Chapter 304

Chapter 305: Not as Resilient as Before

Wei Liang Cai wished to protect himself, but Tang Rong would not let him off so easily and said with a strained smile: “Does Uncle also think my future looks bleak?”

Wei Liang Cai lifted his eyes and said: “This is nothing but a temporary setback, not worth overthinking. You are the marquisate’s Heir Apparent; no one can shake your position. Even if Second Young Master next door is exceptional, he is ultimately your foil. When you inherit the title, he will still take his cue from you.”

“Though the Second Young Master’s momentum is swift, he cannot surpass you. You should use this period of rest to think carefully about what you will do after the New Year and how you will do it. One tree cannot support the roof alone. If the Second Young Master has done nothing improper toward you, he will be an asset to you.”

“If it truly is him,” he said, lowering his voice, “you must find a once-and-for-all solution. Do not let him become your threat.”

The hatred born of a stolen bride cannot be laughed away and treated as nothing. Such a grudge cannot be resolved. Unless his nephew took a heavy hand and made the one next door vanish outright.

“I ought to help you,” Wei Liang Cai continued, “but the Imperial Court’s new appointment will come down in at most three days. Your aunt and I will leave after the third day of the New Year. Our schedule is too tight to delay.”

The refusal was so plain that Tang Rong’s smile nearly cracked. He said: “Such smooth sailing must be due to Uncle’s sterling reputation for governance. May I ask what post you are being assigned?”

Wei Liang Cai said: “It should be similar to my previous one. I had hoped to be promoted one rank, but that is difficult now. If not for your father’s assistance, it would not have come so easily. I hear your father-in-law has been back in the capital for some time and still has not been assigned?”

Tang Rong did not speak ill of the Tao Family. He only said that Old Madam Tao was gravely ill and added: “He should also be assigned out after the New Year.”

After another few polite sentences, Wei Liang Cai rose to leave. Tang Rong escorted him to the door. Once the man was gone, the smile on his face disappeared at once. He clenched his fists tightly. The Wei family could not be relied upon.

His gaze fell on Qiu Shi Courtyard, his eyes obscure and unreadable.

A flurry of urgent footsteps broke the stillness of the night. Concubine Yu had gone into labor.

Tao Yi Ran was the first to hurry to the courtyards of the two concubines when the message arrived. Shortly after, Madam Wang also came. Even Xin An wrapped herself in a cloak to look in for a while. Returning, she slipped under the quilts and said: “From the look of it, we will have to wait until morning.”

Tang Mo said sourly: “You have to admit he is blessed. He will soon have children playing at his knees.”

“Are you envious,” she asked with a smile.

“I truly am, a little.”

Children were a serious matter, the continuation of one’s bloodline. Moreover, he wanted a child with Xin An. A child taught by Xin An would surely be adorable and would like him as a father.

“But we are not in a rush,” he said gently. “We will plan for it after we return from Huai River next year. For now we should both be careful. Tell Physician Qin to be cautious with your prescriptions and not harm your body.”

Xin An was a little surprised and asked softly: “You know?” Since he had promised to take her back to Huai River, she had been longing for it, yet she worried that if she became pregnant she could not go. She had asked Qin Bo for a decoction to avoid conception and had not told Tang Mo.

Tang Mo drew her into his arms and said: “A child can be had anytime, but if you are with child you cannot go back to Huai River. Pregnant, then giving birth, then the baby is small. One thing piles on another, and you will not be able to return for ten years or eight.”

These words moved Xin An so much her nose stung. She said: “Do not say any more. I cannot bear to hear it now. I will cry.”

“When life gets easier, I am not nearly as resilient as I used to be.”

Tang Mo’s brows were full of laughter as he said: “Hearing that makes me happy. If you still had to be as tough and forbearing as before, it would only mean I am no good, that I cannot even let you live at ease.”

“It seems I am of some use after all.”

