Chapter 211

Chapter 211: Is Tang Gang Acting Crazy?

Plans never keep up with change. The family outing was shelved; they could not let Tang Rong lose face before the whole clan. Still, since the scheme was set, it was only a matter of deploying it elsewhere; for Tang Mo and Xin An, that was no great problem.

As Xin An came out of Chun Rong Hall, she saw Tang Gang and Madam Wang from afar and went forward to pay her respects. Madam Wang asked with a smile: “Is your Grandmother any better?”

“Much better,” Xin An said. “Her spirits are not what they were, though. The household physician came again and said she would need a month or more of careful recuperation to recover. Otherwise there is little amiss; just now Grandmother even had a bowl of millet porridge.”

“That is good.”

Xin An asked: “Are Father and Mother going to see Eldest Brother?”

“Yes.” Knowing Tang Gang would soon speak with Tang Rong about certain matters and that Xin An should not be present, Madam Wang spoke first to dismiss her: “You have been busy all day. Go back and rest early.”

Xin An understood. When she reached the gate of Qiu Shi Courtyard, she walked straight in, as if not the least bit curious about what was happening next door. That, of course, fit her position; after all, she had already bowed at the wedding hall, and even one extra sentence from her could invite misunderstanding.

Chun Hua Courtyard was so quiet a pin could be heard. Seeing Tang Gang arrive, Auntie Cai hurried out to greet him, face full of worry, and reported that Tang Rong’s fever had subsided but returned less than two hours later: “He just sweated through his clothes; only now is he a little better.”

Naturally anxious, Tang Gang strode into the bedchamber. Tang Rong lay weakly there, thin again and back to his former look; added to the pallor that follows a fever breaking, it pained Tang Gang to see him. When Tang Rong tried to struggle up, Tang Gang quickly said: “Do not move. Are you feeling any better?”

Tang Rong nodded weakly: “I have worried Father.”

“So long as you are better.” Auntie Cai moved a stool to the bedside and Tang Gang sat, saying: “Your mother and I went to the Tao family today. Do not concern yourself with the outside; just focus on recovery.”

Thinking of how, from the wedding to now, there had been one mishap after another or else illness, Tang Gang’s chest clogged with frustration. He could imagine that the Ministry of Rites would have its opinions; once Tang Rong recovered, he would have to prepare generous gifts and pay a visit in person.

Tang Rong had purposely let himself fall ill to force Tang Gang to step out and settle the matter for him. Now that things had quieted, he could not help feeling curious how it had been done. “Your son is weighed down with shame for having caused such a calamity and made Father and Mother worry. Since ill?intentioned people spread the affair until it boiled over, I do not know how it was calmed. If there were any expenses, your son should bear them himself and not burden the household.”

Tang Gang did not hide it. He recounted frankly what had transpired at the Tao family today, then added: “This was thanks to your mother.”

To suppress the matter completely would still require Madam Wang to move about outside on their behalf. Tang Rong made to rise and thank her, but Madam Wang quickly told him not to move: “We are mother and son; naturally your interests come first. It was not difficult to handle, but in the future you must keep more eyes open and be careful of other people’s designs.”

Tang Rong had no wish to return to the Tao family, yet he could not quite see through Madam Wang’s approach. He did not understand why she had not taken the chance to push him into the pit and ruin him entirely to make way for Tang Mo.

“This was your son’s doing, and in the end it is Mother who has to labor to clean it up. Your son feels ashamed.”

“We are mother and son; let us not say such things. The urgent matter now is to restore your health. Once you are better, you must go again to the Tao family and bring your wife back.”

Tang Rong was puzzled: “Father and Mother do not blame Yi’er?”

Smiling, Madam Wang said: “We came with a bit of happy news as well. Your wife was examined today and found to be with child, just over a month. That is great joy.”

Tang Rong froze, expression unreadable, and only after a moment did he come back to himself: “Yi’er is with child?”

“She is,” Madam Wang said, smiling with real satisfaction. “Your father also said he would send for Xue Yu to be brought back. By the calendar she should give birth at the end of the year. Once she returns, have your wife drink her Concubine Tea. Then your courtyard will have two little ones, and it will be lively.”

“Auntie Cai,” Madam Wang said as she turned, giving instructions: “Tomorrow arrange for people to sweep and scrub the courtyard thoroughly. You have been through this yourself and know well the taboos for a pregnant woman. Whatever you need, go to Ping Qiu and be meticulous.”

Auntie Cai bowed her assent and stole a glance at Tang Rong. Tang Rong did not know whether to smile. Seeing Tang Gang’s face was not very pleasant, he instantly guessed his thoughts, yet still forced a smile: “I will have to trouble Mother again.”

“Children and heirs are matters of great moment for the marquisate. Mother is glad to bear this concern.” Even if Tao Yi Ran bore a son, in circumstances like these the child could hardly be called precious. As for Tang Rong, the explanation she had devised—whatever else it did—first and foremost pinned him as a man who could not restrain himself in broad daylight and behaved improperly with his wife’s family. No matter how pretty the reasoning, what of it? [Self?deception, nothing more.]

Having said what needed saying, Tang Gang and Madam Wang left together. At the gate of the courtyard, Tang Gang suddenly stopped, turned, and looked from the doorway of Chun Hua Courtyard to that of Qiu Shi Garden. Madam Wang followed his gaze: “What is Marquis looking at?”

Tang Gang did not answer. He simply turned and walked into the gate of Qiu Shi Garden. Comparing the two compounds, Qiu Shi Courtyard was clearly larger and brighter. As soon as Tang Gang stepped inside, he felt the difference. In contrast to the lifeless hush of Chun Hua Courtyard, Qiu Shi Courtyard brimmed with vitality. Several red carp swam in the large cistern. Flowers set here and there flourished. A little dog cocked its head to stare at him. A myna under the eaves chattered now and then. The servants here wore the same clothing as those in Chun Hua Courtyard, yet somehow seemed far more lively.

“Father, Mother?” Xin An came out smiling from the house and asked: “Have Father and Mother seen Eldest Brother? Is he any better?”

At her appearance, Tang Gang felt the courtyard all the more alive. Sensing a faint wrongness, Madam Wang laughed and said: “He is much better. Your father said he had not yet properly looked over your quarters, so we came to take a look. With fish and a dog, your place is quite lively.”

Xin An flicked a quick glance at Tang Gang’s face, then smiled and spoke about the arrangement of the courtyard: “We brought back these flowers and the myna the last time I accompanied Grandmother to the Flower and Bird Market. Autumn is bleak in many places, and it is soothing to set out some flowers.”

“These fish have been kept a while and have all grown.”

“Meatball was a gift from my husband; when I am idle, he helps pass the time.”

Her gaze turned about the yard: “In a few days I mean to buy some pretty lanterns to hang up and add to the charm.”

Madam Wang nodded with a smile: “You know how to keep a household. One steps into this courtyard and feels it thrumming with life; it is very pleasant.”

Tang Gang withdrew his gaze, then turned and left without a single word the entire time. Madam Wang followed him out. Xin An escorted them to the door, eyes puzzled, thinking: [What on earth is wrong with Tang Gang today?]