Chapter 312

Chapter 313: Tang Gang’s Attitude Changes Drastically

Tang Mo said: “As the saying goes, a centipede does not die even after it is cut; it seems they are coming for Mother and me again. Keep a close watch and see what they plan.”

Xin An was thinking: [Tang Mo’s gaze has already shifted from this little marquisate to a wider world, but I cannot loosen the strict suppression of the other courtyard. Who knows what they will do if pushed too hard? Should I find another chance to give him a small injury?] She also thought: [The Wei family is truly troublesome. Even after things were said so plainly, they can still act as if nothing happened, coming and going in the marquisate without the least effect. This breadth of heart is worth learning.]

No matter what, the arrival of the Tang clan made the entire manor lively. Madam Wang quickly arranged a welcome banquet. Tang Gang returned early to the manor. After resting half an hour, Tang Yu brought the whole family to pay their respects to Tang Gang. While they were exchanging pleasantries, Madam Zhang, having heard, forced her way in and said they were all relatives and the marquisate would be lively this year and so on.

Madam Wang hinted several times, yet Madam Zhang would not leave. Tang Gang had no way to deal with someone so shameless and could only treat her as air.

Tang Yu knew of Madam Zhang and had heard from Madam Zhao that she was unwelcome in the marquisate. Seeing her, he found her indeed detestable, entirely lacking in sense.

Planting herself, Madam Zhang said: “You talk; I will just sit here.”

Seeing that she actually sat down, Madam Wang rolled her eyes on the spot and decided: [Tomorrow I will go to Tang Rong and have him rein in this dog.]

Tang Yu could only ignore her and continue speaking of clan matters. Learning that two young men of the clan had passed as Provincial Graduates, even Tang Gang was surprised and asked: “How could such a major event not have been reported?”

Tang Yu said: “It happened only a few months ago. We were going to send a letter to the marquisate with the good news, but before it went out, we received a letter from you, so we did not send ours. The old home is indeed remote and it is hard to invite distinguished teachers; their foundation is not solid. We do not plan to have them sit the Spring Examination next year. It will not be too late to study two more years.”

Having previously placed little hope in the clan, Tang Gang suddenly saw hope. If they could earn degrees, he did not mind giving them a hand; that was far better than men with no ability asking him to secure posts. On the spot, even the way he looked at the boys changed.

He said approvingly: “If you rush into the next round right after passing provincial level, even if you succeed it will be at the bottom and will delay your prospects. It is right to settle down and study hard for two more years. Besides, you are still young.”

At that moment, Tang Gang felt he was truly blessed and favored by fortune. For over a decade, his eldest son had brought him glory; when the eldest son’s luck waned, the second son rose up, keeping his face bright. Now the clan had sent several promising youths; given time, they would add more luster to him. Heaven treated him well. His manner toward the boys grew kinder as he asked: “Have you chosen a Scholars’ Academy in the capital?”

Tang Nan and Tang Hua produced recommendation letters from their teacher and said: “Our teacher said that if there is no better option in the capital, we should go to South Crossing Academy.”

South Crossing Academy stands next to South Crossing Temple, and in Tang Gang’s eyes it was not a good academy. In the past he would have left the matter alone, unwilling to trouble himself, but now it was different. After reading the letters, he said: “There is no need to rush. After the New Year I will take you to Qian Men Academy. Though not as prestigious as the Imperial Academy, it is an excellent Scholars’ Academy. Your aunt’s nephew on her natal side studies there. Many of its instructors are renowned masters who also teach at the Imperial Academy. If you can enter, it will be greatly beneficial to you.”

The two brothers brightened and thanked him at once. Tang Chu, Tang Xu, and Tang Qi grew anxious and asked: “Can we go too?”

Tang Gang did not promise outright; sending five boys to a Scholars’ Academy at once would be difficult. He said: “I will bring you along. Even if it does not work out in the end, I will choose another good Scholars’ Academy for you.” He added: “The manor will also invite distinguished tutors so you can study conveniently at home.”

Tang Yu had not expected Tang Gang to be so agreeable and thorough; he wondered if he had misjudged him before and said: “This will trouble you.” Then he had Madam Zhao bring in the New Year gifts. One of their carts was packed full, far more valuable than in prior years, including banknotes for twenty thousand taels of silver. He explained: “This is the fathers’ intention for these children. From now on they will often be at the manor and will trouble you for care. We all felt uneasy, so the families pooled this silver; it is a token of respect.”

The meaning was clear: they had not come to eat and live for free. Tang Gang and Madam Wang politely demurred for a time, but since the money had been produced, how could it be taken back? In the end, Madam Wang accepted it.

After accepting it, she raised an eyebrow at Madam Zhang, as if to say: [See how people who understand propriety behave.]

Tang Gang also glanced at Madam Zhang. By comparison, the Wei family truly fell short. He thought that such an in?law family dragged Tang Rong down, and with the Tao family now unreliable, he even felt a stir of pity for Tang Rong.

When the casket of banknotes was opened, Madam Zhang sensed trouble and cursed the Tang clan for making a show of things. It was only a few more mouths to feed; could the marquisate lack that little silver? If they wished to give, they should simply have given; to bring it out in front of her was a slap to her face.

She then saw three young ladies arrive, each dressed in vivid colors, hairpins on their heads seemingly more expensive one than the other, like fairies. She said sourly: “No wonder you are true kin, truly extravagant. I see these three young ladies are refined in every detail of their dress, which must have cost no small amount, unlike my lord who is upright and clean?handed; he could not even bring proper New Year gifts to the marquisate.”

At once the room filled with the stink of sourness. Smiling, Madam Zhao said: “The measure of New Year gifts depends on intent. If your heart is in it, whether light or heavy, it is arranged with care; if not, you make do and muddle through. How could we judge only by weight? These girls are traveling far for the first time, and to their uncle’s marquisate in the capital. They are cautious, afraid of a slip that would bring shame. With the festival near, of course they made two new outfits so they would be presentable and not disgrace the marquisate. As for the hair ornaments, their second sister?in?law just gifted them. They were so delighted they could not wait until New Year and had to wear them now. I hear a young lady of the Wei family has also arrived? The Wei household style is good, and Madam Wei is thorough and impeccable in etiquette. I am sure the Wei young lady has learned well and is steadier and more thrifty than these three girls. We will have to ask the Wei young lady to give them more guidance.”

Choked by the retort, Madam Zhang could neither swallow nor spit out the breath stuck in her chest. Seeing how sharp Madam Zhao’s tongue was, Madam Wang’s smile deepened.

Expressionless, Tang Gang thought that Madam Zhang truly did not know what she was doing. If the clan of the marquisate came and behaved like paupers, that would slap his face. As things stood, this level of dignity was just right. Looking at the three girls of his own family, each pretty and bright, their attire rich and tasteful, they looked like well?bred young ladies of a great house, and he was very satisfied.