Chapter 303

Chapter 304: Steward Zhang’s Whispered Advice

Steward Zhang walked alongside Tang Gang and said with a cheerful smile: “Second Young Master grows more impressive by the day; it is proof that the Marquis teaches his son well.”

Still keeping pace, he added: “Since his promotion he is even busier than before, out early and back late with spirits high. He looks set for a brilliant future.” Tang Gang cast him a sidelong glance and said: “You think very highly of him.”

Steward Zhang replied: “I do not know why, but I feel the Second Young Master has acquired a measure of the Old Marquis’s bearing.”

Tang Gang was silent for a while. He had said little after Tang Mo took up his new post, yet, worried that the rascal might act out, he had quietly made inquiries. Each report brought back only good news. Even if he would not admit it aloud, in his heart he felt Steward Zhang had a point; of late Tang Mo truly made him look at him anew.

He handled assignments with method and speed, managed social ties well, and those idle playboys he once called friends were now being reined in by their families and pushed to improve. He could not yet see much in other areas, but in the realm of social dealings Tang Mo was far better than Tang Rong.

Thinking of how his aging mother had again eaten fresh vegetables sent over by Second Young Madam, Steward Zhang felt all the more that Second Young Madam managed matters with thorough care, and he said: “I wonder if the Marquis has noticed that the Second Young Master has grown leaner. He looks more like you now.”

He chuckled and continued: “The same tall, handsome figure and striking looks, and above all a similar temperament.”

Tang Gang cast back in memory, yet all he could summon was the image of Tang Mo’s careless grin that infuriated him, and he said: “Where is he anything like me.”

Steward Zhang laughed and insisted gently: “He truly is. His height and frame resemble the Marquis’s very closely. His features take after my lady somewhat more, but when he smiles his expression mirrors the Marquis’s.” In truth he wanted to say that Tang Mo was a shade more handsome than Tang Rong; it was just that Tang Rong had been exceptional from childhood, and years of cultivation gave him a gentleman’s poise and noble air that made people overlook his actual looks. In that respect, Tang Mo fell short.

Tang Gang remembered Tang Mo smiling with two rows of teeth showing and thought: [Is he that unreliable too?] He snorted and said: “Nonsense.”

He added with indignation: “Have you not seen how he provokes me? He even dared to claw back ten thousand taels of silver.”

Steward Zhang, without missing a beat, flattered him lightly: “Is the Second Young Master so mischievous if not because the Marquis indulges him? A father who truly wished to punish him would not permit such antics. To put it plainly, the Marquis has a soft father’s heart.”

[Is that so?] Tang Gang wanted to say it was not. He truly did wish to discipline that brat; he simply could not catch him to beat him, nor outargue him to scold him. Yet Steward Zhang’s explanation went down easily and even helped him save face. He sighed helplessly and said: “However infuriating that rascal is, he is still my son. How could I truly beat him to death?”

“Marquis, you care for the Second Young Master in your heart, so why do you always fly into a rage on seeing him,” Steward Zhang said in a coaxing tone, “If this goes on, it will harm the bond between father and son.”

Tang Gang replied that he simply could not be gentle with that wretch and said curtly: “Enough. You have not seen how he behaves now. Three sentences from him and I could die of anger.”

“Second Young Master has the Marquis in his heart too,” Steward Zhang said, “Perhaps he does this to gain more of your attention. Though he is competent in his duties, he is still young. I fear he wants guidance from the Marquis and is merely embarrassed to ask.”

Tang Gang felt another small knot loosen in his chest. [I knew it. He used to be so respectful and now he acts so unruly. So he has just changed methods to make me take him seriously. Truly a belly full of schemes.]

At that very moment, the man with that belly full of schemes was contentedly watching Xin An busying herself while still remembering to make demands, and he said with a grin: “The jerky is good, bring extra.”

He added: “We do not need that much wound salve. Bring me some of that candy you had last time.”

