Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Lin Yao Is Warmhearted

Among familiar people, Lin Yao was absolutely warmhearted; she muttered and murmured until she had spilled every last bit of gossip from several back courtyards, which made Xin An’s eyes shine as she took Lin Yao’s hand and said: “Sister Lin, dinner is on me tonight; let’s eat and then go home.”

Lin Yao said with interest: “All right. I’ve heard there is a Lakeside Pavilion that is quite good, but I have not been.”

Xin An laughed and said: “What a coincidence, I have, twice already.”

Lin Yao waggled her brows and asked: “Second Younger Brother Tang took you, didn’t he?” Then, casting her an exaggerated wink, she added: “Truly enviable.”

After the two finished teasing each other, they moved on to trade amusement and anecdotes. Nan Feng was sent to inform Tang Mo, and when he heard Xin An was about to run wild again, paired with the fun-loving and bold Lin Yao, Tang Mo thought that given time even the capital would be too small for them, and he also felt two women staying out late was not very safe. He instructed: “Tell the young madam that I will have someone arrange seats at the Lakeside Pavilion for her, and Brother Shi Mao and I will go as well this evening.”

Having said that, he sent Lai Lai to find Yan Shi Mao and to book the place, then he himself went to Tang Yong’s residence.

Tang Mo was now close with Tang Yong and liked to consult him when anything arose. He lacked a page; he had already gone to his mother about it, and Madam Wang was helping him make arrangements. Liu Chang’s background was still under investigation and could not be used for now. But he wanted more than just a page; he needed several people in other posts, and none of Madam Wang’s people met his requirements. Tang Yong not only had ties with officials but also ran businesses and naturally knew many people. Tang Yong said thoughtfully: “I will keep an eye out for you on this; do you need it urgently?”

Tang Mo replied: “Not especially urgent, but it cannot drag on too long either. You know it well, Second Uncle, the matters in my hands grow by the day and I need help to share the load.”

Since his nephew had opened his mouth, Tang Yong was bound to do his utmost: “Seven days. In seven days I can find exactly what you want.”

Tang Mo said sincerely: “Thank you, Second Uncle.”

Tang Yong waved him off with a smile and said: “There is no need to be polite between uncle and nephew.” He had grown ever fonder of this nephew and kept an ear out for his news; he naturally knew about the favoritism shown against him. He asked: “Is your elder brother’s injury any better?”

Tang Mo answered: “They say it has started to scab over.”

Tang Yong sighed and said: “His fortunes are simply poor for the moment. But I see an air of turning luck around you instead. You must seize it and not let other matters disturb your state of mind. Some things, if they are fated for you, will come to you; if they are not, do not force them. You have your mother, a considerate wife, and an appointment besides; you must cherish these.”

He worried that Tang Mo, in the vigor of youth, might do something irreparable in a fit of temper. Would that not be a waste of his future? Tang Mo nodded and said: “You are right, Second Uncle. I must cherish what I have.”

Tang Yong rose with a cheerful air and said: “Wait here a moment.” He hurried out and hurried back, handing a small casket to Tang Mo: “Take this. I came by it by chance a few days ago. It is useless to me except for idle appreciation, but if you take it, it might even help you accomplish something.”

Inside the casket lay a white jade flute, a rare masterpiece in both material and workmanship. Tang Mo admired it and said: “Such fine quality is scarce on the market. It cannot have been easy for you to obtain, Second Uncle.” He was truly moved. At first he had approached Tang Yong because Xin An had said Second Uncle was a man of deep feeling and he hoped to win him over, yet after spending time together he could genuinely feel his uncle’s care. He truly treated him like his own nephew.

Tang Yong laughed and waved a hand: “I stumbled across it; take it home. It would not be bad to please your wife with it.”

Tang Mo did not decline. He rose and bowed in heartfelt thanks, which pleased Tang Yong very much. Tang Yong asked with a grin: “Shall we dine together this evening?”

Tang Mo replied with a smile: “Tomorrow, if that is all right? I have an engagement tonight.”

