Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Tang Gang Who Knows How to Make People Lose Heart

In the eyes of Yan Shi Mao and the others, Tang Mo had changed greatly between before marriage and after, and they all guessed it was because of the stimulus on his wedding day. Of course, Xin An deserved much credit as well.

Yan Shi Mao stretched out his words in a half-whine and said: “Good food and fun, and you do not bring your brothers along. Ah well, who can blame you when sister-in-law is both lovely and virtuous? I cannot compete.”

The group burst into laughter again. Tang Mo did not talk back; he only grinned foolishly. Lin Yao laughed the loudest, and Xin An refused to concede. She said with a grin: “When it comes to coaxing Sister Lin, no one can beat Second Brother Yan. Look at that smile; it outshines the flowers.”

Lin Yao feigned outrage and said: “Well now, you have grown bold enough to tease me. Just wait until I deal with you.” She launched her tickling attack, and Xin An begged for mercy amid peals of bright laughter. Tang Mo and Yan Shi Mao watched the two women’s play and, using tea in place of wine, shared a cup.

By the time the four of them reached the Lakeside Pavilion, the last light of the sun was spread across the sky. The afterglow reflected on the lake, where gold danced on ripples that stole the breath away; even the birds skimming the water’s surface were gilded. Standing on the terrace and flicking his folding fan, Yan Shi Mao sighed that such a beautiful scene should exist in the capital.

He said with satisfaction: “The view is indeed beautiful today. This trip was not in vain.”

Tang Mo sat down smiling and said: “After we eat, we will take a boat. With strings and flutes accompanying us, it will be a delight.”

Yan Shi Mao cocked his head to tease him and said: “You say it so plainly. Are you not afraid sister-in-law will throw you a daggered look?”

Tang Mo laughed and said: “Her? She knows how to enjoy things even more than I do.”

Over the past two months he had watched Xin An savor the pleasures of life, and he did not think it a fault. On the contrary, he found it admirable, even enviable. Otherwise he would not, whenever he had a spare moment, invite her out to travel, sharing in the enjoyment together. As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Xin An. She was chatting and laughing with Lin Yao, and although he could not hear her words, he could feel her joy. The butterfly wings on her Butterfly-in-Love hairpin quivered with her laughter as if about to take flight. For a moment Tang Mo’s eyes blurred. [This woman has really been taking excellent care of herself; she looks a touch fuller, her complexion is superb with a rosy glow, and her skin seems so tender it could be pinched for water. One glance shows she is living a life of ease.]

Yan Shi Mao bent down and moved close to his ear to ask softly: “Pretty, isn’t she?”

Tang Mo nodded before he could stop himself and said: “Very.” The words were out before he came to his senses, and his ears turned scarlet. Yan Shi Mao teased him again, and when they finished laughing he tugged Tang Mo aside to ask about Tang Rong’s situation. Given their relationship, Tang Mo did not hide anything and spoke a few bitterly amused lines. Yan Shi Mao fumed: “Your old man’s favoritism is boundless.”

He added in a lower voice: “But the spicy rumors outside, about the old Grand Secretary and the Ministry of War’s vice minister, are lively these two days. Was that your old man’s doing or Tang Rong’s?”

Tang Mo said without hesitation: “I guess it was Tang Rong.”

He did not shy away from the topic and said: “My old man is cautious. He likes to speak and act circuitously and would not do anything so direct.” Under normal circumstances, Tang Rong would not either, for he had learned his father’s ways thoroughly. This time, however, he had been driven into a corner.

Yan Shi Mao clicked his tongue and said: “What a strange dog. Of all people not to bite, it had to bite him.” His eyes stayed on Tang Mo as he said it, but Tang Mo was already practiced. He said coolly: “An unlucky creature might attract dogs. Being bitten is one thing, but dragging me into it so that I became the butt of jokes as well is another.”

Many people sympathized with him then, but there were plenty who watched with amusement too. A man who was not valued by his own father was, to some, laughable.

Yan Shi Mao patted his shoulder and said: “Under the same roof, you have no share in the good things and cannot avoid the bad; it is the same for all of us.” Although Marquis Qin’s favoritism was not obvious, resources were finite and there would always be a tilt. Clearly, the favored one in Marquis Qin’s household was not him.

