Chapter 199

Chapter 199: The power of the Zhang family’s young madam

Everyone knew the Zhang family’s young madam was a notorious big mouth who adored the capital’s back-courtyard gossip. With all she had seen and heard, ordinary secrets scarcely moved her. Someone murmured: “For her to be this excited, she must have stumbled upon something astonishing.”

Xin An did not need to guess to know what she was saying. Her lips curved faintly: [She had said the Zhang family’s young madam would not disappoint. Faced with such explosive news, how could she possibly keep it to herself instead of sharing it?]

Young Madam Zhang whispered rapidly, her animated features all but flying. Soon, quite a few people were casting frequent glances at Xin An. Lin Yao could no longer sit still and said: “How odd. I will go ask what is going on.”

Before she could rise, Young Madam Zhang bustled over to Xin An, leaned in with suggestive winks, and said: “Sister Xin, did the Tang family’s Heir Apparent go to the Tao family two days ago?”

“He did,” Xin An said, feigning puzzlement, “but did something else happen?”

“Was he bullied by the Tao family?” Young Madam Zhang asked with a smile tinged with color. “Are you truly unaware?”

“What happened?” Xin An said. “That day I went to Young Madam Ouyang’s Crab Feast, and when I returned I heard nothing amiss.”

Young Madam Zhang dropped into the seat beside her and rattled off the matter from start to finish. Xin An was genuinely astonished, because Young Madam Zhang’s version was far more salacious. She said that when Tang Rong arrived at the Tao residence he went straight to Tao Yi Ran’s courtyard; the moment they met, they embraced and poured out their feelings, then made such a ruckus that everyone in the courtyard could hear. Lowering her voice with relish, she added: “I heard they were so starved for each other it was like dry wood catching a raging fire.”

Xin An was speechless.

“It cannot be,” she managed at last: [Who was feeding her this?]

Lin Yao dropped her kerchief in shock and said: “Young Madam Zhang, one must not speak recklessly.”

Could Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran truly be so devoid of shame?

Madam Liao, who had just lifted her cup, splashed tea over her clothing and asked bluntly: “Is this really true?” [Do high households play so wildly?]

“It is absolutely true, do not doubt me,” Young Madam Zhang insisted. She looked at Xin An with unmistakable pity and said: “And it was not only once. After finishing, they went to Lord Tao’s study to discuss business. Once they had talked it over, they returned to the inner courtyard and did it again. In broad morning light they could not restrain themselves. Sister Xin, these two have surely been entangled for a long time.”

“Otherwise how could they be so reluctant to part? And that is the Tao household. If they cannot control themselves in her father’s home, imagine what they do in their own. No wonder people say that when that Tao woman was in the marquisate she seldom left her courtyard. I suppose she had no strength.”

“What desire,” someone muttered. “Far too strong.”

“Even a dog could not clear their path in time. Overindulgence has surely made her steps unsteady. Most likely these two slipped across the line long ago in secret. As for you and the second young master, well… alas.”

Xin An no longer knew what to say: [Were these bits and pieces all Young Madam Zhang’s embellishments?]

“Young Madam Zhang, I…” she began.

A lady nearby whispered: “I cannot believe it. It is shocking beyond words.”

Young Madam Zhang briskly affirmed that her news was reliable: “A person in the know told me. Do not ask who. There is no mistake.” She patted Xin An’s shoulder in sympathy, then returned to that cluster of ladies to continue her tale. Lin Yao and Madam Liao exchanged complicated looks. The three of them stared at one another, at a loss for words.

It was impossible to comment.

The day was clear and bright, and the air was fragrant with chrysanthemums. Guests smiled; some chatted in groups of three or five, others clustered to probe matches for sons and daughters. Madam Wang, whose conversation had flowed smoothly at first, began to notice strange looks, all directed at her. Doubt crept into her heart.

Since Xin An had received the news openly, there was no way she would hide it from Madam Wang. Seizing a chance, the two spoke in low voices. Madam Wang was silent for a long time, then drew a deep breath. She could not believe Tang Rong would be so outrageous.

“No wonder people were looking at me like that,” she said at last.

“As for this matter…,” she began, then made up her mind swiftly: “Do not tell your grandmother. From this moment, do not utter a single word.”

Xin An nodded: [The result was far stronger than she and Tang Mo had expected, exceeding all expectations. She had not foreseen that Young Madam Zhang would tell it so. She must ask Tang Mo later whom he had arranged to handle this.]

What Xin An did not know was that the tale of Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran’s salacious behavior had come from the Tao household’s servants. Ever self-regarding, Tao Yi Ran had never bothered to win them over. On this return to her natal home she had not been living smoothly; when idle, she stirred up trouble and even mocked her sister-in-law. How could the servants spare her?

The Tao household’s elder sister-in-law, Madam Li, had moved even earlier, and other servants had gossiped as well. Even if Tang Mo had done nothing, today’s outcome would have been the same.

As for why the tale sounded so vivid, that was the art of retelling.

Madam Tao and her daughter-in-law had also come to the banquet that day. Kept in the dark, Madam Tao knew nothing. She smiled and exchanged courtesies, and even when she noticed unusual looks, she attributed them to Tao Yi Ran’s long stay at her mother’s home.

As for what had happened between Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran at the Tao residence, she certainly knew—and had learned it the very day Tang Rong left. Although enraged, she had not dared to make a scene and had immediately ordered the servants’ mouths sealed.

She had believed it would not spread.

Madam Li moved about on her own, approaching acquaintances to inquire, punctuating her words with helpless sighs. At times her eyes brimmed with tears, a picture of powerlessness that stirred sympathy.

When she reached Xin An, she mustered a smile and offered a greeting: “Second Young Madam.”

“Young Madam Tao,” Xin An replied.

Seeing her summoned certain thoughts to Xin An’s mind. Madam Li, Tao Wei’s wife, was the daughter of a provincial governor; her father’s rank matched Lord Tao’s. She had always looked down on Tao Yi Ran. Even in the previous life, when Tao Yi Ran had enjoyed smooth sailing in the marquisate, Madam Li had not set foot through its gates once.

Xin An asked gently: “Young Madam Tao, would you like to sit and chat a while?”

“Thank you for the invitation, Second Young Madam,” Madam Li said.

She had approached Xin An deliberately. She guessed that Xin An would resent Tao Yi Ran for snatching Tang Rong. With polite warmth she said: “This is my first time meeting the Second Young Madam. You are quite different from the rumors.”

Xin An smiled and asked: “What do the rumors say I am like?”

“Certainly not as poised and striking as you are now,” Madam Li replied.

In an instant, Xin An understood her intent: [She meant to join hands against Tao Yi Ran.] [If anything had happened between Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran at the Tao residence, Madam Li would know, and she would be the angriest of all.]

[Could Young Madam Zhang’s source be this very Young Madam Tao?]

Xin An leaned closer and said softly: “Young Madam Tao, I just heard something and am not sure it is true.” She drew nearer and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, repeated the tale. “It is truly shocking. Is it true?”

Young Madam Tao did not deny it. With a sigh she said: “Good news never travels, but bad news runs a thousand miles. I can only make you laugh.”

Xin An said awkwardly: “As for this matter…”

In a low voice, Madam Li replied: “I do not even know what to say.”