Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Madam Wang vs Madam Tao

At sunrise, birds called among the trees. After a full night’s sleep, Xin An stood in the courtyard feeding her goldfish, while Meatball chased a ball of yarn across the paving stones. Chun Yang stepped forward to report: “Second Young Madam, someone from Madam’s quarters says you need not go; Madam Tao has arrived.”

They had agreed to talk this morning about the marquisate’s relief for veteran soldiers. Since she could not go, Xin An was in no hurry, and she was not surprised by Madam Tao’s arrival.

At this moment she still did not know the inside story. She only thought that although Tao Yi Ran’s playing the zither in public had been improper, it was hardly a grave offense; at most people would grumble a few words and move on. She did not realize that Countess Chang Ning had torn away the Tao family’s fig leaf, turning a trifling incident into a full-blown crisis for the Tao family.

She asked: “Is Grandmother in Chun Rong Hall?” Chun Yang replied: “They say the Grand Matron invited her old companions to continue listening to opera and has already gone out.” She said: “Did she not just go to the opera yesterday?” Chun Yang kept silent, and Xin An brushed the fish food from her palms with a smile: “In that case, we will simply rest well today.”

She said: “Invite Physician Zhao, tell her I would like a facial today and a loosening of my shoulders and back as well.” She had seen Physician Zhao massage the Grand Matron’s back with a floral oil that not only smelled lovely but, according to the Grand Matron, left one comfortable all over and made the skin noticeably smoother, so she added: “And dye my nails with kou-dan.”

These were pleasures she had never experienced in her last life; now she meant to try them all. She had noticed the Second Prince’s Consort’s nails were dyed beautifully and still did not know who had done them.

She said: “Go ask Auntie Wang to come.” She would also send out the gifts that ought to be sent.

In the front reception hall, Madam Tao was dabbing at her tears before Madam Wang. Steward Zhang had arrived at the Tao family at first light, and when the Tao official and his wife heard his report it felt as if the sky had fallen. Their secret was out; even their last shred of cover had been stripped away.

They immediately sent a visiting post to the Count of Chang Ning’s residence and added fifty percent to the thick gift they had prepared yesterday. Then they came to the marquis’s household, hoping to learn more of the details.

Madam Wang said only this: “Countess Chang Ning is protective of her daughter and said everything, whether fit to say or not. She also stated she will not let the matter rest. I fear only the Tao family stepping forward can calm Countess Chang Ning’s anger. If possible, bring the Heir Apparent’s wife along; it will better show your sincerity.”

She added: “Do not worry. In the marquis’s household only the Marquis and I know of this, since it touches our house’s face as well.” She had spoken plainly: the marquis’s household would not clean up after the Tao family. She was not lying either. Madam Wang had not intended to tell Xin An or Tang Mo; there were matters a mother should handle herself. There was no need to drag her son’s wife into it, and it was better to keep two young and unsteady people from doing something irreparable.

“Co-mother-in-law, in this matter I…” Madam Tao did not even know how to speak to salvage a shred of face. She faltered, then sighed deeply: “For the sake of our children being in-laws, I beg the marquis’s household to extend a helping hand.”

Madam Wang’s lips curved faintly as she said: “Madam Tao, I do sympathize with you. But marriages join two surnames for mutual benefit first and foremost. To speak strictly, this is not a great matter for our marquis’s household.” Without waiting for Madam Tao to form a response, she continued: “Strictly speaking, your esteemed daughter’s marriage to our Heir Apparent has always been somewhat irregular. However one disguises it, the result is merely covering one’s ears while stealing a bell. You should be well aware of the ladies’ attitudes at the Water Blossom Banquet.”

“The Tao family is a hidden danger. The marquis’s present standing was hard-won, and our reputation cannot be damaged. I must ask the Tao official to give this some thought.”

“This is also my Marquis’s view.” [They wanted to scheme against me and my two sons, and now they have the nerve to make demands? It is already generous that I am not hitting them when they are down.]

At home, the Tao official and his wife had originally discussed asking the marquis’s household to step forth and settle the matter completely. Willing or not, both families were now in the same boat; they would prosper or suffer together, and the Tao couple had assumed the marquis’s household would not stand aside.

Who knew the marquis’s household intended to withdraw altogether. The reality did not match their expectations, and Madam Tao’s heart sank to the bottom. If the story spread, and on top of it came the marquis’s household’s stab in the back, the Tao family would never again be able to gain a foothold in the capital.

Even if they shamelessly remained in the capital, they would hardly dare go out and face anyone.

Madam Wang lifted her tea cup: “Madam Tao, you must think of a solution as soon as possible. The sooner, the better.”

Madam Tao rose and said she had already prepared a heavy gift and would now go fetch Tao Yi Ran to accompany her to the Count of Chang Ning’s residence and beg Countess Chang Ning’s forgiveness.

That day, Tao Yi Ran, who rarely offered to pay morning respects to the elders in the household, rose early yet had her visit excused because the Grand Matron and Madam Wang were both busy. She did not idle in her courtyard either. She began to handle assorted household trifles, personally wrote visiting posts to call on her friends, and had fabric brought in so she could make clothes for Tang Rong. It was the first time she had been this diligent since her wedding.

Auntie Liu showered her with gushing praise, and when she saw Madam Tao arrive she beamed even more. But before she could speak, Madam Tao summoned Tao Yi Ran into the room, then waved the attendants away, forbidding even Auntie Liu to remain.

A stick of incense later, Tao Yi Ran emerged with reddened eyes and left with Madam Tao, taking several caskets with her. Chun Lü tried to ask around but could not learn why. Because Physician Zhao was in the residence, she did not report anything to Xin An.

“What is the Second Young Madam doing?” Madam Wang was somewhat worried that Tang Mo and Xin An were too impatient and unsteady in handling affairs, afraid they would learn of the matter elsewhere. The attendant replied: “The Second Young Madam invited Physician Zhao to dye her nails with kou-dan.”

Madam Wang smiled: “A love of beauty is a good thing.” The serving matron laughed and said: “You can tell the Second Young Madam likes to dress up. When she dresses beautifully, even we love to look at her.”

Madam Wang remembered a velvet flower headdress and said: “Find it and send it to the Second Young Madam.”

Xin An had a thoroughly relaxing day. Aside from arranging two tasks for Auntie Wang, she simply let Physician Zhao give her a facial and loosen her back and shoulders. Not only her fingernails but also her toenails were dyed. The full set took half the day. She looked at her pink, glossy nails with great satisfaction and asked: “Physician Zhao, would you come every half month to dye them again?”

Qing Yang and the other girls could dye them too, but not as well as Physician Zhao, and the color was never bright enough.

With a client who was steady and generous, Physician Zhao had no reason to refuse. She said: “Second Young Madam’s skin is excellent. It is only a little tanned. The sun is too harsh and harms the skin, so it is best to avoid it.”

She answered: “It should be avoided.” It was all from watching the match yesterday. She asked: “Are you free this afternoon, Physician Zhao?” The physician replied: “I am. Does Second Young Madam have further instructions?”

Xin An tilted her head and said: “Qing Yang, ask Mother whether she would like to dye her nails or have a facial too.”

Qing Yang hurried off and soon returned with Madam Wang. Seeing Xin An’s freshly treated, radiant face and her neatly dyed nails, Madam Wang smiled and said: “When your grandmother had her facial, I wanted to try it. Since I am free this afternoon, please have Physician Zhao do one for me as well.”