Chapter 289

Chapter 289: The Silver-Tongued Xin An

Although Tang Mo said he pitied Tang Rong, in his heart he wished he could slap the skin off that man’s face [if only I could strip his face of its skin].

As for Tang Rong hiring killers to end him, Tang Mo did not tell Xin An, fearing she would worry. [Better she not know for now.] In any case, he had not only laid his defenses but already devised a new plan.

He clapped his hands lightly and said in high spirits: “Come, change your clothes, and let us go out.”

He lifted his eyes toward Chun Yang and the others and added with casual firmness: “You are coming as well.” Though he had a scheme to strike back at Tang Rong, he remained cautious. Bringing Xin An out, he could not afford carelessness.

When they learned they were going to stroll the night market, Chun Lv and the other young maids were delighted. They quickly dressed Xin An anew. Before stepping out, Xin An also invited Auntie Cui Ping to join them.

Cui Ping could not even remember when she had last gone shopping. It seemed she had been only thirteen at the time. Suddenly invited, she reflexively wanted to refuse, not quite daring to throw herself into that kind of bustle. [The last time I walked a lively street, I was thirteen.]

“Aunt, come along; the night market is great fun,” Xin An encouraged with bright warmth.

Nan Feng took Cui Ping’s arm with a smiling squint and said coaxingly: “The year-end night market is the liveliest of all. They sell everything, and there are many performers. It is truly entertaining.”

Chun Yang and Chun Lv chimed in together, and only then did Auntie Cui Ping smile and nod. She went out with everyone, but before leaving she carefully instructed the ones staying behind to shut the gate and let no one in.

As it turned out, Nan Feng had not exaggerated. The year-end night market was especially lively. Lanterns blazed everywhere; from afar it looked like the Milky Way. Hawkers’ cries and merry chatter filled the air, and every so often a burst of cheers erupted.

Xin An was the sort to be captivated by little trinkets and would stop in her tracks, finding everything novel. She could love a headpiece worth ten thousand taels and a kerchief worth ten coins alike; as long as it was pretty, she liked it.

Tang Mo naturally indulged her and took on the main duty: paying for everything.

Chun Lv and the other girls were young and fond of pretty things; they wanted to touch everything and haggle for fun. Even Auntie Cui Ping, after her initial stiffness and discomfort, began to accept the surrounding clamor, though she still looked down on the goods of small stalls.

By the time they reached Tang Yong’s residence, he was already waiting at the gate. Tang Mo went up first to greet him, then turned to Cao Gui and the others and said with easy authority: “Find a restaurant and have a meal on your own; come to the Tang residence to wait in an hour.”

He added, waving a hand as if scattering coin: “Order whatever you like; Lai Lai will settle the bill.”

Qinglu and the others thanked him with cheerful smiles. Cui Ping wanted to follow them into the Tang family home, but Nan Feng tugged her sleeve and explained kindly: “Aunt, let us find a good place to dine. This is how it always is when we go out with Second Young Master. If you come along a few more times, you will know.”

Chun Yang agreed with a grin: “My Lady says we serve all day and it is hard work. Think of this as our benefit, a chance to snatch a little leisure now and then.”

These were Xin An’s original words: even servants cannot work without rest day after day; otherwise resentment accumulates and, in the end, harms the master. It is better to let them out occasionally to let off steam.

Spending a little money was also a way to ensure they worked better.

Cui Ping could only accept it with a helpless smile, though she felt Xin An was too generous with those below. She knew that the bond between master and servant was a series of contests, and she feared that too much indulgence would let the servants overawe the master. [I must remember to remind her later.]

The Tang family home was bright with lanterns, already steeped in the year’s-end spirit. Tang Mo laughed as he walked inside with his uncle: “Second Uncle, why be so polite between us? Coming to your home is like going to my own; you need not come out to receive me.”

Tang Yong countered with an affectionate smile: “Say what you like, but we two have not seen each other in some days. Do not forbid your Second Uncle from missing you.”

