Chapter 301

Chapter 302: Tang Gang’s Heart Turned Cold

Tang Gang felt waves of dizziness surge through him; this scoundrel had become utterly lawless, and today he had to be taught a lesson. Just as he was about to call for the family rod, Tang Mo stepped forward with a box filled with banknotes and set it before him, then he spoke with feigned sincerity: “I wanted to keep it all, but your daughter-in-law said that at year’s end every courtesy and visit costs money, and Father cannot go about empty-handed, so some must be set aside for you. Look at her breadth of heart; even after the way you treated her, she still thought of you.”

Tang Mo handed the box over and said: “Here.”

Tang Gang took the box and opened it, but before he could speak, Tang Mo continued smoothly: “I am giving you half. We two, father and son, will each have ten thousand taels. As for Eldest Brother, I am not about to take care of him. If he has no money, let him go to his father-in-law. If you want to favor him and hand him your share, I will not object.”

Tang Mo added, calm as ever: “The thirty thousand my father-in-law gave before, I have kept in reserve in case of emergencies.”

After the dizziness receded, gold sparks danced before Tang Gang’s eyes. He lifted a cup of tea and took a sip. [He had also taken ten thousand taels from Tang Yong this year, and he thought that with what Xin Kuan had on hand, funds would be generous. Tang Rong was young and unlikely to make social rounds for now, but after the New Year he would have to go out and be seen; then he would have to find him a new placement. With money in hand, business could be handled with ease.] Who could have foreseen that this wretch Tang Mo would skim off half and upset his plans.

Tang Mo caught his expression and, brows lifting, asked with a hint of mockery: “What does that look mean? Do you think I am unfit to spend the household’s silver?”

Tang Gang braced a hand on the table and ordered coolly: “Spit out that ten thousand taels.”

Tang Mo snorted and asked lightly: “What are you thinking?”

He arched a brow and went on in a lazier drawl: “I have more to do next year and more to spend. My father-in-law has practically emptied his coffers over the northwest salt route and can no longer support me. I need to be frugal and have nothing extra to give you.”

Tang Gang pressed his palm to the tabletop and began: “Your wife has plenty in her hands…”

Tang Mo rolled his eyes and cut him off: “Hold it. Have you not noticed that my daily food, drink, and clothing are paid with her silver? I have already eaten at someone else’s table and must keep my mouth shut. Spare me and let me keep a shred of dignity.”

Before Tang Gang could retort, Steward Zhang’s voice sounded from outside the door, steady and respectful: “Marquis, someone has come from Duke Xiang’s manor. They say there is urgent business to report to the Marquis.”

Tang Gang shot Tang Mo a hard glare and warned in a low voice: “Do not think this ends here. If I find you acting recklessly, I will break your legs.”

Tang Mo brushed dust from his sleeves and replied carelessly: “All right, all right. Other than eating and drinking, what else would I do. I am going.” He sauntered out as if nothing in the world could weigh on him.

Watching the second young master swagger off, Steward Zhang lowered his head and chuckled. Lately the Marquis had less and less leverage over the second young master; whatever the Marquis said went in one ear and out the other, leaving only the Marquis himself fuming. [What would you call that? Offer him sincerity and he refuses it; he insists on kicking you twice. Tsk.]

In short order the men from Duke Xiang’s manor entered the study. The captured black-clad assailants had been interrogated with Duke Xiang himself present. The result was this: Ma Qi and Zhao Wen had been taught a lesson by thugs hired by Tang Rong; stung by humiliation, they in turn hired thugs to retaliate against Tang Rong, which then set off the subsequent events.

Their spokesman presented the documents and said with formal clarity: “All began when the Marquis’s household Heir Apparent first hired thugs to vent private anger, which then led to what followed. The matter has been investigated thoroughly. Young Masters Ma Qi and Zhao Wen have confessed. These are the depositions; please review them, Marquis.”

The two depositions were written with crisp detail. Tang Gang steadied himself and returned the papers. The messenger continued: “The Duke’s view is that we are all people of the Imperial Court. At this point there is no further need to dig to the root. The Marquis’s family affairs are not matters Duke Xiang’s side will involve itself in, but in any event we must thank your second young master for inviting the divine physician and helping to pursue the culprits.”

Tang Gang nodded faintly and said with official composure: “Please convey to the Duke that This Marquis is grateful.”

Steward Zhang saw the men out and, incidentally, made a few discreet inquiries. By the time he returned to the study, Tang Gang had already gone to the Chun Hua Courtyard.

