Chapter 262

Chapter 262: You Said You Like This

Deputy Commander sounds impressive, but there are as many as twelve of that rank, and ordinarily such a matter would never catch the Emperor’s eye, let alone prompt him to order the eunuch attendant at his side to bring an imperial edict to be read aloud; the deeper meaning of this, with a little thought, is easy to guess.

As soon as Eunuch Zhao left, Qiu Shi Courtyard burst into cheerfulness, sweeping away the sighs and sorrow from moments before; even the air felt lighter. Madam Wang and Madam You took her hand and said with beaming faces that she had a fine son and need only wait to enjoy a comfortable life.

Wang Mian even arranged with Tang Yong to go out and drink that evening, saying they would celebrate for Tang Mo in advance.

The servants in the courtyard became busier than ever. Their second young master was indeed injured, but not severely, and he was promoted besides. His Majesty the Emperor had personally sent someone to deliver the decree and such lavish rewards. What an honor this was. The servants called out to one another with smiles: “Quick, boil more water for when Second Young Master wakes to drink,” and, “Make a bird’s nest broth for Second Young Master; no, better yet, take out the soaked sea cucumbers and stew them with millet.”

Laughter and chatter rose without end as they vied to work; it was rare to be this happy. Xin An did not restrain them and even said that when their second young master woke, if nothing serious was amiss, she would give them celebratory money.

Madam Wang came in supporting the Grand Matron, both smiling. The marquisate had not seen such a joyous event in a long time. Seeing Wang Mian and Tang Yong’s families, they greeted them warmly. The Grand Matron even said to Tang Yong in a kindly tone that they were all one family and he ought to come by often.

Next door, when Tang Rong heard the news, he nearly ground his teeth to pieces. He was injured too, yet he lay there with no one caring, and they still had not caught the assailant. Without even asking, he knew the world outside must be full of his jokes. [How is he so lucky?] Tang Mo had promotion upon favor heaped upon him. [How is he so blessed?] After thinking it through, he decided it was all because of Xin An, because Xin An had given him a hand. If Xin An had not wooed Madam Liao and generously lent money, how would Liao Zhi look upon Tang Mo? What did Tang Mo have? [How can he compare to me?] [Xin An…] His eyes turned frightening; repeating Xin An’s name in his heart, he grew all the more determined to get rid of Tang Mo.

No one knew how long Tang Mo had slept; once he fell asleep he slept until the next morning, and it was hunger that woke him. Lai Lai, who had kept vigil, noticed first and ran to Xin An: “Young Madam, Second Young Master is awake.”

Xin An hurried to Tang Mo’s bedside. Tang Mo, his eyes hazy, looked at her and said, “Who are you?”

Lai Lai thought he had slept himself silly and asked, “Second Young Master, are you awake or not?”

Tang Mo frowned and asked again, “And who are you?”

Lai Lai was on the verge of tears and blurted, “Young Madam, what’s wrong with Second Young Master?”

Xin An let out a breath of relief and silently rolled her eyes. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she cleared her throat and said, “I am the pawnbroker’s proprietress; you borrowed one hundred thousand taels and, unable to repay on time, you pledged yourself to me. Forgotten?”

Tang Mo almost broke character. [As expected, it was that ruthless wife of his; the first thing out of her mouth is one hundred thousand taels.] Xin An arched a brow and asked, “Well then, will you spend your life as my servant, attending me hand and foot, or would you prefer to go to a black coal mine to dig coal?”

Lai Lai blinked, understood at once, and quietly retreated. [My young master is no match for the young madam.]

Tang Mo forced an ugly smile and reached to hook Xin An’s finger as he murmured, “How about warming your bed?”

“Is that worth one hundred thousand taels?”

Xin An tipped up his chin with a finger and asked, “Do you know that one hundred thousand taels could hire a peerless beauty of the mortal world?”

“I was wrong,” said Tang Mo at once, admitting defeat with admirable speed. “I should not have tried to fake amnesia to scare you, playing a joke.” He had not expected to lift a stone only to smash his own foot, and he gasped, “It hurts.”

“Physician Qin said the wound is deep; it will hurt for a few days, and you will have to endure it,” said Xin An.

