Chapter 284

Chapter 284: Xin An Taunts Tang Rong

Madam Zhang had hit a wall over the dowry, so for the time being she stopped picking on Xin An. After everyone took their seats, she suddenly realized one person was missing.

Tang Mo was out drinking and had not returned; no one had sent him a message. Madam Zhang asked: “Why don’t I see the household’s second young master back yet?”

Xin An answered before Madam Wang could speak: “It is year-end; his duties are heavy and he is very busy.”

Madam Zhang set down the chopsticks she had just picked up and said: “I forgot to ask, where is the second young master posted that keeps him so busy?” [I hope it isn’t some idle sinecure.]

Xin An said: “In the Northern Garrison Army; it is not some grand post, not worth Maternal Aunt’s concern.”

Madam Zhang said with a smile that did not reach her eyes: “And what do you mean by that? The second young master is my nephew as well and should call me Maternal Aunt. Am I, as Maternal Aunt, not allowed to show a little concern?”

Turning to Madam Wang, she added: “I have seen the second young master a few times. He looks rather clever. If you ask me, liking food and drink is no fault, so long as he does not commit crimes.”

Xin An felt her head buzz and said: “We are grateful to Maternal Aunt for her concern for us as a couple. It is just that my husband lacks great ability and can only do tiresome work. I fear Maternal Aunt will laugh that he cannot compare with Eldest Brother, whose future is boundless and glorious.”

Using the communal chopsticks, Xin An picked up a piece of fish with bones for Madam Zhang and said: “If my words were improper, I apologize here to Maternal Aunt. Maternal Aunt is magnanimous and does not hold petty faults; will you indulge me this once?”

The corner of Tang Gang’s eye twitched. He felt that Xin An at this moment looked just the same as Tang Mo of late; husband and wife seemed possessed: you say one line to them, they return ten. Still, watching her needle Madam Zhang gave him a secret thrill.

Madam Zhang forced a smile and said: “Child, Maternal Aunt was only joking and you took it seriously. Whatever the post, as long as it is a proper one, it is better than loafing around.”

The smile on Madam Wang’s face visibly shifted. Xin An, however, did not grow angry and said: “Maternal Aunt is right; compared with Eldest Brother there is a great gap. Whatever the duties, as long as they are at the Imperial Court, he would not dare slacken. If not to measure up to Eldest Brother, at least he cannot bring shame.”

After speaking, Xin An raised her eyes to glance at Tang Rong and said: “Isn’t that so, Eldest Brother?”

That look made Tang Rong uncomfortable. He kept his expression steady, the corners of his mouth faintly smiling, and said: “Second Brother has just been promoted to deputy commander in the Northern Garrison Army; being busy is normal. Since he has not returned by now, he likely will not be back for dinner tonight. Let us begin.”

He was a little afraid of Xin An, fearing that if she became displeased she would say something that made him look bad.

At the word commander, Madam Zhang was briefly taken aback, then felt relieved. It must have been a post arranged by the Marquis; that is how it is in a noble marquisate—so long as one is not a fool, a fine future is assured. But no matter how good, what use is it; can he become the Marquis?

Grand Matron chuckled and urged Madam Zhang to eat. Abiding by the rule of not speaking at table or in bed, Xin An did not say another word. Mealtime is a happy thing, but how much of a torment is it to eat with people one cannot stand?

After the meal, Xin An did not leave; her interest was piqued. She wanted to see what else Madam Zhang would say. If anything displeased her, she could retort on the spot, to vent the cowardice of her previous life.

It was Grand Matron who noticed Xin An’s odd mood and, on the pretext of being tired, asked Xin An to accompany her back. Only then did Xin An, regretful, rise and support Grand Matron away.

On the way, Grand Matron spoke earnestly: “Grandmother knows you are unhappy, but you must not wear it on your face. The Second Young Madam of our marquisate is a dignified person; do not stoop to those who lack sense.”

Xin An said: “I am angry. It is only the first day and she is already nitpicking and throwing her weight around. Though not directed at me, my heart aches for my mother-in-law who still must smile and placate them. We owe them nothing.”

Grand Matron smiled and said: “I know you are filial. But if you offend them, will it not be even harder for your mother-in-law?”

Xin An fell silent and said: “All right, I will hold back.”

Only then was Grand Matron relieved. She also reminded Xin An about entering the palace the next day.

Delayed a while, Xin An happened to run into Tang Rong on the way back to Qiu Shi Courtyard, with Qing Mo at his side. [Is this not an opportunity?]

Xin An did not hide her dislike for Madam Zhang; thinking of how cowardly she had been in her previous life only made her angrier. Hating the crow and thus its nest, she grew angrier when she saw Tang Rong. She was about to find a pretext to jab at him when Tang Rong spoke first and said: “Sister-in-law, what did that look you gave at dinner mean?”

He disliked that look very much.

Xin An said: “You did not understand?”

She rolled her eyes at him and said: “I do not like your Maternal Aunt. She is loud and brash, with none of the poise of an official’s wife, and not the slightest awareness of being a guest. Does she take the marquisate for the Wei family’s domain?”

Such bluntness made Tang Rong, used to speaking in circles, uncomfortable. He said: “Did Maternal Aunt offend you?”

She said: “I disliked her at first sight, is that not allowed?”

Pouting, Xin An spoke without tact and as she pleased, saying: “She arrived and immediately nitpicked, installing herself in such an important position. No one even invited them here. Does she truly see herself as some rare guest?”

She added: “Everyone says Eldest Brother is the stickler for rules. Do you not think your Maternal Aunt is somewhat unpresentable?”

She went on: “She flaunts her power even in the marquisate. Fortunately, Eldest Brother, you are still the Heir Apparent. If you became the Marquis, the marquisate could not contain her pride. Would she not go out beating drums to show off?”

She snorted and said: “Clueless. One would think you were the Crown Prince.”

Having said her piece, she snorted again, turned, and left him her back. Standing beside Tang Rong, Qing Mo edged backward. The Second Young Madam was truly daring in speech. [She hit him right where it hurt. Was it not indeed clueless?] Today they had also punished the servants of Chun Hua Courtyard, saying they had not properly served the Heir Apparent; it was simply a case of a dog catching mice and meddling in others’ affairs.

Tang Rong’s face darkened. Bracing himself, Qing Mo said: “Heir Apparent, Madam Wei was displeased because she could not lodge in Ning Cui Courtyard, so she criticized a few things.”

Tang Rong did not reply. Although he knew Maternal Aunt’s nitpicking was unlikable, the fact that his maternal kin had not been properly arranged for suggested that others looked down on him, and he was unhappy.

He also thought of what Maternal Aunt had said today. When Madam Zhang learned of the bride-swap, she reproached him, saying he was muddleheaded and should not have let Xin An’s dowry go. Only then did he remember that part of the Xin Family’s dowry was intended for him to use later for smoothing matters, a point Xin Kuan had raised when the two families negotiated the betrothal gifts. At that time, everyone was reproaching him, and he was busy handling the trouble caused by the swap; he had forgotten this matter. In other words, Tang Mo’s current position had been bought with the money and items that had originally been his. Unfortunately, it was too late to raise it now.

A gust of cold wind blew. Qing Mo shivered and thought: [Serving before the Heir Apparent is growing harder. His temper is ever more capricious, often silent without a word. Who knows what he is brooding over.]