Chapter 246

Chapter 246: You’re burning incense in the middle of the night?

Chun Yang came in carrying a bowl of soup and announced: “Son-in-law, it is time to drink your soup.” Tang Mo lifted his eyes to ask: “What soup is this, exactly?”

He had been drinking these concoctions lately and kept feeling that something was off; he had no idea what medicines Physician Qin had put in them. After he drank, he would grow feverish in the second half of the night, although the next morning he always felt rather energetic.

Chun Yang did her best to look entirely normal as she said: “Aunt says you labor all day and should nourish yourself. She specially had Physician Qin write a tonic to strengthen you.” [Afraid she might give herself away, she hurried to find an excuse to withdraw.] Xin An did not actually know what the soup did either, but she trusted that anything prescribed by Qin Bo would be fine, so she urged softly: “Drink.”

Tang Mo took the bowl and sipped at an unhurried pace, even teasing Xin An as he did: “Grand Matron, losing your nerve? Where are your strength and tricks?” Xin An shot him a smiling glare and replied: “You will know when the time comes.”

After he finished the soup, the two of them went to the dining hall together. The Grand Matron was in high spirits today and joined them; the smile never left her face. Tang Mo proposed they have a couple of cups of wine, but Tang Rong refused with the excuse that he had been unwell recently and the household physician had told him to avoid alcohol. Tang Mo did not press the matter, because [he felt the restlessness rising again].

After the meal, Madam Wang spoke with the Grand Matron. She had taken the craftsmen to inspect an empty courtyard in the residence earlier that day and said: “By rights, concubines who have official standing ought to have their own small courtyards. The two ladies in Chun Hua Courtyard were originally the maids who served the eldest, and I overlooked this matter.” She added: “Wife and concubines living in the same courtyard is improper. Yet both concubines are pregnant, and I fear moving them rashly would be unwise. I ask Mother to decide what should be done.”

Before the Grand Matron could speak, she raised another point: “Now that the principal wife and both concubines are pregnant, the eldest has no attendants at his side. This ought to have been arranged by the eldest daughter-in-law taking the initiative, but I see she has no such intention. I can only ‘meddle’ as his mother and think on his behalf.” She prided herself on being a good stepmother; she would never allow Tang Rong to be left without attendants. She insisted on assigning a few people to him, and even to Tang Gang as well; she had heard someone had sent beauties to Tang Gang and hoped the woman had some skill and would not be as oblivious to romance as the other concubines had been. The more people, the livelier.

The Grand Matron was not very satisfied with the courtyard where Tang Rong currently lived; it was indeed somewhat cramped. But the two brothers could not be made to swap courtyards on a whim. There was already resentment in their hearts because of the marriage exchange, and changing courtyards on top of that would only pour oil on the fire. If word got out, it would sound dreadful.

Madam Wang’s proposal suited her well: “Move the two concubines out. It is hardly proper for women that far along to remain in that courtyard. Choose two women with clean family backgrounds to go serve; there is no rush to raise them to concubines. Let them serve for now.”

Madam Wang nodded. Having laid the necessary groundwork, she turned the conversation to the courtyard where Tang Mo lived and said: “It seems the Daoist Master’s words back then have all come true: Chun Hua Courtyard does favor the begetting of children. But that courtyard is not as spacious as Qiu Shi Courtyard, and leaving aside that the eldest is the marquis’s Heir Apparent and of honored status, he is also older and ought to live in a larger, better courtyard. Why don’t I go speak to the second boy myself and have him move out? We can take down the dividing wall between the two courtyards and combine them into one; that way even with two more children there will be plenty of room to run and play. As for the second, we can find another courtyard elsewhere in the residence for him. He is unwilling to take concubines and sticks to his wife; in the matter of children he will not surpass the eldest.”

The Grand Matron refused outright. She had only today told Xin An to rest easy about living where she was: “The Daoist Master’s words have all proved true, which shows he did not see wrong. They have lived there so long; moving back and forth is a nuisance. Once the concubines move out, will the courtyard not be open? Do not bring this up again, lest the second and his wife feel hurt. He may not be the eldest son, but we cannot treat him so shabbily. When the eldest inherits the title, he will move into the courtyard where you live now. For the present, let everyone stay put; a courtyard that promotes children is an excellent courtyard.” [She had only last night put Madam Wang out of sorts; if she failed to see where the lines were today, the residence would become unsettled again. She truly feared Madam Wang might read too much into things. She was getting on in years and relied on Madam Wang to manage all the household affairs. Remembering how oppressive the atmosphere had been when Madam Wang lost her temper a few days ago, she had no wish to provoke her. If Madam Wang steeled her heart and did something drastic, the consequences would be unimaginable.]

Madam Wang gave a light laugh and said: “Since this is Mother’s decision, I will order the selected courtyard to be prepared at once for the two pregnant ladies to move into.” The Grand Matron smiled and nodded: “Then I must trouble you to see to it.” Madam Wang replied: “It is as it should be.”

When Madam Wang left and was halfway down the corridor, Ping Qiu lowered her voice to say: “Madam, why do I feel the Grand Matron is somewhat afraid of you?” Madam Wang answered with amusement: “You noticed?” [She found it rather interesting. Ever since her quarrel with Tang Gang, the Grand Matron had seemed a bit afraid of her. The Grand Matron had never been harsh before, but now she was even easier to talk to.] As for Tang Gang, [if he dared to propose changing her son’s courtyard, she would make him regret it].

After nightfall, Tang Mo and Xin An strolled the courtyard hand in hand with the dog, the dog romping while they chatted and laughed. Chun Yang and Chun Lv followed at an easy pace, [unable to shake the sense that a happy event for their young lady and son-in-law was close at hand].

That night, when they bathed, Tang Mo took exceptional care. He used a toothbrush dipped in fine salt to scrub his teeth again and again, shaved away the newly sprouted stubble until his jaw was smooth, and even fumigated his inner garments with fragrance. After putting them on, he sniffed right and left and checked himself in the mirror, very satisfied.

Xin An washed up as usual, then settled calmly into bed and pulled up the covers. Before long a faint, sweet scent reached her; she turned her head to see Tang Mo approaching with a smile. She asked with a laugh: “You are burning incense in the middle of the night?”

Tang Mo smiled and brought over two wine cups with red cords tied to their rims, handed one to Xin An, and said: “We still have not drunk our nuptial cup.” Xin An lifted her hand to take it, knelt properly before him, raised the cup, and said: “Then please continue to look after me, Second Young Master Tang.” Tang Mo replied: “And may Second Young Madam give me her steadfast support.” They both drank the wine with smiles. Taking the cup from her hand, Tang Mo asked with a grin: “Should we also perform the husband-and-wife bows?” Xin An teased back: “We drink first and bow after?”

Tang Mo set the cups back on the table, took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, let down the bed curtain, and lay on his side propping his head with one hand. Playing with a strand of Xin An’s hair, he let the smile at his lips curve free and said: “Wife, let your husband experience your strength and your methods. However much strength and however many methods you have, use them on me; I can take it.” His line about strength and methods successfully dispelled Xin An’s lingering nervousness. She pulled the quilt over her face and laughed so hard her whole body shook. Tang Mo yanked the cover away, took her by the arm, and with a roll she landed astride him. His broad palm steadied her by the waist as he asked with a chuckle: “How is this posture? Is it exactly to your liking?” Xin An’s face was red but her eyes were still smiling as she lowered her head to kiss his lips, letting their breaths mingle as one…