Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Qing Mo’s Desolate Heart

Whether it was Tang Mo or Xin An, both felt they had come out ahead, so they naturally traded compliments. Auntie Wang came in with tea, smiling in satisfaction and thinking: [I should have removed that quilt earlier. Look how quickly these two are getting along; the good day must be close.]

Tang Mo left with the list they had drafted and, at the gate, ran into Tang Gang and Madam Wang heading out. He asked: “Father, Mother, are you going out?” Madam Wang answered without avoiding him: “We are going to the Tao family.” Tang Gang turned his head and asked: “Why are you still at the residence?” Tang Mo replied: “I had meant to wait until Grandmother woke so I could be sure she was fine before going back, but it looks like she will sleep a while longer, so I must return first.” Tang Gang said only: “Go, then.” Tang Mo answered: “Your son will go on ahead,” then stepped out, swung down from his horse, and strode off at a brisk pace.

Watching his son’s departing back, Tang Gang frowned and asked: “We assigned him a bodyguard. Why is he not using one?” Madam Wang answered: “He serves in the Northern Garrison Army doing public security and inquiry work. If he went on duty with two bodyguards, would that not make him a laughingstock?” She added, steadying him: “He keeps up with his martial training. Marquis, there is no need to worry about him.” Tang Gang looked after Tang Mo for a moment, his thoughts unreadable.

At Chun Hua Courtyard, thanks to the household physician’s skill, Tang Rong’s fever temporarily receded and his breathing steadied, and everyone in the courtyard let out a long breath.

Nan Feng found a chance to meet Qing Mo and handed him a small bottle of salve, saying: “This is the best wound medicine. You know Divine Physician Qin; he compounded it himself. Apply it and you will mend quickly.”

Tang Rong’s illness brought misfortune on Qing Mo. Because Tang Gang would not admit that Tang Rong had fallen ill due to his punishment, he vented his anger on Qing Mo, blaming him as a servant for inattentive care. In his view, Qing Mo should have risked being punished and brought Tang Rong a quilt, so he ordered ten strokes. Concubine Yue, tears flowing as she worried over Tang Rong’s injuries, said his wound had split because Qing Mo had driven the carriage unsteadily, and for that Qing Mo received ten more strokes.

Qing Mo’s eyes were swollen, his breath coarse, and he had nowhere to vent his grief. Last night, as soon as the wind picked up, he had slipped to the Ancestral Hall with a quilt; the Heir Apparent insisted on refusing it. When the rain later poured down, he spent a long time trying to persuade the Heir Apparent, yet the Heir Apparent forcefully made him take the quilt away. He crouched outside the Ancestral Hall all night hugging the quilt. Near dawn he even went in once; the Heir Apparent was already burning with fever, but still insisted on refusing the quilt and ordered him to leave at once so as not to ruin his plans. When daylight came, the Heir Apparent fell ill, the Marquis was heartsick, and the physician spared no effort, while he became the one accused of negligent care and could only sit and wait for death. [I brought the quilt and kept watch all night, yet I am to be left here to die?]

“Nan Feng, I…” He started to speak, then hesitated. Seeing him falter, Nan Feng grew alert and asked: “What are you trying to say?” He said at last: “Everything was deliberate on the Heir Apparent’s part.”

Two sticks of incense later, Nan Feng delivered the news to Xin An, reporting: “Qing Mo brought the quilt several times, but the Heir Apparent refused each time and let himself be chilled. Qing Mo himself spent the night in the wind and rain-mist outside the Ancestral Hall and had already caught a chill. In the morning he was beaten. Fortunately the men measured their strength and did not damage the bone, but taken together, his condition is serious. We fed him one of Miss Xiao Xiao’s pills, and Liu Chang applied the salve. In this way, we have become his saviors.” Nan Feng was very satisfied with this outcome; she had been puzzling over how to win Qing Mo over completely, and the opportunity had presented itself. [Perfect. The chance to bind him to us has come.]

