Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Luckily You Didn’t Marry Tang Rong

In Xin An’s view, after something like this the marquis’s residence could not escape responsibility; after all, the instigator was Tang Rong. It was only because he was a man in a world that favors men over women that he would receive more lenient treatment.

Young Madam Tao had no intention of being circuitous; with no time to waste, she said: “Second Young Madam, to speak plainly, you and I are both the ones who have suffered losses and grievances. Tell me frankly, when can the marquis’s residence come take the person away?”

Xin An gave a bitter smile and answered: “My position makes it inappropriate to meddle, but in my view they will likely keep her at the Tao family for some days yet.”

She added matter-of-factly: “Especially now that this has spread. My father-in-law and my mother-in-law will be furious, though who knows just how furious.”

[She guessed that Tang Gang would be enraged and scold Tang Rong, but he would not make the marquis’s residence shoulder the blame.]

[Even if people said Tang Rong forced Tao Yi Ran, the Tao family would still end up suffering the greater loss. Tang Gang would insist Tao Yi Ran seduced him and push all the fault onto the Tao family.]

When Madam Li heard of the marquis’s stance, she sighed helplessly and said: “To tell you the truth, I feel truly stifled.”

Xin An lifted her gaze toward the distance and asked: “There is someone else who is feeling stifled, the third young madam of the Zhu family. Do you know her situation?”

Madam Li shook her head, so Xin An kindly filled her in, then added: “It is not much of a secret. They say Third Young Master Zhu calls her name even in his sleep at night. That third young madam has likely reached the end of her patience.”

Madam Li looked over, and an idea formed quickly. She wanted to send the filth-covered Tao Yi Ran straight back to the marquis’s residence, but she forgot that if Xin An truly held a grudge against Tao Yi Ran, she would not want her back either.

She turned her eyes toward Huang Wei, exchanged a few final pleasantries with Xin An, then found an excuse to take her leave, and from her direction it seemed she was heading straight for Huang Wei.

Lin Yao, who had been quiet the whole time, smiled as she topped off Xin An’s tea and said with amusement: “As if I could not see what Young Madam Tao is after.” She understood perfectly that Young Madam Tao had wanted to use Xin An’s resentment toward Tao Yi Ran to achieve her ends, yet Xin An had neatly steered her toward Huang Wei instead.

The two of them together would surely make Tao Yi Ran suffer. Younger Sister Xin would get to do nothing and still watch the spectacle of beating the dog that had fallen into the water. Who says a girl from a merchant family has no polish; her mind works beautifully.

Lin Yao said with feeling: “If you ask me, it is fortunate you married Second Younger Brother Tang.”

She went on lightly: “Second Younger Brother Tang may not be packed full of poetry and books, but he is frank by nature and upright in conduct. He would never do anything like this.”

She concluded with a smile: “All told, you and Second Younger Brother Tang both dodged a disaster.”

Xin An exhaled and smiled: “Perhaps that is fate, and my luck as well.”

Madam Liao strongly agreed, saying: “My husband also speaks very highly of Second Young Master Tang. Though he comes from the marquis’s residence, he has none of that oily slickness. He applies himself to his duties and can endure hardship. He is sure to have a fine future.”

Xin An laughed and said: “Hearing you two Elder Sisters say so makes me feel as though I have picked up a treasure. You cannot imagine how pleased I am.”

Lin Yao teased, saying with a grin: “Second Younger Brother Tang can be counted a treasure too.” She bantered now about Tang Mo, now about Liao Zhi, until Xin An finally invoked Yan Shi Mao to make her stop.

Xin An then said with practical cheer: “Sister Lin, my father has written. The medicinal herbs he purchased are expected to arrive in the capital in about a month.”

Lin Yao brightened and replied: “That is excellent news.”

She added warmly: “Please thank Uncle Xin for me.”

