Chapter 264

Chapter 264: The Couple’s Double Act

Those whimpering, squeaking sounds were so creepy, like a rat forcing its way into one’s skull; Tang Mo was stunned, [he thought he saw Tao Yi Ran from his previous life], a chill ran over his whole body as he pleaded: “I beg you, be yourself again, I’m still used to your fierce self.”

He added with a shiver: “I’ve got goosebumps all over.”

Xin An kept up a sob-then-snicker routine, making Tang Mo so anxious he sat up and implored: “Please, great beauty Xin, my honored grandaunt, are you trying to take my life?”

Unable to keep a straight face, Xin An flicked the handkerchief in her hand and laughed until she bent double; the helpless Tang Mo followed suit, and the room filled with cheerful warmth.

Hearing the laughter from inside, the people in the courtyard began winking and grinning as well. Lai Lai stood with Chun Yang, smiling as he cuddled Meatball, and declared with squinty-eyed satisfaction: “I told you Second Young Master is sound and healthy with nothing wrong, just shy and embarrassed; you lot were spouting nonsense. Look how good his relationship with the young madam is now.”

Chun Yang shot him a glance and retorted with a smile: “From start to finish the one spouting nonsense was you; we didn’t say a word.”

Chun Lv came over and nodded in agreement: “Exactly, it was you talking nonsense. Don’t pin it on us.”

Lai Lai started to argue, but Chun Lv called Nan Feng over; Nan Feng also said it had been Lai Lai. Faced with three “witnesses,” Lai Lai looked ready to cry: “You… you… you’re ganging up to bully me.”

The three young women turned away in triumph, leaving Lai Lai bewildered in the wind, unable to explain himself.

The weather was fine today. After several gloomy days, the sun finally came out and the sky turned blue, though the wind was stronger than in the previous two days.

Tang Gang shook off his own gloom and wore a smile all day. Tang Mo’s promotion was clear proof of Liao Zhi’s favor; many people saw it as the opening of opportunity for Tang Mo and assumed more glory would follow, so they naturally began to link Liao Zhi and Tang Gang together.

Those who did not know the truth even thought Tang Gang must be quite capable to draw in someone as hard and unapproachable as Liao Zhi, and they were full of compliments when they met him.

Tang Gang almost felt he had returned to the days two years ago when Tang Rong shone, and he found it exhilarating. As soon as he came back to the manor he asked about Tang Mo’s condition and even went himself to visit him at Qiu Shi Courtyard.

Of course, platitudes would not yield the answers he wanted; his real focus was on asking what errand Tang Mo had run with Liao Zhi that brought such a reward upon his return.

Tang Mo’s answer was by the book, that he had gone to suppress bandits; as for which bandits specifically, he did not know: “I follow Commander Liao’s orders. Whatever he says is what I do.”

Tang Gang did not suspect Tang Mo of lying. Liao Zhi takes orders from His Majesty the Emperor; naturally he carries out the Emperor’s business, and some matters are not for outsiders to know. He counseled with gravity: “You have earned Commander Liao’s appreciation by fortune and merit, but from now on you must be cautious in your duties. In all things put the Marquis’s Manor first and think twice before you act. You must understand that the Marquis’s Manor is your greatest support; as long as you remain in the Marquis’s Manor, its radiance will shine upon you.”

Tang Mo nearly rolled his eyes, [so much for a guilty conscience discovered; he was just afraid my wings would grow hard, warning me over and over], what kind of person is that.

He replied with proper form: “Your son receives Father’s instruction and will keep it in mind.”

Tang Gang grunted assent, then rose slowly and said: “Rest now. I am going to check on your elder brother.”

He paused to ask: “Do you know about your elder brother’s injury?”

Xin An had only mentioned it in passing, with a single “serves him right.” Because Tang Mo had been drowsy, she had not gone into detail. Tang Mo instinctively looked at Xin An; having already brought it up before, Xin An reflexively shook her head to indicate she had not yet had time to explain, but that now would be as good a time as any.

Tang Gang informed them gravely: “Your brother was beaten again by a group of black-clad men. Their blows were especially heavy this time; even his ribs cracked. An injury to muscle and bone takes a hundred days. He has suffered bitterly.”

