Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Tang Rong Has His Own Strengths

Grand Matron had always been particular about meals; more than half of Chun Rong Hall’s expenditures went to food. Even the angry Madam Wang felt her mood improve at the sight of a table laden with dishes that delighted the eye and whetted the appetite.

The dishes were good and suited their tastes. Both generations, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, each ate two bowls of rice. After the meal, Xin An took her leave to rest; she still had to go to General Xu’s residence in the afternoon, which would also be taxing.

As soon as she left, before Madam Wang could speak, Grand Matron soothed her, saying: “Do not fret about the Wei family. This marquisate is not a place where the Wei clan can dictate as they please.”

“Since they have come, treat them as guests.”

“Was it hard on you just now?”

Madam Wang gave a bitter smile and said: “They did nothing but say that I, as stepmother, had not taken proper care of the eldest, that I had not treated them as true kin; they disliked the courtyard, disliked the furnishings, called the tea cups ordinary and unbefitting the grandeur of a marquisate.”

Grand Matron’s brows gathered; in her heart she grew all the more displeased with the Wei family.

Regardless of displeasure, the Wei family still took up residence. They washed, ate, and set the servants assigned to them running in circles, nitpicking about various things for a long time, until Wei Liang Cai scolded them into silence. Madam Zhang closed her mouth, but she was still not reconciled in her heart.

She said: “Husband, why be so cautious? This marquisate will sooner or later belong to our nephew. Half of his blood is Wei blood; that cannot be denied. I cannot stand that Madam Wang. A stepwife, yet she puts on the posture of a Marchioness. Before our younger sister, she was nothing more than a concubine.”

“Enough.”

Seeing her grow increasingly excessive, Wei Liang Cai said: “What concubine nonsense is this? She was brought into the marquisate in proper fashion, with matchmakers and betrothal rites and an eight-carriage procession. She is a legitimate Marchioness. Put away those airs you used when in office. What kind of place do you think this is? Without the marquisate, what would a sub-fourth-rank official’s wife amount to in the capital? Who would even pay you heed?”

A veteran of officialdom, he had felt something amiss within less than half a stick of incense after entering the gates. By rights he was the Heir Apparent’s maternal uncle, and upon his visit he ought to have been welcomed as an honored guest, yet he did not feel especially warm reception. He sensed Madam Wang’s impatience, Grand Matron’s perfunctory manner, and even a hint of condescension from that nephew’s wife.

He said: “Pack up; let us go see our nephew.”

Madam Zhang had long wished to go. Soon the family called a servant to lead the way and headed toward Chun Hua Courtyard. On the road they encountered Xin An on her way out. She was richly dressed; every piece of clothing and jewelry was exquisite, simply expensive at a glance. A stately matron followed behind her, and two maids came after bearing caskets in their arms, very imposing indeed.

Xin An stopped and greeted them first, saying: “Uncle and Maternal Aunt, are you going to see eldest brother?”

Madam Zhang gave her a thorough once-over and asked: “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

Xin An smiled and said: “Eldest brother and Sister-in-law are in Chun Hua Courtyard. Having learned that Uncle and Maternal Aunt have arrived, he will certainly be delighted; I imagine he is impatient to see you. I will not intrude.”

Seeing her depart with her attendants, Madam Zhang glanced back and said: “I suddenly recall that the Old Marquis arranged a betrothal for our nephew long ago with a family surnamed Xin, salt merchants by trade. And the one just now was surnamed Tao?”

Wei Xiang asked the servant leading them: “Was the Second Young Madam who just passed surnamed Xin?”

The servant nodded and said: “Second Young Madam is indeed surnamed Xin.”

“How did she become Second Young Madam? Was she not betrothed to our cousin?”

What was a servant to say to that? He could only keep his mouth shut and hasten to lead them to Chun Hua Courtyard. At this moment, Tang Rong was still bathing, a second round already. Half a cake of scented soap had been used up; he had nearly scrubbed off a layer of skin. He had washed his hair twice and still felt unclean.

A servant called softly: “Heir Apparent, the Wei family uncle has arrived, saying they have come to pay their respects to the Heir Apparent.”

Tang Rong was still soaking in the tub, a steaming towel laid over his face. Auntie Liu answered on his behalf, saying: “Please ask Uncle to wait, and say that the Heir Apparent is bathing. If Uncle asks, say the Heir Apparent worked up a sweat. As for what should not be said, do not utter a single word.”