Tang Mo burst out laughing and asked like a boy: “Then did Second Uncle buy me a lamb leg?”

Holding up two fingers, Tang Yong answered with good humor: “I bought two, each a different flavor.”

The two of them laughed together. Seeing Xin An arrive, Madam Gu beckoned her over and said in a warm voice: “Have a roasted orange. They have just come off the fire and taste perfect.”

Xin An sat at her side with a smile. After only two glances she noticed something different and said in surprise: “Cousin-sister-in-law, your complexion…”

She took a closer look and asked, tentative but bright-eyed: “Could it be that you are expecting?”

Madam Gu answered with a teasing smile: “You can tell even that?”

Xin An could not say she had special experience, so she explained instead: “There are three pregnant women in our household at present. It just looks that way. Is it true?”

Just then Madam You came over carrying a bowl of sweet soup, her smile making it plain that she was in an excellent mood. Passing the bowl to Madam Gu, she asked: “What are you talking about?”

Xin An replied with a grin: “I was guessing from Cousin-sister-in-law’s glow that she is with child. She had not yet answered me.”

Madam You’s smile grew even more delighted: “Your cousin-sister-in-law is indeed expecting.”

“Congratulations, Second Aunt; congratulations, Cousin-sister-in-law,” Xin An said happily. “This is truly a great joy. How many months has it been?”

“Half a month short of two months,” came the answer.

Xin An counted on her fingers, then declared with a sparkle: “When the child is born next year, the weather will be neither cold nor hot, just right. It is clear my little nephew has come to enjoy blessings.”

These words pleased Madam You and Madam Gu immensely. Madam You said that since the pregnancy had been confirmed, happy events had followed one after another. Tang Yong had concluded a big deal, and the profit would be enough to cover the household’s expenses for the entire coming year, with coin to spare. Tang Yao Ming had also handled a task beautifully and won his superior’s praise.

“Your Second Uncle lent out five thousand taels five years ago,” Madam You went on, her voice still merry. “The borrower had vanished these past years, and we had all taken that silver for lost. Who would have thought that a few days ago the man would suddenly come to the door, repay the principal and interest, and bring many gifts besides. Among them were several fine pelts. Take two back with you; they will make excellent winter scarves.”

“Truly?” Xin An asked with lively interest. “To have silver loaned out for years return at last is surely a great joy.”

She added with a smile: “I have heard that some children are born to enjoy fortune, bringing blessings with them, as if afraid they will suffer grievances otherwise.”

“In Huaijiang I heard of a family whose days were ordinary,” she said. “After the wife became pregnant, their lives improved day by day. Everything they did went smoothly, and by the time the child was born they already had a small property. The child was born into comfort.”

These words went straight to the hearts of Madam You and Madam Gu. “What a girl you are, so good with words,” Madam You said warmly. “You too are richly blessed. Second Aunt borrows your auspicious words and only hopes this child will be born smoothly and grow up safely.”

Sipping her sweet soup, Madam Gu smiled with gentle contentment. Xin An said cheerfully: “I still have quite a lot of swallow’s nest. Tomorrow I will have some sent to Cousin-sister-in-law.”

“No need,” Madam Gu said quickly. “Mother-in-law has bought me plenty of swallow’s nest. I was even thinking to have you take some when you go back.”

Madam You added with a nod: “We purchased a great deal through your Second Uncle’s contacts. When you go back, take some with you, and bring some to your mother-in-law as well. Drink a bowl every day. It is good for us women.”

Xin An laughed: “I came to give a gift and instead received one. How embarrassing.”

“We are all one family; what embarrassment is there,” Madam You said with affection. “Your Second Uncle also has something to ask you. He wants to do business with your father and wonders whether it will work.”

“How could it not?” Xin An answered with assurance. “As long as a business makes money, we never think there is too much of it. I think Second Uncle’s trade is already well run. If he cooperates with my father, would that not be good upon good?”