Chapter 068

Chapter 68: Afflicted with the Sickness of Coveting His Sister-in-law

Tang Mo was very fond of Er Shan; he said he liked the vigor in Er Shan and even had him learn hand-to-hand skills with the manor’s bodyguards. Er Shan applied himself, though it was hard to say whether he would ultimately live up to Tang Mo’s expectations.

A maid came to announce: “Young Madam, Madam has returned and asks that you come over.”

Xin An rose. As she led her people out the door, she ran into Tang Rong. Before she could speak, Tang Rong asked first: “Sister-in-law, are you going to see Mother?”

She answered: “Eldest Brother as well?”

Tang Rong nodded: “I heard Mother is back and want to say a few words to her.”

She asked: “Why not go with Elder Sister-in-law? Is her health any better?”

Tang Rong said: “Much better. She can go pay her respects to Mother tomorrow.”

Xin An smiled. Tao Yi Ran had claimed illness and avoided paying respects for many days after entering the household. Such behavior would be criticized anywhere. Tang Rong was on the rise and cared greatly about his public reputation. How could he allow Tao Yi Ran to remain behind closed doors in Chun Hua Courtyard indefinitely? It seemed today’s quarrel had been about precisely this.

Tang Rong wanted to talk with Xin An a bit more. In his eyes, she had originally been meant to marry him. From what he had heard, Xin An had admired him deeply before her marriage. At the moment, an odd thought took root in his heart: a person’s affection could not simply vanish. Perhaps Xin An still had him in her heart, and only accepted Tang Mo because the matter was already decided and she had no choice. All the more since she and Tang Mo were still sleeping in separate rooms. To him, that proved Xin An still had him in mind. He felt a little secret delight and wanted to tease Xin An. Not only could he disgust Tang Mo this way, he might even sway Xin An further toward himself. He wanted the Tao family’s backing in officialdom, and he wanted the Xin family’s silver as well.

He asked: “Did you deliver food to Second Brother today?”

He wanted to say more to Xin An. In his heart, this was a chance to probe. Xin An replied: “It is normal if Second Brother needs time to adjust on his first day with the Northern Garrison Army. He has been used to being carefree at home. Being suddenly confined to one place takes some days to get used to.”

She sighed and said: “It was my fault for not understanding the situation. I thought the Northern Garrison Army did not provide meals and nearly made a fool of myself.”

Tang Rong stopped and showed a worried expression as he asked: “Did Second Brother blame you?”

Goosebumps raced over Xin An’s skin. She clenched her fists hard and found Tang Rong’s expression extremely punchable. She swallowed her temper and forced a smile as she said: “I did not give him the chance to blame me. I sensed things were off and hurried back.”

Relief softened Tang Rong’s face, though worry lingered as he said: “On the wedding day… in the end it was I who wronged you. I do not know how to make up for this debt. If you encounter difficulties in the future, come to me. If it is within my power, I will not refuse.”

Xin An thought: [Tang Rong is ill, the kind of illness where a man covets his sister-in-law. It used to be Tao Yi Ran. Is it my turn now? Does he think he is still such a catch?]

She did not answer, afraid that if she opened her mouth she would say something that would damage her image. She only gave a slight smile. Tang Rong took that as consent and became extraordinarily pleased.

Madam Wang was a little surprised to see the two arrive together. Xin An spoke first to explain: “I ran into Eldest Brother this morning and he said he wished to speak with Mother. We ran into each other again just now. It seems he has something important to say. Should I avoid it?”

Madam Wang understood. He had thought it through after many days and come to patch things up, to put on a show. She said: “We are all one family, not outsiders. Sit down.”

Xin An sat to the side. Tang Rong lifted his robe and knelt before Madam Wang as he said: “Father defended his Son and hurt Second Brother’s feelings. I too have felt very uneasy. In a moment of urgency I did a foolish thing. I regretted it terribly once I returned and have come to beg Mother’s pardon.”

He continued: “Mother, Second Brother is my own younger brother. I hope all goes smoothly for him. I have no intention of contending with him for anything. There are only the two of us brothers in this household. We should support each other and advance or retreat together. Once I have found my footing in the Ministry of Rites, I will certainly plan for Second Brother and strive for a better future for him.”

Madam Wang told him to rise as she said: “Mother knows you are filial. Mother was angry at the time. Your Father’s matter has nothing to do with you. Mother watched you grow up. We are not mother and son by blood, but better than mother and son. How could Mother be angry with her Son?”

Tang Rong stood and said: “Mother is kind and reasonable. It is my good fortune to receive Mother’s care.”

He added: “Yiran is much better now. She has not come to pay respects these days and keeps saying she is not filial enough. Today she said she would come tomorrow to ask Mother’s pardon.”

Madam Wang said: “Mother knows she is frail. I heard she was like this even in her mother’s home. How could Mother blame her? As for paying respects, tell her not to rush. Let her nurse her body well and give you a son or daughter soon. That would be the greatest filial piety to Mother.”

In truth, Tao Yi Ran did not want to come pay respects, and Madam Wang did not want to see her either. Best if she never appeared.

Madam Wang then said: “There is someone looking after Xue Yu. A physician will go every half month to take her pulse. She carries your bloodline after all. You should occasionally send her some things so she has something to hold on to.”

If Madam Wang had not brought it up, Tang Rong would almost have forgotten. He quickly bowed his hands and said: “Thank you for the reminder, Mother. I will do so.”

She said: “Very good.”

She added a warning: “Do not let your wife know of this. Her health is poor. She should not be troubled.”

Tang Rong felt Madam Wang was overthinking it. He had not noticed any jealousy in Tao Yi Ran at all. Aside from feeling unwell for a day, she had acted as if nothing had happened. He had originally wanted to comfort her, but seeing her attitude, he dropped the idea.

Having said what he came to say, Tang Rong took his leave. Before he left he even nodded to Xin An, his retreating back quite dashing.

Xin An felt thoroughly disgusted, as if even the tea in her hand had lost its fragrance. She turned slightly and asked: “Mother, did you summon me because there is something you need?”

Madam Wang wanted to tell her about Commandant Liao Zhi of the Northern Garrison Army: “He will not be easy to befriend. The Liao family was also a military clan, but the previous two generations produced no outstanding generals, not until Liao Zhi.”

She continued: “Old Master Liao died suddenly the year before last, and then Liao Zhi’s father died a month later. Since then the Liao family has been headed by Liao Zhi. The second and third uncles’ branches also obey him. There are many sons in the Liao family, and they have all been promoted rather quickly these two years. They say Liao Zhi enjoys the Emperor’s deep trust and favor.”

Xin An frowned and asked: “If so, there is no way Father did not know. Why would he choose to offend him outright?”

An emperor’s favored minister is not someone comparable to Tang Gang, a man sheltered by his ancestors’ merits.

Madam Wang ordinarily had little chance to learn about the affairs of the Imperial Court. Xin An, though she had another lifetime’s experience, had centered her previous life on Tang Rong. She only took pains to inquire about what Tang Rong needed. She rarely left the marquisate and, with so much time having passed, truly had no memories regarding the Liao family.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who both knew little of court affairs, stared at each other. At last, Madam Wang concluded: “The biggest reason is that your Father wanted to preserve the reputation of his beloved son. There had been a round of rumors outside saying Tang Rong’s skills were flowery fists and embroidered legs. Your Father dotes on his son. How could he let his beloved son’s reputation be harmed?”

Each time she called him “beloved son” was somewhat ironic.