Chapter 290

Chapter 290: Tang Mo Corners Madam Zhang

When Tang Yong learned from Tang Mo that the Xin Family also dealt in sugar, he immediately wanted to do business with them. Sugar was extremely profitable. He had wanted to try in the past but could never secure a source, forced to watch others make a killing. Now that there was a supplier, he was determined to give it a go.

Xin An said with a smile that they could write to her father about it: “He will certainly agree, and he will be coming to the capital early next spring, so you can discuss it with him in detail then.”

Madam You smiled and said this sort of matter should be left to the men, then changed the subject: “I hear the Wei family has arrived?”

Tang Mo answered first: “They have.”

Before Xin An could add anything, Madam You spoke again in a gentle warning: “Those people from the Wei family are quite full of themselves. Do not go hovering around them.”

Xin An laughed: “Second Aunt is being very tactful.”

Among close family, Xin An did not hold back: “They have been here only two days and nearly started a quarrel already. That maternal aunt from the Wei family is really impossible to like.”

Having tasted Madam Zhang’s obstinacy herself, Madam You comforted her: “She is unwilling to accept things. She thinks if the Wei family’s daughter were still alive, relations between the Wei family and the marquis’ residence would not be like this. She believes your mother?in?law has taken advantage, and what she imagines was taken is the Wei family’s due.”

Xin An said with a little sigh: “So Second Aunt is familiar with this maternal aunt from the Wei clan.”

Shaking her head, Madam You wanted to say something uncharitable yet felt it improper for her position. All she did was caution Xin An: “Since they have come at this time of year, they will not leave until after the New Year. Do not clash with them. It is not worth it.”

“I know.”

A serving matron came to announce the meal. Madam You rose and invited Xin An to eat. Seeing that Madam Gu had not moved, Xin An asked: “Elder Sister?in?law is not coming?”

Madam You replied: “She cannot stand the smell of rich, greasy food. Physician Qin said it will pass after three months.”

Praising Physician Qin, Madam You added: “He is truly outstanding. Your Second Uncle has an old complaint. Every winter his legs below the knees are icy cold and stabbing with pain. He took many medicines and endured many needles without effect. Physician Qin needled him twice, prescribed two decoctions, and now he is much better.”

Xin An said that Qin Bai had his own ideas: “He is not a man who seeks fame and profit, and he does not like being bound. Let him do as he pleases.”

The Tang Family’s supper was abundant. Dishes of every sort covered the table. Two large lamb legs had been bought from outside, already sliced by the cook and laid on an iron griddle. A small stove burned beneath it. The grilling meat sizzled, oil popping, and the fragrance of foreign spices rose temptingly.

Tang Yong and Tang Mo had similar tastes, both favoring bold flavors. Tang Yong lifted a slice of lamb onto Tang Mo’s bowl and asked: “How is it?”

“Just the smell is wonderful.”

Tang Mo was not shy. He put the lamb in his mouth and his eyes lit up, then raised a cup of the wine Tang Yong had just received and clinked with him: “The meat is fragrant and the wine good. Second Uncle, at this rate I will be here freeloading meals often.”

“Second Uncle welcomes you,” said Tang Yong, delighted, looking at Tang Mo with growing fondness: “Second Uncle would be happy to have you here every day.”

While chatting with Tang Yong and Tang Yao Ming, Tang Mo still did not forget to pick up food for Xin An. The ease of his hand made it clear this was not the first time. Xin An did not refuse and ate whatever he set in her bowl. Watching closely, Madam You smiled and ladled soup for Xin An: “Do not only eat the dishes. They are salty. Have a bowl of soup.”

Xin An, not catching the implication, thanked her politely: “Thank you, Second Aunt. They are not salty.”

Madam You laughed: “Then eat more.”

“Oh.” As soon as the word left her mouth, the lamb she had just been enjoying seemed to change flavor as she realized the hint. She glanced at Madam You in mock grievance, her face flushing scarlet. [So Second Aunt was teasing me.]

