Chapter 076

Chapter 76: Your Father Does Not Like Tea

Tang Mo came back after a day of toil, sat down with a cup of tea, and asked: “How was your outing today?”

After taking a sip, he added with forced ease: “No one mocked you, right?” [He worried that his own lack of achievement would make others look down on Xin An. In her previous life she had been the Heir Apparent’s consort and later a marchioness; most people treated her with respect when she stepped outside. He feared she would compare in her heart and, blinded again by pride, start thinking about Tang Rong.]

Xin An asked with a smile, turning the question on him: “Was your purpose in inviting a guest today to mock him?”

Tang Mo waved it off and said: “Rest easy. I didn’t thrust myself on anyone. I went because I received a proper invitation. Even if they dislike me, they wouldn’t say it to my face.”

She tipped her head and asked: “And you? How did things go today?”

He answered that it was much the same as yesterday, then explained: “Before Liao Zhi returns there won’t be any problems. I asked around today. Liao Zhi loathes the princelings in the Northern Garrison Army and shows no good face to anyone. I’d better not try to pull strings for now. When he gets back, I’ll speak to him myself.”

He looked at her, a little hopeful yet uneasy, and asked: “Did you speak up for me today?”

Xin An nodded and said: “I did, and praised you again and again.”

He asked with a searching glance: “You didn’t bring up my time in the Northern Garrison Army, did you?”

She shook her head and said: “They asked on their own. I said you were doing well and that the people in the Northern Garrison Army were kind. Whether they believe it is not my concern.”

The corners of his mouth lifted as he leaned forward to press: “What exactly did you praise? And why praise me?”

She rolled her eyes and said: “I said you were handsome, good, considerate, and thorough in handling matters. If I don’t talk you up, doesn’t that imply I don’t deserve a good man and should be left on the shelf?”

She finished with a light laugh and said: “All in all, your good name helps me and mine helps you. When you’re out, remember to praise me too. We’ll make each other shine.”

He agreed readily and said: “Naturally.”

At this moment his smile could not be suppressed. [He had already begun to imagine himself enjoying a sterling reputation before long.]

Auntie Wang returned, reported that the items had been delivered to the Liu family and placed directly in Madam Liu’s hands, and said: “Madam Liu liked them very much.”

Xin An nodded and said: “Good. Go take your rest.”

Once Auntie Wang withdrew, Tang Mo asked what had been sent to the Liu family. Xin An did not hide it and said: “Since Yan Wenhui is taking me around to meet the capital’s powerful, I must show proper gratitude. The things I bought at the night market were only amusing, not fit as thanks. I picked out an ivory fan, a decorative piece, and a manuscript by Master Yuan, the great scholar of the Huai River region.”

She added with composure and said: “And one jin of tea; that way we won’t slight courtesy.”

Tang Mo stood, opened Xin An’s drawer, took out a banknote, and handed it to her as he said: “You did this partly for me. Count half the expense as mine.”

With a generous air he added and said: “As for the decorative piece we sent out, go pick a replacement from my storeroom. Take anything you like.”

Xin An accepted the banknote, smiled, and said: “What do you mean your storeroom? Where would you get a storeroom? They are all mine.”

She tapped the keys at her waist and said with mock pride: “Since the keys are in my hand, I naturally take what I like. See that ornament on the cabinet? I took it from the storeroom.”

Only then did Tang Mo notice the extra ornament on the cabinet. It was the treasured piece from his own collection. He stepped up to play with it and, heart clenching, reminded her and said: “Tell your girls to be very careful. This thing is terribly precious.”

She glanced at him, amused, and said: “Look at that pained face. Should good things sit in a chest gathering dust? Don’t worry. I’ll display it for a few days and then swap in another. Staring at one piece gets dull.”

He set the ornament back with care, ambled up to Xin An grinning, and said: “Of course it pains me. I spent no small effort to acquire it. Later I’ll ask Mother to fetch me a few things from the mansion storerooms and to allocate some silver from the accounts. Now that I’m contributing to the household, shouldn’t I enjoy a bit of its resources?”

