Chapter 067

Chapter 67: Xin An Delivers a Meal

Auntie Liu, who had been sent to invite Xin An to dine, returned empty-handed and reported: “Second Young Madam has gone out. She said she was going to deliver a meal to Second Young Master.”

Madam Tao raised a brow and said: “Deliver a meal? Does the Northern Garrison Army not provide food?”

Of course the Northern Garrison Army provided meals, and Xin An knew it, but she deliberately pretended not to. She led her people, carrying a food box packed full of dishes, to the gate, and had to wait quite a while before being allowed in.

It was exactly mealtime. Tang Mo was also in the mess hall. A boisterous group of men ate while talking, and when they saw a beautiful woman standing at the door, they all cast appraising glances. Tang Mo hurried forward, blocked her, and drew her aside, saying: “Why are you here?”

Xin An’s acting skills came into play as she said, looking uneasy: “I brought you a meal. I did not know they feed you here.”

Feigning anxiety, she grasped Tang Mo’s hand and pinched it hard, whispering: “Did I embarrass you?”

Several men watched her with amused smiles. Tang Mo, stung by the pain, quickly caught her hand and said: “No. I forgot to tell you they feed us here. We will not go hungry.”

A voice rose: “Second Brother Tang, you are the one at fault, making sister-in-law run this errand under the sun. Aren’t you going to apologize?”

Because Tang Gang had offended Liao Zhi, Tang Mo was, unsurprisingly, implicated. He had been given a dressing-down upon arrival today, and people were not very warm toward him. Still, Tang Gang was, after all, the Marquis, and the Tang family’s Old Master’s past merits were there for all to see, so many whose backgrounds were inferior to Tang Mo’s did not dare to humiliate him; they merely kept their distance.

Mealtime was when everyone was most relaxed and in the best mood of the day, and Xin An had chosen this time on purpose. Seeing people jeer, she lowered her head in ‘embarrassment’ and said to Tang Mo: “Do you still want the food box?”

Someone chimed in: “We want it. If Second Brother Tang does not eat, we will.”

The one leading the heckling was named Zhuang Shi, from the estate of Marquis Yongshuang. The Zhuang family’s situation was much like the Tang family’s. Although they had not explicitly declared a shift from arms to letters, there were already few sons serving in the army; otherwise Zhuang Shi would not be idling his days away in the Northern Garrison Army.

The two families had dealings, so it was not surprising that Zhuang Shi gave Tang Mo a bit of face.

As Zhuang Shi stirred things up, those who were familiar with him joined in. Xin An, ‘shy,’ turned and left with her attendants, walking very quickly. Tang Mo watched her go. Zhuang Shi cheerfully lifted the food box and went into the mess hall, saying: “Second Brother Tang was entranced by sister-in-law’s departing figure. Let us see what good things she brought.”

Several men, bowls in hand and all smiles, crowded over. Inside the food box there were roast chicken and roast duck, an orange-smoked goose, and even seafood. Someone exclaimed in exaggerated praise: “Second Brother Tang eats far too well.”

Another said: “I have heard the Xin family is wealthy. Truly it lives up to its reputation.”

Another called out: “Second Brother Tang, shall we start eating?”

Laughing, Tang Mo entered the mess hall and said: “Let everyone have a laugh at my expense. Eat. Since it has been sent, we cannot very well take it back.”

Someone said: “Sister-in-law’s kindness in bringing a meal is a great favor. Second Brother Tang, you are blessed.”

Another said: “Exactly. You are the first here whose wife has delivered food. Secretly savor it.”

Thanks to the few dishes Xin An had brought, these men were a little warmer toward Tang Mo in the afternoon, at least willing to point out some of the Northern Garrison Army’s rules. Tang Mo had always been good at handling people and showed not the slightest airs; he smiled at everyone, leaving those who had been looking to pick faults with him with no chance to do so.

By the time Xin An returned to the estate, Madam Tao had already left. For reasons unknown, Tao Yi Ran had quarreled with Tang Rong, and it was said that Tang Rong had flung his sleeve and left.