Looking pitiful, Tang Mo reached out to hook her little finger, his voice hoarse: “We had just consummated our marriage and you called me out at once without even giving me time to prepare myself; you do not know how I lived these past few days. I had thought of returning to make a grand display of prowess, and it ended like this.” He grimaced. “Why does it hurt so much? It did not even hurt this badly when the blade fell. It hurts to death.”

Xin An snorted: “It only means you are not injured enough; you wake up with a belly full of schemes.”

At that very moment his stomach growled; the schemer growled too. Tang Mo’s head swam and he said, “I am starving.”

“Stay hungry,” said Xin An, rising to go. Tang Mo grabbed her, and the force of his arm made him bare his teeth in pain: “Are you really going to watch your dear husband starve to death before your eyes?”

“I prefer you a little needy. It is more pleasing to look at,” she replied.

Tang Mo glared. “Fierce shrew, I want food.”

“I will beat you to death.”

“You said you like this…”

They teased each other back and forth. Tang Mo kept grinning foolishly, and when Chun Lv came in with bird’s nest porridge, she pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh. Tang Mo sighed helplessly and said, “Feed me.”

“Eat by yourself,” said Xin An.

“I do not get injured often; it is rare to have a turn. Can you not wait upon me just this once? Please,” he begged.

With no other choice, Xin An fed him spoon by spoon. Tang Mo ate with eyes shining; anyone who did not know better would think he was tasting some delicacy beyond compare.

Madam Wang arrived just in time to see this scene and could not have been happier. Look how well her son and daughter-in-law got along.

After eating, Tang Mo perked up. When Madam Wang questioned him, he said he had gone along to suppress bandits; the bandits were ruthless, so getting injured was only to be expected.

“Would you go to suppress bandits without making preparations in advance?” she asked.

“In war, speed is of the essence,” he replied. “Besides, the others who went were all experienced hands and looked after me.”

He knew Liao Zhi meant to promote him; otherwise, why take him along on such work?

Madam Wang asked, “Then why pretend to be so gravely injured?” She had felt as though they had deceived the sovereign when Eunuch Zhao came; her heart had pounded with fear.

Tang Mo said it was arranged by Liao Zhi. As for the details, he had not asked, and he was not foolish enough to do so; he simply followed instructions. Given how close their wives were, how could they harm him?

“Commander Liao is truly good to you; you have been promoted, did you know?” said Madam Wang.

This, Tang Mo truly did not know. He had been away for days and missed his wife fiercely. When he woke, he only wanted to tease Xin An, and he had not yet spoken of serious matters.

In a few words, Madam Wang recounted what had happened. “Heal properly. When you are well, return to your post. You have made your way, and I am happy; even my back feels straighter.”

Before Tang Mo had time to rejoice, the Grand Matron entered with a smile. “Are you feeling better?”

Xin An and Madam Wang made room. Tang Mo clutched the Grand Matron’s hand pitifully and said, “Grandmother, your grandson nearly died of pain.”

“Amitabha, you nearly frightened your grandmother to death,” she said. Seeing that although his color was poor his spirit was sound, she relaxed. She asked carefully whether he felt unwell anywhere besides the wound and asked Xin An what time Physician Qin came each day. She told them that if they needed anything they should say so. If the household had it, there would be no refusal; if not, they would send out to find it. “Though it is a promotion, it was purchased with your life. If there is a next time, you must be extra cautious. Merit is one thing; your life is the most important. Your grandfather often said that as long as one lives, there is hope. When you are better, go to your grandfather’s armory and choose two weapons that fit your hand. I remember there are a few hidden weapons as well. I do not understand them, but you can see for yourself. Carry them for protection from now on.”

The Grand Matron had always treasured the Old Master’s belongings; even Tang Rong had never been granted such favor. At that moment, Madam Wang felt the Grand Matron was not so bad after all.

Tang Mo played the dutiful grandson and coaxed the Grand Matron into laughter. The gloom of the past two days cleared from her face, and even her breathing felt especially smooth.

After they saw the Grand Matron out, Madam Wang returned with a complicated look in her eyes and said, “Now that you are well, I too will bask in your light; your grandmother looks upon you differently.”