Chapter 233

Chapter 233: How Dare You Talk About My Daughter-in-law?!

At dusk, Tang Gang exited the palace with a group of court officials, chatting and laughing along the way. Outside the gate, family carriages waited to collect them. A serving lad from the Marquis Yong Shuang residence came up beaming and said: “My lord, Madam asks that you return straight home after leaving the palace.”

“Is there something the matter,” he asked.

The serving lad said: “Today the residence received big crabs from the Huai River, large and plump. Madam says if you return late, the young master will eat them all.”

The others laughed, and someone joked: “My lord is truly fortunate. After all these years, whenever the marchioness gets something fine, she still thinks of my lord first.”

Marquis Yong Shuang, whose lady treated him exceedingly well, looked pleased. He asked with a smile whether the crabs had been bought, and how many, already thinking that if there were many he would invite colleagues to eat together. The serving lad replied: “They were sent by the second young madam of the Marquis Wei Yuan residence. They reached the docks this morning.”

At that, glances turned toward Tang Gang. Marquis Yong Shuang happily cupped his hands to Tang Gang and said: “Marquis, thank you.”

Tang Gang knew nothing of it but could still say a few courteous words. Once home, he asked Steward Zhang, who reported: “They say five hundred catties were sent to the capital, and about three hundred remained upon arrival. The Xin family’s steward fetched the goods at the docks and took them straight to the Xin residence. The second young madam took charge of arrangements.”

“We still have quite a lot in our manor,” the steward added, “but they say we must eat them all tonight, as they cannot be kept.”

“How many are left,” asked Tang Gang, whose first thought was to set aside a portion to send to others.

Thinking it over, Steward Zhang said: “Roughly a few dozen catties. The girls in Chun Hua Courtyard have been picking through crabs all afternoon. They said we would have crab roe buns and crab-roe-tossed noodles tonight.”

Tang Gang halted and asked: “Are they all already in the pot?”

“That should not be the case,” said the steward. Before Tang Gang could relax, the steward added: “They will probably leave a few to steam just before supper. Crabs must be eaten fresh and hot; when they cool they taste a little fishy.”

Tang Gang did not know that Steward Zhang had already received twenty and sent them home; his old mother was probably enjoying them at that very moment.

Sullen, Tang Gang strode forward without a word. As he entered the courtyard, Madam Wang came out to meet him and, without waiting for him to ask, she explained about the crabs and said: “Our in-law misses his daughter and feared she would grow homesick, so he specially sent these for his daughter to taste the flavors of home again.” She continued and said: “It took great effort to get them all the way to the capital. Not long after they arrived, a large basin of them died. Fortunately the second daughter-in-law acted quickly and sent most of them out.” She added warmly and said: “She even came to ask me whether we should save some for the Marquis to gift to others, which shows commendable filial thought. I feared that if we waited for the Marquis to return, more would die, which would be a pity, so I took the liberty of delivering them to the households with which the Marquis has closer relations.”

Tang Gang asked which families had been sent crabs. After hearing Madam Wang’s answer, his heart went cold. The two households he most wanted to favor had not been included. If no one had received any, that would be one thing, but they had sent to more than a dozen families; if those two learned of it, what would they think? What would become of Tang Rong’s official career? Moreover, the deliveries had been finished in the morning; sending now would look clumsy. He could hardly scold Madam Wang, and how could he scold Xin An? He could only curse Xin Kuan in his heart: [Even sending crabs he plays so many mind games; a person might think he was sending gold.]

“Young people inevitably handle matters imperfectly,” he said. “You must keep a closer eye on them and not let them run wild.”

Feigning ignorance as to whom he meant, Madam Wang replied tactfully and said: “You are right. I will go to Chun Hua Courtyard in a while. Ever since the elder daughter-in-law returned, she has become very diligent, arriving before dawn every day to wait at Mother’s door to pay her respects. The elderly sleep lightly and rely on longer morning rest to restore their spirits. With the elder daughter-in-law doing this, the Grand Matron has not slept well and has been fatigued these two days.” She sighed and said: “It is filial, yes, but still not as thoughtful as the second daughter-in-law. Earlier, the second daughter-in-law used to go to Chun Rong Hall every morning to take breakfast with the Grand Matron, but since the weather turned cool she stopped that. She breakfasted first at Qiu Shi Courtyard and then went to pay respects, precisely so as not to disturb the Grand Matron’s sleep.”

