Chapter 045

Chapter 45: Tang Rong Is Beaten Again

When Tang Mo, who had just seen the physician off, heard that his own mother had fainted from anger, he charged forward on the spot and fell upon Tang Rong with fists and kicks. At his side, Xin An pretended to dissuade him, saying: “Stop, you must stop. Elder Brother did not come to force Mother. Elder Brother had no intention of placing Mother in the wrong. Please stop.”

She had skillfully given Tang Mo his line of attack, and his blows fell even more fiercely and rapidly. As he struck, he shouted: “Tang Rong, do not bully people to the limit. What are you trying to do? My mother treats you better than me; what more are you dissatisfied with? She is ill and you come here to plead guilty. Do you want people outside to think she has been harsh to you? Are you even human? Do you still have a conscience?”

The courtyard descended into chaos at once. Gasps of alarm and cries to stop tangled together. Xin An watched with bright eyes, taking in a grand scene.

Called back in haste, Tang Gang had barely entered the residence when he learned trouble had arisen within. By the time he arrived, Tang Rong had already been beaten to the ground, disheveled from head to toe and unable to resist. Tang Mo, like a wolf cub gone mad, decided that since this could not end peacefully he would go all out. He shouted at Tang Gang: “It was me, I did it, I beat your precious son. Beat me to death. Come and beat me to death.”

He hurled himself toward Tang Gang, still crying for him to beat him. Tang Gang retreated a few steps, his head spinning, and only when Gan Lu from the Grand Matron’s side arrived did the situation come under control. Gan Lu said crisply: “Please have the physician attend the Heir Apparent.”

Turning to Tang Gang, Gan Lu said: “Marquis, the Grand Matron requests that you proceed at once to Chun Rong Hall.” Then to Xin An: “Second Young Madam, the Grand Matron asks that you soothe the second young master and temporarily take charge of the household.”

Xin An, who a moment before had been hot with excitement and had nearly rushed up to give Tang Rong two punches herself, was now calm. She said steadily: “Please assure Grandmother I will handle it well.”

Gan Lu gestured for Tang Gang to go ahead. Tang Gang took a deep breath and followed out. Behind them, they heard Xin An ordering people to carry Tang Rong back to his rooms and asking the physician to examine him, and only then did they feel at ease.

Xin An directed briskly: “You go inside and watch over Mother.”

Once she had settled Tang Mo, Xin An formally took up the reins of the household. With decades of experience at managing, she took charge with swift efficiency. First she ordered the gates closed to visitors; then she convened the stewards of every division and commanded them to seal the servants’ tongues so no one would discuss the day’s events. She punished a few who had abandoned their duties to come and gawk, and only then did she go to Madam Wang’s rooms.

Madam Wang said bitterly: “You see, so long as I do not go along with him, he can force me to death.”

She felt wretched, for she had once truly invested effort in Tang Rong. Yet that kneeling of his today was clearly meant to step on her and pull himself from the mire, then win himself a good name. She squeezed out a mirthless smile and said: “Truly, we must never underestimate the Heir Apparent’s scheming.”

If Xin An had not destroyed his plan today, the outside world would already be saying that the successor wife could not tolerate her stepson, that she had quarreled without end, and that the stepson had been forced to kowtow and apologize in person.

Mother and son both looked like two defeated roosters. Xin An silently shook her head. Only those who had once given their true hearts were easily wounded. In truth, neither of them counted as truly bad people, especially Madam Wang. When she married into the family, how old was Tang Rong? If a stepmother wanted to harm a child, even if Tang Gang guarded closely, opportunities would have existed. Looking back, what Madam Wang had fought over was no more than property, and the same was true of Tang Mo. Strictly speaking, they were not villains.

Xin An said gently: “Mother, sleep for a while. In a while the Grand Matron will likely want to speak with you. Gather your strength so you can face what comes next.”

[After such a commotion, tomorrow’s trip to the estate would surely have to be postponed,] and Xin An felt a small pang of regret.

Madam Wang indeed felt fatigued all over. Crying is a great drain on the spirit. She said: “You both go and rest. If your father dares to find fault with you, send for me at once.”

Tang Mo rose to offer a few more words of comfort, then left with Xin An. Outside, he rubbed his aching wrist. He had not held back when he struck Tang Rong just now; he had wanted to hit him for years.

In Chun Rong Hall, the Grand Matron judged that the day’s situation had been created by Tang Gang’s hand alone. Given Madam Wang’s temperament, if only Tang Gang would show Tang Mo a little affection, this would never have happened.

She reprimanded him sternly: “You fear the eldest legitimate son will be wronged, so you guard against Madam Wang at every turn. You fear the legitimate second son will vie for the title, so you suppress him in every way. You think you are acting for the peace of the marquisate, but things have turned out the opposite.”

She continued: “In the past the residence remained tranquil only because Madam Wang and her son chose to swallow their anger. You took a mile when given an inch, until they refused to endure any longer. Today’s affair is not a great matter, but if you go on like this, every day in this marquisate will be filled with turmoil.”

Finally she asked: “After such a scene today, tell me, how are the eldest and his wife to face this stepmother from now on?”

Tang Gang wiped his face. He had not foreseen the day’s events. He had thought Madam Wang would resent him, yes, but he had not expected such vehemence. He had believed that a few benefits would appease her. Had it not always been so?

He bowed his head and said: “I ask Mother to instruct me.”

The Grand Matron said: “Tonight speak with Madam Wang properly, and speak heart to heart. You must soften her. Tomorrow I will take her to the estate for a stay. Once her mood has eased, this matter will be about over. When you return, have Tang Rong and her exchange apologies. Given his kneeling today, he does not suffer an injustice by this beating.”

She concluded: “Hereafter, so long as you as a husband and a father can be a bit more fair, affairs like today’s will not happen again.”

Tang Gang nodded. When he started to say he would go see his son, he changed his mind and said: “I will go see… no, better to see my lady first.”

The Grand Matron urged him to go quickly. [This is bullying an honest person without end; when the honest person is finally roused, he turns craven,] she thought, unable to find words to describe him. She felt she truly had failed. If she had heeded the Old Master back then and let Tang Gang follow him to fight on campaign, rather than leaving him in the capital to be taught by a woman of little learning like herself, perhaps he would not be as he was today. She reflected in silence and thought: [I have suffered for lack of learning.]

After all, before she met the Old Master, she was illiterate. In those days she thought being able to count money was splendid enough. Who could have imagined the fortunes that would come later? The Grand Matron reflected deeply, though it seemed of little use now.

In Chun Rong Courtyard, Xin An strode in grandly and walked straight to Tang Rong’s bedside, asking the physician: “Doctor, these wounds look worse. Will they leave scars?”

Having been pummeled anew when he had only just improved a little, Tang Rong had injuries piled upon injuries. He looked truly wretched. Xin An felt very much at ease.

The physician cupped his hands and said that they were still only superficial injuries; though frightening to look at, they had not harmed the tendons or bones. Xin An nodded and said: “It seems Elder Brother’s body truly is sturdy. In that case, I am relieved.”

To take three beatings in a few days without injuring the bones surely meant robust health.

She then said seriously: “Use the best medicines. Money is not an issue. The wounds on the body can heal slowly, but the ones on the face must recover quickly. I entrust this to you, Doctor.”

The physician nodded solemnly and said: “Second Young Madam may set her mind at ease. If the Heir Apparent cooperates with the imperial dispensary’s ointment, his facial injuries can recover in about seven days.”

It had been half a month before; now it was seven days. Tang Rong drew a deep breath and felt that even the physician had been bought by the courtyard next door.