Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Auntie Cai Returns in Force

Madam Wang smiled faintly. As Xin An had said, Tang Gang was not an especially cruel man. On the whole her days had not been bad. Although he had clawed away her dowry, she had still pocketed plenty of benefits from managing the household purse, and Tang Gang neither inquired into nor interfered with the running of the residence.

She and Tang Gang were much the same; neither was any better than the other.

If it were only about herself, she could have muddled through such days; after all, she could not afford a separation. But he was so harsh to her son. She was his mother, how could she look the other way? [I can swallow grievances aimed at me, but I cannot watch my son be mistreated.]

Xin An spoke gently, “You cannot have both fish and bear’s paw; we must learn to let go. Now that my husband is striving forward, his whole mind is set on making military merit and bringing honor to you. If he knew you were this heartsick because of him, how could he be at ease?”

As a mother, what one cares about most is one’s son. Xin An sighed softly, “Husband was still fretting after he returned to our room last night. He lay awake in the middle of the night, saying he was useless for making Mother worry.”

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

Tang Gang could not be allowed to keep pushing outward. The more Madam Wang and Tang Mo contradicted him, the more he would feel that Tang Rong was the better choice. If so, the road ahead for Tang Mo would become all the more difficult.

A breeze lifted the hair at Madam Wang’s temples. She ignored it, staring at Xin An without blinking, as if she meant to see through her.

Xin An’s heart tightened under that gaze, and she asked with a steady smile, “Mother, why are you looking at me like this?”

Madam Wang’s look unsettled her. A daughter-in-law speaking in this manner to her mother-in-law bordered on taboo; she could not be sure whether Madam Wang would take offense.

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

Most women at this age thought of little beyond clothing and jewelry, or their husbands’ affection. Yet her daughter-in-law was thinking of matters like these. A woman who lived happily would never understand such principles.

Xin An did not panic in the least, “Mother knows my natal family are merchants. We prize harmony that brings wealth and the pursuit of the greatest possible benefit.”

Madam Wang’s expression eased. If so, it made sense.

In that moment her heart cleared. Since anger was useless, and she could neither kill Tang Gang nor Tang Rong, then she could only seize the advantages at hand. For now, the marquisate truly could not do without Tang Gang.

Xin An inclined her head and said serenely, “I am glad Mother does not blame me for speaking out of turn.”

[Everything I am saying was bought with my life in my last life. Had I understood these truths sooner, I would not have come to such an end.]

Madam Wang replied with real warmth, “You are willing to say these things to me, and I am grateful. How could I blame you.”

Inwardly she still worried for her son. With a daughter-in-law this clever, if that boy dared act foolishly, [who knows how thoroughly he would be brought to heel.]

The two exchanged a smile, then began talking idly of the lotus pond before them, unhurried and at ease.

At that very hour, Tao Yi Ran’s expression was far from good. She had been needled by Xin An’s words the moment they left the residence. After the abbot’s sutra lecture, the Grand Matron even invited the abbot to read her face. He said that her luck would be poor in the near future, and she understood the implication: they thought she was jinxing Tang Rong. She also understood why the Grand Matron had asked her along to burn incense today.

Though the abbot had said nothing directly disadvantageous to her, anger still surged in her chest. Before marrying into the marquis’s household she had sailed smoothly, her talent and reputation second to none in the city. Now her name was damaged when she had done nothing at all. [If they can say I jinx Tang Rong, then by the same token I could say Tang Rong has jinxed me.] Thinking again on it, with her looks and talents, marrying into the marquis’s household had already been a concession. It was only by switching husbands that she had been able to make peace with it, yet he still treated her like this.

Sour at heart, she would not offer an arm to the Grand Matron, and the Grand Matron did not speak to her either. From a distance, Madam Wang and Xin An saw them approaching and rose to greet them. It was nearly noon. Xin An had ordered a vegetarian meal to be prepared; the plan had been to eat at the temple before returning. But Tao Yi Ran said she was worried for Tang Rong.

She spoke with earnest face, “We have been out half a day, and I cannot set my mind at ease. With such a serious injury, how can he have no one at his side? Grandmother, Mother, please stay and eat here. I will return ahead.”

This made it sound as if those who remained to eat did not worry about Tang Rong. The Grand Matron no longer had any appetite, and she said curtly, “In that case, we shall return at once.”

Xin An was speechless. The silver for the vegetarian meal had already been paid. She had money, but not to be wasted this way. Yet since the Grand Matron had spoken, Madam Wang had to leave as well, and Xin An could only send someone to inform the temple that they would not be eating. The silver could be counted as an offering of incense.

The four rode back in silence. As soon as they entered the gate, they saw Auntie Cai waiting with two maids from Chun Hua Courtyard. Seeing the Grand Matron and Madam Wang, she went forward and kowtowed quickly.

Madam Wang asked in surprise, “Auntie Cai, had you not gone out of the residence to tend to family affairs?”

Auntie Cai bowed and answered, “Madam, this old servant has now resolved everything at home. When I learned that the Heir Apparent was injured, I returned to pay my respects and was retained by the Heir Apparent to continue serving at his side.”

The Grand Matron nodded with satisfaction. Chun Hua Courtyard could not do without a managing matron. Tao Yi Ran did not yet act by any rule, and those around her would likely be no better. Auntie Cai was an old retainer of the household and far preferable to people from the Tao family.

She instructed briskly, “Since you have returned, then serve the Heir Apparent well so he may recover early. Also take charge of all matters in the courtyard. Do not let the Heir Apparent worry about the household while he serves outside.”

This gave Tao Yi Ran not the slightest face. Auntie Cai saluted respectfully and relayed, “The Heir Apparent learned that the Grand Matron went out today to burn incense and pray for blessings. He is grateful and full of remorse, saying it is wrong for his affairs to trouble the Grand Matron. He specifically ordered this old servant to wait here and escort the Grand Matron back to Chun Rong Hall, and to return only after I saw with my own eyes that the Grand Matron was well. He also thanks Madam and the Second Young Madam for running about for his sake, and says that once he recovers he will personally bow to give thanks.”

The Grand Matron felt greatly comforted. Madam Wang and Xin An exchanged a quick glance. Without Auntie Cai, a courtyard was like a blind man; with the slightest maneuver one could cut off all outside news and make everything seem fine. Yet Auntie Cai had returned. Tang Rong was indeed not easy to handle.

Madam Wang cast a brief look at Tao Yi Ran, then said to Auntie Cai, “I have long been uneasy for Chun Hua Courtyard with no steady hand in charge. Now that you are back, I am relieved. The Heir Apparent’s injuries must be tended with special care. You must be worthy of the trust he places in you.”

“You are an old servant of the household and the one who helped raise the Heir Apparent. He trusts you. You must live up to that trust.”

Auntie Cai lowered her head and agreed, then took the Grand Matron’s arm to lead her toward Chun Rong Hall. Madam Wang turned and said to Xin An and Tao Yi Ran, “You two have toiled half the day. Go back and rest.”

The two offered formal salutes and set off along the same path. On the way, Xin An smiled and offered congratulations, “With Auntie Cai back, Elder Sister-in-law will have a much easier time. When you are idle you can play the qin and paint. What a fine thing.”

At this moment Tao Yi Ran had no mood to spar with Xin An. How had Auntie Cai managed to return without her knowing the least bit about it?