Xin An’s lips curved slightly. Yesterday’s events had driven Tang Gang into such a rage that he fainted; today, with Tang Rong ill, he had become the doting father again. Presumably he would not continue to rebuke his son, and this hurdle would be passed easily. [They have even resorted to the bitter-meat stratagem.] If the one at fault had been Tang Mo, he would likely have been beaten to death to settle the matter.

A maid came to report: “Young Madam, the Grand Matron has woken.” Xin An hummed in acknowledgment, told Nan Feng to keep a close eye on Qing Mo’s condition, then rose and went to Chun Rong Hall. Entering, she met Gan Lu coming out carrying a bowl of medicine. Gan Lu said: “Second Young Madam, you are here?” Xin An asked gently: “Auntie Ganlu, is Grandmother any better?” Gan Lu shook her head. Seeing the redness in Xin An’s eyes, Xin An stepped closer and asked: “Is something wrong?” Gan Lu answered: “The physician says the Grand Matron was overcome by sudden anger, and given her years, her vital energy has been shaken. She must rest quietly.” Xin An said: “But Grandmother worries for the Marquis and the Heir Apparent. How can she calm down?” Gan Lu replied: “Second Young Madam, Grand Matron likes you best. Please go and persuade her.”

Xin An nodded. Seeing Gan Lu’s self-reproach, she comforted her, saying: “Grandmother still needs your service. Auntie must not let yourself fall ill, and do not blame yourself. You were worried for Father and for eldest brother too.” Gan Lu’s tears almost fell as she said: “I understand. Second Young Madam, please go in.”

Xin An entered the Grand Matron’s bedchamber. She had thought Gan Lu was merely overanxious, but on seeing the Grand Matron she was startled and asked: “Grandmother, do you still feel unwell anywhere?” After only an hour’s sleep, the Grand Matron looked much more haggard, with age weighing on her. Propped against soft pillows, the Grand Matron said: “The physician has been and says there is no great harm. Grandmother is a person of years, after all.” Xin An guessed that the fainting spell had hurt her vital energy and her spirits were not as before. She said softly: “Father is already heavy of heart, and eldest brother has only just broken his fever. If he learns Grandmother has grown so wan because of him, he will feel very ill at ease.” If word of the Grand Matron’s fainting spread and outsiders picked at the threads, Tang Rong would surely be labeled unfilial. The Grand Matron cherished Tang Gang and cherished Tang Rong even more, and she would never let such a thing happen. Patting Xin An’s arm, she said: “It is not easy that you still speak for your eldest brother. Grandmother did not misjudge you. You are generous and kind.” Xin An smiled lightly and said: “What lies between my eldest brother and me is a private matter, and I have long since let it go. My eldest brother’s affair touches on the marquisate’s reputation and future. I understand that when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.”

The Grand Matron nodded and asked after Tang Rong’s condition. Xin An said only that the fever had subsided and she did not know the details. She added: “Elder Sister-in-law is not here, my husband is on duty and has not returned. As a younger sister-in-law, it is not convenient for me to visit my eldest brother alone, so I only sent people to ask the Chun Hua Courtyard servants.” She then soothed the Grand Matron: “Father has gone twice, and the household physician is there. Auntie Cai and Concubine Yue are present. Eldest brother will not have a problem. Please be at ease, Grandmother.” She continued: “Matters outside the residence are for Father to manage, and there are many people in the household. Grandmother should take good care of yourself. When you are well, we can all be at peace, and Father can handle outside affairs with an easy mind.” The Grand Matron’s expression eased. She asked after Tang Gang, and Xin An said: “With Mother there, Grandmother need not worry. Do not be fooled by the small tiff earlier. Mother cares for Father very much.” The Grand Matron thought a moment and agreed. She had noticed Madam Wang’s attitude of late; after so many years as husband and wife, how could they truly grow estranged? [This must not be allowed to spread. I must recover quickly.]