Xin An said with a smile: “Where else can he fling his sleeve to? I wager he cannot even make it out of the courtyard gate.”

Nan Feng nodded with a grin and said: “He flung it back to his study.”

Xin An sat and drank tea. Setting down the cup, she began preparing for going to the opera the next day and said: “Choose an outfit a bit more flamboyant. Pick jewelry that is light. Do not be too plain.”

Auntie Wang felt that since it would be her first time meeting the noble ladies of the capital, she should dress low-key and not steal the spotlight.

Xin An said: “Everyone knows my father is a salt merchant. If I dress too drably, does that not say my father does not make money?”

In her previous life she had been mocked often for dressing too plainly, and besides, she herself did not like such drab clothing. She said: “Time flows on. I can wear bright clothes for only a few years. There will be chances later for those pale garments.”

Auntie Wang worried that Xin An would be too ostentatious and that some in the capital would set their sights on the Xin family. Xin An, however, did not care and said: “Who decreed that the Xin family’s silver can only be spent by the Tang family?”

She added: “My father is a merchant. Naturally he puts profit first.”

Auntie Wang wanted to persuade further, but Xin An rose and asked: “Aunt, how do you think the Tang family handled that business of exchanging marriages?”

She added: “And what do you think of the Marquis’s attitude toward Second Young Master?”

Auntie Wang fell silent, thinking she had little insight and might as well not think about such things, and happily prepared the clothes Xin An would wear the next day.

Xin An said: “As for tomorrow’s outing, Chun Yang and Nan Feng will accompany me.”

Nan Feng was overjoyed. Being able to accompany the mistress out was a very honorable thing, and she agreed with a beaming smile. Chun Lv was displeased, and Xin An said: “Nan Feng understands the situation in the capital better than you. If you want to go out, you can, but you must be more capable than Nan Feng. Otherwise, if we go out and someone greets me face-to-face, I do not know who she is and you do not know either. How awkward would that be?”

She added: “Later I will ask Mother to lend someone familiar with the capital’s circles to come over. The few of you must study diligently. When we go out in the future, you will be my eyes.”

Chun Yang, Chun Lv, and Auntie Wang all nodded heavily. Chun Lv thought of Xia’er, who had been brought back, and Xin An told her to bring the girl to see her.

For the past few days, Xia’er had been living in the marquisate’s servants’ quarters. Apart from learning rules, she helped with odd chores. Even so, compared to her days at home, it was like heaven and earth.

Now Xia’er was clean from head to toe, wearing the same clothes as the estate maids, and they were brand new. Someone had helped her comb a maid’s bun on her head, though she did not have much hair and it was a bit yellow and dry.

Xia’er bowed and said: “Greetings to Second Young Madam.”

After a few days learning rules, she looked somewhat proper. Xin An said: “Rise. A bit of tidying makes a real difference. Have you grown accustomed to these days?”

Xia’er answered: “To report to Second Young Madam, the estate is very good.” She was a little excited, and she grew more talkative, saying: “I can sleep in a bed, have a quilt to cover me, and wear new clothes, two sets even. I can eat my fill, and the work is not hard. There is no better life than this. This maidservant thanks Second Young Madam.”

She went on: “Both this maidservant and Cousin cherish the life we have now. Cousin says we must work well and not bring shame to Second Young Master and Second Young Madam.”

Only after speaking did she realize she might have said too much. She quickly lowered her head and nervously tugged at her sleeve.

Xin An smiled and said: “Hearing you say so much shows you truly like it here. Since you like it, study well and serve well. Later there will be other duties for you.”

Xia’er promptly agreed. After Chun Lv rewarded her with a dish of pastries and led her away, Auntie Wang said that this Xia’er seemed fairly clever and added: “After some more proper training she can take on duties.”

She said: “It is just that her father, mother, and brothers were all sold off by Second Young Master. Though she did not live well under them, they are her birth parents after all. I do not know whether she harbors resentment in her heart.”

Xin An had no intention of employing Xia’er in anything important and said: “Just keep a close watch on her.”

She added: “The key is that cousin of hers.”