Chapter 042

Chapter 42: A Group Visit to Laugh at Tang Rong

In the capital, secrets never stay hidden for long, least of all at Marquis Weiyuan Manor, which had been on everyone’s lips for the past two days.

News that Tang Rong had been beaten black and blue spread like the wind. The young lords from prominent families who had long disliked him finally found their entertainment; for years they had lived under his shadow, and every time they made mistakes their elders would use Tang Rong as the cudgel to lecture them.

One dandy spat with relish: “So that sanctimonious fellow finally got what was coming to him.”

Several wastrels gathered at Friends’ Teahouse to drink tea; the teahouse was jointly owned by Tang Mo, Yan Shi Mao, and a few others. Business was not great, and most patrons were these same dandies returning the favor. One of them, too excited to sit still, exclaimed: “I wonder which hero did it. I hear he howled and yelped from the beating.”

Another lounged back and crowed: “I heard he fell to his knees and begged for mercy, bawling for his parents, and even had two ribs broken.”

A third, widening his eyes, chimed in: “What I heard was that he was blinded. Oh my, should we go pay him a little visit?”

At once everyone agreed. They sent someone to buy two jin of pastries, then swaggered in a grand procession to Marquis Weiyuan Manor. Guests are guests, and they had not come empty-handed; besides, these young men were this Commandery Prince’s grandson or that high official’s son. The gatekeepers of a marquis’s house dared not offend them. Without even taking time to send in a formal notice, they seized a servant and had him lead the way so they could go and “offer sympathy” to Tang Rong.

Tang Rong did not want to meet them; he knew very well these people had come to laugh at him. [He knew they were here to gloat.] But he could not refuse. Before long, roars of laughter burst from Tang Rong’s room; the visitors laughed until tears stood in their eyes.

They lacked the scruples that Tang Mo might have shown.

One of them put on the posture of a bosom brother and said with theatrical concern: “Brother Tang, you were far too careless. You are famed for your martial skill; how could you be beaten like this?”

Another spread his hands and offered a generous judgment: “Perhaps the bandits were many and strong. Brother Tang’s two fists could hardly prevail against four hands. There must have been a fierce exchange.”

A third clucked his tongue and added with a smirk: “I heard you had just come out of a restaurant and were drunk, so your hands had no strength. Brother Tang miscalculated and ought to learn a set of Drunken Fist.”

They burst into wild laughter: “Hahahaha.”

They laughed loudly and brazenly, yet contrived to act like affectionate brothers; a little teasing between brothers was only natural. Besides, they had prepared a second act. One spoke with mock sincerity: “Brother Tang has suffered a calamity; you must nurse yourself carefully.”

Another nodded gravely and intoned: “Indeed. Tendons and bones take a hundred days to heal; do not be careless.”

A third sighed theatrically and said: “Alas, there are several banquet invitations coming up. Brother Tang will not be able to attend.”

Tang Rong did not speak once. His nails dug into his palms until they left bloody crescents. The moment one of them noticed Tang Gang approaching, he straightened and declared in ringing tones: “Brother Tang, we were worried when we heard you’d met with misfortune. Rest assured, we brothers will do our utmost to track down those thieves. You can recuperate in peace.”

Another thumped his chest and vowed: “Yes, we will avenge this grudge for you.”

A third waved magnanimously and concluded: “Recover well. We will come back to see you another day.”

After giving Tang Gang a courteous bow outside the door, they strutted out of Chun Hua Courtyard. The smile at the corner of Tang Gang’s mouth vanished in an instant. He strode in, and Tang Rong spoke at once, his voice tight: “Father, those people came to laugh at your son.”

Tang Gang answered curtly: “I know.” [It was precisely because he knew that he was angry.] Outside, people were already saying that the Heir Apparent of Marquis Weiyuan Manor was strong on the surface but weak within, beaten by a handful of street ruffians until he rolled about in the dirt. Tang Rong’s dignity was tied to the reputation of the manor; if the son lost face, the father would not escape blame. Tang Gang’s voice was cold as he reprimanded him: “Your grandfather earned great military merit conquering on all sides, yet his grandson had no power to fight back against a few street punks.”

He added, with biting scorn: “To face the doubts outside, we can only use the excuse that you were drunk.”