Xin An covered her face and laughed. Snow fell softly outside while the room felt like spring. For once the two of them did not study the little booklet; they simply lay side by side and talked. When they reached something joyful, they would turn to face each other and share a smile. The room was full of warmth and harmony.

They slept until daylight. Snow had fallen all night, and heaven and earth were painted white. The household bustled about sweeping the courtyards. Lai Lai climbed a ladder and used a bamboo pole to knock the snow off the eaves. Meatball, the dog, romped about; a mass of snow slid from the eaves and buried it in an instant. Then a dog’s head popped out of the snowdrift, looking around in confusion, and those busy sweeping burst into laughter at the sight.

The fish tank had iced over, and the few fish Xin An kept swam beneath the ice, a curious sight.

“Young Madam, Concubine Yu has not delivered yet. The midwife says it may be another hour,” reported Nan Feng, who came back shivering and rubbing her hands red.

Xin An turned and asked: “From last night until now and still no birth. Did she say why?”

“The midwife said the first child is always more difficult. She is pressing Concubine Yu’s belly now. Her cries of pain made Eldest Young Madam tremble, so she did not dare stay long and went to rest. Lady Wei is keeping watch there now, ordering the servants about one moment and praying the next. She is very busy.” The posture she adopted suggested she was on guard against everyone, as if someone meant to harm Concubine Yu’s child.

Xin An turned back to watch her fish and said: “Do not go watch. When the baby is born, the neighbors will send the happy news.”

Nan Feng said she had no time to go anyway. She had to go with Liu Chang to General Wang’s residence to see how the old soldiers were faring. Xin An instructed her: “Check whether they have enough charcoal. If they are very short, think of a way to buy another batch. We must see them through this winter.”

The capital’s winters were truly bitter.

After Nan Feng left, Xin An took Chun Yang and Chun Lv out with her. She was going to the Liao family to ask what would be suitable to bring into the army.

The snow on the streets had been swept away for the most part. The carriage rolled along steadily, and they reached the Liao family smoothly. Madam Liao, who had just finished her chores, came forward with a smile when she heard Xin An had arrived and said: “Did the cold bite you? Come inside and warm yourself.”

The Liao family was wholly different from before, quieter now, and the scene had changed a little. In the warm receiving room there were flowers arranged, and the brazier burned bright and hot so that warmth spread through the body. The chrysanthemum tea was clear and sweet. Xin An took a sip and said with a smile: “Sister Xu’s fragrance in the cup.”

“This tea was sent from my family home,” Madam Liao said with an answering smile as she poured. “If you like it, take some back with you. When one burns charcoal indoors it always feels a bit stifling, and chrysanthemum tea is more comfortable. Did you come today on an errand?”

Xin An set down her cup and explained her purpose. After listening, Madam Liao smiled and said: “If it is convenient, give him more banknotes, the kind worth five or ten taels. Take a good stack. He will need them.”

She explained that the men under Liao Zhi were all very poor and said: “One man sells his life to feed a whole family. All his pay goes home, and he will not even buy himself a pair of shoes.”

“Your man grew up in a honey jar and has never seen people like that. He will overflow with sympathy and turn into a scatter-cash.”

Xin An could not help laughing and said: “It seems Commander Liao has not been sparing with his purse.”

Madam Liao shook her head helplessly and said that each year’s end some of the old veterans came to pay a visit. They called it a visit, but in truth they were stumbling at the New Year threshold. “They are men who fought for him with their lives. Can he look on and do nothing?”

“I put banknotes in his pouch every day, and most days he comes home with the pouch empty. A few taels here, ten taels there. It adds up to no small expense. Fortunately we opened a general store and business is good, or I would not be able to make up the shortfall.”

Speaking of the shop made Madam Liao smile uncontrollably. Business was so good it exceeded her expectations entirely.

“Luckily we prepared enough stock. Otherwise, if we waited until the festival season to buy, it would have been too late. Your timing today is just right. If it is convenient, I would like to take you somewhere.”