Chapter 056

Chapter 56: Tao Yi Ran’s Irritation

Among women grounded in reality there was also Madam Wang; at present she did not care in the least whether Tang Gang took a concubine or not. What she cared about was that the girl he took came from her own courtyard, which was a slap to her face.

After enjoying himself, Tang Gang still did not want to take responsibility. The girl had shown signs of wanting to die these past two days. After speaking with her for a while, Madam Wang paid no mind to whatever Tang Gang might think and immediately drank a cup of concubine tea; from that moment the marquisate had one more person, Concubine Huan. She also assigned her a small courtyard to live in and arranged two little maids to attend her.

A maid from her courtyard could not be ravaged by Tang Gang for nothing.

She admonished: “Two new daughters-in-law have just entered the household, and before long the Marquis will be a grandfather. Some things should be done, and some must be avoided. I ask the Marquis to keep this in mind and not let the juniors laugh at us.”

Knowing himself to be at fault and still guilty from the previous matter, Tang Gang had lost his former bluster before Madam Wang. To make amends he even wanted to stay the night. Feeling repulsed, Madam Wang said: “These days are Concubine Huan’s time of joy. Marquis, go keep her company. I have been rather fatigued and wish to rest more.”

Tang Gang did not want to linger either; after a couple of polite words, he left.

Madam Wang lifted her tea cup, the corner of her lips faintly hooking: [This man is shameless; when spoken to with harsh words, his attitude actually improves.]

The next morning Tang Yong came calling. Learning that Tang Mo had returned, he wanted to be the first to tell him the good news about Tang Yao Ming.

He said: “He has already reported to the Inspection Court. Your second uncle truly does not know how to thank you.”

He had not even dared to hope, yet it had worked, and for such a fine post at that. He added: “Your Second Aunt has prepared some dishes and wine at home and wants to invite you and your wife over for a simple meal. Are you free today?”

Tang Mo replied: “I am.”

Even happier than Tang Yong, Tang Mo said: “Today I will have a proper drink with Second Uncle; Cousin’s great news must be celebrated.”

Tang Yong wanted to invite Madam Wang as well, and Tang Mo answered on his mother’s behalf, saying: “Second Uncle, go back first; we will make some preparations and come over.”

He responded: “Good.”

Tang Yong did not stay longer and left cheerfully.

When Madam Wang heard, she was slightly surprised and could not help feeling proud: her son was already so capable. She said: “I will have someone prepare a congratulatory gift. We will go together shortly.”

Xin An, having received the news, also prepared a gift. The family of three left the house chatting and laughing. No sooner had they gone out the front gate than, over at Chun Hua Courtyard, Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran got word. He asked: “Do you know what it is about?”

Tao Yi Ran shook her head. She had never greased the palms of the household servants, so naturally no one would take the initiative to bring her information. Tang Rong, lying in bed recuperating from his injuries, knew even less of outside matters. Only Qing Mo, who had been beaten and had not yet recovered, hobbled about on one leg to make inquiries.

Only now did Tang Rong realize the problem: once he took to bed, all of Chun Hua Courtyard became as blind and deaf as if cut off. Forget outside news; they did not even know what was happening within the marquisate.

He instructed: “You must regularly grease the wheels with the stewards in each quarter. Do not be too passive.”

He hoped Tao Yi Ran would shoulder the responsibility. Who would have thought she disdained such tasks most of all? In her view, since those servants had signed contracts of indenture, even their lives belonged to their masters. They should naturally share their masters’ burdens; doing their duties well was no more than expected.

She disliked the practice in the neighboring courtyard of rewarding subordinates for every little errand; it would spoil the atmosphere.

Tang Rong continued to exhort: “Do not slight the stewards in all parts of the household. When money ought to be given as a reward, do not be stingy.”

Tao Yi Ran grew somewhat impatient. With life already reduced to this, she felt aggrieved enough; to ask her to manage household servants as well was simply lowering her status.

