Chapter 221

Chapter 221: The Unkillable Tang Rong

Night gathered and lights glittered. After supper, people did not linger long but drifted out through the doors of the Herbal Cuisine House, chatting as they went. Each family’s coachman had already driven the carriages to the entrance and lined them up. Tang Mo and Xin An saw each household into their carriages, offering thanks by the basketful.

The Wei Family’s carriage waited last in the line. Xin An stopped Wei Ye just as he was about to board and asked about his wife’s condition. Tang Mo, who likewise had not heard, was shocked and said: “Is her illness serious? Why did you not tell your brothers anything?”

Wei Ye sighed and answered: “We have invited every physician we should, but none can find a diagnosis. The medicine has shown no effect. Everyone has their own hardships; why trouble you all with worry as well?”

Tang Mo scolded him with warmth: “What are you saying—are we not brothers? Something this serious and you said nothing. No wonder you looked out of sorts today; you were forcing yourself to hold up, weren’t you?”

He added more gently: “Before, perhaps there was nothing we could do, but now we have a miracle doctor. Physician Qin’s skills are excellent. Why not invite him to take a look? He may be able to help.”

Wei Ye nodded: “In that case, I will trouble you.”

“What trouble is there? Do not be anxious. We will think of a solution together,” Tang Mo said.

After sending Wei Ye off, Tang Mo let out a long breath and admitted: “I have been so busy recently that I have neglected many matters; I should not have.”

Xin An asked Fang Da where Qin Bai had gone as she wondered aloud: “Why did we not see him tonight?”

Fang Da replied with a smile: “He said an old friend had arrived in the capital, so he went to pay a visit.” Then, still cheerful, he added that a few more private rooms had been booked that night as well. With a big tree to shelter under, the shade was pleasant; the business was easier than they had imagined. Xin An smiled and left word for him to pass on to Qin Bai: he should come to the marquis’s residence to find her the next day.

Tang Mo helped Xin An into their carriage and, as it started, mentioned Tang Rong’s situation: “Things went quite smoothly. The aftermath may not be over; we will have to see how matters look tomorrow.”

“If you are tired, do not bother with outside affairs. Pretend you do not know. Go back, wash, and sleep,” Xin An advised.

She nodded to her own words, yawned, and rested her head on Tang Mo’s shoulder: “Today truly was exhausting. Tomorrow I must have a proper day of rest.”

Tang Mo adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable: “Close your eyes for a bit. I will wake you when we arrive.”

“All right,” she murmured.

That night, the marquis’s residence was quieter than usual. Tao Yi Ran was brought back with swollen, red eyes. Though Madam Li had spoken firmly in public, there was no way Tang Rong would refrain from probing deeper, especially when he, too, was injured and his eyelids were purpling.

Tang Gang erupted in fury once again. Tang Rong had been scheduled to report for duty the next day, yet trouble had struck again. This time Tang Gang personally went to the residence of Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites. He felt sheepish as he spoke, while Vice Minister Wang could only respond with helplessness. He delicately suggested that Tang Rong should pay some visits to make amends, and even more delicately proposed changing him to a different post.

What superior can tolerate a subordinate who suffers constant “accidents”?

And this was the Ministry of Rites. In that ministry, Tang Rong’s conduct had already become untenable. In a month of thirty days, he spent twenty-eight on leave; who would dare entrust him with tasks?

What could Tang Gang say? For the sake of his beloved son, he plastered on smiles and bled generously to offer lavish gifts. Only then did Vice Minister Wang reluctantly nod. He also made it clear that when Tang Rong returned to the Ministry of Rites, he would be reassigned, the intent being to keep him out of the public eye as much as possible. All things would have to wait until rumors quieted and Tang Rong earned back his reputation.

Tang Gang was nearly choked with anger and thus resolved to go personally to Duke Xiang’s manor the next day to demand justice.

Madam Wang, of course, stood firmly by him and thoughtfully said she would find time to go out to pay calls on Tang Rong’s behalf: “How can one be so unlucky?” When a person’s luck turns sour, it seems even drinking water chips a tooth, and even the simple errand of meeting someone can lead to an accident.

