Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Tang Rong Surrounded by Wolves

As soon as Tang Gang left, Tang Rong’s expression changed. He sat slowly with a gloomy face, feeling his position perilous. He guessed that Tang Mo must have gained Xin An’s assistance. He also knew the swapped marriage had been a great humiliation to Xin An; he simply did not know whether Xin An was helping Tang Mo to seize his Heir Apparent position or to take revenge on him.

He could not help thinking that if not for what had happened on the wedding day, the one to gain Xin An’s full support would have been him, while the ever-troublesome Tao Yi Ran would have dragged Tang Mo into the mire beyond redemption, never becoming a threat. And a woman like Tao Yi Ran, even if she became Tang Mo’s wife, as long as he wished it, Tao Yi Ran would…

He shook his head to drive away the dreadful thought, unwilling to think so poorly of Tao Yi Ran, mainly because he did not want to make himself feel like a joke. He murmured: “Xin An…” He repeated the name twice, weighing whether there was any possibility of turning her from Tang Mo’s side. [Without Xin An’s help, what could Tang Mo use to compete with him?]

He called softly: “Qing Mo.”

Qing Mo, who had been waiting outside the door, slipped in quickly.

Tang Rong ordered: “Send someone to watch next door. Whatever Tang Mo does and wherever he goes, report it in detail.”

Qing Mo agreed readily, but bitterness surged inside. Nan Feng wanted him to watch the Heir Apparent, and the Heir Apparent wanted him to watch the second young master. [So what should he do? Become a double agent? Perhaps raise his price with Nan Feng?] He had found that many things, once done once, were easier a second time. The first time he betrayed Tang Rong’s movements he had been terribly conflicted; the second time he was much more at ease, mostly because Nan Feng paid generously.

He had an elder brother who had fallen into the water as a child and damaged his health, unable to do heavy work; what little strength he had was spent at night, and in less than six years he had added three nephews to the family. He had sent nearly all the benefits he scraped together over the years back home in filial support, most used to feed his brother’s family. But he was no longer young, and the Heir Apparent had long delayed assigning him a maidservant. He could only think more of himself now, wanting to save some private money to take a wife and raise children.

At present, Chun Hua Courtyard was managed by Auntie Cai. Naturally, when Qing Mo needed to act, he came to her for funds. After he explained the reason, Auntie Cai did give him money, but when he asked for five taels she gave only two, and admonished him, asking sharply: “Why do you need so much silver? The Heir Apparent needs money everywhere for his affairs. You should think of him more. Is it not just watching a person? Why would that take so much? Spend sparingly.”

Qing Mo persisted: “Auntie, you are right, but you do not know: without money, outsiders will not act.”

He pressed his argument: “While you have been away these days, the young madam held the purse and would not release funds. Without money nothing can be done. How many of the Heir Apparent’s matters have been delayed? Could you perhaps give a little more?”

He thought Auntie Cai cared most for the Heir Apparent and that as long as it concerned him she would be easy to talk to. But he did not know that Auntie Cai now had the same idea as he did. Formerly her husband and her son both served in the front courtyard, and their posts had some oil and water. Recently, somehow Steward Zhang had discovered it. He demanded that father and son make up their embezzlement quickly, or he would report it to the Madam.

If the former lady of the house were still present, they would naturally not be afraid. Unfortunately, her life was not long enough to enjoy so much good fortune; she had passed early. The silver saved over the years had already been used to set up their household and for daily expenses. How could they quickly make it up now? Only Tang Rong’s purse remained.

Auntie Cai stubbornly refused to give more and even scolded Qing Mo. He had been wavering in his heart, but he soon yielded and decided to go to Nan Feng. After he left, Auntie Cai frowned and slipped a tael of silver into her own pouch. But they needed to make up several hundred taels. When would pecking away like this ever be enough?

Concubine Yue glided in. With Tao Yi Ran returned to her maiden home for an indefinite time, there was no mistress presiding over the courtyard, and as a concubine she grew ambitious. She thought Auntie Cai would help her, not knowing that Auntie Cai was worried about silver and had no mind to spare for her. Concubine Yue said: “Auntie, I heard the young madam seems to have caused trouble this time and is hiding back at her parents’ home.”

With money, news could be obtained. Concubine Yue relayed what she had learned, then added: “Earlier, when the Marquis came, his face did not look good. The trouble caused by the young madam must not be small. She has run back to her parents, sparing not a thought for the Heir Apparent, and yet he trusted her so much that he even let her hold the keys to the late lady’s dowry chests.”

She wanted to slander Tao Yi Ran for wronging Tang Rong, because Auntie Cai cared most for Tang Rong. Lifting her eyes, she saw Auntie Cai’s gaze indeed brighten and thought she had hit the mark, so she embroidered more of Tao Yi Ran’s faults. After a while, Auntie Cai dismissed her with a few casual words. Once she left, Auntie Cai could hardly suppress the smile tugging at her lips. The late lady’s dowry was not the very greatest, but it was substantial. If one or two pieces went missing, it would not be noticed. Even if discovered, it could be blamed on the current Madam Wang. But she looked toward the main rooms. Though Tao Yi Ran was gone, Auntie Liu remained, and so did the dowry maids. The keys were certainly in the main rooms. How should she proceed?

Tang Rong, forcing himself to sit in the study, was still considering his next steps, unaware that wolves already circled all around him.

That evening Xin An learned that Qing Mo wanted to raise his price and learned the reason. The corners of her lips curved. Tang Rong had indeed set his sights on Tang Mo. Fortunately, she had had the foresight to buy over Qing Mo. She instructed Nan Feng: “Give him the money, and tell him that the second young master’s whereabouts are ordinary: either at martial training, meeting friends for drink, or visiting relatives, nothing else.”

Nan Feng asked whether to do more, such as taking Qing Mo’s family as leverage. Xin An shook her head: “Doesn’t he have a frail elder brother? Think about it; this Qing Mo has not had it easy.”

She continued: “Tell him that if he does the job well, you can ask me to invite a divine physician to see his elder brother. But if he dares to bite the hand that feeds him, he should fear for his family.” She said: “Remember, win the heart first.”

Nan Feng smiled and nodded: “I understand.” She was sure she could speak straight to Qing Mo’s heart.

Xin An was very satisfied with her capability, and said: “Find a way to bribe someone in the Tao Family and see what Tao Yi Ran is doing.”

Nan Feng replied: “I have already arranged for people to handle this.” This young madam always watched the courtyard next door; even if the target left, the flow of information could not be cut. Otherwise how could she be the most capable person under the young madam?

Xin An said: “Well done.” She added: “Draw more silver from Auntie Wang. Do not be stingy when spending outside.”

Nan Feng laughed and said: “I still have not finished the silver I drew from Auntie Wang last time. I will go again when it is spent.”

Xin An nodded. After Nan Feng left, she instructed Auntie Wang: “I hear Steward Zhang has praised the second young master many times before Father. Choose a few tonics and send them over. Say that I thank him, and that the medicines are for Elder Madam Zhang’s health.”

Her father had said that nine out of ten people in this world can be driven by silver; as long as the gift is given appropriately, there is nothing that cannot be done.