Chapter 062

Chapter 62: A Small Lesson for Tao Yi Ran

Tang Rong felt weary. After living as husband and wife for days, he had come to see that Tao Yi Ran was somewhat lazy and rather stingy.

Up to now, apart from the few in their own courtyard, no one else in the residence thought well of her. She could not even win over the household servants, so how could she help him draw in people from outside?

He spoke matter-of-factly, listing what he needed her to manage: “Qing Mo needs silver in hand to ferret out information, and when opportunities arise we should also tip and court a few of the stewards in the outer compound; it would benefit us…”

As he went over every detail that required her hand, Tao Yi Ran grew more impatient and said coolly: “Just leave these matters to Auntie Cai to manage. Auntie Cai is an old hand in the residence and knows the people below.”

She added without looking up: “Auntie Liu can assist.”

Saying this, she summoned Auntie Cai and Auntie Liu in, had Tang Rong repeat everything he had just said, and told the two women to handle it. Tang Rong stared, dumbstruck; a surge of anger rose in his chest. [As my wife, you cannot spend the whole day on romance and idle refinements; there are many things that are inconvenient for me to do that you must shoulder.] Seeing Tao Yi Ran’s indifferent air only made him angrier, so he said curtly: “Then hand it to Auntie Cai.”

He snapped the order and turned on his heel: “Auntie Cai, come with me to the study.”

Auntie Cai’s status was unsuitable and her vision limited, but he had no one else to choose, and he also meant to use her to give Tao Yi Ran a small lesson.

He told her, casual in tone yet pointed in meaning: “Auntie Cai, Yiran has just arrived and does not yet understand many things. I hope you will often offer her guidance.”

Auntie Cai accepted without hesitation and said with confidence: “Heir Apparent, rest easy. The young madam was pampered in her mother’s house and has not yet adapted; I will remind her.”

Tang Rong grunted his assent: “You have always been by my side, and I trust you most. There are a few matters I need you to see to.”

Auntie Cai immediately brightened. [I knew the Heir Apparent cannot do without me; how could that young madam who only knows how to enjoy blessings possibly help him handle affairs?] She said crisply: “Heir Apparent, please just instruct me.”

Thus Auntie Cai took charge of Chun Hua Courtyard. Auntie Liu could only stare, while Tao Yi Ran was pleased to be at leisure. In her view, everything a servant had was granted by the master and should be devoted wholly to the master’s service; if the work was done poorly, the servant could be dismissed at any time. However capable Auntie Cai might be, she was only a servant.

Unable to stomach it, Auntie Liu found a random excuse to go out and headed straight to the Tao family.

Tang Mo was not in, so the person responsible for gathering information delivered the news to Xin An instead. Xin An was choosing fabrics for new clothes; on hearing it she paused, then smiled. [In the previous life, Tang Rong always praised Tao Yi Ran as pure and serene, calm and beautiful. When his desires were not met he became like a moth drawn to flame; even if the person was absent, the heart had to be present. Now that desire has been satisfied, boredom will breed other desires. I wonder whether Tao Yi Ran can satisfy him forever.]

Auntie Wang set the selected fabrics aside and said in a low voice: “I have picked up a few things these last few days. They say the Eldest Young Madam in her mother’s home would not touch mundane household affairs and devoted herself wholly to poetry and song. As for that Auntie Cai…” [She actually meant: it is not a good sign if the mistress does not manage affairs and leaves everything to a stewardess.]

Xin An moved to sit aside and said with a wry smile: “So, Aunt, I should be grateful that in the end I did not marry Tang Rong.”

Auntie Wang nodded with a smile. [What little regret I once had is gone; I am thoroughly satisfied with Tang Mo. So what if he is not the Heir Apparent; as long as he treats our girl well and is good to the Xin family, that is better than anything.]

Nan Feng came to announce that Steward Zhang had arrived, saying: “He brings a card from the young madam.”

Xin An said calmly: “Please show him to the main hall.”

She rose, and Auntie Wang turned to the silver chest, snipped off a medium-sized piece of silver with scissors and tucked it away, then selected a pair of woven silver bracelets of substantial weight and a bolt of fabric, placed them on a tray and covered them with red cloth before accompanying Xin An to the hall.

Steward Zhang bowed and reported: “The Eldest Young Madam of the Liu family sends an invitation, asking that you go to Bao Yin Pavilion the day after tomorrow to hear opera.”

Auntie Wang received the card and handed it to Xin An. After reading it, Xin An smiled and said to the steward: “Please help reply that I will be there on time.”

Steward Zhang cupped his hands and said that, going forward, he would have her cards delivered directly to Auntie Wang: “If Second Young Madam has any instructions, please have Auntie Wang convey them.”

Xin An nodded and spoke courteously: “I have heard that Steward Zhang is Father’s right-hand man, and many matters large and small in the residence rely on your arrangements. You even made a special visit today. You have worked hard.”

He answered modestly: “To share the master’s burdens is no hardship.”

Round of figure and smiling-eyed, he put people at ease, but Xin An did not dare underestimate him. [He was personally chosen for Tang Gang by Old Master Tang when he was alive; he can sway Tang Gang’s decisions, and he is not a bondservant contracted to the marquisate.]

She asked lightly: “I heard from the servants that in two days it will be your Grand Matron’s birthday. Will you be setting a few tables?”

Steward Zhang bowed: “Thank you for Second Young Madam’s concern. I want to, but my old mother says it is just an ordinary birthday. At that time I will ask the Marquis for the favor of a day’s leave; our family will gather for a meal, and that will count as celebration.”

Auntie Wang stepped forward with the tray and said with a smile: “Second Young Madam is thoughtful. She says that an elder’s health and longevity are the children’s blessing and wishes Grand Matron a long life. She has specially chosen two gifts to share in that good fortune. We hope Steward Zhang will not disdain them.”

The fabric was not some precious brocade, but in both pattern and material it suited a steward mother’s station. The silver bracelets were finely wrought; the craftsmanship was worth more than the silver itself. The gift was neither too heavy nor too light. [As expected of someone from a salt-merchant’s household,] Steward Zhang thought; [this gift makes me feel no burden in accepting it, is practical, and shows her thoughtfulness.] He immediately bowed deeply and said with feeling: “Many thanks for Second Young Madam’s thought. When my old mother hears, she will likely be so delighted she will chatter about it all day.”

Xin An replied with an easy smile: “You are too polite, Steward Zhang. As long as Grand Matron is happy.”

Auntie Wang personally escorted Steward Zhang to the gate. At the door, she handed him the tray along with the piece of silver and said in a low voice: “Steward Zhang, our young madam has not been in the residence long and is still unfamiliar with many rules. Please look after her and offer guidance in the days to come.”

Steward Zhang smiled and answered: “Second Young Madam is quick as ice and snow. With a few pointers she will grasp many things. Please be at ease. The marquisate has a simple household and the rules are not onerous, and the masters are all easy to get along with.”

Auntie Wang nodded: “Yes. Our young madam is also grateful for Grand Matron’s kindness and Her Ladyship’s gentle temper. She says the Marquis holds up the marquisate with difficulty and urges Second Young Master to share his father’s burdens.”

She added sincerely: “But my mistress and Second Young Master are young after all and may overlook things. We will have to rely on Steward Zhang to remind us and help make things complete.”

Steward Zhang nodded in satisfaction: “But of course.”

After he left the residence, he did not hide the bolt of fabric in his hands. A gift from the masters is a point of honor. That very afternoon he told Tang Gang about it. He did not, of course, mention the piece of silver.