Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Facing Tang Rong, a Resounding Victory

Tang Rong had not suspected Tang Mo for just a day or two; ever since his marriage nothing had gone smoothly. If he was not ambushed in the dark, he was being bitten by dogs. An ordinary person could not be this unlucky, so it had to be man-made.

He investigated every person who might have schemed against him and found only Tang Mo the most suspicious.

Crack!

Seeing that even now he still wanted to bite at Tang Mo, Tang Gang slammed the table hard, then said with a cold face: “Even if your second brother holds a grudge against you, could he force you to go to the Tao Family and make you do foolish things?”

He added evenly: “Just now, your second brother was still pleading on your behalf.”

At that, Tang Rong felt hot blood surge straight to the crown of his head until his scalp tingled, but he knew that unless he dragged Tang Mo down with him, Father would lift him high only to set him down lightly. He forced himself to argue: “It was I who did wrong, but how did the news happen to spread so coincidentally?”

Tang Gang replied curtly: “You should ask the Tao Family.”

Thinking of his son doing that sort of thing in the Tao Family’s house in broad daylight, Tang Gang grew furious. Tang Rong argued strenuously: “Since my marriage I have had nothing but bad luck. I do not believe in nonsense about a wife bringing misfortune; I only believe that someone is playing dirty tricks behind my back.”

He pressed on, his voice steady: “Please think carefully, Father. All these years I have never made enemies and never had any accidents. Yet recently mishaps have come one after another and rumors are everywhere. Other than Second Brother, I cannot think of anyone who would resent me to this extent.”

Tang Gang’s brows knit tight, and he was somewhat persuaded. Seeing this, Tang Rong intensified his analysis. One incident after another he laid out with reason and evidence, until Tang Gang was wholly swayed. Lifting his eyes, he ordered a servant to summon Tang Mo back: “Since you suspect him, then you two will confront each other on the spot.”

Tang Rong clenched his fist and silently cursed Tang Gang for being cunning, [is this not the moment to use the household’s power to investigate secretly?].

Tang Mo arrived quickly and asked with a calm bow: “I do not know why Father has summoned me?”

Wearing the face of a judge, Tang Gang said: “Your elder brother claims his recent mishaps were all orchestrated by you. What do you have to say?”

At these words, Tang Mo lifted an eyebrow and [snorted inwardly; sure enough, no matter how he tried to ingratiate himself, as long as that beloved son of his said a few words, he could be knocked back to his original shape]. Tang Rong’s chest tightened with anger, but since matters had come to this, he would not back down. He raised his eyes and stared straight at Tang Mo. Tang Mo gave a cold laugh and asked evenly: “Elder Brother, do you have evidence?”

Tang Rong presented his suspicions and deductions in full, concluding sharply: “If it was not you, who else would it be?”

Turning, Tang Mo looked straight at him and [thought that his brother was indeed vigilant to have reasoned it through so far. Unfortunately, he and Xin An had long anticipated this very scene]. He spoke unhurriedly: “If it were me, would it not have been simpler to have the men I sent to beat you the first time just kill you outright?”

He continued with chilling logic: “In this household there are only you and me, two brothers. If you died, whether I am capable or not, I could still inherit the title, could I not?”

He did not pause: “Even if I botched it the first time, then the second time, when I released dogs to bite you, surely they could have bitten you to death.”

He finished with a flat look: “If I truly wanted to harm you, would you still be here talking?”

As long as Tang Rong did not die, even if he found the hired hands, as long as Tang Mo refused to admit it, what could anyone do?

Tang Mo said dryly: “Elder Brother, I know you have been unlucky lately. If you are unlucky, go to a temple and pray, instead of looking for me to take the blame.”

His expression was unruffled. It was rare to have such a grand opportunity to shame Tang Rong openly, so he would certainly not stop after a few sentences. He pressed on mercilessly: “Was it I who sent you to the Tao Family? Was it I who forced your pants off? You lack self-restraint and cannot move your feet when you see a woman. You did a disgraceful deed and failed to clean up after yourself; now that trouble has come, you come to blame me.”

He sneered: “Rumor has it the news came from the Tao Family. What then, did I buy off the Tao Family’s servants and send them out to spread these spicy tales about you?”

He leaned forward: “Between you and me, who is the Tao Family’s son-in-law?”

