Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Wanting to claim the title

For Tang Mo, the timing of Tang Rong’s illness could not have been better. If Tang Rong handled matters himself, he would certainly scrub himself spotless, push all the blame onto the Tao Family, and perhaps, by playing the victim, win sympathy from certain people. He was someone well practiced at seeking his own advantage.

Tang Mo said to Tang Gang: “Father, I believe we should not tear our face with the Tao Family. Uncle Tao is, after all, a Fourth Rank Official with a decent reputation. He has committed no crime; the Imperial Court will not touch him.”

He went on: “He has been in officialdom for many years and must have three or five friends tied to his interests. Though he is currently stuck in the capital, it is only because he has been posted away for years and had no chance to cultivate connections here. Teachers and classmates—if you give him some time, those ties may not be hard to revive.”

He said: “I am not trying to dampen Father’s prestige, but in terms of strength in officialdom, the marquisal household is not stronger than the Tao Family.”

He concluded: “If the Tao Family fights back with determination, the end will be mutual injury.”

As for discarding the Tao Family and seeking a new powerful in-law clan for Tang Rong, that was wishful thinking.

Naturally, Tang Gang wanted to abandon the Tao Family. He believed that with Tang Rong’s excellence, it would not be difficult to find another strong alliance. Yet what Tang Mo said made sense: if the Tao Family fought back, how many chances would the marquisal household have of winning? Thinking of this only deepened his dissatisfaction with the earlier exchange of betrothals; had there been no exchange—had Tao Yi Ran married Tang Mo—in that case, even if she had caused trouble, the marquisal household would not be so passive.

Tang Gang said: “I must think on this first. Return to your post.”

Tang Mo cupped his hands and said: “Yes.”

His attitude stated, his points made, there was no reason to remain. Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he encountered Madam Wang—more precisely, she was waiting there for him. She said: “Come back early this afternoon. Mother has something to say to you.”

Tang Mo stepped forward and said: “Mother, say what you wish. I already took leave before I came back.”

Madam Wang led him out of Chun Rong Hall. Only when they reached the side hall she used for managing affairs did she speak, then said: “Mother means this: you are already a married man. Some things you must learn to see through; do not cling to those things that were never truly yours to begin with. Do you understand?”

Tang Mo said with a light smile: “Mother is referring to Father’s and Grandmother’s attitude toward me? I have already let it go.”

He said: “Father guards against me. No matter how diligently I work, his attitude toward me runs hot and cold; to put it plainly, it depends on his mood. I know that, and I know I cannot measure up to Tang Rong.”

He went on: “As for Grandmother, I understand too. Whatever Tang Rong is inside, the excellent image he crafts on the surface is something I do not match. And he is the eldest grandson. Grandmother’s fondness for him is natural; I have no grievance about that.”

The more plainly he spoke, the more it pained Madam Wang. She said: “Blame only that Mother is useless.”

Tang Mo said: “Please do not say that, Mother.” He helped her sit and said: “It has never been easy for you to stand your ground in this household. I understand. There is no need for polite words between us.”

Dejected about the day’s events, Madam Wang said: “Tang Rong committed such absurdity. Do not be fooled by your father and Grandmother fainting in anger; the one they hurt for most is still him. Now that he is ill, your father will certainly not pursue his punishment, and your Grandmother will only pity him for marrying poorly.”

She added: “I had thought that after he did such a thing, your father and Grandmother would be disappointed and would punish him severely.” Who knew that simply because he fell ill, everything would be pushed onto the Tao Family, as if Tang Rong had not the slightest fault. Talk of him being kindhearted and ignorant of the world’s dangers was trotted out, and the partial mother and son chose to play blind. She even suspected Tang Rong had used a bitter-meat ploy, and done so to great effect.

Tang Mo felt little regret—mainly because he had little expectation. He said: “No matter their attitude, the fact is his reputation outside has been stained. However it is explained or denied afterward, he cannot come away clean.”

