Chapter 060

Chapter 60: Tang Mo: This woman is rather cute

With his temper upon waking and a surge of inexplicable anger, Tang Gang’s face looked exceedingly grim, while Tang Mo acted as if he did not notice, his deferential manner leaving no fault to be found as he asked: “Father, did you call your son for something important?”

[He had nowhere to vent his anger: should he blame him for tending to his wife’s injuries first and putting his father after that? Or blame him for arranging a position for Tang Yao Ming without his consent?]

Seeing his father like this, Tang Mo felt unspeakably at ease and spoke with considerate tact: “Father, your son has something to report.”

Tang Gang said: “Speak.”

Tang Mo, in excellent spirits, said: “A few days ago I heard Second Uncle was worried over Cousin Yao Ming’s matter. Father has lately been too busy with Eldest Brother to spare the time, so I took it upon myself to pay a formal call on Brother Yan Shi Mao of Marquis Qing Manor. At first I only wanted to try and did not inform Father. You know your son has no great ability, and who would have thought this would actually work out? It truly surprised me.”

He added with an easy smile: “Second Uncle was delighted and invited your son to drink today.”

Tang Gang felt even more stifled. What could he say now that the boy had said everything first? If he had labored mightily to accomplish it, that would be one thing, but the key was that he had merely said a single sentence and the matter was settled. [Where was the reasoning in that?]

He could only say: “Since it is done, it is a good thing.”

At that moment Tang Gang did not wish to see Tang Mo at all. Earlier he had thought to rebuke him; now he lacked even the will for that. He waved it off and said: “It isn’t early. Go back and rest.”

Tang Mo cupped his hands in salute and said: “If Father has nothing further, then your son will take his leave.” He turned and departed with remarkable briskness.

Closing the door, Tang Gang turned and saw Madam Wang standing not far away; he was startled and asked: “Why are you standing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”

She snorted, no longer bothering to disguise herself, and said with mockery: “Naturally I am here to see how partial the Marquis will be. If the Heir Apparent had accomplished this, the Marquis would probably be laying out a banquet to celebrate.”

Tang Gang’s lips moved, but in the end he did not say a word. He went straight to the bed, took off his shoes, and lay down.

Madam Wang also fell silent, inwardly calculating what good things remained in the marquisate that she could send to her son’s wife. As soon as he lay down, Tang Gang spoke up and said: “Do not always favor the second daughter-in-law. You must also keep an eye on the elder daughter-in-law.”

[Did he think he could not tell that ever since the two sons married, Madam Wang had taken to favoring the second daughter-in-law?]

Madam Wang replied: “It is not my fault that I favor the second daughter-in-law. Look how much grievance she endured in this marriage, yet on the very day after offering the bridal tea she began paying her morning and evening salutations, respectful and filial. As for the elder daughter-in-law, even if I wished to favor her, does she give me the chance? She has come to pay respects only twice. Today she is unwell, tomorrow she has a headache, and now she uses tending to the Eldest’s injury as an excuse not to come. Tell me, how am I supposed to favor her?”

She continued: “She does not step a single foot outside Chun Hua Courtyard all day. The moment I leave, she comes out to call on friends; the moment I return, she shrinks back again. I, as her mother-in-law, have not been unfair to her nor have I treated her harshly. I have not even spoken half a word of reproach. Just who is she putting on a show for?”

Tang Gang immediately regretted having spoken. Madam Wang was like a firecracker now: touch her and she went off. He could not afford to provoke her. [While he was at it, he felt a measure of disappointment in Tang Rong for failing to rein in his wife, and the most hateful of all was Tang Mo, who had ruined a perfectly good night’s sleep.]

In excellent humor, Tang Mo returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard and slept comfortably. By the time he woke the next day, the sun was already high. After washing, he went to find Xin An. She had just risen as well; after all, she had “injured her ankle” and needed to rest, and Madam Wang had sent word early in the morning that she need not come to pay her respects.

Eyeing the table, Tang Mo said with dissatisfaction: “This breakfast is not it.”

