Chapter 059

Chapter 59: The shameless couple

Xin An hoped to befriend Yan Wen Hui and gain entry into the circle of noble ladies in the capital. Yan Wen Hui, for her part, wanted to help Liu Mingyuan cultivate ties with Tang Mo, and she felt that although Xin An was from a salt merchant’s family, she was beautiful and carried herself with grace; befriending her would not be a loss.

Thus the two quickly warmed to each other and immediately began shopping the night market together. Xin An, who moments earlier had thought there was nothing worth buying, soon had Tang Mo’s hands full of large and small parcels. Liu Mingyuan’s hands were not idle either. The two men exchanged wry smiles, resigned themselves to trailing behind, and paid eagerly.

After Yan Wen Hui purchased another two items, a suspicion rose in her heart: [Has Liu Mingyuan had some extra silver on hand these past few days?]

“Sister, look at this,” said Xin An, holding up a sachet embroidered with green bamboo: “The embroidery is truly lovely.”

Diverted, Yan Wen Hui let the notion pass. She stroked the sachet’s surface: “It is indeed nice. Buy it. You can use it yourself or give it as a reward.”

She very much wanted to ask about the inside story behind the swapped marriage. After all, everyone loves a bit of gossip, but the setting was not right. “Sister, are you free in a few days? I have invited several friends from my maiden days to hear an opera three days from now. Would you like to join?”

“If it would not inconvenience you, I would love to go. I have not yet heard opera in the capital,” said Xin An, who certainly had no reason to refuse. “I do not know many people in the capital. If Sister is willing to include me, I am most grateful.”

Yan Wen Hui laughed: “Then it is settled. Tomorrow I will send someone with an invitation so you can go out with perfect propriety.”

Xin An nodded with a smile. Yan Wen Hui leaned closer and lowered her voice: “You should smile more. Even I, a woman, find myself dazzled. Do Second Younger Brother Tang’s legs not go weak?”

Xin An started, then her smile turned even brighter, although the tips of her ears reddened.

Only when the night market’s bustle began to ebb did Yan Wen Hui reluctantly prepare to return home. Xin An waved to her, then let Tang Mo help her into the carriage. As they traveled, Yan Wen Hui said: “Previously, when my brother said Tang Mo treasured this swapped-in bride, I did not quite believe it. After meeting her today, I see he was not exaggerating. Still, with Xin family’s younger daughter being that beautiful, it is perfectly normal for Second Younger Brother Tang to be smitten.”

Liu Mingyuan said that Tao Yi Ran was no less, a renowned talented lady in the capital, and the Tao family were officials. It was different, after all.

“You know nothing,” said Yan Wen Hui, who disliked Tao Yi Ran’s habit of putting on airs. “Her clothes are so pale they are nearly colorless, like mourning garb. She seems terrified of not standing out.”

Tao Yi Ran favored plain garments, and at banquets she was striking among a crowd of girls in reds and greens, catching the attention of most young gentlemen and incensing many young ladies.

Liu Mingyuan could hardly fathom the thoughts of women. As a man, he naturally lingered a bit more on girls of talent, and Tao Yi Ran was both lovely and accomplished. Fearing he would anger his own wife if he said more, he hurried to soothe her, saying that his wife was still the most beautiful.

“Hmph,” Yan Wen Hui snorted, then asked about money: “Why do you look rather flush these past few days?”

Liu Mingyuan felt a twinge of panic but kept his face easy: “Since Second Younger Brother Tang was paying for his wife, I could hardly make you pay for yourself. How would that look for you? I have been gritting my teeth to keep up. If you buy any more, I truly will not be able to afford it.”

Yan Wen Hui did not press, deciding to ask her younger brother later.

By then, Tang Mo and Xin An had already returned to their residence. They had barely stepped through the gate when Steward Zhang, who served Tang Gang, hurried over: “Second Young Master, the Marquis asks that you see him as soon as you are back.”

Tang Mo grunted acknowledgment. Seeing him walking in the wrong direction, Steward Zhang urged him again. Tang Mo said: “It is so dark. I am not at ease leaving my wife. I will deliver her to Qiu Shi Courtyard first, then go.”

[He summons me and I must go this instant? No way.]

He reached out to support Xin An: “Mind your footing and walk slowly.”

His manner suggested Xin An could hardly care for herself.

Xin An stifled a laugh. Her eyes turned, and with an “ow,” she twisted her ankle: “It hurts. I cannot walk.”

If he had not seen the smile she had not quite managed to suppress, Tang Mo would have believed her. He wanted to tease her, but with Steward Zhang behind them, he could only speak with conspicuous concern: “I told you to watch your step. How did you sprain it?”

“Is it serious?”

Xin An wore a “look of pain”: “I cannot walk.”

Tang Mo drew a deep breath, rolled his eyes hugely, and resigned himself to it. He bent and scooped her up, and after a few strides, he hissed under his breath: “Eat a little less. Are you trying to crush me to death?”

Xin An finally broke into a broad grin. Not having to walk felt wonderful: “Mind your attitude. Who knows when my ‘sprain’ will heal?”

“I owe you,” Tang Mo said with a sigh. “Before, you were like an abbess, and now you are playing the fragile maiden. Have you gone mad from being repressed?”

[She does not even look plump. How is she this heavy?]

Still smiling, Xin An said: “I had never tried it before. Now I have to make it up to myself.”

“Heh,” said Tang Mo. “There are plenty of things you have not tried. Are you planning to make them all up on me?”

“Possibly.”

Tang Mo accepted his fate with another sigh and quickened his pace. [The faster I walk, the lighter she feels.]

At last he delivered her into the room. He all but tossed Xin An onto the bed, then collapsed beside it, panting: “You really should eat less. You are as heavy as an iron weight.”

Xin An rolled over and laughed, then kicked off her shoes and sat cross-legged at the edge of the bed: “Should you not go see your father?”

“Not going,” said Tang Mo, growing bolder. “My wife sprained her ankle and is howling in pain. I have to stay and keep her company.”

There could be no good in seeing the old man right now.

“This must be because Second Uncle has been by,” Xin An said with a smile. “He wants to hold a court of censure.”

“You are right,” said Tang Mo, face turning sly. “Still, when Father asks to see you, you cannot refuse. The question is when to go.”

He looked enlightened, then wore a wicked grin: “Indeed. I am a good son. If Father wants to see me, how could I not go?”

“I am going to wash up and sleep,” said Xin An, stepping down from the bed.

Tang Mo was envious. She was a new daughter-in-law and had won her mother-in-law’s favor, and the old man did not dare scold her. She did whatever she pleased. “Next time, I want to be the woman.”

“Fine. We will be sisters then.”

Imagining himself pinning flowers before a mirror, Tang Mo shuddered and reconsidered; perhaps being a man was better after all.

Unable to wait any longer for Tang Mo, Tang Gang sent someone to inquire and learned that Xin An had sprained her foot and that Tang Mo was rubbing medicated wine into it. He was displeased, but as it was already late, he bathed and went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, with sleep at its sweetest, the shameless Tang Mo arrived, shouting at the door: “Father, have you turned in? Your son is here.”

“Father, Father.”

In the darkness, Tang Gang opened his eyes. Madam Wang got up and lit a candle: “The second lad must have something urgent.”

Tang Gang threw on a robe and opened the door, heavy with drowsiness: “Do you have business?”

Tang Mo bowed: “Was it not Father who had Steward Zhang tell your son to come by? My wife sprained her foot, and her ankle is swollen. She was homesick and cried buckets. Your son had to apply medicated wine and coax her. I only just now got her to sleep, so I hurried right over.”

Tang Gang…