Chapter 149

Chapter 149: The Battle Begins at Chun Hua Courtyard

Thinking over the past two days, Tao Yi Ran could only recall that yesterday Concubine Yue had time alone with Tang Rong. She therefore suspected that Concubine Yue had urged Tang Rong to invite Auntie Cai back. She had no idea that it was she herself who had made Tang Rong resolve to summon Auntie Cai.

A clandestine meeting with Tang Mo at night was one matter. Beyond that, Tang Rong had discovered she had not even guessed why the Grand Matron wished to burn incense, and in her words there was even displeasure toward Xin An. As for why Xin An had gone as well, Tang Rong felt that hardly required thought to understand. Setting aside all her ornamental talents, she had none of Xin An’s shrewdness.

They had entered the residence on the same day, yet the other woman was flourishing, even visiting the Second Prince’s estate. Tao Yi Ran remained trapped within her courtyard, struggling with every step and suffering damaged reputation. She had no countermeasures and even set her thoughts on Tang Mo, leaving the man who ought to be lying flat with his wounds to worry about everything. Under such circumstances, Auntie Cai’s return was imperative.

All the way back she said nothing, her expression grave. Anyone could guess she was thinking through countermeasures.

Xin An also fell silent, pondering how to make something of Auntie Cai’s return. In her previous life the old woman had tormented and humiliated her; how could she not repay the debt? [A dog-eat-dog show is worth watching.]

At the gate of Qiu Shi Courtyard, Auntie Liu appeared with a dark face and anxious air to usher Tao Yi Ran inside. Xin An sauntered in at her own pace, and Nan Feng quickly told her the broad strokes.

Xin An raised a brow and asked, “Concubine Yue?”

Nan Feng nodded and spoke in a low voice, “When Auntie Cai left, she gave the fifty taels of silver the Heir Apparent had given her to Concubine Yue. Yesterday Concubine Yue mentioned Auntie Cai to the Heir Apparent. Now that Auntie Cai has returned, the old retainers in Chun Hua Courtyard are delighted, but the Tao family servants feel choked and have already begun grumbling in private. What is more, Auntie Cai summoned the entire courtyard the moment she came back and lectured them severely.”

Chun Yang and Chun Lv were serving at the side. Hearing this, Chun Yang said with interest, “It looks like the courtyard next door is going to be lively.”

Nan Feng’s lips curved, “Auntie Cai is back in force, and Auntie Liu is no soft persimmon. Lively it will be.”

Xin An glanced at Nan Feng and felt she was maturing. Not only did she do her tasks well, her mind was growing nimble. With a bit more training she would become the most capable of aides. [All the more satisfying, since she was a windfall.]

She reminded them, “Keep such talk inside these rooms. Auntie Cai is an old hand of the household and knows much. Nan Feng, be more cautious from now on.”

She added orders, “Auntie Wang, tell everyone in the courtyard that once they step outside our gate, they are to keep their mouths shut.”

Auntie Wang nodded, then added in a firm tone, “We in Qiu Shi Courtyard will not be the ones to start trouble. But if the lot across the way do not know their place, then even if Auntie Cai herself comes, it will be useless.”

Xin An laughed, “It is rare to hear such force from you, Auntie Wang.”

Auntie Wang cleared her throat and patted at dust that did not exist on her clothes, then said offhandedly, “I may not be as formidable as Auntie Cai, but if anyone wants to bully Young Madam, that will not do.”

As old attendants who served their masters, was she truly inferior to Auntie Cai or Auntie Liu?

Everyone in the room laughed. Chun Yang and Chun Lv chimed in that Auntie Wang was their second backbone, leading them to charge wherever she pointed.

The laughter drifted out to the yard. Several servants sweeping the courtyard were envious. A master who was broad-minded and generous was their good fortune, and if only they could serve inside the room, that would be better still.

In contrast to the lively Qiu Shi Courtyard, the atmosphere in Chun Hua Courtyard was strange. Tao Yi Ran’s people were displeased and anxious, while the old retainers of the household were cheery. The two sides even traded a round of daggered looks.

