Chapter 207

Chapter 207: Madam Tao’s Collapse and Outburst

Tang Gang and Madam Wang had not yet reached the Tao family when the Tao family had already fallen into chaos. Late last night the Tao family’s young master returned home, and once back he furtively reached again into Madam Li’s dowry chest. Just as he laid hands on a banknote, Madam Li sat up, and early this morning she went weeping before Madam Tao.

Already anxious over Tao Yi Ran’s affair, Madam Tao had not slept a wink. Her head still spinning, she heard that her son had gone to the gambling house, not only losing his private silver but also the properties under his name, and that he had even taken from Madam Li’s dowry several times. She nearly fainted on the spot. Before she could press the matter down, Lord Tao arrived in a rush.

What followed was Lord Tao’s fury. Unlike Tang Gang, he could raise his hand against his son. He immediately called for the family punishment, and the Tao family’s young master was beaten until his cries were ghostly. Madam Tao, rushing to shield him, even took a cudgel herself. Seeing they were on the verge of beating the young master to death, Madam Tao sent someone to summon Old Madam Tao. Old Madam Tao did not come and even sent word that so long as they did not beat him to death or cut off his hands, there was no need to seek her. Though the Grand Matron’s birth was not lofty, she knew that once a person touched gambling, his life was ruined, and that quitting required a ruthless hand.

Tao Yi Ran hid herself and refused to see anyone. She had hoped the young master would make something of himself and shelter her. Now that he had fallen into gambling, even she, however naive, knew no good could come of it. In the end, the young master was beaten until he was scarcely breathing. Lord Tao tossed aside the punishment rod and ordered the serving lad who accompanied the young master to be brought for questioning, wanting to know the cause.

The serving lad confessed everything: “It was indeed someone who invited Young Master out for amusement. We went twice. Later those two advised Young Master not to go again, saying one should play only a little, that it was a mere diversion and must not be overdone. After that, Young Master went by himself and did not bring those two.” Lord Tao had seen much and immediately understood that someone had set a trap. He asked: “Do you know who those two were?” The serving lad knew a little, but not clearly, because he never saw them again. Lord Tao muttered: “Perhaps men from the gambling house?” It was common for a gambling den to lure people in for profit. For the moment Lord Tao had no time to pursue it. He ordered the young master confined in the Ancestral Hall and forbade anyone to release him without his permission.

Beating her chest, Madam Tao lamented: “This is truly a year of misfortune. Why are there so many disasters?” Madam Li did not relent merely because Madam Tao was in such distress. She said her younger sister had sent someone yesterday to borrow a piece of jade. At the time, when she could not find it, she had thought it was put elsewhere; now the jade was gone. She still had to give her sister an answer. “This cannot be spoken of openly, and as the daughter-in-law I truly had no reason to refuse her. I do not know if the household has anything similar to tide us over.”

She described the piece of jade. Madam Tao said the household had one. Madam Li then presented a list of missing items to Madam Tao, saying: “There are several other pieces. Mother, please take a look as well.” The list included not only missing articles but also silver. Madam Tao could not fail to understand: Madam Li wanted the Tao family to make up the losses. Her son had been beaten, and she was already filled with fire. She no longer restrained herself and shouted: “That is your husband!” She pressed on: “I have not yet spoken to you. Your own man has been going out to gamble for days, and you did not notice at all?” She demanded: “What kind of wife are you?”

Madam Li bowed and said: “Mother is right to admonish me. I will be more attentive from now on. I also have my difficulties. I ask Mother’s understanding.”

With a slap of his palm on the table, Lord Tao cut in and said: “Compensate according to the list, and take it all from this worthless wastrel. See whether he still has any property under his name. Transfer it all to his wife to manage.” With this, he had already decided to work his connections and seek an appointment out of the capital, taking the young master with him.

Madam Tao dared not refute him and could only obey. Once the matter had just been stabilized, the two of them went to Old Madam Tao’s quarters.

As soon as they entered, a teacup shattered at Madam Tao’s feet, making her cry out, followed by Old Madam Tao’s abuse. She scolded Madam Tao for lax household management, letting the family’s affairs spread outside until the city buzzed with it. She scolded her for indulging the young master, for failing to notice anything even though he had asked her for money several times, letting him sink deeper and deeper.

Madam Tao swallowed her endless grievance and had to kneel to listen to the Grand Matron’s lecture. Only when the Grand Matron had vented her anger did she ask what they planned next. On hearing that the young master had been confined at home and that they would soon work their connections for an out-of-capital appointment, Old Madam Tao nodded and said that once the place was changed and he was strictly managed, that gambling habit could still be cured.

She then asked: “What will you do about Yi’er?” The turn of events had exceeded Old Madam Tao’s expectations. Lord Tao drew a deep breath and said his decision: Tao Yi Ran would request dismissal from the marriage of her own accord. Old Madam Tao said in shock: “You are being foolish?” Not only she but Madam Tao was astonished. Lord Tao said: “The marquisate will not acknowledge this matter, and the Tao family cannot shoulder it either. Aside from firmly denying it, only having Yi’er request dismissal can barely preserve a shred of the Tao family’s reputation. No matter who initiated it, the one who will suffer is the Tao family.” He finished: “I have decided and will not change it.” He added bitterly: “Marrying into the marquisate was my gravest mistake. Right now we lose only Tao Yi Ran. If we continue to tangle and consume ourselves with the marquisate, the entire Tao family may be dragged in. Better to cut our losses in time.”

“Master…” Madam Tao began. Lord Tao said: “No more.” That day Tao Yi Ran had invited Tang Rong. Based on Tang Rong’s attitude then, Lord Tao had not wanted to believe Tao Yi Ran was the one who took the initiative, but he could not convince himself otherwise. Tang Rong was self-serving. If he would defend his wife, he would have done so already.

A servant came to report: “Master, the Marquis of Weiyuan and his lady have arrived. They have been invited to the front hall for tea.” Lord Tao said: “They have come at the right time,” and turned to go, giving Old Madam Tao and Madam Tao no chance to speak.

Madam Tao was shattered. Her son had taken to gambling, nearly ruining his prospects and the Tao family’s future. Her daughter now had to request dismissal from her marriage. She dared not think of the days ahead. She burst out: “Mother, did you not say that day everything was in your grasp? Did you not say it was a trifle? Why has it come to this?” At last she could not suppress her anger and her dissatisfaction with the Grand Matron. The Grand Matron slammed the tea table heavily and said: “You should ask yourself how such a thing could spread, and how you manage this household. If not for you, there would be no such day.”

After a sleepless night and a morning of shocks, Madam Tao had no reason left. The words she had buried for years spilled out: “If not for Mother, how would Yi’er have learned those tricks? As a proper principal wife, she has lived like a concubine, spending her days thinking only of serving with her looks. Mother, what exactly did you teach her?” Old Madam Tao roared: “Insolent!” The taboo had been touched. “Who gives you the courage to defy your elder? Kneel.”

Madam Tao, half-mad, cried: “What right do you have to make me kneel?” She raged: “My Yi’er was ruined by you. How many more people in this household will you ruin before you are satisfied? If not for you, how would I be made a laughingstock? How would my husband be ridiculed behind his back?” She pressed on: “Do you think your teaching of Yi’er was a success? Why not go out and listen to what people are saying? They say she has learned your true legacy, that her conduct and style are the family tradition. Do you think those are words of praise?”