Tang Mo said with a smile: “Why talk about this with such fine scenery before us? Come, we must drink a few more cups tonight.”

Yan Shi Mao closed his fan and said wistfully: “When it comes to living well, you are the master. I find you have been doing better these past two months. This marriage is a good one; sister-in-law brings you luck.” He did not press further. Based on what he knew of Tang Mo, he was ten to one certain that Tang Rong’s two mishaps bore Tang Mo’s fingerprints. To have one’s wife snatched away is a hatred that cannot be swallowed, even if that wife was not the one you originally desired. A man must keep his face. [He decided to send someone to make quiet inquiries later, in case Second Younger Brother Tang’s people had been careless enough to leave a tail; he would erase it for him.]

The dishes arrived in succession. Xin An and Lin Yao sat down smiling, and the four raised their cups together. They said in unison: “To Second Younger Brother Tang and second sister-in-law, long-lasting harmony and a happy union.”

Tang Mo added with a laugh: “And to Second Brother Yan and sister-in-law, conjugal love and the music of zithers in tune.”

They concluded: “And to us brothers, of one heart, advancing hand in hand.” Laughing, they drained their cups in the enchanting night, trading amusing stories and smiling until their faces ached.

That night, upon returning to the residence, Tang Gang summoned Tang Mo to speak and asked with whom he had dined. When he learned it was Yan Shi Mao, he frowned and said: “Marquis Qin is admirable enough, but Yan Shi Mao is the second son and cannot inherit. As your father, I do not object to you associating with him, but if you want a smooth career, you must put some thought into your friendships. The Heir Apparent of Prince Cheng’s household is excellent in both letters and arms and is valued by His Majesty the Emperor. I have heard that your wife and his consort have some connection. You should devote more effort there.”

It was not that he especially valued Tang Mo now and wanted him to cultivate powerful connections; rather, if Tang Mo could link up with Prince Cheng’s household, Tang Rong could, by that same connection, link up as well. Brothers of one family did not distinguish themselves from one another; they should all think of the marquisate’s future.

[He disliked hearing his father belittle Yan Shi Mao.] He wanted to snap back, but he held himself in check, unwilling to let the wine he had drunk go to waste. He said evenly: “Your son will remember.”

Tang Gang was pleased with his compliance and then probed: “Your elder brother has suffered this calamity and will have many affairs delayed because of it. Fortunately, you now know how to make progress. This comforts your father.”

Tang Mo said: “Elder brother has been clever since childhood and is highly capable. This is only a matter of unlucky timing. Perhaps in a while it will pass. Father need not worry. As for me, I dare not dream of great achievements. It is enough if I do not trouble Father and do not bring shame upon the marquisate.”

Tang Gang scrutinized him, trying to read something in the slightest facial expression, but Tang Mo gave him no opening. He said: “If there is nothing else, Father, your son will take his leave. Xin An has twisted her ankle, and I am uneasy. I want to go back early and check on her.”

Tang Gang’s good mood vanished in an instant. He felt that Tang Mo was too focused on women and unfit for greater use. He said curtly: “Go.”

Tang Mo bowed and turned away. He was increasingly unwilling to be alone with his father. The man who had seemed towering and heroic in his childhood memories had crumbled without a trace. His father had little true ability, yet schemed all day, currying favor with this one and fawning on that one.

“What happened?” Xin An asked as she turned on her side in bed.

“Did he scold you again?”

More and more, Tang Mo did not bother to hide himself in front of Xin An. Hands on his hips, he sighed and repeated what Tang Gang had said. Perhaps because she had drunk two cups of wine, Xin An’s mind was particularly sharp. She said: “Tang Rong cannot build a connection with Prince Cheng’s household, so now he has set his sights on you. Most likely he is hoping that if you establish the link, Tang Rong can follow with the current. He is also testing whether you have any designs on the marquisate’s title.”

In her previous life she had fetched and carried too many times to curry favor with Li Yu Yan. Thinking back now was laughable. Only interest could move a person like Li Yu Yan. Would she ever lack someone to serve her tea?

Tang Mo did not know what to say. [His old father truly knew how to make people lose heart.]