Having thought things through, Tao Yi Ran did not cry before Tang Rong this time. Instead she took the initiative to yield a step. In front of him she told Auntie Liu to hand over all duties in the courtyard to Auntie Cai, then said coolly, “Auntie Cai is an old hand of the household and is seasoned in her work. You must study attentively.”

Auntie Liu answered respectfully, her face showing not a trace of unwillingness. Only then did Tang Rong nod. He felt Tao Yi Ran was at least sensible and asked, “Did the incense offering go smoothly?”

She replied, “Grandmother’s people made advance arrangements, so everything was smooth. We had planned to eat the vegetarian meal at the temple, but I was thinking of Lord Rong, so we came back early. Are you feeling better?”

Tang Rong said, “Much better.”

After the first two days of tugging pain, the wound had reached the stage where new flesh grew and itched. It was painful and itchy both, and he could neither scratch nor writhe around on the bed without losing all composure. The feeling was truly unpleasant.

Tao Yi Ran could not understand. After two perfunctory sentences, she began to serve Tang Rong his meal. Before long, Auntie Cai returned. Seeing this scene, she was satisfied. When Tang Rong finished eating, she smiled and said, “Young Madam has toiled for half a day; please go next door and take your meal, and do not overtire yourself.”

Tao Yi Ran did not wish to go. She was certain Auntie Cai meant to tell Tang Rong something. But he also told her to go eat, and she could not remain.

Once outside, she wanted to send someone to listen at the wall. Auntie Liu said with difficulty that the courtyard had already split into two factions watching each other, and it would be hard to act. Tao Yi Ran’s brows drew together. “We still need to think of a way to ask her to leave.”

“It will not be easy,” Auntie Liu sighed. For the moment she had no idea either. Tao Yi Ran sat slowly, thought a while, then beckoned Auntie Liu close. After a brief whispering, Auntie Liu’s eyes lit up. “Be at ease, Young Madam. This afternoon I will find an opportunity to go back to the Tao family.”

Tao Yi Ran intended to strike through Auntie Cai’s family, which naturally would require the Tao family’s help.

She said calmly, “Set the meal.”

Auntie Liu answered, “Ai.”

With a plan in mind, both mistress and servant felt steadier. Auntie Liu gave the order for the dishes to be brought in as if nothing at all had been affected by Auntie Cai’s return.

In the bedchamber, Auntie Cai was reporting to Tang Rong about the day’s events. She said, “Gan Lu by the Grand Matron’s side sent word yesterday to the Second Young Madam. The Second Young Madam quickly dispatched people to South Crossing Temple to make arrangements in advance, and she also ordered a vegetarian meal for today. The Grand Matron also meant to return after the meal. It was the Young Madam who, worrying about the Heir Apparent’s wound, asked to return early, and only then did the Grand Matron say they would come back together. The Second Young Madam said the silver for the meal could be counted as an offering of incense.”

Having been allowed to return to service, Auntie Cai was far more cautious now, her attitude no longer as overbearing as before. Her aim was to become once again the most capable person at Tang Rong’s side, then slowly settle accounts with Tao Yi Ran. Their mutual enmity had been sealed the moment she was driven out of the residence.

Tang Rong’s brows drew together slightly, yet he did not speak ill of Tao Yi Ran in front of Auntie Cai. He only asked, “What do you think?”

Auntie Cai bowed, “The Young Madam worries for the Heir Apparent, and the Old Madam is a considerate person. I only fear the Second Young Madam may be displeased. She went to some trouble to arrange the matter, after all.”

Tang Rong drew a long breath and said, “Where the Young Madam is not thorough, you must remind her more in the future.”

“Yes,” she answered.

He turned his head toward her. “To have you take up duty again as soon as you return is hard on you. Go down and rest.”

“Being able to serve the Heir Apparent again is this old servant’s good fortune. Even if it is hard, I am happy,” Auntie Cai replied.

Tang Rong smiled faintly. After she reminded him of two small matters, she withdrew. He closed his eyes. His fingertips could not help wanting to touch the wound, but he forced himself to hold back.