Chapter 182

Chapter 182: The Vexed Tang Rong

Early the next morning, after tidying up, Xin An handed Nan Feng five hundred taels in banknotes and instructed her to begin preparing purchases of winter charcoal and grain, since charcoal would be scarce and expensive in winter and needed to be secured early.

She added with calm clarity: “Draft a list first, then go to the Wang family to consult Madam Wang, and finally hand the matter to Liu Chang to oversee the purchasing. If the funds are not enough, come back to me.”

Tang Mo had all but decided to employ Liu Chang; this way they would have their own person both in the outer court and in procurement.

After Nan Feng left, Xin An summoned Auntie Wang and told her briskly: “Go find Steward Zhang and say the purchases are not many, the year’s end is busy, and we would be obliged to trouble him with this small matter.”

Auntie Wang agreed readily. Steward Zhang held no small authority in the residence; to hand a profit-laden task like purchasing to someone else without first going through him would indeed be improper. Besides, last time Xin An had told her to deliver a gift to Steward Zhang, and she had not yet gone; it would be perfect to handle both matters together today.

With all the tasks assigned, Xin An headed for Chun Rong Hall, intending to collect Grand Matron and then go out to stroll the Flower and Bird Market to enjoy its bustle.

About the time it takes to burn one stick of incense later, Steward Zhang received the gift Auntie Wang brought and demurred politely: “Second Young Madam is the mistress of the house; if she needs anything, she has only to send someone to take care of it. There is no need to be so courteous.”

Auntie Wang smiled and said with easy warmth: “This is not solely for this matter; it is also to thank Steward Zhang for your attention these past days. My young madam used to manage trade at home as well; she is accustomed to give and take, so please do not decline our courtesy.”

She continued with careful tact: “Liu Chang is Steward Liu’s son. He helped with the purchase of mung beans last time and did quite well. My young madam thought that there are many affairs in and out of the residence for Steward Zhang to worry about, and your household has its own burdens too. It would not do to wear you out; such inconspicuous trifles should be handled by those below, so you might be at more ease.”

Then she added, half in jest and half in concern: “The year’s end is nearly upon us, and every quarter is busy. If you were to tire yourself out, what would we do?”

Steward Zhang forced a genial smile and replied: “With such a considerate mistress as the Second Young Madam, the marquisate is truly blessed.”

He understood well enough that every courtyard’s master wished to use their own people.

Seizing the moment, Auntie Wang asked lightly: “I heard Elder Madam Zhang has not been feeling well?”

Steward Zhang sighed and explained: beginning with the start of autumn, his old mother had been unwell every few days, and seeing the household physician had not helped. “It is thanks to the tonic herbs the Second Young Madam sent; after taking them she has improved somewhat.”

Auntie Wang said with the practical sympathy of long service: “People of advanced years have some ailments.”

Then she added, making a gentle offer: “The weather is growing colder by the day, and winter is hard to get through. If there is any discomfort it is best to treat it early. Physician Qin has fine skill. If Steward Zhang has need and trusts him, say the word; the Second Young Madam is generous and will certainly be willing to ask Physician Qin to pay a call.”

Steward Zhang cupped his hands and said with sincerity: “In that case, many thanks.”

“You are too polite,” Auntie Wang answered with a nod. “I shall take my leave.”

Steward Zhang escorted her to the gate, thinking to himself with a wry twist of amusement: [No wonder I am inclined to favor the Second Young Master; the Second Young Madam is simply too adept at dealing with people.] At home his old mother never failed to sing the young madam’s praises, either mentioning how good the tea leaves she sent were or how precious the tonic herbs were; whenever she saw him she would remind him to do his duty well and, if ever the Second Young Madam needed anything, to lend a hand. [Even my old mother has been won over.]

[By contrast, that lady in Chun Hua Courtyard has not let me see a single copper coin to this day.]

“Do you know what Tang Mo has been doing lately?” came the cool inquiry in Chun Hua Courtyard.

Qing Mo stood bowed in the shadows and answered: “He is performing his duties, training in martial arts, attending banquets. Oh, and he occasionally goes to sit at Second Master’s residence.”

