Chapter 277

Chapter 277: Father, what do you mean?

Cautiously probing, Qing Mo tried to draw out more of the inside story from Cai Quan: “You know the Heir Apparent’s condition as well as anyone. He cannot be dissuaded. I am young and inexperienced and not steady. For some things only you and Auntie Cai can labor.”

Cai Quan nearly rolled his eyes and said: “Enough. Go back and attend him. If you can persuade him, do your best.”

Fuming, Cai Quan left. Qing Mo’s eyes turned and he sneaked off to idle, for the Heir Apparent’s intimate tasks were all being handled personally by Auntie Cai now, and he was still injured.

By the time Tang Mo left Tang Gang’s study, the sky had already grown dark. He returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard, changed clothes, and went out to a banquet. Xin An, alone, also ate a few dishes; she did not scrimp on herself just because Tang Mo was away.

After dinner, bored, she propped her chin in her hands and looked at Chun Yang: “Good Chun Yang, I want to hear a pipa piece.”

Chun Yang smiled and said: “I will fetch the pipa. How about letting Chun Lv sing a tune.”

“All right.”

Very soon Chun Yang came back cradling her pipa. The two of them, one playing and one singing a Huai River ditty, were in fine spirits.

The pipa sounded like spring water, clear and crisp, and the little song was lilting and melodious. Xin An listened with great contentment; especially Chun Lv’s Huai River tune made her want to fly back to the Huai River that very instant.

The music reached the ears of everyone next door in Chun Hua Courtyard. Tao Yi Ran stepped out to listen for a while and was surprised that Xin An could even play the pipa. Her fingers itched to touch the zither too, but thinking that Tang Rong was still lying there, she could only give up, and in her heart she grew all the more disgusted with Tang Rong.

Her eyes reddened at once. She felt truly ill-fated. [How could I have been so blind as to fall for Tang Rong.] She had thought him handsome, graceful, and quite talented. Who could have guessed that now, little by little, he was not even as good as Tang Mo.

The object of her contempt, Tang Rong, grew irritable as he listened. Xin An’s excellence angered him even more, and to his ears the pipa was full of mockery. [Seeing me so wretched makes her that happy.]

The servants of Chun Hua Courtyard pricked up their ears and all thought it pleasant to hear, and their moods improved a fair bit. But none of them dared say anything, keeping their heads down as they busied themselves.

When the piece ended, Xin An was delighted and rewarded each of them with a hairpin.

Nan Feng had been listening from the side and applauded warmly: “Chun Yang, you are amazing. You even know how to play the pipa.”

Chun Yang smiled and said: “My lady did not want to learn, so she had me learn instead.”

Madam Xin had hired a music master at great expense for Xin An. Xin An found learning difficult, but since the master had been hired for a high price, she thought it could not go to waste, so she had Chun Yang and Chun Lv learn along with her. Chun Lv was more delicate, and they had thought she would take to it, but she nearly lost her fingernails and even bled, so she refused to touch it again.

The sturdier Chun Yang, as it turned out, had a bit of talent and was willing to learn. After she became proficient, she would often play for Xin An, and in the past mistress and maids would often close the door and entertain themselves.

“I really only know a few pieces. If you want to learn, I can teach you.”

“No, I will just listen.”

Nan Feng declared she could not learn. These days she was already very good at gathering information and getting things done, and she had become the young lady’s right hand; what did she need with learning to play the pipa.

When Tang Gang came by, the pipa had already fallen silent. He went straight into Tang Rong’s bedchamber in Chun Hua Courtyard. A charcoal brazier burned in the room, and the heat made that room’s smell all the more intense. Enduring his discomfort, he asked after Tang Rong a few times, and Tang Rong said directly: “Father, does this matter have anything to do with Tang Mo.”

“How could you think that.”

Following Madam Wang’s advice, Tang Gang denied it at once: “Did the physician not say it clearly. It has nothing to do with your second brother. Do not let your thoughts run wild.”

Tang Rong grew anxious: “But Father clearly stormed off to find Second Brother today. How could it be unrelated.”

“You mean that.” Tang Gang said: “Today His Majesty the Emperor kept him and Liao Zhi to speak alone. I asked him what it was about, and he would not say a word. The little he did say was infuriating. I was angry about that.”

“As for you…” He had meant to sit on the bed’s edge, but thinking better of it, he hooked over a stool with his foot. Only after he sat did he say: “Heal properly. If you have nothing to do, read. There is no need to worry about the outside. Do not set yourself against your second brother. In future if something arises, speak of it directly. Do not let there be any more things like false accusations and the spreading of rumors.”

Tang Rong’s heart clenched: “Father, what do you mean.”

In Tang Gang’s mind, there should be nothing unspoken between father and son, so he held back few words and spoke directly: “From the start of your schooling I have planned for your future. Whatever would be for your good I placed before you, hoping you would soon prop up the gates of the Marquisate. These years you have not disappointed me. But what are you doing now.”

“Your eyes are fixed on the palm-sized space of the back courtyards, engaging in the doings of women. It is truly disappointing.”

Compared to how he had spoken to Tang Mo, he believed himself extremely gentle now. Tang Rong, however, tightened his fist and asked: “Has Father been listening to someone’s talk.”

“I have already said I was unaware of what Auntie Cai did. Do you think I believe she acted on her own.” Tang Gang, still mindful of his face, did not tear through the pretense. “I only hope you know where you stand. Reflect more these next few days.”

Not speaking of daylit debauchery did not mean it had not happened. Some things he deliberately avoided, which was nothing but self-deception. The higher one climbed, the less such things would be forgotten. That no one mentioned them now was only because Tang Rong was no threat to them. This much, Tang Gang still saw clearly. If one wanted the matter to be fully laid to rest, it would require Tang Rong to render some great service. But that was easier said than done.

After he left, Tang Rong’s fist slammed down on the bed-board, making the attendants outside the door all tremble. Everyone in Chun Hua Courtyard spoke with care, fearful of bad luck. Even Auntie Cai did not wish to go in to serve and, claiming she felt unwell, slept the day away.

“The Marquis just left.”

Nan Feng conveyed the news to Xin An: “Qing Mo says the Heir Apparent has already sought out Cai Quan twice. He must have given him something to do, and it is guessed to concern Second Young Master. Qing Mo could not discover the specifics.”

He was about to do something desperate. Sitting on the bed’s edge, Xin An said: “I know. Tell Qing Mo to be careful and not to be discovered.”

“You should go to bed early too.”

Nan Feng withdrew. Xin An yawned and snuggled into the quilt. She slept so soundly that she did not know when Tang Mo returned. When she woke, Tang Mo was already dressed and standing before her mirror smoothing his clothes.

“How is it that after your promotion you go even earlier.”

Seeing her awake, Tang Mo smiled and took two steps toward her and said: “I am a newly appointed official and have not yet gotten acquainted. Once I do, I can slack off. Did I wake you.”

“More or less.”

Yawning and unwilling to get up, she propped her head on her hand and said that next door was on the move again: “I am not going to interfere in that. This afternoon I still have to go to the Xu family.”

“Last night Ping Qiu from Mother’s side came to say the Empress has summoned. Tomorrow morning I must enter the palace.”

Tang Mo smiled and said: “Busy indeed. As for next door, I am keeping watch. Whatever he does, I will not let him succeed. He will only lift a rock to smash his own foot.”

Xin An cautioned him: “You still need to be extra careful. Do not be careless. Bring the bodyguards when you go out.”