Chapter 302

Chapter 303: Growing Disappointment in Tang Rong

The Chun Rong Hall’s dishes were fragrant, and the Chun Hua Courtyard was no less. Madam Wang was not the sort of mother-in-law to be openly cold and sharp; beyond the stipends allotted to each courtyard, whatever was made in the main kitchen could be fetched by any courtyard as needed.

Those sent by Auntie Cai not only brought back a generous haul but even summoned a cook to come along, and soon a tableful of dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor was set out.

The Wei family, together with Tang Gang and his son, made a lively company. Wei Liang Cai kept praising Tang Gang and lauding Tang Rong, and Tang Gang, giving face, answered with a few compliments for Wei Chuan Zong. Tang Rong wore a decorous smile that drew his two cousins to steal glances at him again and again.

After three rounds of wine, the mood was just right. Madam Zhang smiled and said with a show of gracious affection: “My nephew is blessed to have a father like the Marquis.”

She lifted her cup and added, self-satisfied: “And my nephew is no disappointment either. In my rounds these past few days, people have praised him as a gentleman like jade, a paragon of grace. To have such a promising son is also the Marquis’s good fortune.”

She fancied these words elegant. Tang Gang smiled outwardly, but could not help a twinge of regret. [Tang Rong is on the verge of becoming a father himself, yet when he is mentioned, it is still only his looks. He is not like Tang Mo; when people speak of Tang Mo, they call him uncut jade that needs only slight carving to shine.]

Madam Zhang cast Tang Rong a glance, then carried on: “My nephew is to be pitied; his mother passed early. Fortunately the Marquis shielded him in all things. Of fathers under heaven, few love their children as the Marquis does.”

Wei Liang Cai silently cried that this was turning bad and tried to stop her, but he was too late. Madam Zhang had already turned and said: “Marquis, there is a matter I would like to raise with you.”

All eyes fell on her. Wei Liang Cai cut in with a laugh, seeking to smooth it over: “Let us eat properly. Whatever it is, speak of it later.”

Madam Zhang ignored him. [Later? Who knows when later will be.] Madam Wang held the reins of the marquisate and wanted to drive the Wei family out; Tang Mo, that wolf cub, was more lawless than anyone. How could she not vent her anger, and besides, she was doing this for Tang Rong. She lifted her chin and asked bluntly: “Marquis, do you know that Madam Wang intends to drive our Wei family out of the marquisate?”

It would have been better left unsaid. The moment she brought it up, Tang Gang’s heart soured. Because of this matter, first his mother had lectured him repeatedly, then Madam Wang had refused to let it drop. He had neither done anything nor even entertained such thoughts, yet he had been made to swallow this humiliating grievance. [All because of Madam Zhang.]

He asked, voice going cool: “Is it over the second daughter-in-law’s dowry?”

At that, Tang Rong’s heart clenched. He knew he should speak up at once to defuse the matter, but he also wanted to see his father’s attitude, so he held his tongue.

Wei Liang Cai felt his heart drop to the bottom and rebuked Madam Zhang in a low, taut voice: “This is the Marquis’s household affair. The Marquis will decide right and wrong. You have eaten enough; go and rest first.”

Madam Zhang would not relent. “That is not how this should be put,” she said, taking on the air of a maternal aunt protecting her own. “What belongs to whom should be made clear. We cannot let it pass in a muddle. Think how great a loss my nephew has suffered.”

She clicked her tongue and declared with a righteousness she did not own: “Entering the wrong bridal chamber may be unheard of, but it is fate. The two families can discuss and exchange, but what was agreed upon beforehand cannot be canceled because of it.”

Had she said this earlier, Tang Gang might still have considered it. After all, his preference for Tang Rong had become instinct; he always wanted to win more for him. But this very day Tang Mo had mocked him, and he was already regretting his neglect of the Xin Family, thinking how to mend the relationship. Though Tang Yong was wealthy, could he be wealthier than Xin Kuan? Moreover, this entangled the elder General Xu and the Second Prince; many matters would require Tang Mo to act.

