Chapter 132

Chapter 132: A Rarely Seen Good Mother-in-law

Xin An went to the Second Prince’s residence. From the moment she stepped out, Madam Wang had been worried, afraid she might say something amiss and offend the consort. When she learned that Xin An had returned, she hurriedly sent someone to invite her over.

The Second Prince’s Consort had given Xin An quite a few things; the fruit wine alone came in two small jars, and there were several trinkets from the palace. Madam Wang was surprised to see them, turned to Xin An, and asked: “Did the conversation go well?”

Xin An took a sip of tea and let out a long breath: “All went well, except…”

She said with deliberate casualness: “The Second Prince’s Consort seems very interested in my elder sister-in-law?”

[She said it on purpose.] The pleasure in Madam Wang’s eyes quickly faded. She waved the servants away and asked: “What is the matter?”

Setting down the cup, Xin An said: “At the Water Blossom Banquet, when the Second Prince’s Consort summoned me for the first time, she repeatedly brought up my elder sister-in-law. At the time I thought she was interested in the marriage exchange within the household.”

“Today when I saw her again, she was still interested. She pressed me on how Mother punished my elder sister-in-law. When she heard it was only confinement to quarters, she seemed dissatisfied and said Mother was too lenient. There was a trace of mockery when she spoke.”

“Mother, is there some past grievance between the Second Prince’s Consort and my elder sister-in-law?”

At that, Madam Wang suddenly saw things clearly. She still believed Xin An knew nothing, and for a moment did not know how to answer. She could only confirm again: “You are certain it was mockery?”

“It could not be otherwise.”

Giving a firm answer, Xin An added: “On the way back I thought it over carefully. At the Water Blossom Banquet my elder sister-in-law played the zither, and many people made cutting remarks. The Second Prince’s Consort looked delighted then.”

“These two times she met me, she asked how my elder sister-in-law was living in our marquisate. It did not sound like concern, more like she was waiting to watch a joke.”

Madam Wang sighed. Family shame should not be spread, yet Xin An was not an outsider, and if she left it unclear she feared Xin An would have no way to respond when she met the Second Prince’s Consort again. So she told the truth about Tao Yi Ran having once set her heart on the Second Prince.

Xin An made a show of sudden understanding: “No wonder. The Second Prince’s Consort is holding a grudge.”

“Only, I fear she will see me again in the future. How should I respond then?”

[She needed a stance. The Second Prince’s Consort speaks bluntly and presses hard with her questions; if Xin An offered nothing to please her, it could spoil matters. Of course, she would never be willing to safeguard Tao Yi Ran’s reputation.]

Madam Wang understood at once. After a brief consideration she told her: “It is rare that the Second Prince’s Consort enjoys speaking with you. This is your good fortune, so you should do your best to satisfy her.”

“If the marquisate’s reputation and your elder sister-in-law’s reputation cannot both be kept intact, then put the marquisate first.”

Xin An rose and offered a respectful curtsey: “Your daughter-in-law understands. I am young and may be lacking in many ways. If anything goes awry, please, Mother, help me think it through.”

“There is no need for such formality between mother and daughter,” Madam Wang said. She was pleased that her daughter-in-law had received the consort’s invitation. Thinking back on Xin An’s conduct these two months, she felt that in forging connections outside, the younger woman surpassed her, which was a good thing.

“I am getting on in years, and outside matters tire me. In future the social dealings will have to trouble you more,” she added.

“Go out without worry. You do not need to fret over household affairs. I have set aside a place for you to receive guests. Later, send your people to see what does not suit you, and change it as you see fit.”

It had to be said, Madam Wang as a mother-in-law thought things through thoroughly. For a time she was indeed a rarely seen good mother-in-law in the capital.

“Many thanks, Mother,” Xin An said.

On the way back to Qiu Shi Courtyard, Xin An felt light as air. With Tang Mo and her mother-in-law beside her, her days now were far easier than in her previous life.

As soon as she entered Qiu Shi Courtyard, Chun Lv and the others came forward warmly. Tea had already been prepared before she even stepped inside. Sitting before the dressing mirror, she let Chun Lv remove her hairpins and rings, add a few light and lovely velvet flowers, and change her into a simple home dress. Only then did she recline comfortably on the beauty couch. Fang Xiao Xiao stepped up to knead her legs. She had studied medicine and naturally knew the acupoints; her massage was wonderfully comfortable. One could say the days were exceptionally pleasant.

