Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Tao Yi Ran’s Tender Blade

Tao Yi Ran leaned lightly over Tang Rong’s lap and spoke of the past, of her admiration and her joy; her voice was gentle, her smile so lovely, her slender hand stroking his cheek as her eyes brimmed with infatuation, as she said softly: “I have fulfilled my wish and become Lord Rong’s wife. Though the time is short, my heart’s desire is already satisfied.”

Another clear tear slid down her cheek, her gaze full of reluctance, as she murmured: “Now that Countess Chang Ning has spoken openly today about Grandmother’s matter, I fear others will bring it up again tomorrow. Grandmother treated me exceedingly well; I have yet to repay the grace of her raising me. How could I abandon her and treat her as a source of shame?”

She lowered her eyes and continued, the tenderness in her tone cutting like a blade as she pleaded: “Lord Rong is bright as the moon, accomplished in both letters and arms, and ought to have a splendid future. For the sake of Lord Rong’s prospects hereafter, please write a letter of divorce. I hope Lord Rong will find… find a noble-born lady of high standing and a glorious future. As long as Lord Rong is well, I am willing to spend the rest of my life by the pale lamplight before the Buddha, praying for Lord Rong every day.”

With words like these, how many men in this world could still keep a heart of stone?

By now Tang Rong’s heart had melted into a pool of water. Although Tao Yi Ran had many flaws, she was generous, kind, and loved him to this degree. It was true that marrying a girl from a powerful family could help him rise swiftly, yet he was already the marquisate’s Heir Apparent, a standout junior in the capital’s eyes; how would he need a high-born wife to lend him strength?

Tang Rong had his own pride.

Tao Yi Ran slowly lowered herself against Tang Rong’s lap and sobbed low. At this, a flush of heat surged from Tang Rong’s lower abdomen to the crown of his head; his hand, almost of its own accord, stroked Tao Yi Ran’s back, then her neck, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing again and again over her pale skin. Tao Yi Ran seemed not to notice and continued to weep softly; her coiffure brushed, now and then, across that forbidden place, teasing Tang Rong into quickened breath, until he drew her up and led her toward the bed.

That night, Tao Yi Ran was especially passionate, as if after this night she would vanish. Tang Rong, lost in abandon, forgot Tang Gang’s warning to the high heavens, and they made fervent love until the third watch.

Meanwhile, his old father, who cared only for his son’s future, hardly slept a wink. His mind churned over how to make Tao Yi Ran give way, how to silence the Tao Family, and which noble household in the capital had a daughter worthy of the son he took such pride in.

At dawn the next morning, when a freshly groomed Tang Rong appeared with Tao Yi Ran before Tang Gang and Madam Wang, one had faint bluish shadows beneath his eyes yet a satisfied look, while the other’s cheeks were peach-pink, and even with her collar raised the mottled marks could not be concealed. Madam Wang understood everything at once and, in good spirits, said mildly: “Sit and eat.”

Tang Gang, who understood just as clearly, had anger surge in his eyes; he flung his sleeve and went out to attend court. Tang Rong took no notice; he believed his father would understand him, and that he could persuade his father.

Today, Xin An was to go with Lin Yao and the others into the city to burn incense at South Crossing Temple; she had come to offer morning greetings early, and Tang Mo had already escorted her to join Lin Yao and the rest. Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran did not know and thought she had not come.

Tang Rong glanced back and asked quietly, his tone casual: “Shall we wait for Second Brother and my sister-in-law?”

Madam Wang motioned them to sit: “They had business today and already went out. We will eat on our own.”

Tang Rong was curious but did not ask. Only after the meal did he bow to Madam Wang and say, measured and respectful: “As for the Tao Family, I talked at length with Yi’er last night. Regarding the zither performance, she knows she was wrong and did not realize the price would be so great; she regrets it deeply. Yet in the matter of the Tao Family, she is innocent. I ask Mother, for your son’s sake, to instruct her more. If you are too busy, you may also have her take some tasks upon herself.”

