Chapter 141

Chapter 141: Grand Matron’s Thoughts

By the measure of ordinary women, Xin An’s current life might seem all too ordinary: the woman manages the inner court and the man struggles outside; husband and wife work as one, sharing wealth and facing hardship together. Yet to her, such days felt light and new each and every day.

Tang Mo was all contentment, even a little smug. After a few idle remarks, he asked why his father?in?law had not yet replied.

Xin An’s family letter had been sent out some time ago, which made the waiting more anxious. She calculated and said with patience: “By my reckoning, my father has only just received the letter. We should wait a little longer.”

She set aside the worry and suggested, brightening: “Instead of dwelling on that, why don’t we make another trip to the manor? Shouldn’t Prince Jin be returning soon?”

Tang Mo thought back and replied: “I remember it should be in winter, but your reminder is timely. We ought to take a look.”

“Have Steward Yang send over a few pots of jasmine,” Xin An said. “Truly, we have had no shortage of opportunities.”

The two of them smiled contentedly, each finding the other particularly pleasing to the eye. Even Meatball, waddling in circles at the doorway, looked especially adorable. Their good mood could not be shared by Tang Rong, who lay in bed unable to move. He could do nothing but stew in frustration and so showed Tao Yi Ran no pleasant face, even though she had been tending him with great care for the past two days.

Tang Rong tried to send her off gently: “Let the servants handle these things; you should rest.”

Tao Yi Ran set down the handkerchief and answered in earnest: “With Lord Rong injured, I am ill at ease. Let me do what I can.”

He did not insist, only sighed. “In a short time I have met with two accidents. This has never happened to me before.” [The implication was heavy.]

Tao Yi Ran’s heart gave a jolt; she feared he would think her inauspicious. She sought a safer explanation at once: “Perhaps someone is deliberately behind this.”

She reminded him softly: “Last time, did we not suspect it was someone competing with Lord Rong for an assignment at the Ministry of Rites? Might it be the same this time?”

Tang Rong grunted assent: “That is also possible.” Before he married, he had never met with mishaps. Since the wedding, there had been one impediment after another. [He felt as if some force were tugging him back, refusing to let him move forward. The feeling was subtle, and he could not grasp it.]

Tao Yi Ran comforted him: “Father has already ordered a thorough investigation. If we can be sure we will find the mastermind behind the scenes, Lord Rong may put his heart at ease.”

“After some days,” she added with solicitous care, “I would like to go to South Crossing Temple to pray for Lord Rong.”

Auntie Liu came in with medicine just in time to hear this. After Tang Rong had taken the dose, she gently broached another matter: the feng shui of Chun Hua Courtyard. “I heard this yard was originally meant for Second Young Master. Why not invite a master to have a look?” She had already heard the rumors outside and was anxious to detach Tao Yi Ran from blame. “Forgive this maidservant for speaking out of turn, but of late not only has the Heir Apparent had ill luck, even the young madam has had no peace. Everyone knows the Heir Apparent and the young madam are a gifted man and beautiful woman. Even if their Eight Characters were not matched before the wedding, it is obvious to any eye that they are an excellent pair. Talk of strange forces and spirits should not be believed wholesale, but neither can it be dismissed entire.”

Tao Yi Ran agreed readily, but Tang Rong lifted his hand to stop it: “Do not speak such words again. The marquis’s residence was bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor. When it was built, the Ministry of Works and the Astronomical Bureau jointly chose the site and set the plans. There cannot be a problem. If there really is a problem…” He did not finish the sentence, but the meaning was plain.

The family had lived in that residence for decades without incident. Was it that once Tao Yi Ran and Xin An arrived, the feng shui became defective? If the feng shui were truly at fault, why had nothing untoward happened to Tang Mo next door? In the end, it came back to this: Tang Rong had formed a prejudice against Tao Yi Ran.

Auntie Liu withdrew with an awkward smile. [In her heart, Tao Yi Ran blamed Auntie Liu; she had already brought up burning incense, and if not for Auntie Liu’s extra chatter, the matter would have passed smoothly.]