“Invite the Young Madam to receive them first.”

The maid withdrew. Tang Rong had no intention of hurrying to see his uncle. His mind was occupied with what he should say to explain his predicament, and how to persuade his uncle that his prospects remained bright and secure the man’s support, [for he must make Uncle believe he was still headed for success.]

The Wei family waited two sticks of incense. Tao Yi Ran went as well. Before entering, she was already thinking about how to deal with the Wei family. Heaven favored her: just as she stepped in and had spoken a single sentence, a maid from Xue Yu’s quarters arrived to say that Xue Yu’s belly was cramping and she wished the household physician to take a look.

What should have been a simple word of instruction, Tao Yi Ran undertook personally, which greatly displeased Madam Zhang and led her to fault Tang Rong as well. [Who chooses to bathe at a time like this? The airs he puts on are truly lofty.]

They waited another half hour. After all, even after he finished bathing, Tang Rong’s hair had to be wrung out. By usual routine, he could not come down in less than half a day; today was already very rushed.

Before they saw him, Madam Zhang’s dissatisfaction had reached a peak. Yet the instant she set eyes on him, all her anger dissipated. Tang Rong stood before them with a faint scent of water still on him; his hair, not yet fully dry, was half bound and half left loose; he wore a long robe embroidered with emerald bamboo. A light flush lingered on his cheeks from the bath. He looked exceedingly refined; just standing there made Madam Zhang feel entirely delighted.

Wei Xiang and Wei Qing were even more dazzled, convinced their cousin was like a banished immortal from the heavens, handsome beyond the ordinary.

He said: “Uncle, Maternal Aunt.”

“Ah, our nephew is truly outstanding.”

Madam Zhang’s eyes were full of admiration as she said: “Truly a first-rate gentleman.”

His status was noble, and his looks were fine; Madam Zhang felt very much flattered and proud.

He said: “I have felt somewhat unwell and have made Uncle, Maternal Aunt, and our cousins wait a long time.”

“It was only a short while, not long.”

Smiling with a mouthful of yellowed teeth, Madam Zhang took a step closer, and Tang Rong, without making it obvious, stepped back. He said: “Uncle and Maternal Aunt have come from afar, and I did not personally welcome you; I feel uneasy. Thankfully Uncle and Maternal Aunt are broad-minded and do not blame me; only then do I feel at ease.”

“Please, Uncle and Maternal Aunt, be seated.”

Tang Rong had his own strengths. Give him a chance, and he could make people like Madam Zhang believe he was heaven’s favored child with a boundless future. He knew how to speak on formal occasions as well, coaxing Madam Zhang until she was dizzy with pleasure.

He said: “Earlier a letter arrived from the Tang clan saying that the clan’s sons and daughters have reached marriageable age and hope that Father and Grandmother will help them find good matches. I was thinking that since our two cousins have not yet been betrothed, if good families could be found here in the capital, it would help Uncle and even be of benefit to the Wei family.”

“This is a matter that ought not to be raised by me, but my mother passed early, so there is no one but me to do this untimely thing.”

These words struck right at Madam Zhang’s heart. She said: “It is kind of you to still think of your uncle. Since your mother passed, the marquisate and the Wei family have grown farther apart. If not for you still being here, we might not even be able to set foot inside the marquisate’s gates.”

She took the chance to embellish matters and belittle Madam Wang: “A stepmother is, after all, separated by a layer and cannot be relied upon.”

Tang Rong did not refute her. After all, there were some things he wished said by his maternal aunt’s mouth.

He said: “I see Cousin has grown much taller than before. Having come to the capital at last, you must take the chance to look around properly. It is a pity I am not convenient to go out these days; otherwise, introducing you to some scions of noble houses would also be a good thing…”

Tang Rong began to paint fine prospects with words alone, and Madam Zhang was delighted, certain the Wei family’s bright future lay just ahead and that the consorts of dragons were there for her to choose. Even Wei Liang Cai felt that with this nephew, the Wei family’s future was firmly secured.

As for Wei Chuan Zong and the sisters Wei Xiang and Wei Qing, they admired Tang Rong all the more; their speech was full of flattery and praise, which Tang Rong found exceedingly gratifying.