Tao Yi Ran made a deep, respectful curtsey to Madam Wang and spoke at length of recognizing her mistakes and her failure to think things through. Madam Wang’s lips curved in a smile that did not reach her eyes; now that her reputation had suffered, she remembered this convenient mother-in-law and wanted her to raise the sedan chair for her.

Madam Wang said with composed warmth: “I had thought you were a high official’s daughter with the capital’s talented-lady reputation, so your rules and propriety would be sound; that is why I did not give you more reminders before the banquet. Countess Chang Ning is a mother who loves her daughter and spoke harshly. This matter can be big or small.”

She continued, voice steady: “For now you need not think of sharing my burdens; what matters is how to make Countess Chang Ning stop talking. This still depends on your father’s arrangements.”

Then she instructed evenly: “Hereafter you must speak with caution and advance or retreat with measure. Always remember you are the marquisate’s eldest grandson’s wife, the Heir Apparent’s wife. The gentleness, magnanimity, and thoroughness proper to a principal wife must always be kept in mind. Do not go out for the time being; the capital never lacks for lively matters. After some days, things outside will naturally quiet down.”

Tao Yi Ran’s eyes had reddened long ago; she felt the shame and anger rise, yet she knew this was not a time to weep, so she only accepted her mother-in-law’s admonitions with respect. Madam Wang nodded in satisfaction: “Rise.”

Tao Yi Ran stood, almost letting herself stumble, but forcibly steadied before the motion showed. Madam Wang pretended not to see and dismissed the two of them.

Granny Ping Qiu, the attendant Madam Wang relied upon most, arrived with tea. Madam Wang smiled faintly and remarked, a hint of irony concealed beneath courtesy: “Our Heir Apparent’s wife is better at handling men than at handling the zither.”

Ping Qiu lowered her voice and replied coolly: “That is a petty trick. However fine the flower, it withers in the end. Serving by looks cannot last long.”

She added bluntly: “To speak somewhat irreverently, the Heir Apparent liking her this much is a good thing for our Second Young Master.”

She concluded, tranquil but firm: “No matter how capable a man is, once a woman has him well in hand, he cannot go far.”

Madam Wang lifted the cup and blew across its surface, clearly in agreement with Ping Qiu. A Heir Apparent’s wife from a powerful clan was not what she wished; Tao Yi Ran was just right. She was very satisfied.

Tang Rong went out to his duties; Tao Yi Ran withdrew to her Chun Hua Courtyard. Unlike her former spring-sick melancholy or railing idly at the railing, now that she had passed the hurdle of Tang Rong, the danger still remained. [She understood that to gain a foothold in the marquisate she must hold fast to Tang Rong.] She set herself earnestly to making clothes for him, sewing them with her own hands to show her devotion.

In contrast with her domestic goodwill, Xin An was at South Crossing Temple offering incense. The Buddhas were solemn; Xin An was devout. First, she thanked Heaven for granting her this mysterious, unfathomable chance; then she prayed to the Bodhisattva that in another turn through the human world she might be safe and smooth. She did not ask to live a hundred years, only to reach a peaceful end in old age; she also prayed on Tang Mo’s behalf. Since her wishes were large, she gave more incense money. Perhaps because her heart grew calm, her mood became quite good.

Lin Yao had barely spoken when a voice teased from the side, Han Wan’er stepping forward with a smile, as Lin Yao asked lightly: “What did Younger Sister Xin pray for?”

Han Wan’er chimed in with a playful glint: “She must have prayed for enduring harmony with her husband.”

Xin An pinched her forehead veil and smiled, answering with humor, as she thought to herself: [If two people both live long, is that not longevity together?] She glanced at Han Wan’er and added with a half-jest: “Young Madam Wei is keen-eyed; I imagine that is your wish as well, is it not?”

A lady in elegant dress sighed with frank envy and said with a laugh: “I truly envy Second Young Madam. I saw Second Young Master Tang personally escort you here today; it makes one admire you.”

The speaker was the young madam of the Zhang Family in the capital. The Zhangs produced military officers; most of the men in the clan were stationed afar. The residence was full of women and children. If one spoke of honor, the house was covered in honor; if one spoke of hardship, every woman there had tears she could not tell.