Drawing a deep breath, Tang Gang struck where it hurt: “Drunk, you entered the wrong bridal chamber and consummated the marriage with your sister-in-law. Drunk, you were beaten without the ability to fight back. I hope there will not be a third instance of you being ‘drunk’.”

Tang Rong closed his eyes. Tang Gang, thinking of the pile of messy matters he still had to handle, did not linger. He left, trailing anger like a cloak.

At the gate he ran into Tang Mo and Xin An, returning from viewing flowers with the Grand Matron. Seeing the joy on their faces only stoked his fury, and he directed it straight at Tang Mo, snapping: “Idling about all day and not going to report to the Northern Garrison Army?”

Tang Mo bowed with composure and replied: “I must first accompany Grandmother to the country estate for a short stay. After we return I can report. We just discussed it with Grandmother; we will set out the day after tomorrow.”

Tang Gang barked in disbelief: “Your elder brother has met with trouble, and you still think of going out to play?” [As expected, this one is useless; I cannot count on him.]

Tang Mo answered evenly: “Elder Brother’s injury only looks serious. If we, the family, treat it lightly ourselves, then when outsiders see that at such a time Grandmother still has the mood to go out for a trip, they will conclude that Elder Brother’s injury is no major matter.”

He added, matter-of-fact: “Rumors are the most frightening. If we grow so anxious that we will not even step out the door, the talk outside will only turn increasingly unfavorable to Elder Brother.”

Tang Gang snorted, but found a measure of sense in the argument. He demanded, testing him: “Then tell me, what is the best way to handle your elder brother’s situation?”

After a brief pause to think, Tang Mo bowed again and proposed: “The capital has been peaceful too long; Elder Brother’s negligence is understandable. Say that during the scuffle he accidentally grazed the corner of his eye, and that ten days or half a month of rest will see him right.”

Tang Gang frowned and reminded him: “But just now, the young lord from Changping Commandery Prince Manor and a few other scions have already seen your elder brother’s appearance.”

Tang Mo regretted it bitterly. [Had we hurried back, we could at least have enjoyed another spectacle.] He said with an airy wave: “They are all wastrels of the capital. No one will take their words seriously. I will find some people to go speak with them together later.”

Only then did Tang Gang remember that the youth before him was himself a scion among scions, with a voice among the idlers. He ordered briskly: “Then see to it at once.”

Inside, Tang Mo’s face soured as he tossed back a cup of tea and grumbled, half to himself: “Tell me, wasn’t the old man’s heart born crooked?” [He wants me to handle it yet treats me with that attitude.]

Xin An sat and sipped her tea unhurriedly, replying with calm reason: “Partiality cannot be argued with. My father and mother are partial to me; whatever I do can be forgiven. Why must you torment yourself over it?”

She set down her cup and added gently: “You have Mother’s partiality. That is enough.”

Then, eyes glinting, she mused: “I do wonder whether he will use the reason you offered.”

She explained, quick and cool: “If he blames the capital for not being secure, then he offends the Northern Garrison Army, since it is responsible for the patrols. When you go to the Northern Garrison Army, you will have to work harder to gain a footing.”

Tang Mo smiled, undaunted: “It is a difficulty and my opportunity, is it not?” He was not worried at all. Tang Rong had always stepped on him to polish his own image as a graceful gentleman; why should he not step on Tang Rong to establish himself in the Northern Garrison Army?

He clicked his tongue and lamented with a grin: “A pity we did not get to watch the fun just now.”

Saying this, he opened the drawer beside Xin An’s dressing table, took out a banknote, and announced lightly: “I am going out. First I will stop by Second Uncle’s, then I will invite a few people to dinner this evening. Do not wait for me.”

He added with a nod: “Please trouble yourself to prepare for our departure the day after tomorrow.”

Xin An answered simply: “Go.” She looked forward to the upcoming stay at the estate, but she had an opinion about Tang Mo keeping his private stash in her drawer. She teased, eyes bright: “You are not afraid I will spend all your private money?”

Tang Mo laughed and said with mock sincerity: “If you like spending, spend it. I have only a few coins. Compared to your generous dowry, they are nothing. When I have spent it all, I will wait for you to support me.”

She arched a brow and asked, half-laughing: “Do you really have the nerve?”

Tang Mo nodded in full seriousness and quipped: “Who does not want to gain without working? I will go earn us some advantage now, lest you later feel it is not worth supporting me.”

Xin An laughed outright and declared: “Truly shameless.”