Early the next morning, Tang Mo went out to his duty post. By now he had made his way in the Northern Garrison Army, getting along well with his colleagues and throwing himself into his work with vigor.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Tang Rong, who was also on his way to duty. The purpling around Tang Rong’s eye had been tended with hot compresses for a long time the previous night, and he had used the best medicine; the result was encouraging, at least to the eye.

Tang Mo greeted him with a smile: “Oh, big brother, that injury is no trifle. Why not rest a few more days?”

Tang Rong’s expression was composed, showing not the slightest trace of awkwardness as he replied: “It is a small wound. It does not matter.”

Tang Mo nodded with a grin. He noticed that Tang Rong’s robe was similar in cut to one he himself had worn earlier. So even Tang Rong had a day when he would learn from him; that put Tang Mo in fine spirits. He said with easy admiration: “Big brother, your robe looks good, and the jade pendant at your waist is fine as well.”

Wearing new clothes, Tang Rong had paid little mind to the pattern. He glanced down at the pendant and said lightly: “The jade Grandmother bestowed is no ordinary piece. Does second brother like it as well?”

Tang Mo laughed and asked: “If I did, would big brother give it to me?”

Tang Rong pulled out a smile and replied: “If second brother likes it, of course big brother would offer it with both hands. But it was Grandmother’s gift. If I gave it to you, would that not be to go against Grandmother’s intention in bestowing it?”

“Hahaha~~~” Tang Mo burst out laughing and said: “I am a rough fellow and prefer gold. Only someone like big brother, as refined as a jade-like immortal, suits such fine jade. Jade can ward off calamity, and big brother needs it more than I.”

He leaned in a step, lowered his voice, and put on a conspiratorial air: “To be honest, big brother, I feel the Ministry of Rites is at odds with you. Have you not noticed that ever since you went there, nothing has gone smoothly? Why not ask Father to arrange for you to come to the Northern Garrison Army?”

Tang Rong remained unruffled and said: “Thank you for your kind intentions, second brother, but the Ministry of Rites suits me better.”

“In that case, big brother, take good care of yourself,” Tang Mo replied as he swung into the saddle with a smile. “I will ride on ahead. See you later.”

From horseback, he thought to himself: [Tang Rong really is unkillable. After all this, he can still hold steady. That is no small skill.]

Tang Rong let his smile fade and, face somber, climbed into his carriage. The two brothers went their separate ways.

Xin An allowed herself the luxury of sleeping until she woke naturally. She was lazy and languid after waking. Chun Yang and Chun Lv attended her while chattering about the bustle outside. They added: “Before dawn, Eldest Young Madam went to pay respects to the Grand Matron and sat a good while at Chun Rong Hall. When she came out, she also went to pay respects to Madam. She really is diligent now.”

Xin An smiled and observed: “She threw a tantrum and went back to her mother’s house once. Going back is easy; coming back is the hard part, is it not?” [Good that she has returned; otherwise we would still have to keep people watching the Tao Family, which is a waste of effort.]

A sudden burst of noise came from outside, sending Meatball scampering out. Soon Nan Feng returned to report: “Madam sent many things over to Chun Hua Courtyard, all items used by pregnant women.” From the second day after the wedding, Qiu Shi Courtyard had quietly pressed Chun Hua Courtyard down by a head. During the days when Tao Yi Ran had returned to her natal home, Chun Hua Courtyard had been exceedingly low-key. Now that their mistress had come back pregnant, everyone in the courtyard seemed newly enlivened, ready once more to spar with Qiu Shi Courtyard in every exchanged look.

Hearing the commotion from next door, the maids in the room wore looks of disdain and indifference. Xin An laughed and chided them gently: “Wipe those expressions off your faces; the word envy is written right across your foreheads.”

The girls could not help murmuring: “We also want a little master.”

They whispered among themselves with a mix of teasing and earnestness: “The young lady and Second Young Master are perfect in every way; why are they not enlightened yet? One is handsome and the other beautiful; now that they share a bed, do they truly have no desire? Does Second Young Master have a hidden ailment?”