Chapter 228

Chapter 228: Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall Late at Night

Facing Tang Rong’s questioning, Tang Gang flared with anger. He would not allow his authority to be challenged; not even his most beloved son was exempt: “This matter cannot possibly leak from the duke’s manor. Only the two of us in this household know of it. How could it spread?”

He went on, voice hard: “Do not imagine you have suffered some great humiliation. Everything that happened today was of your own making. One misstep led to another; even if interests were exchanged, the one who ultimately benefits is still you. What more are you dissatisfied with?”

He added, eyes cold: “Since your marriage, when has this residence known peace? My not pursuing your faults is already indulgence toward you. No one may harm the marquisate’s interests, and that includes you.”

Thinking of the Emperor’s rebuke, his gaze turned icier as he concluded: “Tonight you will kneel with me in the ancestral hall and reflect.”

At this, Tang Rong said nothing more and returned with a stony face to Chun Hua Courtyard.

Inside, Tao Yi Ran was arranging the tiny clothes she had just finished sewing. Seeing Tang Rong come in, she rose with a smile to welcome him: “Lord Rong has come back?”

Tang Rong said, flicking his hand to dismiss the attendants: “All of you, go.” Auntie Liu closed the door as she withdrew, and Tao Yi Ran, a little tense, asked softly: “Does Lord Rong have something on his mind?”

Tang Rong asked, his voice flat: “What is going on between you and Zhu You?”

He had not wanted to pursue the matter; by not pursuing it, he could pretend not to know. But the situation had slipped beyond his control.

Tao Yi Ran gave a bitter smile and sat slowly to the side: “Lord Rong still does not believe me.”

She continued, calm but aggrieved: “I have no private relationship with Third Young Master Zhu and have never met him in secret. I have only seen him twice at banquets. As for why he would come here spouting nonsense, I truly have no idea.”

Rubbing away the tears that had not yet fallen, she lifted her chin to meet Tang Rong’s eyes and said: “If Lord Rong does not believe me, then send someone to investigate. My conscience is clear; I am unafraid.” [What is there to fear?]

She truly was not afraid of an investigation. Zhu You was only a man she had idly toyed with twice when she happened to be in the mood, like teasing a fish; once her interest faded, she never thought of him again. The previous time he had stealthily sent her a letter, she read it, burned it, and offered no reply.

Tang Rong sat opposite her, his gaze fixed on her face as he said: “Zhu You is gravely ill. He claims it is an illness of the heart and that only your heart can serve as the medicine. Duke Xiang wishes to invite you to comfort him and help him recover.”

Tao Yi Ran started; then her eyes quickly filled with tears. Shocked and shamed, she rose in a rush, but before she could speak she cried out, “Ah,” bent, and pressed a hand to her belly, her brows knitting. Tang Rong rose to support her and asked: “What is it?”

Tears slid down as Tao Yi Ran clutched his hand in a death grip and asked, voice trembling: “Did Lord Rong agree?”

He said gently, easing her back to sit: “Do not get agitated; mind the child.” He called toward the door, and Auntie Liu swiftly sent for the household physician.

Tao Yi Ran said, sobbing softly: “I will not go. What is this supposed to be? What does Zhu You’s madness have to do with me? If I go, what kind of person would that make me?”

She went on, voice breaking: “I have never enticed him. If he himself fell into delusions, why should I be implicated? In this life I have only Lord Rong as my husband. I could never approach another man. I will not suffer such humiliation.”

She added, resolute through tears: “If Lord Rong forces me to go, then let me die.”

Tang Rong patted her back lightly and said: “I never said you should go. I only told you what was proposed. I have already refused.”

She searched his face and asked, incredulous: “Truly?”

He nodded. Tao Yi Ran wrapped her arms around his waist and burst into tears.

The household physician, arriving yet again at Chun Hua Courtyard, could only sigh in silence. Ever since the heir apparent’s marriage, his trips here had become far too frequent; he seemed less like the marquisate’s physician and more like Chun Hua Courtyard’s resident doctor. Ah.

Tao Yi Ran’s unrest had stirred her womb, but Tang Rong exhaled in relief. He had truly feared she might say she wanted to go, turning him into a laughingstock.

