Chapter 188

Chapter 188: Tang Rong Pays a Personal Visit to the Tao Family

Under the midheaven moon, Tang Gang led the entire family to personally escort the Grand Matron back to Chun Rong Hall, and the smile on her face did not fade the whole way.

The Grand Matron waved them off with satisfaction: “Go back and rest early. You still have duties tomorrow.”

Truly delighted, and generous whenever she was in a good mood, she turned to Madam Wang and said: “When the storerooms were aired earlier, we uncovered quite a lot of fine fabrics. I will have more sent to you in the morning. See to the arrangements.”

The autumn airing of treasures focused on garments, bolts of cloth, and bedding that easily grew damp. Had she not seen it with her own eyes the Grand Matron would not have known she possessed so many bolts. Fortunately, Gan Lu had preserved everything with care, and nothing was ruined.

Madam Wang smiled: “It happens to be the season for new clothes. All of it will be useful.”

She thanked her: “Many thanks, Mother,” then steadied the Grand Matron into the room before withdrawing to leave with the others.

Tang Rong did not wish to return to his quarters with Tang Mo, so he found an excuse and slipped away. Tang Mo could not be bothered to mind him and had endless things to discuss with Xin An. As soon as the two reached Qiu Shi Courtyard, they hurried indoors. Rubbing his hands, he said with relish: “I will prepare a surprise for Tang Rong, and I guarantee it will both delight him and catch him off guard.”

Xin An nodded and feigned a sigh: “Tao Yi Ran sits at her mother’s home, desolate and wounded, swallowing grievances, while Tang Rong tours happily with his family in harmony. If this reaches Zhu You’s ears, how he will ache. He will likely wish to pound Tang Rong to death with one punch.” Tang Mo laughed all the harder and said he would take pains with the arrangements.

Tang Mo and Xin An were in fine spirits. By contrast, Tang Rong, who returned to Chun Hua Courtyard a few steps later, nearly smashed another tea set. His temper had grown harder and harder to control, and he felt as if every soul in this residence stood as his enemy. [Why is everyone in this house working against me?]

Auntie Cai came in with a bowl of soup, a foxnut and job’s tears soup that dispelled dampness and aided slimming. Tang Rong took it and drained it in one swallow, then said: “There will be banquets at various houses in the coming days. Aunt, make two more outfits for me.”

She answered quickly: “Take the cloth straight from the storeroom.”

This could not have suited Auntie Cai more. She had been searching for a pretext to enter the storeroom, and the chance had arrived. She was also thinking it was time to give Concubine Yue a lift. As long as power could be divided, even if Tao Yi Ran returned, it would be fine.

She probed: “These matters should originally be handled by the young madam. Does the Heir Apparent truly not intend to fetch her back?”

She added with a sigh: “This courtyard has no mistress to take charge and manage things for the Heir Apparent in all matters. The year’s end draws near, and affairs great and small are many.”

Tang Rong’s brows knit and he did not answer. Auntie Cai tested the waters again: “If the young madam cannot return for a while, might we let Concubine Yue temporarily take the lead?”

Tang Rong refused at once. He was not muddle-headed enough to thrust a concubine to the fore. If he did, they would laugh him to death.

He said calmly: “Mother presides over all major affairs in the residence. As for these courtyard trifles, Auntie Cai, trouble yourself for a few days. I have other arrangements.”

Auntie Cai nodded. Afraid of arousing his suspicion, she said no more, gathered the empty bowl, and withdrew. Tang Rong stood at the window and did not sleep for half the night. At dawn he rose to practice the Five-Animal Exercises. His wound pulled uncomfortably, yet he clenched his teeth and persisted. He then bathed, changed his clothes, and only then took breakfast.

Auntie Cai, holding in the delight that had sprung up in her heart, asked: “Is the Heir Apparent going out? Shall I have Qing Mo prepare the carriage?”

Tang Rong seemed restored to his former self, composed and unhurried. After leaving his rooms he first went to Chun Rong Hall to pay respects. When the Grand Matron learned that he intended to go to the Tao family, she disapproved. Tang Rong said: “This matter must have a conclusion. I am already a married man and must not let Father and Mother shoulder every unpleasant task.”