He said: “The Ministry of Rites is what it is, and you know what kind of people the Imperial Censors are. I think the Ministry of Rites is likely closed to him now.”

Madam Wang sighed, then said: “If not the Ministry of Rites, there are other places. Your father never stints in spending on him.”

Lowering his voice, Tang Mo finally spoke his true desire to his mother, then said: “Mother, I want the marquisate. I want to obtain this title.”

He gave no reasons; he simply stated his wish. Madam Wang froze for a heartbeat, then smiled and said: “My son has such ambition; Mother will support you with all her strength.”

Even if Tang Rong inherited, she would still be the marquisal household’s Grand Matron. But how could that compare to her own son inheriting, which would be far more gratifying?

There was little to discuss on this point. After the mother and son exchanged a few words, Madam Wang changed the subject and said: “Mother sought you not only to hearten you, but also to ask you to find an opportunity to ease your wife’s mind.”

Tang Mo asked: “What is wrong with Xin An?”

Perhaps without noticing it himself, he now cared about all of Xin An’s affairs, great and small.

Madam Wang sighed and said: “With Tao Yi Ran proving no use, your Grandmother turned her concern toward Xin An instead. From her perspective this is a good thing; however, today your father’s and the Grand Matron’s words were overheard by her. I worry she will dwell on them.”

In Madam Wang’s eyes, no matter how clever Xin An was, she was still a girl from a merchant family; she likely had not felt the ruthlessness of a deep household and might think the people of the residence too cold.

Hearing this, Tang Mo actually felt relieved, then said: “Mother need not worry. She grew up helping my father-in-law do business; she is not a girl who knows nothing. Father and Grandmother merely put the marquisal household’s interests first. She will not overthink it.”

He added: “I will look for an opportunity to speak with her.”

Madam Wang recalled the words Xin An had used to counsel her at South Crossing Temple, then said: “Mother had forgotten. In that case, good.”

Tang Mo said: “Mother is simply overwrought out of concern.”

Madam Wang’s expression eased a little. Glancing at the sky outside, she said: “Given the household’s current state, you had better return to your post.”

Staying in the residence might prick Tang Gang’s temper.

Tang Mo smiled and said that, since he had a rare free moment, he would stop by his uncle’s house, and then by Second Uncle’s as well. He said: “Xin An has opened an Herbal Cuisine Tavern, and it is about to open for business. I will invite Uncle and Second Uncle to show support.”

He added: “I will also go invite Brother Shi Mao and the others.”

Madam Wang only knew that Xin An intended to open a sundry shop; she had not asked about the rest. She said: “Has it gone smoothly? I have not asked her; I did not know about this.”

Tang Mo said with a smile: “Smoothly. The manager sent by my father-in-law is capable, so she does not need to toil over it. You know her temperament; she is not fond of ostentation.”

Madam Wang said: “A steady temperament is a good thing. Go make the arrangements. On opening day it should be lively. If you need anything from Mother, speak up.”

Tang Mo nodded and, light of step, returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard, where he and Xin An discussed whom to invite. Counting on her fingers, Xin An said: “We should reserve one private room for our own family, one for Uncle Fang Da, and then we will plan the rest.”

Tang Mo fetched a brush and began to write names one by one. Counting this way and that, even including everyone they could think of, they used only six or seven tables. Yet the restaurant had fifteen private rooms.

After a moment’s thought, Xin An settled on a plan, then said: “Leave two tables for Second Uncle: one for him to host his friends, and one for Tang Yao Ming to host his teachers and classmates. Likewise, leave two tables for Uncle: one for him, and one for Wang Shi. In this way we will have scholars among our guests.”

She added: “Mother can sit together with Second Aunt and Maternal Aunt; that will be convenient.”

Grinning with satisfaction, Tang Mo thought how Xin An’s restaurant would end up benefitting his side of the family. Hearing this, Xin An laughed, then said: “Why not say I am relying on your relatives to do business?”

Tang Mo said: “Say nothing of others; as for Second Uncle and Uncle, in the future when they host banquets, our restaurant will be their first choice.”