All along the path, Tang Gang’s mind churned. [Perhaps it was my favoritism that gave Tang Rong the courage to act yet not take responsibility. In those days after the incident I traded sharp words with Duke Xiang every day and was exhausted in body and mind, while Tang Rong did nothing beyond asking for the outcome, saying not even half a word about the inside story.] [Looking back, to say I am not heartsick would be a lie.]

He had intended to confront Tang Rong, but when his quick strides brought him to the gate of the Chun Hua Courtyard, he halted. [If I lay this bare, it will wound not only the father-son bond but also Tang Rong’s face.]

Tang Rong, exercising in the courtyard, saw him first. After a few polite words, he proposed matter-of-factly that he needed to go out to socialize: “The end of the year is busy, and your son worries that Father cannot handle everything alone.”

Seeing Tang Gang’s eyes flick to his pallor, he added with a couple of soft coughs: “Father need not worry about your son’s health. The medicine is keeping it suppressed; there will be no trouble.”

Unwilling to embarrass him, Tang Gang spoke gently instead: “Men from Duke Xiang’s manor reported that the black-clad men they caught were the ones who assaulted you. They have confessed that they were instigated by Ma Qi and Zhao Wen.”

He asked in a measured tone: “Have you offended these two?”

Tang Rong thought back and quickly replied with earnest certainty: “It must be because of Zhu You. The day Zhu You went mad, those two were present as well.”

What he said was fact, but to Tang Gang’s ears it sounded like an admission that he had indeed hired men to teach them a lesson. Tang Gang sighed and said with finality: “The matter is settled; Duke Xiang’s manor will not pursue it further. Since your wounds are not yet healed, focus on recovery. Do not put on a brave face. Your second brother now has some accomplishments; he can help.”

He began to promise the next step: “Come next year, we will find a suitable…”

Before he could finish, Wei Liang Cai and Madam Zhang arrived. Seeing Tang Gang present, Madam Zhang’s face bloomed with smiles, fearful she might say something unwelcome; Wei Liang Cai lightly tugged her sleeve and, smiling, offered respectful greetings to Tang Gang, then suggested with easy warmth: “The winters in the capital bite sharply. Marquis, why not dine with us this evening.”

Tang Gang thought that he should indeed have a private meal with the Wei family; he had been too busy to mind Tang Rong much of late and ought to give him some face. He agreed with a nod and said simply: “Very well.”

Tang Rong proposed that they dine in the Chun Hua Courtyard: “The small kitchen can make a few of its specialties. I have invited Mother and my two cousins as well.”

Tang Gang noted that Madam Wang would dine with the Grand Matron that evening and said, still giving Tang Rong his standing: “We father and son will keep your uncle company for a few cups. Once the new appointment arrives, who knows when we will meet next.”

All were pleased with this arrangement. It should have been Tao Yi Ran who handled the preparations, but she was unwell, truly unwell. Whether or not Tang Rong had upset her too much, she suddenly began to show pregnancy sickness, retching at anything she ate; her good complexion vanished.

Auntie Cai, now thinner by a circle, bustled about, arranging the courses, sending people to the main kitchen for ingredients, and overseeing tea and pastries, whirling from task to task.

Just one wall away, Xin An and Tang Mo left together, heading to the Chun Rong Hall to cadge a meal from the Grand Matron. Barely had their heels crossed the threshold when Nan Feng slid the bolt on the door and let Meatball out to romp in the courtyard.

Night fell. In the Chun Rong Hall the hotpot bubbled merrily, and the fish slices Xin An had craved all afternoon were placed on the table. The Grand Matron beamed and said with simple delight: “In winter we ought to eat hotpot. It is warming and lively.”

“Exactly,” Xin An replied, smiling as she swished a slice of fish through the broth, then she coaxed: “There are so many ways to eat hotpot, and I think each one is delicious. Grandmother, try this fish. The small kitchen has picked out every bone. It is slick and tender.”

After tasting, the Grand Matron nodded with a smile: “All of you eat. Seeing you eat with appetite makes Grandmother happy. I also have a hotpot the Empress Dowager rewarded us with. It is fresh and cuts the rich taste. Having a little after the meal will be just right.”

Madam Wang was not one to be ruled by her palate, but after several meals with Xin An she had found a leisurely pleasure in tasting good food. The family kept few formalities and felt at ease.

As for Tang Mo, there was even less need to say it: he cracked jokes that kept everyone laughing without delaying his own eating. The room rang with laughter, merry and bright.