Seeing the meager spread compared to former days, he missed the time when Grand Matron was present; then breakfast had been far more lavish than the dishes on the table now.

Xin An felt the same. [It is easy to go from frugality to luxury; she had grown increasingly fond of comfort.] She said: “Starting tomorrow, let’s spend a little silver again, or have people go out and buy what we want to eat.”

Tang Mo nodded and said: “Silver is earned to live better. We need not be overly frugal.” In truth, neither of them had anything to do with the word frugal.

After breakfast Tang Mo tucked silver into his sleeve and headed out. He would be hosting Liu Mingyuan that evening, and at noon he would entertain Yan Shi Mao and a few of the brothers separately. He said to Xin An as he went: “Can you prepare hangover soup for me tonight? Tomorrow I have to go to the Northern Garrison Army. I won’t be able to get up in the morning.”

Xin An answered: “No problem.”

Having her promise, Tang Mo was about to leave when Xin An called to him: “Since you are going to the Northern Garrison Army, have two imposing sets of clothes made. Stand still and don’t move; Chun Lv will take your measurements.”

Tang Mo was a little surprised. Across two lifetimes, only his mother had ever thought to have clothes made for him. He said without thinking: “Everyone wears the same clothes. Even if they are made, I won’t have the chance to wear them.”

Xin An lifted her gaze and said: “Then I won’t make them.”

“Make them, make them,” Tang Mo said with a placating grin. “I was only trying to be tactful. I love new clothes. Make them handsome for me. I already have seven parts of good looks; if the clothes set me off as well, won’t I be matchlessly handsome?”

His thick-skinned boasting made Chun Yang and Chun Lv lower their heads to laugh. Xin An agreed with him and said: “If you look handsome, that also gives me face. Don’t worry, they will look excellent.”

Tang Mo happily stretched out his arms for Chun Lv to measure him. [This feeling was exceptionally good. In his previous life Tao Yi Ran had never thought to make him new clothes. One does not know what one has been missing until one enjoys it. In his last life Tang Rong had had it far too good. Now it was his turn to live like this; and to be fair, this fierce wo… woman still had her cute side.]

He had taken only a few steps outside when he turned back toward Chun Hua Courtyard, ostensibly to see how his elder brother’s injury was healing, but in truth to appreciate Tang Rong’s sorry state.

He looked Tang Rong over and said: “Eldest Brother’s wounds look much better. In a few days you will be fully recovered.”

Tang Rong’s face had long since lost its swelling, and the bruises had faded greatly. This counted as quick healing, yet Tang Rong remained anxious, wishing he could be healed this very moment. He said with restraint: “Thank you, Second Brother.”

He asked, sounding casual: “I heard Second Brother helped Cousin Yao Ming secure a post as an Imperial Censor in the Censorate?”

Tang Mo waved a hand cheerfully and said: “It was just luck. I never imagined it would be so easy to accomplish. I’m going out today to thank a few of my roguish friends.”

In the marquisate, Tang Mo was looked down upon, and his friends were frequently belittled by Tang Gang and Tang Rong as well. “Roguish friends” was their name for those friends.

Tongue-tied for a moment, Tang Rong could only watch as Tang Mo said with a light air: “Eldest Brother, rest well. I’ll be off.”

Watching his spring-in-the-breeze back, Tang Rong ground his teeth. [He felt Tang Mo’s nature increasingly shameless; the man had come here deliberately to flaunt himself.]

Tao Yi Ran came out from the room. She had seen Tang Mo’s radiant energy, and her mother’s words echoed in her head. [Her feelings were a mix of many flavors.] He was not the Heir Apparent, yet he had given Xin An the greatest face, and now he had accomplished a matter that Tang Rong could not, which made her feel that Tang Mo did have ability.

Tang Rong said, moving to support her: “Didn’t you say you were dizzy? Why have you come out? We should ask a physician to take a look.”

Thinking of how Tang Mo had bought many Qi Tonic Pills and Beauty Nourishing Pills for Xin An and had put his concern into concrete action, Tao Yi Ran felt even more dissatisfaction toward Tang Rong.