[You dare to speak about my daughter-in-law? Look at yours; can she compare,] thought Madam Wang.

Tang Gang felt thoroughly vexed. Madam Wang’s lips, however, still curved lightly; she seemed in a good mood. Steward Zhang was bowing in the doorway. Catching the cue, Madam Wang withdrew.

Duke Xiang sent another letter, insisting on meeting Tang Gang that very night. This time Tang Gang did not refuse. He set a time at midnight and had Steward Zhang send the reply, then sent for Tang Rong to discuss the matter and asked: “Have you thought it through?”

Tang Rong said: “I have already asked Yi’er’s opinion. On hearing of it, she nearly stirred her pregnancy. Her attitude is very firm.” Unwilling to keep entangling himself with the matter, he bowed and said: “Father, please decline it. I do not need such an opportunity.” Having said this, he turned and left without giving Tang Gang the chance to speak, ignoring his father’s hard, darkening face.

“Heir Apparent,” called Qing Mo, catching up before Tang Rong reached Chun Hua Courtyard. Following Tang Rong’s instruction, he had gone to the accounts to draw out two thousand taels of silver, but returned empty-handed and reported: “The accounts say that with year’s end approaching, money is needed everywhere and the books are short of cash. All expenditures must be approved by Madam. If the Heir Apparent needs silver, he must first obtain Madam’s consent and then take her tally to withdraw the funds.”

Tang Rong frowned deeply and asked: “When was this new rule made?”

“Three days ago,” said Qing Mo. He carefully asked whether he should go to Madam Wang. Tang Rong said nothing, turned, and walked off, and Qing Mo had no choice but to follow.

Seeing that it was nearly time for supper, Tang Mo forcibly roused Xin An and said: “Wake up.” Xin An’s head throbbed and she could not get up at all. Tang Mo said: “Chun Yang and the others have prepared a crab feast. We only get this once a year; the next chance will not come until next year.” He added and said: “Crabs cannot be kept. Your father sent them from far away. If they do not end up in your mouth, what a waste. Come, get up.”

Now fully awake, she blinked. If it had been anything else, she might have let it go, but these were crabs from her father. She agreed and said: “You are right; if they do not enter my mouth, what a loss. Quick, help me up.”

Tang Mo helped her sit and told Chun Yang to bring sobering soup and a small bowl of warm millet porridge to comfort her stomach. After she ate, she felt much better and, rubbing her aching head, asked: “How did I drink too much?”

“Ask yourself,” said Tang Mo. “Two crabs with a little wine and you were drunk like a madwoman, crying your eyes out.”

After trying to remember, Xin An admitted she did not know how she got so drunk and asked: “I did not babble nonsense in my cups, did I?”

“You cried most piteously,” he said. “You kept muttering about crabs and even demanded that I set fire to the neighbors.”

Before Xin An could sigh in relief, Tang Mo stood, took a sheet of paper from the drawer, and walked over with a grin and said: “Take a look?”

One glance was enough; Xin An lunged to snatch it. Tang Mo stepped back two paces and said: “No snatching. When you drew me like that, I did not try to grab it.”

“You drew me far too ugly, even with a snot bubble. Your drawing is worse than mine; give it here,” she protested. Tang Mo’s draftsmanship was truly poor. He had drawn her like a spinning top, with two huge nostrils and a snot bubble, which was simply intolerable. Barefoot, she pounced to seize it. He refused and teased her and said: “When you are seventy or eighty, I will take this out to show the younger generation. Hahaha~~~”

Seeing his arrogant look, Xin An flared and tried to kick him, only to kick the table leg instead and cry out: “Ah~~~”