Originally they had planned to take Tang Yao Ming and his wife to the night market after dinner, but that was canceled because Madam Gu was with child. After the family had sat and chatted awhile, Tang Mo took Xin An out. By then Auntie Wang and the others had returned. Their group drew eyes on the street. Tang Mo cast an unremarkable glance backward, the corner of his mouth tilting in a faint sneer. [Someone is following.]

He pointed at a stall and said with interest: “This is amusing, wrap it up.”

Then at another: “This one too, I will take it back for Meatball to play with.”

And another: “This is nice as well. It will look good on display. Should this one be hung up…”

Tang Mo seemed in fine spirits. Anything that caught his eye he wanted to bring home. Xin An had always liked such little trinkets and found everything fresh and new. After half an hour of browsing, the maids and the bodyguards all had their arms laden with packages.

More than once, Cao Gui and Deng Fang looked back. They felt someone was on their tail and grew more cautious. Only when they returned to the marquis’ residence did that sense of wrongness fade.

On the way back to Qiu Shi Courtyard they ran into Madam Zhang with her two daughters. Judging by their direction, they had just left the Grand Matron’s Chun Rong Hall. The maid behind Wei Xiang and Wei Qing was carrying a lacquered box, likely the meeting gift the Grand Matron had bestowed.

Xin An greeted them: “Maternal Aunt has just finished talking with Grandmother as well?”

“Exactly,” said Madam Zhang. Her eyes fell on the train of servants behind the young couple, all burdened with packages, and her tone turned cutting: “I speak here as your elder. Coming back this late is not proper. You belong to a great household; you ought to mind the rules.”

She continued in admonition: “For juniors, filial piety comes first. If you have leisure, spend it accompanying the elders of the residence, fulfilling your duty, instead of thinking only of your own enjoyment.”

Tang Mo opened his mouth to retort, but before he could speak, Madam Zhang pressed on: “Look at you, returning with so many parcels. Even in a noble residence people should be frugal.”

Her eyes settled on Xin An: “Your dowry may be plentiful, but you must know what those fine things your father sent with you are for, what purpose they serve, whether they are truly for your use, and whether there is deeper meaning in them. You must think carefully about all of this.”

Xin An’s anger flared, but Tang Mo caught her hand. Smiling, he turned to Wei Qing and Wei Xiang: “Maternal Aunt has a mother’s heart. She is saying this for you two younger sisters to remember.”

He went on cheerfully: “In the future, when you marry, you must know clearly whether your dowries are yours to spend and whether you are entitled to spend them. Do not assume that what is given to you can be used at will. It might be intended to subsidize your husband’s family or to buy an official post for your husband. Maternal Aunt is too shy to tell you directly, so she is taking this opportunity to hint to you.”

The sisters were stunned at first, then their faces flushed with shame and anger. Like a brooding hen, Madam Zhang stepped in front of them protectively: “What nonsense. What do you take our Wei family for, some impoverished house that plots how to count a dowry? The girls of the Wei family are precious. Who could compare to them?”

She snorted: “When they marry, there will be ample dowries. Those dowries will be theirs to spend as they please.”

Tang Mo gave a show of sudden realization, his face full of apology: “Then I misunderstood Maternal Aunt. I must offer an apology to my two cousins. That was my own petty suspicion. Tomorrow I will go out and spread the word on your behalf. I will say Maternal Aunt has already prepared rich dowries for both cousins, and once those dowries arrive at their husbands’ homes, the husbands’ families may use them however they like. With such generosity, many families will be eager to become Maternal Aunt’s in?laws.”

He even raised a thumb in praise: “Maternal Aunt is truly loving, magnanimous, and generous.”

“You…” Madam Zhang’s vision went black with rage.

Still smiling, Tang Mo said lightly: “No need to thank me, Maternal Aunt. It is only what I ought to do.”

“Be silent,” Madam Zhang snapped. “The Wei family has nothing to do with you. Do not smear our name outside. If my daughters’ reputations are ruined, I will never let you off.”