He was one step short of jabbing a finger at Tang Rong’s nose. [Tang Mo felt supremely satisfied at this moment and decided that later he must describe his gallant bearing to Xin An so she would be properly envious.]

Tang Rong’s eyes nearly spat fire. Tang Mo’s words left him speechless. Tang Mo let out another cold snort and said: “So Elder Brother knows I resent you. That shows you also know the shameless thing you did on my wedding day. You not only took advantage but also humiliated me harshly. Now that trouble has found you, you come to blame me. Where do you get the face for that?”

He finished with a clipped question: “Do I owe you?”

“Enough.” Seeing his beloved son pressed like this, Tang Gang felt uncomfortable and said more mildly to Tang Mo: “Your elder brother was anxious and lost his head, saying things he should not. Make it clear and let it rest. You may go.”

Tang Mo had said one thing that struck home: if he truly had made a move, it would have been to kill Tang Rong outright. At that time, no matter how furious he, the father, might have been, the title would still have been handed to Tang Mo.

Tang Mo cupped his hands, kept a sour face, turned on his heel, and left.

Unwilling, Tang Rong called out: “Father.”

He argued urgently: “Second Brother may not have meant to kill me. He only wanted me to lose face, to make me…”

“Enough.” No matter how much he favored Tang Rong, at this moment Tang Gang was displeased with him and said sharply: “Because of you, the marquis’s household has suffered a blow to its reputation. You will find a way to calm this matter, by whatever means necessary.”

He added sternly: “Go kneel before your grandfather’s spirit tablet and think carefully about your conduct these past days.”

Heart unwilling and full of resentment, Tang Rong withdrew. His anger toward Tang Mo deepened. Unfortunately, despite searching for several days, he could not find a single flaw of Tang Mo’s to strike back at.

In the Qiu Shi Courtyard, Tang Mo wore a triumphant face as he recounted his victory to Xin An, saying with relish: “I thought he would cling to it and refuse to let go. I even prepared to retreat in order to advance, but he shut his mouth. Not satisfying at all, not satisfying in the least.”

He added with a pitying sigh: “If he had insisted it was me, I would have admitted it. At that point he would have been even more on the back foot. A pity.”

Smiling with crescent eyes, Xin An watched him go from animated to sighing. She said evenly: “So long as there is no evidence enough to kill you, let him accuse as he pleases.”

Tang Mo said with some pride: “I never leave evidence when I order people to do things. Some tasks go through several hands and turns; there is simply no way to trace them back to me.”

He tipped up his chin: “Even if they did trace it to me, I would not be afraid.”

Xin An cautioned quietly: “Be especially careful these days. He will certainly make a move.”

Tang Mo answered with a nod: “Understood.”

After a day of turmoil, both of them were tired. While they were still washing up for bed, they heard the wind outside. Xin An said, half listening: “The wind is strong.”

Tang Mo glanced at the shutters: “It is going to rain.”

Crack!

The room suddenly flared bright as daylight, and then came a rolling thunder from afar. Everyone inside instinctively pricked up their ears and looked up; another crash of thunder made them shrink their necks. Immediately after came the sound of rain, vast and drumming.

Xin An raised her voice for the servants: “All of you may go. There is no need to keep watch tonight.”

She sent Chun Yang and Chun Lv to rest and [felt that heaven and earth at this moment were uniquely terrifying].

Crack!

Boooom~~~

Lightning split the night, and thunder fell right after. Even the earth seemed to tremble. Xin An threw down the handkerchief in her hand and climbed into bed as fast as she could. Lying down, she pulled the quilt over her head. Tang Mo closed the doors and windows, then came forward with a smile to ask: “Are you afraid of thunder?”

Pulling the quilt down from her head, Xin An shook her head and countered: “With thunder like this tonight, are you not afraid?”

She frowned and whispered: “I feel the ground shaking.”

Tang Mo said lightly: “Do not exaggerate.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than another tremendous thunderclap fell. Tang Mo flinched involuntarily, then quickly dropped the bed curtains, lay down, and tugged the quilt up over himself.

Xin An protested from under the covers: “You are pulling my quilt.”

The weather had turned cool, and Auntie Wang had changed their bedding to something thicker. When she made the change, she had the foresight to give them only one quilt. So now, sitting up, Tang Mo stared blankly for a moment and asked in disbelief: “There is no quilt for me?”