“Xiao Xiao, are you settling in?” Xin An asked.

Beaming, Fang Xiao Xiao nodded: “When I saw Auntie Wang I felt at ease. Most people in this courtyard are familiar faces. It is just like being back in Huaijiang.”

Seeing her calm, Xin An said: “Since you are used to it, settle your heart here. Do not concern yourself with matters outside for now. You cannot eat hot tofu in a hurry, everything calls for a gradual approach, do you understand?”

The Fang family in the capital was not a great house in the eyes of the marquisate, but in the eyes of ordinary folk it had considerable assets. When Fang Da’s family was driven out back then, Fang Xiao Xiao was already old enough to remember. With Fang Da’s return this time, he likely wanted revenge besides helping her. [Revenge should of course be taken, but she hoped this father and daughter would have a solid plan and not rush.]

Fang Xiao Xiao’s hands paused for a moment, then she nodded. Xin An closed her eyes for a brief rest, and the room grew quiet.

That evening, Er Shan came back limping behind Tang Mo. Xia’er, wiping her tears, hurried over to support him, thinking he had been beaten. Tang Mo laughed and said: “This youngster went with me to a martial hall. He followed along, flailing a bit yet with some form. I thought he was not bad, so I told him to stay on for martial training.”

Er Shan had already passed the age for basic training. His bones were set and hard. After a few pointers today he felt half his life had been taken, but his spirits were high. Grinning foolishly, he kowtowed to Xin An and said: “Second Young Madam, Second Young Master told this humble one to go to the martial hall tomorrow to learn martial arts. This humble one… this humble one…”

He had not finished before he burst into tears. The half-grown boy wiped at his cheeks, looking pitiful: “This humble one will certainly study hard, and when I master it I will come back to protect Second Young Master and Second Young Madam.”

Learning martial arts cost more than schooling. The young master was paying to send him to acquire a skill, and once learned it would serve him for a lifetime. “The great kindness of the young master and Second Young Madam, this humble one… this humble one… boo hoo…” he sobbed.

Beside him, Xia’er also began to weep. The cousins had suffered much before coming to this day. In the marquisate they not only lived and ate well, they dressed decently too. Every day was better than New Year in the past. The elder girls in the courtyard were teaching her to read. Now her cousin had such a good opportunity.

Brother and sister tried to outcry each other. Smiling, Xin An stepped forward and said: “Do not cry. Learning martial arts means eating bitterness. You are a bit older, which means you must endure even more. Save your tears for later when you will really need them.”

Rubbing at his face with his sleeve, Er Shan was a little embarrassed. He had not meant to cry; the tears had slipped out. “Second Young Madam, this humble one is not afraid of hardship,” he said.

“Go learn well,” Xin An told him. “Your Second Young Master places great hopes on you and is waiting for you to return skilled and ready for big tasks.”

“Xiao Xiao,” Xin An called.

Before Xin An could continue, Fang Xiao Xiao spoke up on her own, correcting herself mid-address with a laugh: “Auntie… Young Madam, be at ease. I will see to the medicine for Brother Er Shan’s bruises and strains. I guarantee it will be arranged properly.”

Er Shan turned his head and said foolishly: “There is medicine too?”

Covering her mouth as she laughed, Xiao Xiao said: “Listen to you. Where is there martial training without injuries? No medicine, just tough it out?”

Er Shan was moved all over again. How had he been blessed enough to meet the young master and the Second Young Madam?

Thinking back on the beginning, he even smiled. This good life had been something he had schemed hard to win. “Miss Xiao Xiao, thank you,” he said.

Under the eaves, Tang Mo lounged with his legs crossed, sipping tea: “Hurry and say more nice words to Miss Xiao Xiao, get her to prepare medicine for you right now, or else how will you even get out of bed tomorrow morning?”

Er Shan flushed with further embarrassment. Chun Yang and the others tittered, and Xiao Xiao laughed the hardest.

Everyone was laughing, only Lai Lai felt like crying. The young master was growing ever more ambitious, and the affairs to be handled were increasing. It had been hard enough for Er Shan to arrive and share the load, and now he was going off to train. In future, waking the young master would be him, serving would be him, driving the carriage would be him, running errands would be him, everything would be him…