Tang Rong lifted his gaze and asked with a hint of suspicion: “He has grown close with Second Uncle?”

Qing Mo chose not to conceal this point: “He visits more frequently than before, perhaps two or three times a month. On the most recent occasion, Second Young Master even brought Madam and the Second Young Madam along.”

“What sort of people does he see on ordinary days?” Tang Rong pressed.

Qing Mo replied that it was the same few as before. “But these past months, Second Young Master has been associating less with those outside. Even Marquis Qin’s second young master, Yan, has taken up a post and is not often seen. Most of the time he goes to train in martial arts; it is said his skill has improved markedly of late.”

“Martial training?” Tang Rong repeated.

He had known of this early on, yet he could not make sense of it. When he was a boy of an age to train, he lazed about; now that his bones were set, he had suddenly become diligent. What could that mean? [Could it be…]

“When did he start going to the martial academy?” he asked, face tightening.

Qing Mo did not know; he only said it was after Tang Mo went to the Northern Garrison Army. Hearing this, Tang Rong began to suspect that Tang Mo intended to take the path of a military officer. The marquisate had its accumulated prestige; if he also had Liao Zhi’s patronage, it was not impossible for Tang Mo to lead troops. [If he could rally with a single cry, Grandfather’s old followers would surely support him; in that case…]

[In that case, I, the heir apparent, might have to yield my position.]

It had to be said that in his self-regard for his own cleverness, Tang Rong was overestimating Tang Mo. He did not realize the fellow was merely trying to strengthen his body so he would not die early, and to avoid disgracing himself.

“Keep watching him,” Tang Rong ordered.

Qing Mo bowed in assent, then asked in a low voice: “Shall we keep people on the Tao family as well?”

He reported quietly: “Word from inside says the Tao family is not happy that the young madam is living at her mother’s home, and the young madam’s health is poor; she has already fainted twice.” Whether those fainting spells were genuine or feigned, he dared not say.

Tang Rong’s expression grew even darker as he said coldly: “Keep watching.”

“Yes,” Qing Mo answered, withdrawing.

He had scarcely gone a few steps when he met Concubine Yue coming with a bowl of soup. She asked with a bright, expectant smile: “Brother Qing Mo, is the Heir Apparent finished with his work?”

[How was he supposed to answer that? Say the Heir Apparent was brooding inside?] He compromised and said tactfully: “Concubine Yue, you had best look in for yourself.”

He caught the fragrance of angelica from the bowl; it was angelica-stewed chicken. [Concubine Yue had a deft hand with soups, changing flavors daily; our Heir Apparent had put on a whole circle of flesh from eating them.]

As soon as the aroma reached him, Tang Rong frowned and said, clipped and cool: “Take it away. There is no need to prepare these in future. Keep the diet light.”

“The house physician said eating well helps the wound heal,” Concubine Yue ventured in a small voice.

“Take it away,” Tang Rong repeated.

He was very particular about his face; he would absolutely not let people outside see him with a shiny, oily complexion. In a few days he would return to the Ministry of Rites, and the time left to him was limited.

Concubine Yue could only withdraw the angelica chicken soup. Tang Rong added with finality: “Starting tomorrow, do not send soups, pastries, or snacks. Keep the meals simple; plain congee and small dishes will do.”

“How will the Heir Apparent’s body bear that?” she blurted. [If a concubine does not send soup and pastries to make her presence felt, what else can she do?]

Growing flustered, she asked anxiously: “Is it that the Heir Apparent thinks what I make is not good?”

On any other day, Tang Rong would have offered a few words of comfort, but in this moment he was in no mood to waste effort on such trifles. He waved a hand and said curtly: “Go down. I want some quiet.”

Concubine Yue left in tears. She had scarcely sat down in her room when Auntie Cai arrived and asked bluntly: “Well?”

“Heir Apparent has something on his mind,” Concubine Yue said with a shake of the head. “He did not let me stay long.”

Auntie Cai’s face showed naked impatience. She still had not found a chance to obtain the keys to those chests, and the deadline set by Steward Zhang was drawing near; her heart naturally burned with urgency.