Chapter 170

Chapter 170: The Grand Matron in a Fury

Tang Rong wiped his face, and when he noticed a sheen of oil on his fingertips, he stepped before the mirror and immediately wanted to die from mortification. The face he took pride in looked a bit greasy. Fortunately, if he ate less he could slim down, so he was not overly worried.

What truly set his temper ablaze was Tao Yi Ran. He clenched his fists so hard his knuckles whitened, anger blazing in his eyes. Never mind that Tao Yi Ran was his wife; even a dog at his side could not be treated like that.

He murmured under his breath, eyes slowly filling with venom: “Crown Prince, Crown Princess…”

In Qiu Shi Courtyard, Xin An waited until Tang Mo fell asleep before finally exhaling in relief. They were lucky; tonight Tang Mo had not gone on a drunken rampage.

She had thought a day of exhaustion would bring quick sleep, yet she kept her eyes open past midnight, sorting through the day’s events in her mind. Only then did she drift off. When she woke again, it was already dawn, and Tang Mo had left for duty.

Chun Yang and Chun Lv entered to attend her. Thinking that today they would likely have to go to the front courtyard and confront the Tao Family, Xin An’s eyes grew a shade more excited.

She said, “I am not going out today; keep the hair bun simple.”

Nan Feng came in, paid her respects, and asked: “Shall we switch to autumn powders? I can have the powder-shop owners in the city send in their wares for you to choose from.”

Xin An replied, “When I have time I will go out and look for myself; no need to send.”

Then she remembered that her mother was likely preparing her younger brother’s wedding just now, so she added: “Have the shopkeeper of the cloth shop select some fine bolts and bring them over.”

She had to give her younger brother backing and face.

A maid announced, “Young Madam, Auntie Ganlu from the Grand Matron has arrived.”

The Grand Matron was sending gifts to Xin An again. Ever since she learned that Tang Gang and his son Tang Mo had drunk together in the manor, and that their father-son relationship seemed to be breaking through the clouds into clarity, she had been delighted. After Gan Lu inquired carefully into the process, her regard for Xin An only grew.

Just yesterday afternoon, people from the Empress Dowager’s Palace had sent the Grand Matron several bolts of fabric, and today she sent one to Xin An.

Auntie Ganlu said: “This was delivered yesterday by someone from the Empress Dowager’s side. The Grand Matron said this bolt’s color is bright and suits the Second Young Madam, so I brought it early.”

The color of the fabric was like the red maples of autumn. Both its color and its texture were of the highest grade. Xin An liked it very much. She lifted it and held it against herself, saying: “This fabric is truly wonderful. Quickly, look, does it suit me?”

The maids chimed in: “It looks lovely; it is perfectly seasonal.” “Second Young Madam will look even more radiant wearing it.” “The Grand Matron has such an eye. This material looks both vivid and dignified.”

After their chorus of praise, Xin An was happy, and so was Auntie Ganlu. Placing the fabric down, Gan Lu urged that it be made into a new dress without delay: “In a few days we will attend the autumn banquet; wear this.”

Fabric worthy of being sent to the Empress Dowager was one in a thousand. In her previous life, if she had received such fine material, she would have locked it away at the bottom of a chest, only for it very likely to end up in Tao Yi Ran’s hands in the end.

In this life, she lived by [enjoy blessings in time], lest others profit for nothing. Such fine fabric naturally should be worn as soon as possible.

Xin An asked, “Auntie Ganlu, has Grandmother eaten breakfast yet?”

Gan Lu smiled and said: “The Grand Matron knew the Second Young Madam would come, so she specially ordered the meal to be set only after you arrived.”

Xin An laughed, “I knew Grandmother dotes on me.”

She left with Gan Lu, thinking as she walked: [The Grand Matron understands everything in the manor. But people of her age seek a harmonious household. In the past, when my mother-in-law and Tang Mo suffered grievances, it was not that she did not know. It was only that, since those involved did not make a fuss, she pretended not to know to preserve the appearance of peace. Now that people have made a fuss, she begins to make amends, still aiming for family harmony.]