Lying back on the bed, Tao Yi Ran gently smoothed her palm over her belly. She would never go to “comfort” Zhu You. Even if she soothed him, would the people of Duke Xiang’s residence be grateful to her?

Even if Tang Rong agreed outwardly, would his heart be at ease?

For her, this matter offered a hundred harms and not a single benefit. Why would she go?

After dinner, Tang Mo was still walking the garden with Xin An to help their food settle when Steward Zhang hurried over and said: “Second Young Master, the Marquis asks you to go to the ancestral hall.”

Tang Mo asked, startled: “To the ancestral hall for what?” [And in the middle of the night, no less.]

Steward Zhang briefly explained the reason, and Tang Mo was at a loss for words before saying in disbelief: “His Majesty the Emperor punished Father to reflect before Grandfather’s spirit tablet, and Father decided to bring me along?” [Is he worried my bed is too warm?]

Steward Zhang chuckled awkwardly; he too felt the Marquis’s move had a hint of retaliation as he said: “The Marquis says the residence has been unsettled of late; since we are to reflect, all should go. If there are faults, we should correct them.”

Tang Mo was speechless, but he still asked: “Second Young Madam need not go, right?”

Xin An said coolly: “What status do I have that I would be qualified to kneel in the ancestral hall?” [I cannot even get in, all right?]

Steward Zhang kept smiling, tacitly agreeing with Xin An’s words. Tang Mo sighed and was about to leave, but Xin An caught his sleeve and said to Steward Zhang: “It is chilly at night. May the second young master go back to add a layer?”

“You may,” Steward Zhang said.

Xin An pulled Tang Mo back and told Chun Yang: “Fetch my winter sleeve-warmers, the thick ones; put them over your knees to protect them.” Then she called toward the chest and said to Lai Lai: “Bring your young master’s quilted jacket from last year; he will wear it underneath.”

Tang Mo protested: “This is too much.”

Xin An shot him a glare and said: “How is it too much? Have you forgotten how Tang Rong slimmed down by a whole circle?”

She added crisply: “I estimate you will kneel all night. Father and your big brother will kneel only about an hour.”

Tang Mo raised a brow and asked: “On what grounds?”

Xin An said, matter-of-fact: “Your father is older and cannot take it. Your elder brother has just recovered from a serious illness; how could he be tormented further? You are strong and vigorous. Should you not show filial piety to your father and consideration for your brother?”

Tang Mo grumbled, temper rising: “Even favoritism should have its limits.”

Xin An said, unruffled: “If I am overthinking, then all the better for being prepared. I will send Lai Lai to watch the situation. If you see the two of them truly cannot continue, take the initiative to suggest stopping. As soon as they leave, I will bring you a thick quilt. Spread it on the floor and sleep there for the night; I will put it away before dawn. Tomorrow, sell a bit of misery; the effect will be even better.”

Tang Mo’s eyes lit up as he said: “That is not bad. But what if someone discovers me?”

Xin An replied with a faint smile: “There is a saying: money makes the ghosts grind the mill. As long as the silver is spent, who is going to discover you?”

Thus reassured, Tang Mo set off for the ancestral hall fully armed. When he arrived, Tang Gang and Tang Rong were already kneeling. The ancestral hall was so still a pin could be heard; the atmosphere was faintly eerie.

He knelt quietly to one side. Staring at the ancestral tablets, his mind drifted far afield. Xin An had said that in their previous life the marquisate had been confiscated; [he wondered how these ancestral tablets had ended up, and the thought felt rather bleak].

[He thought again: Grandfather had been such a formidable man; how had he produced this nest of useless grandsons? Fortunately Grandfather passed early; otherwise how much more vexation would he have suffered…]

His thoughts wandered aimlessly. In the end, out of sheer boredom, he reviewed in his mind the military texts he had crammed over the past two days. When he came back to himself, the night had long since fallen completely, yet he did not feel cold; on the contrary, he felt warm, and there was a faint smell of charcoal at his nose.

He glanced back and, well now, two braziers were burning fiercely.

Xin An had guessed wrong. The old man had come prepared. But Tang Mo had put on too many layers and had begun to sweat…