Seeing her slow to agree, Tang Rong took her hand and said: “When I begin my duties at the Ministry of Rites, I will not be at home every day. Matters within the household will need your hard work to organize and manage. You should pay your respects to Grandmother every day; it will not take much time. In addition, you will have to cultivate acquaintance with the ladies of other households. As long as you and I are of one heart and mind, our future will naturally be bright.”

Tao Yi Ran drew a faint smile, neither refusing nor agreeing. In the hearts of the noble girls of the capital, Tang Rong had always been the very image of an upright gentleman. He was accomplished in both civil and martial arts, tall in bearing and handsome in face, his every gesture revealing the noble poise of a young lord. She believed that marrying such a man would mean a life without worries, flowers before the moon and harmonious zither and flute, a match made in heaven.

But Tang Rong wanted her to manage servants, socialize with the wives, and curry favor with Grandmother, to engage in petty, grubby dealings that were utterly vulgar.

Feeling better these past two days and no longer in so much pain, Tang Rong thought that Tao Yi Ran had indeed been toiling hard of late and wanted to keep her company. He suggested: “Last time you said you wished to paint together with me. Why not today?”

A husband and wife painting together is a delightful thing, full of charm. Before Tang Rong was beaten and injured in the face, Tao Yi Ran would naturally have been willing. But his face had not yet healed and truly was not pleasant to look at; what mood could she have to paint?

She said: “The physician said you should rest more. Painting does not look tiring, yet it consumes a great deal of energy. Rest first; we will find time later.”

She hid her feelings well. Tang Rong did not sense in the slightest that she found him distasteful; he was even moved, thinking Tao Yi Ran considered him in everything.

By this time, Tang Mo had already brought Xin An and Madam Wang to Tang Yong’s residence. The whole family welcomed them warmly, and Tang Yao Ming even rushed back from the Inspection Court to join them for lunch.

He said: “Thank you, cousin, for your careful help. I will never forget this great kindness. In future, if there is anything you need from your second brother, speak up at once.”

Tang Yao Ming offered his thanks very formally to Tang Mo, who hurried to help him up, saying: “Cousin, there is no need to be so polite. Brothers should support each other; such formality is unnecessary.”

Turning to Tang Yong, he added: “That this matter could be accomplished surprised even me. For me it is also a happy event. Second Uncle knows what I am like, useless as I am. Who would have thought I could actually get something done?”

Tang Yong patted his arm and said: “Now you are belittling yourself. Since childhood you have been quick-witted and smooth-tongued. Though a bit mischievous, you have a good heart, and your friends are likely much the same. Boy, you have ability.”

Before family, Tang Mo did not pretend to be modest; his tail practically stood upright with pride. The three laughed and chatted as they entered the main hall. With a smiling face, Madam You spoke to Madam Wang, saying: “We truly wore ourselves out over Yao Ming. After all those years of hard study, once he finally passed the examinations we hoped he could accomplish something. After knocking on doors everywhere to no avail, we grew disheartened. Who could have known things would turn around?”

She continued: “That boy Mo truly is capable. When he came personally to tell us, his second uncle was moved but did not dare hope much. In the capital, the families seeking posts for their clansmen are countless. Even the Marquis had no solution; how could Mo possibly manage? Who would have thought it would simply be done like this?”

She said to her sister-in-law: “Elder sister-in-law, I thank you. Thank you for giving birth to such a good son.”

Madam You was genuinely happy. Not only had her own son gained a good post, she also had a capable nephew’s help; henceforth the household would have something to rely on.

Madam Wang’s nose stung with emotion as she said: “He is your nephew too. We are all one family. Set aside other matters; in matters of such importance, of course we help as much as we can. If the brothers get along well, they can support each other and go farther.”

Madam You agreed: “Indeed.”

The two sisters-in-law had never spoken so warmly before; when they met it was mostly polite formalities. Today was the first time.