiving these envoys, and those within represented Great Qian’s face to the world. They had set their sights on Tang Rong precisely because he stood straight and looked handsome…

He asked: “Has the Heir Apparent’s face been damaged?”

Tang Gang answered: “Only some bruising. His features are intact.” On this point he was more worried than anyone. He added: “We are investigating the assailants with all speed. Before they stopped, those men said they had hit the wrong person. It may indeed have been a mistake.”

Vice Minister Wang thought Tang Rong exceedingly unlucky and asked: “I have heard the Heir Apparent’s martial skills are formidable. Did he perhaps meet a master?” That spring at the flower-viewing banquet, Tang Rong had publicly performed a sword dance, singularly graceful and unmatched, drawing countless rounds of applause. Many households took it as a spur to their sons, saying Tang Rong was accomplished in both letters and arms.

Tang Gang did not know how to respond. If his skills were so fine, how could a handful of street thugs have beaten him? Qing Mo had made it clear that those thugs had no method at all in their blows, the very image of ruffians.

Vice Minister Wang did not pursue the matter further. [So it is all pretty moves with no real power.] He said: “In any case, please have the Heir Apparent nurse himself well. The Ministry of Rites still awaits him. I have other matters and will take my leave.” Tang Gang’s face went blue, then white. He felt he had been greatly mocked.