So Tang Gang answered with iron formality: “Since the marriage partners were exchanged, the exchange must be thorough. If the person is changed yet the dowry is kept, and word spreads, the marquisate might have the plaque over its gate stripped by His Majesty the Emperor.”

He ended it flatly: “This matter turned the page long ago. Do not raise it again.”

Wei Liang Cai had known they were courting disaster, but Madam Zhang could not tell the times or their measure, oblivious that the Wei family still needed to rely on Tang Gang’s favor.

She stared, affront flaring, and demanded: “What does the Marquis mean by this?” Recently she had been mocked everywhere, and her resentment of those snobbish noble ladies had only driven her to cling tighter to Tang Rong. In her mind, only if Tang Rong became Marquis Wei Yuan would she, his maternal aunt, enjoy splendor, instead of being greeted outside with: people thought the marquis’s son’s mother’s family would be the Wang Family, and who would have guessed it was still the Wei family.

She leaned forward and pressed on: “Marquis, my younger sister was your first wife, and Tang Rong is your legitimate eldest son, the Heir Apparent of the marquisate. Everything in this household ought to put him first. How can you…”

Wei Liang Cai snapped, face darkening: “Be silent.” He cut her off and said coldly: “That is the marquisate’s household affair. Even your nephew has said nothing. What do you mean by capering about here?”

“How do you know he has not said anything?” Madam Zhang flung back, shaking off his grasp. “What else should he say? Must he tell you, his uncle, that he was bullied for it to count?”

Tang Gang lifted his gaze to Tang Rong. Tang Rong hurriedly rose, bowed with clasped hands, and said with careful respect: “Father, your son has never entertained such thoughts. Maternal Aunt does not know the inside story. She is only concerned for your son. Please do not be angry.”

Madam Zhang fell silent, and faced with the icy look in Tang Gang’s eyes, fear at last pricked through her bravado. “Do not blame him, Marquis,” she said quickly. “He has always been generous and magnanimous. How would he say such things. It was all my speaking.”

Wei Liang Cai let out a breath; she was not completely witless after all.

Tang Gang said nothing. The stormy cast of his face spoke clearly enough of his displeasure. Wei Liang Cai sent Madam Zhang out. When only the three of them remained, he offered an apology. Tang Gang glanced at him, then said with layered meaning: “At year’s end the house is busy and guests increase by the day. Since elder sister-in-law does not know the capital and seldom visits, have her take the children out more to see the sights and customs of the capital.”

Wei Liang Cai gave an awkward smile; he understood at once. At year’s end, those who came and went in the marquisate were all nobility. Madam Zhang lacked polish and was not fit to be received. Though it was the truth, dissatisfaction still pricked his heart.

A perfectly good meal had its mood spoiled in this way. Tang Gang grew ever more disappointed in Tang Rong, and could not help recalling Tang Mo’s words: [He never speaks plainly, always has others speak for him, and he reaps the benefit. If he treats others that way, that is one thing. But to treat his father the same.]

Tang Gang did not fling his sleeves and leave; still protecting Tang Rong’s face, he only said curtly: “Sit down.”

Out in the night wind, Tang Mo rubbed his stomach, wrapped in his greatcloak, and groaned: “I am stuffed.”

Xin An shot him a glare and scolded with exasperated fondness: “Even if it is delicious, you cannot overeat. Is it comfortable, feeling like that? The dignified second son of a marquisate, acting as if you have never had a proper meal.”

Tang Mo looked at her pitifully and protested: “We are about to depart, for seven days at that. Who knows what I will be able to eat in those seven days. You do not know, last time I went out, it was dry buns with cold water. If I did not eat, I was starving; if I ate, I felt unwell all over.”

“You are so delicate,” Xin An said, wanting to mention that even Liao Zhi could stomach hardship, then thinking that Liao Zhi had eaten far more bitterness than ordinary people. But this man was different; he had grown up in silk and brocade. She relented and promised: “I will prepare more food for you to take, so your mouth does not suffer.”

Grinning, Tang Mo slipped an arm around her shoulders and declared with cheerful certainty: “I knew my lady was the best.”

As the two drew near, Tang Gang, coming toward them, heard that line and silently rolled his eyes in passing, thinking with brusque disdain: [Useless thing.]