Chapter 065

Chapter 65: Why Not Pay Respects Again

Tang Mo watched with his own eyes as Xin An placed the sheet into the small bedside cabinet. Thinking of what he had to do today, he felt both nervous and expectant and said: “I want to invite someone to dinner tonight; I’m just afraid they won’t give me face.”

Xin An answered with calm assurance: “It’s fine. Break through one by one, step by step. Don’t rush.”

After locking the cabinet, she rose and called Qing Yang in; Lai Lai still waited outside. She gave brisk instructions: “Lai Lai, attend to Second Young Master’s washing and dressing. Qing Yang, arrange breakfast; keep it light.” She then tugged the pouch from Tang Mo’s belt and filled it with some silver for him.

When everything was ready, Xin An led the people of Qiu Shi Courtyard in a spirited send-off, escorting Tang Mo to the marquisate gate. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Tang Mo asked: “Isn’t this too grand?”

Xin An laughed and said: “It’s your first day on duty. From today on, you’re a man with responsibilities. You’re the pillar of everyone in Qiu Shi Courtyard, our support; of course we should cheer you on.”

The servants nodded one after another and chimed in: “Second Young Master, you can do it.”

“Second Young Master, I wish you a brilliant future.”

“Yes, this maidservant wishes Second Young Master swift promotion.”

Their overlapping blessings were all smiles. Xin An said warmly: “See? We all support you. Believe in yourself; you can do it.”

Tang Mo was moved. Looking up, he saw Madam Wang approaching. She came forward with a smile and said: “Say no more. Go and do your duty well. Mother supports you. My son is truly handsome today.”

Tang Mo smiled and bowed, saying: “Your son is off.”

A crowd stood at the gate of the marquisate to see him off; only when Lai Lai drove the carriage around the corner did they all turn back. Xin An said: “Let’s go. You all have duties to attend to as well.”

They answered in unison, then, smiling, returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard.

The send-off made no small commotion, and how could the neighboring Chun Hua Courtyard fail to notice? Auntie Cai sneered and said: “It’s not that big an office; is there any need to make such a fuss?”

Truly unpresentable.

She conveniently forgot that this “not big office” had originally belonged to Tang Rong. As a result, Tang Rong felt insulted and also somewhat envious of the love and regard shown to Tang Mo; he could not help but look forward to the day he himself would go to take up his post and wondered: [Would Tao Yi Ran also bring everyone in the courtyard to see me off?]

Auntie Cai had not seen Tao Yi Ran step out of her room all morning. Dissatisfied but keeping her expression smooth, she asked Auntie Liu: “Is the young madam still unwell today?”

Sensing the sarcasm yet unable to excuse it, Auntie Liu answered: “The young madam has been frail since childhood; even a slight discomfort takes several days to mend.”

Auntie Cai sighed theatrically and said: “The Heir Apparent is busy with matters outside the residence. Though Madam manages the household, as the Heir Apparent’s wife the young madam ought to share Madam’s burdens. Always being ill will not do. Better to ask the Marquis to enter the palace and summon an imperial physician to regulate her health.”

Auntie Liu ground her teeth. Before the young madam, this old servant was all honeyed words, coaxing the young madam into listening to her in everything; now, the young madam ought to be here to hear just what this woman was saying. She thought bitterly: [We should bring Young Madam out to hear this with her own ears.]

Before she could think of anything to defend Tao Yi Ran with, Auntie Cai pressed on: “Helping Madam is a small matter; after all, Madam’s health has always been good and she can work a bit harder for some time. But with the young madam so delicate, won’t that delay childbearing?”

Auntie Liu found it impossible to square the circle. If she said Tao Yi Ran’s health was actually fine, then why didn’t she get up for morning and evening greetings? If she said her health was poor, wasn’t that admitting difficulties with heirs? It really was hoisting a rock only to drop it on one’s own foot.

Tang Rong’s brows drew together. As the one who shared her pillow, he did not believe Tao Yi Ran had any real health problem; she was simply using it to avoid morning and evening greetings. He involuntarily recalled what Tang Gang had said, frowned even deeper, and turned back into the room. Compared to Auntie Cai’s pleased look, Auntie Liu’s face was full of worry.

By now Tao Yi Ran had long since risen. She sat trimming flower branches the maids had picked in the garden that morning. Hearing footsteps, she lifted her eyes slightly; a faint smile touched her lips as she said: “The flowers are lovely today; they’ll be perfect in a vase.”

Some of Tang Rong’s anger ebbed, yet he still asked: “How come you didn’t go to pay respects to Mother again today?”

Her hand paused on the scissors. Tao Yi Ran smiled and replied: “If I go pay respects, will Mother like me?”

She continued, her tone light but her point sharp: “Before, Mother would still put on a kindly face. But after she and Father had that huge quarrel, everything changed. No matter what I say or do, Mother won’t like me.”

Then she added: “Just as no matter how virtuous and magnanimous she acts, she won’t truly like you either. In the end, you’re not her own child; how could there not be a difference?”

Tang Rong knew she spoke sense, and it was the truth. But truth aside, that was not how things should be handled. He said: “Everyone knows Mother treats me as her own. For so many years, even if she was only pretending, she did treat me extremely well in public. Since she argued with Father, I ought to be even more filial to her to avoid gossip. If I avoid her and even skip morning and evening greetings, wouldn’t that be unfilial?”

Tao Yi Ran set down the scissors and advised: “In that case, you should go to Mother yourself and say a few heartfelt words. Strictly speaking, you should have gone the very day it happened, since it started because of you. But you were injured, which is understandable. Say you’re much better these past two days and that you’re going specifically to check on Mother.”

They both understood the reasoning, but both were too proud to relent. Neither wanted to go; each pointed to the other.

After much thought, Tang Rong finally took Tao Yi Ran’s suggestion. Still unwilling, he asked: “Yi’er, will you go with me?”

Tao Yi Ran shook her head and said: “You two are mother and son; with me there, some words would be hard to say. Go on. When I feel better, I’ll go pay respects to Mother.”

Helpless, Tang Rong stood and left, taking Auntie Cai with him.

Next door, Xin An had made a circuit of Qiu Shi Courtyard and found nothing that needed her attention. She was about to take a few maids to stroll the gardens when she stepped out and ran into Tang Rong. She greeted him evenly: “Elder brother, are you heading out?”

Now she could face him with composure, while Tang Rong felt somewhat guilty. He answered: “I’m going to see Mother. Little sister-in-law, are you going for a walk?”

“Mm,” Xin An said with a smile. “The flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully; I’m going to have a look.”

Seeing her bright eyes and fine brows, the hairpin in her hair gleaming, agate earrings lively, and even the flowers embroidered on her clothes seeming exceptionally exuberant, he suddenly felt: [Such a woman ought to be wreathed in blossoms, living boldly and unrestrained.]

Madam Tao arrived just then and saw this scene: her good son-in-law awkwardly staring at his sister-in-law. Her heart thumped. She stepped forward with a kindly smile and called: “Good son-in-law.”

Only then did Tang Rong notice Madam Tao, and the thought in his heart slipped straight out as he blurted: “Mother-in-law, why have you come?”

“To see you and Yi’er,” Madam Tao answered with an expression of gentle affection. “At home I kept thinking of your injuries, so I wanted to come check on you.”