At that very moment, the Grand Matron was discussing the matter with Madam Wang. In her heart she had already decided that Tao Yi Ran did not prosper her husband. She proposed taking both Tao Yi Ran and Xin An to South Crossing Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings. It would also ease her own unease.

Madam Wang thought there was no need to be so elaborate and asked bluntly: “Is it necessary to take the second daughter?in?law as well? Would it not suffice to take only the elder daughter?in?law?”

The Grand Matron understood her reluctance, but replied with calm foresight: “If we take only the elder daughter?in?law, the outside rumors will sound all the harsher. We can only trouble the second daughter?in?law to make the trip as well.”

Madam Wang was displeased in her heart, and her face showed it a little. Still, she said smoothly: “Mother’s concerns are reasonable. In that case, let Mother make the decision.” She added, “There are still trifles in the household; this daughter?in?law will go see to them first,” and took her leave.

The Grand Matron nodded, but once Madam Wang was gone she let out a long sigh. Gan Lu hastened forward to comfort her: “Please do not worry yourself too much, madam; your health is most important.”

Since the management of the household accounts and provisions had been handed fully to Madam Wang, the Grand Matron had not been so anxious for a long time. She had seen with her own eyes how partial Tang Gang was. She knew Madam Wang nursed resentment. Even so, she could not help but say, voice thick with feeling: “I saw that child lying there with his skin torn and flesh turned, and my heart could not bear it. Since he was small he has been outstanding, excelling in everything, better than his father. Only a pity… he has been muddleheaded.”

Her eyes stung. “An outstanding child suffering one blow after another; how distressed must he feel.” She pressed her lips together. “Even if I have not heard the rumors with my own ears, I know they cannot be good. The boy may have been foolish in matters of men and women, but he does not deserve this.”

[She feared that the prime mover behind all this was the second child.] Although since his wedding Tang Mo had always worn a smiling face, what had happened on his wedding day was a deep humiliation for any man. The household had treated him unjustly; it was only natural that he would carry a grievance. If he had made a scene, that would have been one thing. But he had kept silent, and they had all pretended nothing had happened. [How could that not make one worry?]

“In the end, it is the boys’ father who is the most muddleheaded,” she said with a helpless shake of the head. When Tang Gang had publicly questioned Tang Mo, she had known immediately that things would not go well. She should have stood up at once to rebuke him, but she had been thinking only of Tang Rong’s health and missed her moment.

She could understand why Madam Wang held anger in her heart. Gan Lu, more optimistic by temperament, tried to reassure her: “The madam has not made a scene these past two days. I imagine she understands that the Marquis spoke in the heat of anger. The madam is lenient and treats the Heir Apparent well, sometimes better than she treats the second young master. When the Marquis is less busy, a few soft words will set things right.”

The Grand Matron shook her head. “You do not understand. If she had vented this anger early, it might have been fine. But to bottle it up like this will only bring harm.” Once a heart grows cold, it cannot warm again easily. The Marquis had handled the bride?swap too lightly; it had convinced no one. Madam Wang’s heart had chilled.

[The Grand Matron suspected that the whispers outside were not entirely free of Madam Wang’s handiwork.]

“I know she will dislike taking the second daughter?in?law to offer incense together,” the Grand Matron concluded, “but if we take only the elder, will that not confirm the rumors?” She gave her final instructions calmly: “If the marquis’s household stands well, then everyone in the household can stand well. Go to the storeroom and choose two fine items to send to the second daughter?in?law. That child is clever; she will understand the meaning. Send someone to wait in the front court; when the Marquis returns, tell him to come see me.”

Gan Lu tried once more to intercede: “The Heir Apparent has met with disaster, and the Marquis is run ragged. These past two days he has come home at midnight, exhausted to the bone. Please do not speak harshly to him at such a time.”

The Grand Matron’s reply was steady and cold: “If the rear court is on fire, what use is his capability outside?” She looked toward the door and said, each word heavy: “The way the residence stands today is all his fault.”