Chapter 307

Chapter 308: You only know how to push me out

Grand Matron did not bother with outside matters; she quickly skipped past that topic and told Xin An with a smiling gaze that Concubine Yu had delivered a boy: “He weighs seven jin, his little features are very proper, and he was hungry the moment they carried him out of the birthing room; go take a look later.”

Xin An laughed and said: “I must go offer congratulations.”

The firstborn son born to a concubine had made such a splendid entrance; one wondered whether Tang Rong was happy or delighted.

Grand Matron spoke gently: “Having a little child at one’s knee is truly a joyful thing. Picture him, adorable in looks, tottering along on chubby feet and calling Mother in a soft voice; just thinking of it is sweet.”

Xin An smiled and said: “Grandmother is right. I will go see Concubine Yu’s child now, and when he learns to walk, do let her lend him to me for half a day so I can dote on him.”

She rose and said: “Grandmother, I am going.”

Watching how quickly she slipped away, Grand Matron shook her head with a helpless smile; the young couple’s affection grew by the day, yet when it came to an heir they were in no hurry.

Xin An had barely returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard when Nan Feng came up to report on those old soldiers selling charcoal; she had even gone with Liu Chang to ask around: “Some kept half, two families sold everything, saying they save coal cinders from daily cooking fires and can get by if they economize.”

She hesitated, then added: “But between the lines they mean that if times truly become unbearable, the Wang clan will not ignore them, saying…” Xin An looked up and finished for her: “Saying that a wealthy master has come to the marquisate and we will not be short of their charcoal?” Nan Feng nodded: “That is exactly it.” Xin An could only feel helpless: [So this is what people mean when they say having money makes things easy and also makes you a target; the moment you soften, someone will climb over your head.]

She said: “I have already told Madam Wang we will not make any further supplements. If the Wang family asks again, have Liu Chang refuse.”

“Yes.”

Nan Feng then spoke of the new baby next door: “The child was large and nearly cost Concubine Yu her life. The child was born in the end, but the Eldest Young Madam next door was so frightened she had a bout of prenatal distress.” Xin An found it interesting and asked with a smile: “Did she go to keep vigil outside the delivery room?” Nan Feng said: “She happened to arrive then. As soon as she reached the door she heard Concubine Yu’s heart-wrenching screams; basins of blood were being carried out. Before Concubine Yu had even delivered, the Eldest Young Madam’s belly started to cramp.”

She continued: “When the Eldest Young Madam returned to Chun Hua Courtyard she even had the nurse carry the child back with her, saying Concubine Yu had just given birth and needed good rest; tending a child is taxing, and she wanted to help look after him for a few days.”

Nan Feng felt the residence physician was the most pitiable of all; he had to stand by to see whether Concubine Yu needed him to save her life, while at the critical moment the Eldest Young Madam had prenatal distress, and the young miss of the Wei household sent word she had caught a chill, so he ran in circles all day.

Xin An was a little surprised; she had thought that someone as uncontentious as Tao Yi Ran would not be interested in another woman’s child, and had not expected her to snatch him outright. She said mildly: “She is the primary wife; naturally, Concubine Yu’s child is her child. Her taking charge of his care is reasonable.”

She called: “Auntie Cui Ping, help me deliver a congratulatory gift to Concubine Yu. Say I just returned from outside with wind and snow all over me and worry I might chill the child, so I will not go see her.”

Cui Ping had seen too many cases where a concubine could not raise her own child and felt little sympathy for Xue Yu. In the palace, consorts of low rank sometimes did not even have a chance to look upon the child they had borne before he was sent away. All the more so for a concubine in a marquis’s household. She said: “The gift is already prepared. I will deliver it at once. Young Madam, rest early; there is a banquet tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Xin An nestled onto the beauty couch and murmured: “Home is still the most comfortable.” Venturing out in ice and snow took great courage; nothing was as comfortable as curling up on the beauty couch.

Tang Mo returned early that day and even brought her a string of candied hawthorn: “I saw it on the road. This is the biggest string.” Xin An took it with a smile, her eyes brimming with delight, and said: “After so many years, someone is still bringing me a string of candied haw.” Tang Mo leaned in, laughing: “These street snacks have their own charm, especially after snow. Snow lies thick everywhere, and it sets off this string of candied haws so red and festive. Try a bite.”

The sugar shell was just right; one bite began with sweetness, then turned sour, and in the end the sour and sweet melded together, the sugar-glazed haw with a soft give. Xin An’s eyes curved into crescents as she said: “Delicious.” He beamed and said: “Isn’t it.” Then he added with boyish glee: “Let me try one too.” One hawthorn they split in two; it was the most ordinary candied haw, yet the two of them ate it as if it were a rare delicacy, finding it incomparably tasty.

When only the skewer was left, Xin An finally felt a bit of toothache. Tang Mo brought her chrysanthemum tea; the floral fragrance balanced the sour and sweet in her mouth, making it taste clearer and go down smoothly. Handing the cup back to him, she said: “The travel kit for your trip is packed. I had five hundred taels exchanged into small-denomination banknotes, five taels each. Sister Xu said you might have use for them.”

She added: “And the custom leather boots were delivered. Try them on.” Pointing to the pair placed on the table by the window, she explained: “These take work to make. Two pairs were ordered, but hurrying as they were, only this pair is ready for now. There is a steel plate hidden in the toe, the soles are thick, the upper is oiled cowhide; you will not fear rain or snow.”

Tang Mo turned the boots over and over like a treasure, put them on, paced the room twice, and threw a few playful punches and kicks, saying: “Good boots.” He laughed: “I have seen men wear this kind. Other than being a bit heavier than ordinary boots, everything else is excellent, and they are warm.” He joked: “With steel in the toes, one kick would break a bandit’s leg.”

He put them on and could not bear to take them off. Xin An smiled and told him that a set of leather armor had arrived with the boots: “You will use it when riding. It blocks the wind, and you must especially protect your knees. Remember to put it on; in this wintry cold, knees freeze easily when riding.”

Not only leather armor, Tang Mo also found a small breastplate for the heart and a dagger; he asked in surprise: “How did you even buy these?” She said: “The shopkeeper brought them. They looked good so I kept them; in case you need them.”

Tang Mo examined everything for quite a while, said the items were excellent, and asked which shop had delivered them; when he had time he wanted to choose more in person. His work still carried some danger; if skill was not enough, equipment had to make up the difference, and the more the better.

That night neither of them mentioned the matter next door; Xin An did not want to bring it up; the more it was mentioned the more ill-omened it felt. Tang Mo was even less inclined to pay it any mind; right now he cared only about his wife and his duty, and he hoped for a chance to climb another step. As for Tang Rong’s plan to make him disappear before spring, he would ignore it for now; Luo Qi Wen was watching.

At dawn the next day Tang Mo rose early; he clung to Xin An, reluctant to part, dawdling so much that Xin An, who at first could not bear to let him go, grew impatient and pushed him toward the door, saying: “You will be back in a few days; what are you doing carrying on like this? Hurry up, or do you want Commander Liao to wait for you?” Tang Mo had already stepped over the threshold when he turned back, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her hard: “Heartless girl, you only know how to push me out.” Xin An hooked her arms around his neck with a smile and said: “Then do not go. I said it already, we are not going anywhere; we will just stay home and make a baby.” He laughed and said: “Quick, close the door, I am not going.”