Chapter 322

Chapter 323: Liao Zhi’s Well-Meaning Reminder

The Second Prince’s Consort was consumed by anxiety and insecurity. Xin An was taken aback, then she understood. It was her first child and one held in great importance, so naturally she was tense. Pregnant women are prone to overthinking, and with pressure from outside, it was not surprising that she grew anxious.

“You and the Second Prince are both people of deep good fortune,” Xin An said, “and you have careful matrons and imperial physicians attending to you in every respect. Such things will not happen.”

“At this time you must relax your heart. Excessive worry is no good for the fetus. Take it easy. Trust the matrons and the imperial physicians, and trust yourself as well. The little imperial grandson in your belly will certainly be born smooth and well.”

“Do not keep thinking only of this. Find something to pass the time. For example, read a book, embroider, review the accounts, or braid a tassel for a sword. If none of that works, copy a calming mantra. Do anything, so long as you do not keep thinking about your belly.”

The matron felt Xin An’s suggestions were excellent. The Second Prince’s Consort was simply too nervous; she truly should find something to divert her attention.

After another round of persuasion, the consort finally took some of it in and exhaled a long breath: “What you say is right. I really should find something to do.”

Xin An asked whether the household had things like the Nine Linked Rings puzzle. Another matron said the storeroom had some. The consort immediately ordered one to be brought out. Thinking it over, she said to Xin An: “See, the moment you come I feel better. It seems you must come often.”

“So long as I am free, I will certainly come pay my respects,” Xin An said with a smile.

After a few more pleasant words, Xin An, being tactful, asked to take her leave. A young maid from the Second Prince’s residence escorted her out. Climbing into the carriage, she let out a long breath. [This is not a place to visit often; it drains the spirit too much.]

Thinking again of how pregnant women are prone to dwelling on things, she told Cao Gui to turn the carriage toward the Liao Family.

Both women were pregnant, yet Madam Liao was busy all day long, and one often forgot she too was with child. With Liao Zhi away from the household, who knew whether she brooded in private.

“How could I be that delicate,” Madam Liao said when she learned Xin An had come especially to see her. Moved, she drew Xin An to sit and added: “It seems this child knows his father is seldom at home and pities me. From the moment I conceived until now I have had no difficulties at all. Not to mention you, even I can forget I am with child.”

Xin An chuckled and said: “That will not do. You still must be careful. I have asked Steward Fang to keep a closer eye on the shops. Discuss anything with your stewards below. If you cannot decide, come to me. You must not overwork.”

Compared to the Second Prince’s Consort, the two were extremes: one took each step with special care, fearing a heavy footfall might shake the baby out; the other paid not the least bit of attention.

Madam Liao said the household physician came daily to take her pulse: “All is well. I have a sense of myself. If I have things to do, I will not overthink. If I am idle, my thoughts run wild, and then I feel I am suffering losses. It is no good.”

“Tell me,” she asked with a laugh, “how could I possibly allow myself to be idle?”

[If I idle, life becomes unbearable.]

Xin An could only be helpless. [It seems Liao Zhi still has not done well. He married to have a wife manage household trifles and earn silver for him, not to care for her with thoughtfulness.]

“We women must cherish ourselves,” Xin An said. “Whatever is good, we must call to ourselves. We must think more openly.”

“I have already begun to cherish myself,” Madam Liao said. She explained that she now used the best in food and clothing and did whatever made her happy: “I must learn from you how to make myself happy and be good to myself.”

“You know,” she went on, “once all the fine things are used on myself, my mood improves greatly. Thinking back, I do not feel so cheated. It is not as if I am useless.”

Saying this, she pinched her handkerchief and laughed. Xin An said no more. Matters between husband and wife are not for outsiders to say too much; overstepping would be unseemly.

As noon approached, Xin An stayed to eat at the Liao Family. After the meal, the two chatted a good long while in the warm room before Xin An left. Before climbing into the carriage, she took back a very large bundle of New Year gifts.

Auntie Cui Ping, who had gone to Prince Jin’s residence to deliver New Year gifts, had returned early to the household. Once Xin An was seated, she faithfully reported the day’s events: “A few years ago in the palace I saw Prince Jin’s Consort twice. She had maintained herself well and had a gentle bearing. Today she has grown much thinner, haggard by at least ten years.”

“When she saw the jasmine, surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by some emotion. She asked a few questions about the second young master and Second Young Madam, and said that after spring opens, Prince Jin’s residence will host a spring appreciation banquet and invites Second Young Madam to come and enjoy the flowers.”

Xin An was not in a hurry to press forward. [To rush would not be good business. Sending the jasmine was only testing the waters. Now that the path can be walked, we will walk it slowly.]

“Thank you for your hard work today, Aunt,” she said. “Rest now. Tomorrow I must trouble you to accompany me to a banquet. It is the last one before the New Year. The cousins will go as well. When the time comes, please keep a close eye on them.”

“In addition, later today I must trouble you to go to Ning Xiang Courtyard to see how the three cousins are in their etiquette and rules, and give them some pointers.”

Cui Ping understood. After she left, Xin An curled up on the beauty couch. No sooner had she lain down than her eyelids grew heavy. She pulled a light quilt over herself and drifted off to sleep.

At the same time, Tang Mo had just driven back a few assassins with his blade. Watching the figures fleeing at this moment, Liao Zhi said: “These men came for you.”

Massaging his numb tiger’s mouth, Tang Mo found it hard to believe and said: “How could it be me? I think they came for the Commander.”

Liao Zhi, mercilessly frank, told him a fact: “If they were coming for me, they would not be a few small fry like this. At a glance they are hired thugs from the jianghu. You have offended someone.”

Tang Mo raised his brows. [Tang Rong’s hired-killer matter is being suppressed by Luo Qi Wen for the moment. Could it be that Tang Rong still has arrangements in the dark?]

“It seems you have some idea,” Liao Zhi said.

Turning away, he left a single sentence: “There is no need to wipe them out. Keeping them dangling is best. Otherwise, something stronger will be waiting for you.”

Tang Mo’s eyes cooled. [Luo Qi Wen must have overlooked something.] Then he felt it was normal. [He is, after all, a scholar. Even with some brains, he is not in the household. How can he follow Tang Rong’s every move at all times?] His gaze fell in the direction the men had fled. [What has come before was small skirmishes. It is time to give Tang Rong a heavy dose.]

When Tang Mo returned, Liao Zhi had him sit and drink water, and offered a well-meaning reminder: “If you do not cut when you should, you will be troubled in return. If you wish to accomplish great things, you must be ruthless at critical moments. Next year there will be more duties waiting for you. Do not let the petty men behind you disrupt your plans.”

“It is rare that your grandfather still has some standing before His Majesty the Emperor and is willing to give you opportunities. Do not lose the greater for the lesser.”

“Small-time antics may be satisfying, but they are not the methods of a man. They are the acts of women.”

Liao Zhi commanded the Northern Garrison Army. The movements in the capital lay entirely within his grasp. In the previous times when trouble befell Tang Rong, Tang Mo had acted with caution, but if Liao Zhi wished to know, there was no hiding it from him.

It was only because Xin An and his own wife had a good relationship, and because Tang Mo could be considered industrious and upward-bound, that he had kept his mouth shut and even helped erase the traces for him. After all, once, Tang Gang’s men had nearly caught hold of the truth.