He added with reassurance: “Be at ease, Grandmother. I am not going today to fetch her back.”

Only then did the Grand Matron relent: “Go, then. If the Tao family dares to give you a hard face, come back at once. Grandmother will decide your affairs for you.” She called out: “Gan Lu, bring me my jade pendant.”

She placed an exquisite white jade twin-fish pendant in Tang Rong’s hands: “Your waist lacks a proper pendant. Wear this.”

Tang Rong rose, stepped forward, and received it with a bow: “Many thanks, Grandmother.” Right before her eyes he fastened the pendant at his waist. The Grand Matron was very pleased: “The Heir Apparent of our marquisate must never lose his proper bearing, no matter the occasion. Go.”

Tang Rong cupped his fists in salute, took his leave from Chun Rong Hall, and went out of the residence toward the Tao family.

No sooner had he gone than Xin An came to Chun Rong Hall. She was to attend a crab feast today and had stopped by to pay respects before going out. The Grand Matron told her kindly: “Go on. There is no need to hurry back. It is lively when you young people gather.”

Xin An smiled and nodded. As she left, she glanced in the direction Tang Rong had taken. [Where interests bind, relationships never truly sever. Even if the marquisate wished to abandon the Tao family, I doubt Tang Rong would agree. He will not rest until he has drained the Tao family dry.]

Of late the Tao family had been tumult itself. If it was not this one weeping, it was that one fainting. If not that, then the Grand Matron of the Tao household was scolding someone. Each and every incident left Master Tao exhausted.

He wished to continue his post in the provinces, but after two days of maneuvering he discovered it was not as easy as he had imagined. The factions of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince had grown lively these two days, and the matter involved Tao Yi Ran. Until the dust settled, no one would agree to run about on his behalf. [What a headache.]

With that already giving him pain, Tao Yi Ran was living back at home, his daughter-in-law was making scenes, and the family’s old madam found the house insufficiently lively and was berating one person today and another tomorrow. It was utter bedlam.

“Master, the son-in-law is here,” a servant cried, running as though on wing. There was no helping it. Ever since the young madam had returned to her mother’s home, she alternated between tears and fainting. The household had not known a day of quiet. Even the family’s old madam could not keep things down. Everyone now hoped someone from the marquisate would come and take the young madam back.

Madam Tao adopted the posture of an elder mother-in-law: “Let him wait.”

Master Tao cut her a glance and ignored her, saying in a deep voice: “Invite the son-in-law in.”

Pretending not to have heard Madam Tao, the servant turned and left at once. Madam Tao’s face flared with anger: “At a time like this you still treat him with courtesy?”

“What do you propose?” Master Tao countered. “Hurl a few insults at him and then wait for him to repudiate Yiran? You have seen the marquisate’s attitude toward this. If he acts the same, think of the consequences.”

Madam Tao was all unwillingness. The way Madam Wang had mocked her that day had been merciless, and the resentment clogging her chest had not eased even now. She wanted Tang Rong to experience a taste of it.

Tang Rong came in quickly. Seeing that he was not haggard but had even filled out a little, with a healthy complexion and a touch of spirited glow, Madam Tao’s temper leaped up again. Noticing he had come empty-handed, she demanded at once: “What are you here for?”

Having made his salute, Tang Rong straightened his back: “I have matters to discuss with Father-in-law today. If it is convenient, may we speak in the study?”

Master Tao did not rush him. Though he hoped Tang Rong would take Tao Yi Ran back today, the proper attitude still had to be shown. He asked mildly: “How has your Grandmother been these past few days?”

Tang Rong said: “Grandmother has been slightly unwell of late. The physician says that as long as she remains calm and rests, there will be no issue. I thank Father-in-law for his concern.”

“Calm rest, is it?” Master Tao’s brows pinched slightly. “So you did not come today to fetch Yiran back?”

“This is a matter to be arranged by my parents,” Tang Rong answered. “I cannot make that decision.”