Tang Yong said genially: “Very well. Uncle and nephew do not need to hurry it all into today.”

When Tang Mo left the main hall to depart, Madam You and Madam Gu both came forward with gifts. Madam You’s were for Madam Wang, and Madam Gu’s were for Xin An. Madam Gu said: “Nothing rare, just a little something for our younger sister-in-law to taste.”

Tang Mo grinned until his eyes curved and said: “I came empty-handed and now I am leaving with so much. When I get back, my mother will think I came to Second Uncle’s house to sack it.”

Tang Yong joked: “If you lack anything, come take it. Whatever your second uncle has, you may carry away.”

Madam You said: “Last time Xin An sent us some local specialties from the Huai region, all excellent things. We have not had a chance to thank her. Ask if she is free tomorrow and come dine with us.”

Tang Mo answered: “Tomorrow night then. I will bring her, and my elder cousin will be there too. It will be lively for everyone.”

[His heart went a little sour.] His father did not like him, yet his second uncle’s family treated him so well. It proved he was not entirely useless nor wholly unlikable.

Tang Yong said with unrestrained pleasure: “Settled then. There is also a jar of good wine at home. Tomorrow we will drink it.”

Tang Mo smiled and nodded again and again. He had come on horseback and it was inconvenient to carry the things away, so Tang Yong sent people to deliver the gifts directly to the marquis’s residence and said: “This saves you the trouble of carrying them.”

In excellent spirits, Tang Mo sprang lightly into the saddle and rode off with flair. Watching him go, Tang Yong praised him repeatedly and said to Madam You: “I find that boy has grown much leaner; he even has a light-as-a-swallow feel about him.”

Madam You laughed and said: “He looks more handsome than before. It shows that taking a wife makes a difference. To establish a family is to establish a career; the Old Ancestor was right.”

“So right,” Tang Yong agreed, and they turned back into the residence smiling.

Meanwhile, Tang Mo’s rare dash across the street on horseback was seen by Tang Gang and his colleagues. One of them laughed and said: “Marquis, that is your second young master, isn’t it? Truly handsome and refined.”

Another chimed in: “I saw him at the Water Blossom Banquet the other day, but how does he look a little different now?”

“He is different. He did not look as spirited then as he does now. I heard he performed extremely well in the Northern Garrison Army and won the favor of Liao Zhi.”

Hearing his colleagues, Tang Gang’s eyes smiled even as he kept a modest mouth: “That boy used to be unreliable. After marrying, he has shaped up a little. I only wonder how long he can keep it up.”

Someone seized the moment to flatter him and said: “You are fortunate, Marquis. Your Heir Apparent is already outstanding, a rare young man in the capital, and now your second son is beginning to shine as well. That is enviable.”

Another added: “Indeed. To have one outstanding son is the blessing of the ancestors. To have two is great fortune.”

One comment after another, the flattery almost made Tang Gang lose himself. His goodwill toward Tang Mo doubled, and he felt a certain sense of vindication.

Before the flattery was finished, Tang Mo had already reached Xin An. He first stepped forward with a smile to greet Lin Yao. Lin Yao laughed and said: “So you cannot be apart for even a moment; the instant you got the message, you came, right?”

Tang Mo said with a teasing smile: “If I had come a step later, you would have started envying Second Younger Brother Tang.”

Yan Shi Mao arrived only a step behind Tang Mo. Coming up, he smiled and said: “Long time no see. Second sister-in-law looks more radiant than ever.”

Xin An responded playfully: “I am merely keeping pace with Sister Lin.”

They sat laughing, and Lin Yao immediately brought up the Lakeside Pavilion: “I have said several times we should go but never went. Second Younger Brother Tang and second sister-in-law have already been twice. If we are talking about how to enjoy life, the two of them truly know better.”

Yan Shi Mao gave Tang Mo an up-and-down look with mock disgust and said: “If someone had said, before your wedding, that you would turn out like this, I would not have believed it even if I were beaten. Now…”