Xin An agreed in full and said: “The mansion’s goods cannot all be for Tang Rong alone. We mustn’t let everything benefit him.”

Madam Wang happened to share their view. At that very moment she was telling Tang Gang: “The second daughter-in-law also needs to go out and cultivate connections. She is spending her own dowry. Though her dowry is substantial, we elders cannot wash our hands of everything. We should think of them more in the future.”

Steward Zhang’s loyalty to Tang Gang was beyond doubt; he had reported Xin An’s gift-giving as soon as he returned. Tang Gang was already out of sorts. With Madam Wang’s remarks he grew even more annoyed, raised the tea at hand to his lips, and asked: “Has the second daughter-in-law ever sent you tea?”

Madam Wang answered casually and said: “Huai River Silverflower tea. She sent a jin.”

Tang Gang set down the cup and asked, frowning: “Where is it?”

She shot him a look and said: “In your hand.”

Only then did he turn real attention to the tea cup in his grasp. No wonder the tea in Madam Wang’s rooms had tasted different of late. He clicked his tongue and asked: “She gave it to you and you simply drank it?”

Madam Wang laughed from sheer exasperation and said: “My daughter-in-law honored me, and I find it delicious, so of course I drink it every day. What, am I not worthy of good tea?”

Tang Gang wanted to say the marquis’s household could certainly afford good tea, yet this particular tea was rare and not easily bought. It would be excellent for gift-giving, especially since Tang Rong was about to take up his post at the Ministry of Rites. Eight in ten there love tea; even His Majesty the Emperor has praised Huai River Silverflower tea. If Tang Rong brought some to the Ministry of Rites, it would win him face and bring honor to the household.

He wanted to ask Madam Wang to part with half a jin but could not bring himself to say it. He considered writing to Xin Kuan to have some sent directly to the marquis’s household next year, but felt that asking personally would be beneath his dignity. He thought left and right with no conclusion, then let out a sigh and walked out.

Madam Wang snorted under her breath and said: “He has a problem.” [She was curious all the same.]

Driven by curiosity, she went to Qiu Shi Courtyard. Xin An and Tang Mo were sitting under the corridor watching the sunset. Seeing Madam Wang arrive, they rose to greet her. She smiled warmly and said: “It’s nothing important; I just came to see you two.”

She looked Tang Mo up and down and asked: “Did this boy come home to complain today?”

Xin An answered with light humor and said: “No. He’s talking about striving to improve. He says he won’t use connections to get to Liao Zhi and wants to speak to Liao Zhi in person. Judging by his posture, he intends to make something of himself.”

Madam Wang’s brows curved with genuine pleasure and said: “Then support him and say pleasant things to encourage him. Once a man marries, he must shelter his wife and children. It’s time he shouldered responsibility.”

The two women sat together beneath the eaves. Madam Wang brought up the tea and asked: “Is it called Huai River Silverflower tea?”

Xin An nodded and explained its provenance. When Madam Wang learned it was tribute tea, she understood everything at once and laughed coldly in her heart. Xin An studied her expression and asked with tact: “Mother, do you need some?”

Madam Wang arranged her face into a smile and said: “I sent some out today, and there isn’t much left. We will likely have to wait for next year. I am living a life of comfort now, and it is thanks to my daughter-in-law.”

Xin An also understood the purpose of her visit. [In the previous life, Tang Rong had taken no small amount of this tea from her to curry favor.] It seemed that today’s delivery to the Liu family had caught Tang Gang’s eye.

She spoke frankly and said: “My father heard somewhere that Father doesn’t like drinking tea and thinks these teas are the leftovers others don’t want, so they would be unsuitable for gifts. He has never sent any.”

In truth, Xin Kuan simply felt that sending tea to Tang Gang would be a waste and had never intended to send him any.

Madam Wang affirmed their judgment and said: “Your Father truly does not like tea. He doesn’t know how to enjoy such things and calls tea bitter and not to his taste.”