Chapter 298

Chapter 299: Life Is Rich with Flavor

By the time the banquet ended, the old commanders had been cared for thoroughly, body and spirit relaxed. Joking, they told Tang Gang to bring Tang Mo out more often.

“With such a clever and outstanding child, you must not hide him away,” one teased, “are you afraid people will say both your sons are excellent and grow jealous of you?”

“This is your good fortune,” another said, “at most we can only envy you.”

Tang Gang waved his hand with a smile and said: “This boy’s nature is lively. Even I as his father cannot always predict him. I feared his high spirits might cause mistakes. Since you do not mind him, we will call him along the next time we gather.”

“Be sure to bring him,” they said. “Your eldest is steady. If you bring another steady one, it will be dull. Among one’s children and grandchildren there must be one lively spirit. Knowing how to make people laugh is a skill too.”

The old generals all nodded in agreement. In their twilight years, they enjoyed juniors who were spirited and articulate. Such a sight was pleasing.

As they departed, the veterans clapped Tang Mo’s shoulder or arm in praise and told him to visit these old fellows more often. They said they would introduce their own sons to him as well. Tang Mo agreed readily, and only after seeing each old general into his carriage did he turn back.

Tang Gang was in good spirits too, feeling that the brat had brought him honor tonight. For once he did not strictly bar Tang Mo from touching such connections. He even reminded him: “Since you have agreed, you cannot go back on your word. You may henceforth visit these old generals on your own.”

Tang Mo, surprised by his generosity, asked with a grin: “What, you are not wary of your son anymore?”

Tang Gang shot him a sidelong look and said: “Do not get cocky. Handing them to you does not mean I will not supervise. If I find you fooling around, I will break your legs.”

“You would not,” said Tang Mo, smiling cheekily. “If my leg is broken, then you will not only have a rotten son, you will also have a crippled one. I am already starting to feel sorry for you.”

“Shut up,” said Tang Gang, averting his eyes again so he would not have to see him.

Tang Mo yawned and noticed that he felt no discomfort after drinking tonight. [So is it the quality of the wine or the effect of that odd-tasting soup I had outside?] he wondered.

Back at the marquisate, Tang Gang handed a slip of paper to Tang Mo and said: “Give this to your wife.” He lifted his foot and left without explanation.

Tang Mo, however, smiled as he examined the names. They were households to which vegetables would be delivered. He brought the list to Xin An and said: “Once the vegetables go out, our chance arrives. You will handle gaining entry to the inner courtyards. I will take charge of befriending the men of each household.”

“Not a problem,” said Xin An, taking a glance at the list. She had built connections of her own, interests interlinked. It was much easier now to make new acquaintances. “This is the benefit of sleeping in the neighboring courtyard. Father had no choice but to pick you. Year end is the best time to cultivate relationships. I still have several banquets to attend, and with Cui Ping helping me, there will be no mistakes.”

Tang Mo said he had also made the acquaintance of quite a few lately, all the sons of prominent families. Adding the households from tonight’s dinner, he boasted: “Give me two to three months and I can turn these ties into my own network. What should we call what we are doing?”

“United in purpose, husband and wife sever gold?” she offered.

“Two swords combined, unrivaled under heaven?” he tried.

“The black-and-white double fiends, and who can contend?” he added, making her laugh again.

Xin An kicked him under the quilt and said: “Enough quips. Go wash up.”

Tang Mo leaned close and asked: “Have you found your big book yet? I can hardly wait.”

She kicked him again and said: “Get out, and practice some restraint.”

He leaned a little closer and pecked her lips quickly, then said with a grin: “Tonight I drank goji berry wine. It nourishes essence, strengthens yang, and makes the body robust. I am all heated up. I will wash and come back.” He stole another swift peck and hurried off to wash.

Under the quilt, Xin An pulled the covers up snug. [Life these days is… almost too flavorful.]

With the list in hand, Xin An instructed Nan Feng and Liu Chang to deliver fresh greens to each household and told them: “Be sure to say clearly who is sending them. Do not mention anyone who should not be mentioned.” That very day, the households on the list received the vegetables and heard the names of Tang Mo and Xin An. Those with an eye for meaning quickly discerned the intent.

As for the families of Old General Zhang and the others who had dined together the previous night, they received not only greens but also the wine Tang Mo had promised, along with tea from Xin An. Old General Zhang brewed the new tea that very day and slurped appreciatively as he told his wife about Tang Mo’s quick wits.

“We used to hear he was unreliable and petty,” he said, “but it seems that is not the case now. He is well-favored in looks and sharp in mind. I see a bit of the Old Marquis’s shadow in him.” All knew Tang Gang favored his eldest son and suppressed his younger. To make a way under such circumstances required not only brains but also a share of hard knocks.

“Now that he has Liao Zhi’s support,” Old General Zhang went on, “as long as he is willing to work and avoids mistakes, his future is set.”

The old lady chuckled about the tea’s fragrance and said: “He married well. I heard his wife and Madam Liao have plenty to say to each other. Both are daughters of wealthy merchants, both married into noble houses backed by their clans. A woman entrusted with her clan’s hopes cannot think only of comfort. Their alliance and mutual leverage are only natural.” She concluded: “That is his luck too.”

“Though his wife deserves credit, he himself must be ambitious,” said Old General Zhang. “That boy has prospects.”

The old lady gave him a helpless look. This old thing had a habit of doting on promising juniors; he always wanted to shelter someone.

One meal had already improved Tang Mo’s reputation, but he had no time to tend to such matters. He had even handed the matter of dealing with Tang Rong over to Luo Qi Wen, for year’s end was too busy. The capital already held a million people, and those from outside were streaming in to buy New Year’s goods. Goods moving through the docks piled up like mountains. Where there are crowds, there is trouble. Kidnappers and pickpockets grew ever bolder. The district under Tang Mo’s charge was both populous and commercially thriving; he could not afford a single lapse.

In such a situation, he was fortunate to have Xin An, a virtuous helper at home, giving him no worries at his rear so he could devote himself wholly to his duties.

“Year end is busy, but busy is a good thing,” said the Second Prince’s Consort, whose complexion was glowing. Perhaps it was because she would soon be a mother, or perhaps because the Xin and Xu families had drawn closer, but her attitude toward Xin An had softened in a way that felt unfamiliar to Xin An, who had preferred her with chin tilted, face full of disdain as she scolded Tao Yi Ran. The consort added, warmly: “If you feel bored, come sit with me often. I have nothing much to do.”

“At home, my elder sister-in-law is pregnant and we also have relatives visiting,” said Xin An, “so I must help my mother-in-law with errands, though it is not difficult.” Then, eyeing the consort’s rosy glow, she said with a playful sigh: “Seeing your wonderful color, I fear I will have to thicken my skin and come pay respects often, so I can share in your blessings.”

The Second Prince’s Consort smiled gently, the radiance of maternal love spilling from her in a way that almost dazzled Xin An’s eyes. “You are most welcome,” she said. “My mother told me your father will come to the capital in the spring next year?”

Xin An nodded and said: “The Xu Family helped the Xin Family so greatly that my father says he must come in person to offer thanks to show sincerity. He should arrive after the onset of spring, just when the Huai River Silver Blossom tea is at its freshest. You can taste it again then; its flavor will differ from before. There is also a variety called Pre-rain Spring Color, whose leaves are exceedingly elegant, pure and sweet with a soft body and a lingering return of sweetness.” She laughed and added: “Oh my, just talking about it makes me crave it.”