Xin An satisfied him point by point, then turned back to ask: “If you are going to the camp, do you need to wear armor?” She was thinking that Tang Mo would look very handsome in armor.

Tang Mo said with a hint of expectation: “I have not been issued any, mostly because I have no formal rank yet. But that is all right. It is good enough to go and see the world.” He glanced at the clothes and added lightly: “No need for anything too luxurious. Keep it simple.”

Xin An told Lai Lai to fetch the old clothes tucked away at the bottom of his chest and said with a laugh: “I cannot help it. All the clothes I arranged to be made for you came out too sumptuous.”

“Be careful when you are out,” she said softly, “Liao Zhi’s assignments are never simple. Take care of yourself.”

“I know,” he replied.

Tang Mo took her hand. He wanted to go out and see the world, yet he also worried that the neighbors would cause trouble while he was away, so he said: “While I am gone, do not get into a quarrel with the people next door. If anything happens, go straight to Mother. I am afraid you will suffer a loss.”

He added: “It is best not to see anyone from the Wei family either.” After giving these instructions, he thought it best to send a letter to Huai River, asking his father-in-law to seek out two masters and send them over to guard her for absolute safety.

Seeing Xin An still busy as night deepened, Tang Mo leaned in and whispered with wicked delight: “Hurry and tell me, where are you hiding that booklet?”

Xin An, still thinking about what else to pack for him, almost failed to catch his meaning. She thumped him on the chest and said: “Away with you.”

Tang Mo caught her hand with a smile and said: “I will go wash up first. You wash up early too, and later we will study the exquisite arts in that booklet.”

He teased: “Think about it. If we do not read it these two days, it will be seven days before we open it again.”

Xin An’s brows and eyes curved with laughter as she said: “Get lost.”

“The humble one will roll away at once,” he said cheerfully, “and in a while I will roll back and roll right into the bed.”

As the saying goes, even the staunchest maiden yields to a persistent suitor. Xin An, who had little resolve in such matters, was even more easily swayed. She had no way to deal with him and could only choose to enjoy it.

Next door in Chun Hua Courtyard, Wei Liang Cai frowned and said: “It seems to me the Marquis still relies heavily on you, the eldest son.”

Tang Rong’s face showed a bitter smile as he said: “Uncle does not know. For the past half year I have repeatedly run into incidents. I lost my position at the Ministry of Rites because I needed to recuperate afterward. Often, a few days after I healed, I would encounter another accident. I keep feeling there is a pair of hidden hands pushing from behind, but no matter what I do I cannot find the trail.”

Wei Liang Cai was startled to learn he had lost his Ministry of Rites post. Knowing the cause, his first reaction was to assume that someone was sabotaging him, and he asked: “Did you offend anyone?”

Tang Rong said that he always dealt with people kindly and had never made enemies, then added: “If there is anyone who might hate me, it can only be my second brother next door. In the matter of the exchanged marriages I truly did him wrong.”

“But he is my second brother. Blood is thicker than water. I believe he would not do such a thing.”

Wei Liang Cai’s gaze shifted slightly. As the saying goes, the onlooker sees clearly, and he did not have the Marquis’s partiality toward Tang Rong. He naturally understood what Tang Rong meant, and he said: “Whenever something is set in motion, it leaves traces. If you spend the effort to investigate, you will certainly get results. You need not rush out to socialize. Use this time to think the matter through. Eradicate the hidden danger and then appear in public. Otherwise, even if you drag your sick body around and work hard to maintain connections, it will all be in vain.”

Tang Rong said: “Uncle is absolutely right. It is just that I am trapped in the courtyard and do not have many capable people at hand. I have no way of knowing what is happening outside.” He paused and added with a sigh: “A pity Uncle will soon leave the capital.”

Wei Liang Cai had no wish to be drawn in. Tang Gang was in his prime, and the marquisate would not be passed to Tang Rong for some time. He still had many things for which he needed to rely on Tang Gang. It was clearly unsuitable to offend Tang Gang on Tang Rong’s account.