Xin An said with a sincere smile: “When my father learned about Qian Jin Hall, he admired the founder and the selfless physicians. He said he would like to do his small part and provide five thousand taels of silver to support Qian Jin Hall, so that more common folk can benefit. Would that be acceptable?”

Lin Yao answered at once: “Of course.”

Growing more fond of Xin An, she said: “Qian Jin Hall should be the one thanking Uncle Xin for his kindness. In winter, illnesses come one after another, especially among poor families who cannot keep warm. Even a small high fever can take a life. With more medicinal herbs we can save more people.”

She added earnestly: “There is a great deal that five thousand taels of silver can accomplish.”

Curious, Madam Liao wondered whether she might also take part if there was a good deed to be done. She had money as well, so she asked frankly: “Isn’t Qian Jin Hall just an ordinary pharmacy? What is special about it?”

Lin Yao glanced at Xin An, and Xin An smiled without replying, so Lin Yao introduced Qian Jin Hall to Madam Liao in detail. In the end, Madam Liao declared that she would not fall behind in kindness. If Qian Jin Hall needed anything in the future, she said, they should come to her; she would never delay if she could lend a hand.

Lin Yao welcomed such a wealthy yet unintrusive person, but she did not agree immediately. She only said that next time, if there was a need, they would be sure to seek her out. After all, some matters were not hers to decide outright.

Before lunch, Young Madam Tao finally spoke with Huang Wei. No one knew what they discussed, but from the way they leaned together and grew more animated, it seemed likely they would soon reach an agreement toward some particular end.

Madam Wang’s breath nurturing practice was improving by the day. She held out until the autumn banquet was over, then led Xin An in supporting the Grand Matron away. Her face revealed no sign of being affected, and even after getting into the carriage her expression remained normal. Only after escorting the Grand Matron back to Chun Rong Hall did she summon Xin An for a talk, asking with composure: “Will this spread?”

Xin An set down her teacup and replied: “It will. I have not been in the capital long, but I already know several of the ladies who attended today’s banquet are very interested in such news. Before I even learned of it, no fewer than ten people already knew.”

Madam Wang drew a deep breath. What Tang Rong had done was tantamount to destroying his own prospects, and she murmured: “He is not a careless man.”

Xin An said plainly: “Could it be that he trusted the Tao family too much? If this were an ordinary household, it would not be easy for it to leak. In our marquis’s residence, news like this would be suppressed at once. Eldest Brother likely assumed the Tao family would do the same.” She added with a cool edge: “Of course a more likely reason is that he could not resist Tao Yi Ran’s temptation and was himself not upright.”

Madam Wang lifted her eyes and said: “Go back and rest for now.”

Xin An rose and left. [She wondered whether their planned family outing could still go forward. If it could not, then even so they ought to arrange proper treatment for Tang Rong.]

As soon as she left, Madam Wang sent someone to fetch Tang Gang, asking him to return to the residence as soon as possible. She could not wait to see how he would favor his dear son this time.

Back in Qiu Shi Courtyard, Xin An removed her ornate hairpins, replaced them with a single velvet blossom, and sat leisurely beneath the eaves watching Meatball bat a ball around. Auntie Wang came in carrying a plate of sliced fruit and said with a smile: “Fresh autumn pears, to soothe the throat.”

Xin An answered with a soft hum, then told her evenly: “Auntie, go on with your work. I will sit for a while.”

After Auntie Wang withdrew, Xin An ate pears while sorting through the day’s events. Young Madam Zhang had been so certain that she suspected the young madam of the Tao family must have done something behind the scenes. Those who had attended the banquet would surely start spreading the rumor once they returned. By tomorrow it would be everywhere. The rest depended on what Tang Gang would do.

[When she tallied it up, she and Tang Mo had actually done very little. This time they had been somewhat rash. Next time they could not be so hasty; better to see whether any friends would make the first move. Then the husband and wife could do nothing and still get what they wanted. Wouldn’t that be delightful?]

[Wait, husband and wife?]

[How amusing.]