He added, frowning: “I have been pursuing the culprits these two days. I do not know whether we angered them, but people from Duke Xiang Manor and from our manor have been ambushed in succession when out of doors. Even Steward Zhang was injured. Speaking of this, you must be careful. When going out, take bodyguards. While on duty, have bodyguards follow at a proper distance, so those people cannot get at you.”

Tang Mo looked genuinely surprised and asked: “How can he be that unlucky? Did he run into a ghost?”

Xin An sighed and said: “Grandmother has already gone to South Crossing Temple to pray and asked for safety talismans. Let us hope they help.”

Tang Mo mused: “They say those with a pregnancy enjoy luck at its peak. There are three pregnant women in Eldest Brother’s courtyard. That’s triple auspiciousness coming together. What kind of jinx is strong enough to override all that?”

Xin An corrected him with a dry look: “The one pregnant is not your elder brother.”

Tang Mo dismissed it with a wave: “He is the father of the children. It counts all the same.”

The more the two talked the livelier they became, until Tang Gang’s face darkened; he tossed out a curt, “Take care and recuperate,” and turned to leave. Watching him go, Xin An plopped onto the edge of the bed to grin at Tang Mo, then described Tang Rong’s sorry state: “His face was covered in blood, as wretched as can be. With this, he won’t be going out again until after the new year.”

She added with a thoughtful squint: “To be fair, Ma Qi and his partner were a bit ruthless; they nearly beat him to death. I just don’t know whether the two of them will be traced.”

Tang Mo analyzed coolly: “Hiring thugs is not something Ma Qi and the other one would handle personally, nor would they use those close to them. They’ll find someone with no clear connection to carry it out, and those desperadoes take the money and do the job without caring who the client is. Even if caught, nothing will be wrung out of them.”

Xin An asked, brows knit: “So what is the situation now?”

With even Steward Zhang having been beaten, it seemed the Marquis’s Manor had been targeted.

Tang Mo thought for a moment and concluded: “The dead man was probably important in that group, hence the revenge. But I am certain the one Duke Xiang silenced was killed by his own people; the old man would not dare.” [He knew Tang Gang well enough to infer the truth with only a little thought.]

He finished with a shrug: “As for what comes next, leave it alone. If the trouble grows, someone higher up will step in. After all, one side is Duke’s Manor and the other is the Marquis’s Manor; it will draw attention.”

As they were speaking, Nan Feng hurried in to report that a man named Wu San’er was outside asking for Tang Mo. Liu Chang had brought him to the back gate, and she had only just arrived when he relayed a piece of news.

She said quickly: “A twelve-year-old young master from Duke Xiang Manor was abducted on his way home from school. The kidnappers are demanding that Duke Xiang Manor exchange the corpses of the black-clad men and prepare a ransom of twenty thousand taels. There were few people on that stretch of road. After seizing the boy, the kidnappers even beat the serving lad from Duke’s Manor and had him carry the message.”

She added: “Two beggar children witnessed it and told Wu San’er.”

Tang Mo asked where Wu San’er was.

“Still by the side gate, and he would not be sent away. Looks like he is waiting for a reward.”

Tang Mo instructed decisively: “Take five taels of silver to him. Have him use the money to ask around everywhere and see if he can catch any trace of that gang.”

Nan Feng turned to carry out the order. Tang Mo’s brows drew tight, [where did Ma Qi and his partner find these bandits].

He muttered through his teeth: “In broad daylight. They are simply brazen.”

Xin An pressed his shoulder and advised: “Lie down. Now that things have come to this point, the Marquis’s Manor can breathe for the moment. Let us see whether the yamen can find this group. It also serves as a reminder for us: handle matters cautiously in the future so we do not leave hidden dangers.”

Tang Mo could not settle. He wanted to see Tang Rong’s embarrassment, and it pleased him even more to watch the old man run around in a panic, but duty was duty; this was not the time for personal grudges.

He had Xin An send for Zhuang Shi: “My injury does not keep me from moving about, but I still cannot wield a blade. We need Brother Zhuang to handle this.”