One could not say the Grand Matron was wrong. After all, even if Xin An herself sat in the Grand Matron’s place, she could not guarantee she would do better.

At the table, the Grand Matron remained as kindly as ever, and Xin An, as usual, coaxed her into smiles. Grandmother and granddaughter were wonderfully at ease.

After breakfast in Chun Rong Hall, Madam Wang arrived. With only a couple of simple sentences she dismissed Xin An, then recounted last night’s events to the Grand Matron.

“The Marquis’s view is that since she returned on her own, we will not fetch her back; she should be taught a lesson.”

“We will not yield to the Tao Family either. The eldest daughter-in-law is truly muddle-headed.”

The Grand Matron erupted in anger, yet not because of Tao Yi Ran.

“How many years has your father been gone, and already a single Crown Princess can humiliate a member of our marquisate like this?”

If a mere Crown Princess dared so much, what would she do were she to sit even higher?

The Grand Matron had always treated sheltering the marquisate as her responsibility, because on his deathbed the Old Master charged her to live well. As long as she drew breath, the Old Master’s glory would remain, and no outsider would be allowed to insult it.

Madam Wang offered repeated words of comfort, but the Grand Matron would not be swayed. She instructed Gan Lu to send a visiting card into the palace; she would go pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

“If, after suffering such humiliation, our marquisate remains unmoved, we will be a laughingstock. From then on, our standing in the capital will plummet.”

“If people of the Tao Family come, say this is my decision: the Tao Family’s daughter is not one our marquisate can afford. Since she went back to her parents’ home of her own accord, she must not return. If she truly wishes to come back, then demote the wife to concubine. The Heir Apparent of our Marquis of Wei Yuan should be matched with a better woman.”

The Grand Matron’s fury was fierce. She and the Old Master had been married many years. Though he had sired a concubine-born son behind her back, which she disliked, it could not erase the fact that he was a great hero. He had won for the Tang Family this vast household and its honor, and he died under the torment of his wounds. If his old wife could not guard the marquisate’s honor, how could she face him in the afterlife?

“The Old Master was of humble birth, yet by military merit he was enfeoffed as marquis and stood firmly in the capital. If his descendants cannot even guard this share of glory, how do they have the face to call themselves Tang Family?”

“I will immediately write to the ancestral lands, asking the clan elder to bring outstanding young men of the clan to the capital. Your father proposed this while alive, but for various reasons it was never achieved. Now, among the marquisate’s grandchildren, there are only two brothers, which is far too thin.”

Madam Wang rose and bowed: “All is for Mother to decide.”

“The Marquis will return after court. I will have him come to see Mother as soon as he returns.”

In her heart she thought, [I fear Tang Gang will not be willing.]

There were talented youths in the clan, yes, but how would Tang Gang accept having other men’s sons outshine his own? Selfish as he had always been, his chest was not broad. Otherwise, when Tang Yong came to seek help, he would not have tried so hard to shirk. Tang Yao Ming was his own nephew.

The Grand Matron gave a curt “Mm,” indicating that this time no one’s words would matter. They would do as told.

After about half an hour, Tang Gang returned and came straight to Chun Rong Hall. The Grand Matron, rarely harsh, scolded him. Though it was not Tang Gang who had gone out and lost them face, he was the head of the household; anyone’s mistake in this home could be laid at his door.

Only when Tang Gang declared that this matter would not be let go did the Grand Matron’s expression ease somewhat. She had not yet raised the subject of bringing in the clan youths when Tang Gang abruptly shifted: “But if we make too big a scene, we might offend the Crown Prince.”

“Make a scene?”

The Grand Matron’s temper flared again. With a sharp smack she brought her palm down on the tea table: “Calling justice chaos? Do you think we have not lost enough face?”

“Where has your spine gone?”

Tang Gang rose and knelt before the Grand Matron, saying: “Please, Mother, calm your anger.”

Angry that the marquisate had been humiliated yet fearful of offending the Crown Prince, Tang Gang wavered, unable to decide.

The Grand Matron had always had a good temper, and in earlier years she had not managed household affairs, living as a wealthy and leisurely matron. Now, with her sudden fury, Tang Gang was somewhat cowed.