Chapter 209

Chapter 209: Marchioness Wang Puts Madam Tao in Her Place

In contrast to the full-faced joy of Madam Tao and Tao Yi Ran, Madam Li, who had accompanied Madam Tao, did not say an extra word. Aside from thinking Tao Yi Ran was merely lucky to be pregnant, she only hoped the marquisate would take this scourge away today, so she would no longer be an eyesore. [Please, let them remove her at once.]

“Madam, the Marchioness has arrived,” a maid announced.

Led in by a maid, Marchioness Wang entered with a practiced smile. She did not greet Madam Tao, but stepped forward to ask Tao Yi Ran: “How is your health? Is there any discomfort?”

Leaning against soft pillows, Tao Yi Ran answered gently: “Thank you for Mother’s concern. The physician says all is well and that I need only rest quietly.”

“Good. You are a fortunate one,” Marchioness Wang said, looking around the room’s furnishings. “Now that you have just learned you are pregnant, you must be especially careful. It is not suitable to move immediately. I will return and have people put Chun Hua Courtyard in proper order. Once everything is prepared, we will come to fetch you.”

“If you need anything, send word to the marquisate and I will have it sent to you.”

Tao Yi Ran smiled and gave thanks. Only then did Marchioness Wang turn to Madam Tao: “Kinswoman, we will have to trouble you to look after her these few days.”

The corner of Madam Tao’s mouth tugged: “She is my own daughter. Of course I will care for her well. It is only a pity that the girl suffered such a grievance. Her mind has been unsettled, and she has nearly cried herself blind. I do not know whether it has harmed the child.”

“An incident like this does rattle one’s heart,” Marchioness Wang replied. She understood perfectly what Madam Tao wanted: to rely on the child in her belly to throw her weight around and press the marquisate, to demand a grand escort back that would raise the Tao girl’s value. A fine idea, but only if Marchioness Wang agreed. She turned back to Tao Yi Ran: “Do not take the rumors outside to heart. Just nurture the fetus in peace.”

Tao Yi Ran nodded, but Madam Tao refused to let it pass: “With so great an incident, will you not say something? Will the marquisate give no explanation at all?”

“Do you intend to pursue this to the end?” Marchioness Wang asked. The previous time at the marquisate, the two had already torn the veil between them, and her tone now was hardly deferential.

“Of course,” Madam Tao snorted. “Even the yamen must judge right from wrong in a case. How can such a matter simply be glossed over?”

Marchioness Wang gave a cold inward smile. She knew she was no supreme tactician among the capital’s household mistresses, yet in front of Madam Tao she felt like one of the experts. “The two children did nothing that provokes the wrath of heaven. Outsiders take it for amusement, let them. How can our own family keep seizing on it and refuse to let go?”

Madam Tao had come while still unwell and was further made dizzy by Marchioness Wang’s words. Madam Li hurried to support her, but Madam Tao still glared at Marchioness Wang: “If not for Tang Rong, he—”

“Kinswoman,” Marchioness Wang cut her off, “this matter is not suitable for deep inquiry. Pursue it further and what you wound is the faces of both children.”

“A young couple’s intimacy is a natural thing. They were willing and bear no resentment toward each other. Who could have guessed that something within high walls would so easily spread outside and stir up waves? Why must you press them so hard?”

“How did the news spread so quickly, I wonder? Never mind the young couple; even I find it most surprising. What do you think, kinswoman?”

Madam Li’s brows shifted slightly; she thought her mother-in-law had finally met her match. With just a few words, Marchioness Wang lifted Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran clear of blame and played the benevolent, sensible mother. By contrast, it would not be so easy for the Tao family—the source of the rumor—to wash its hands clean. Only earlier that very morning the old madam had rebuked them for poor household management, and now her kinswoman’s question pinned them again. Who would have thought that her own impulsive move could bring her such an advantage; it was a lucky misplay indeed.

Madam Tao truly had no answer, for the news had spread from the Tao family. She could only resent that Marchioness Wang spared no face and aimed her blows squarely at her.

Marchioness Wang acted as if she had not noticed how awful Madam Tao looked: “Things have come to this; more talk is useless. I came in haste and must return to send over what you will need. I will not stay longer.”

Madam Li volunteered to see Marchioness Wang out. Only then did Marchioness Wang ask: “I did not ask inside, but Kinswoman’s complexion looks quite poor. Is she ill?”

Madam Li replied: “The rumors outside have not ceased, and my mother-in-law is anxious. A physician has already examined her. Madam need not worry.”

“To speak frankly, before you and the Marquis arrived, Mother even fainted once. The physician revived her with needles. If she said anything unpleasant, madam, please do not take it to heart.”

Marchioness Wang feigned surprise: “Such a thing?” She sighed. “I only saw her poor color and thought she was ill. I spoke rather sharply just now because I was thinking that, when something like this happens, the two juniors are the ones who suffer most. Matters of the marital bed have been spread and turned into jokes. Put yourself in their place—who would feel well? As elders we ought to be more considerate. Why repeatedly bring it up in front of the children and injure their dignity?”

“This is something no one wanted, but it is not an impassable barrier. Time will smooth it out. It is fortunate that Yiran is a resilient child, or else I dare not imagine what might become of the child in her womb.”

Listening carefully, Madam Li nearly laughed aloud at the last sentence. Resilient? She could not tell whether the Marchioness was sincere or speaking on purpose. Everyone knew Tao Yi Ran had a very broad heart and was simply waiting for the marquisate to deal with it while she enjoyed a peaceful corner. “They all say Madam is most benevolent; the rumors are indeed true,” Madam Li said quickly, disguising her thoughts. “If all mothers were like Madam, to be cherished by you would be great fortune.”

“It is only a matter of putting oneself in another’s place,” Marchioness Wang answered.

After a few more steps, Marchioness Wang noticed that the Tao family’s servants were not the same as those she had seen before; their manners were much improved. “Has your household changed the servants who attend here?” she asked.

“No,” Madam Li said, puzzled. “Did Madam notice anything amiss?”

“I simply think your servants are quite good and well trained,” Marchioness Wang replied with a smile.

Madam Li understood at once and let a faint smile touch her lips. “My mother-in-law has been unwell these two days, and I happened to be managing the house this morning. Because of what happened earlier, I reprimanded them a few times. It seems they have taken it to heart.”

Marchioness Wang stopped, turned, and smiled: “That being the case, the young madam’s management surpasses the kinswoman’s. Had the young madam managed earlier, we likely would not have today’s trouble.”

The corners of Madam Li’s lips lifted; she was naturally pleased, though she remained modest in speech: “Madam flatters me. It is my first time taking it in hand, and there is much I do not yet know. If there is an opportunity, I would like to learn from you.”

“You are too polite. Do not address me so formally as Madam,” Marchioness Wang said. “Call me Aunt. It is more intimate.”