Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Auntie Cai Returns in Force

Madam Wang smiled faintly; as Xin An had said, Tang Gang was not an especially cruel man. Overall her days had been decent. Although he had clawed away her dowry, she had still managed to take plenty of advantage from the household funds in her hands, and Tang Gang had never bothered with the internal affairs of the residence, much less interfered.

[To speak plainly, she and Tang Gang were much the same, neither of them good people, and neither nobler than the other.]

[If it were only herself, she could have muddled along; she could not get a divorce anyway. But he was so harsh to her own son. She was a mother, how could she look the other way?]

Xin An spoke gently: “You cannot have both fish and bear’s paw, we must all be more open. Now that my lord is motivated, his head is full of earning merit to bring honor to Mother. If he knew you were so heartsick for his sake, how could he be at ease?”

“As a mother you care most about your son,” Xin An sighed: “Husband came back to our room last night and brooded for a long time, he did not sleep in the middle of the night. He said he was useless and had made Mother worry.”

“Mother, my husband and I cannot do without your care. If anything were to happen to you, how hard our days would become.”

[We cannot let Tang Gang keep pushing us away,] Xin An judged inwardly. [The more Madam Wang and Tang Mo oppose him, the more he will think only Tang Rong is good. That would make Tang Mo’s road even harder.]

The wind disordered the wisps at Madam Wang’s temples. She did not mind it; she simply stared at Xin An without blinking, as if to see her through.

Xin An, meeting that look, asked softly: “Mother, why are you looking at me like that?”

Madam Wang’s gaze made Xin An’s heart prickle. [A daughter-in-law speaking this frankly to her mother-in-law verges on a taboo; will Madam Wang take offense?] She felt uncertain.

Madam Wang answered only: “I am a little surprised.”

[Most women at this age think of nothing beyond clothes and jewelry, or their husband’s affection. Yet my daughter-in-law thinks of these matters.]

[A woman living a happy life would not understand such principles.]

Xin An did not flinch: “You know, Mother, my natal family all do business. What we prize is harmony that brings wealth and the maximization of benefit.”

Madam Wang’s expression eased; if that was the background, it made sense.

[At this moment her mind cleared: since fury was useless and she could not very well kill Tang Gang and Tang Rong, she might as well grasp for advantages. For now, the marquisate truly could not do without Tang Gang.]

Xin An added with a small smile: “It is best if you do not blame me for speaking out of turn, Mother.”

[All of this, Xin An had traded her life for in her previous lifetime. Had she understood earlier, she would not have met that end.]

Madam Wang replied with feeling: “You are willing to speak to me of these things, and I am grateful. How could I blame you?”

[She still worried silently for her own son. With a daughter-in-law this clever, if that boy dared to act muddleheaded, who knew how he would be handled.]

The two, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, exchanged a smile, then chatted about the lotus pond before them, at ease and unhurried.

At that very time, Tao Yi Ran looked unwell. She had been needled by Xin An’s words the moment she stepped out the door, and after the sutra lecture the Grand Matron had even invited the abbot to read her face. He said her recent fortunes would be unfavorable; she understood the hidden meaning, that he thought she clashed with Tang Rong. She also understood the Grand Matron’s purpose in bringing her to offer incense today.

It was fortunate the abbot had said nothing directly harmful to her, but anger still surged in her chest. Before marrying into the marquisate she had gone smoothly in all things. In both talent and reputation she was second to none in the city, yet now, without having done anything, her name had suffered. [Could she not say, then, that it was Tang Rong who clashed with her?]

[Thinking further, with her looks and talent, marrying into the marquisate was already a concession. Luckily she had exchanged husbands, which soothed her some, only for them to treat her like this.]

With a belly full of resentment she would not even support the Grand Matron by the arm, and the Grand Matron did not speak to her either. From afar Madam Wang and Xin An saw them approaching and rose to greet them. By now it was nearly midday. Xin An had originally had a vegetarian meal prepared; the plan had been to return only after eating, but Tao Yi Ran said she worried for Tang Rong.

She said with a show of concern: “We have been out for half a day, and I am uneasy. He was injured so badly, how can he be left without care at his side? Grandmother, Mother, please stay here to dine, I will go back first.”

The way she put it made it sound as if those who stayed to eat did not worry for Tang Rong. The Grand Matron no longer had any appetite: “Then let us return first.”

[Speechless, Xin An thought of the vegetarian meal already paid for; to say they would leave now was wasteful. She had money, but not to be thrown away like this.]

Yet the Grand Matron had spoken, and Madam Wang had to go as well. Xin An could only send someone to inform the temple that the meal would not be eaten, and the money would be considered an offering.

The four rode back in silence. As soon as they stepped through the gate, they saw Auntie Cai leading two maids from Chun Hua Courtyard waiting for them. On seeing the Grand Matron and Madam Wang, she hurried forward to kowtow.

Madam Wang, curious, asked with a lift of her brows: “Did you not leave the residence for family matters, Auntie Cai?”

Auntie Cai bowed and answered respectfully: “In reply to Madam, the affairs at this old servant’s home have been settled. I heard that the Heir Apparent was wounded and returned to pay respects. The Heir Apparent decided to keep this old servant to serve by his side again.”

The Grand Matron nodded with satisfaction. Chun Hua Courtyard could not do without a stewarding matron. Tao Yi Ran acted without method, and the people around her were unlikely to be better. Auntie Cai was an old hand of the residence and far preferable to members of the Tao family.

The Grand Matron instructed evenly: “Since you have returned, serve the Heir Apparent well and see that he recovers quickly.”

“Also take charge of all matters in the courtyard. Do not let the Heir Apparent, who serves outside, worry over the household as well.”

These words gave Tao Yi Ran not a shred of face. Auntie Cai saluted and said: “The Heir Apparent learned that Grand Matron went out today to offer incense for his sake. He is grateful and full of remorse, saying Grand Matron should not be made to toil over him. He specifically instructed this old servant to wait here, to escort Grand Matron back to Chun Rong Hall, and to return only after seeing with my own eyes that Grand Matron is well.”

“He also thanks Madam and the Second Young Madam for running about on his behalf. The Heir Apparent says that when he is better he will bow in person to express his gratitude.”

The Grand Matron’s heart eased greatly. Madam Wang and Xin An traded a quick glance. [Without Auntie Cai, a courtyard is like a blind man. With only a little maneuvering, outsiders can be kept from sending in news so that everything looks fine. And yet here she was, back. Tang Rong is indeed not easy to deal with.]

Madam Wang cast a look at Tao Yi Ran, then said to Auntie Cai: “Without a steady person in Chun Hua Courtyard, I have long been uneasy. Now that you have returned, I am much relieved. The Heir Apparent’s injuries must be tended with extra care. Serve him with meticulous attention, and do not allow the slightest mishap.”

“You are a veteran of this household and the one who raised the Heir Apparent. The Heir Apparent trusts you. You must live up to that trust.”

Auntie Cai bowed her head in assent, then supported the Grand Matron as they headed toward Chun Rong Hall. Madam Wang turned her head and told Xin An and Tao Yi Ran: “You have both toiled half the day. Go back and rest.”

The two offered formal bows and took the same path back to their quarters. On the way, Xin An smiled and offered congratulations to Tao Yi Ran: “With Auntie Cai back, Elder Sister-in-law can relax considerably. When you have time you can play the zither and paint, what a happy thing.”

At that moment Tao Yi Ran had no mood to spar with Xin An. [How had Auntie Cai returned, and she not know a thing?]