Chapter 323

Chapter 324: Tang Mo’s Advice from Experience

Tang Mo was not particularly surprised by Liao Zhi’s attitude; once a deed is done it will always leave traces, and no one can be flawless. If the commander of the Northern Garrison Army, Liao Zhi, knew nothing at all, that would be truly strange.

He had dared to act precisely because he knew Liao Zhi would not meddle; compared with personally sending his own grandfather and father to their deaths, what did beating Tang Rong amount to?

Lowering his voice, Tang Mo said: “Thank you for the reminder. I won’t miss such a rare opportunity. Before, I had no choice; from now on, I won’t need to.”

Liao Zhi did not continue speaking. He merely lifted a bowl to drink some water. [He suddenly missed his wife.]

[Tang Mo too thought of his wife; in this bitter cold he was still running about, and the thought of Xin An eating well and drinking well at home made him jealous.]

Seeing him grin foolishly, Liao Zhi frowned and asked: “What are you laughing at?”

Tang Mo answered with a chuckle: “Whenever I think of my lady I can’t help but smile. I imagine that right now she’s curled up on the beauty couch taking her late-morning nap, living a life so comfortable it inspires envy.”

On this point Liao Zhi very much agreed, and he added: “Your lady is someone who knows how to enjoy herself,” and she had even taught his own wife a thing or two.

Tang Mo had experience in this regard and, once the topic came up, he could not help saying more. He said: “Women, if they’re lucky at all, are born to enjoy blessings.”

He continued, speaking plainly: “A woman’s honor or disgrace in this life rests with her father and brothers before marriage and with her husband after marriage. If my lady had to run around all day, growing haggard just to get by, it would only prove I am incompetent. If she has the leisure to enjoy herself, to admire flowers, choose a piece of jewelry, pamper her skin, and tint her nails, that means the household is stable and that I am still of use.”

He looked at Liao Zhi with meaning, hesitated a moment, then continued: “I don’t mean to overstep, but the way you and your lady interact is somewhat improper. How can a delicate, lovely wife be treated like a subordinate to be ordered around? Not to mention the brothers and nephews in the household, even if my own father dared to give my wife a hard time, I wouldn’t accept it. I would make sure to win back her face that very day, otherwise how is she supposed to hold her own in the household?”

He summed up, matter-of-fact: “We are busy with our duties and are out all day; back at home, they handle countless matters for us. We mustn’t chill their hearts.”

He had heard Xin An say more than once that Liao Zhi was inconsiderate, dumping both inner and outer affairs on Lady Xu. Since marrying into the household, Lady Xu had scarcely enjoyed two easy days; the entire extended family kept their eyes on her, taking both her money and her effort while giving no credit. In effect, Liao Zhi had gained a mountain of gold and a highly capable subordinate for free, yet when she suffered grievances in the residence, he could not openly stand up for her.

Liao Zhi’s brows knitted tightly. [He had truly never considered these problems. He had always thought that men managed the outside and women managed the inside; once the courtyard gates closed, it was family business, and the household’s chief matron ought to handle it.] He had, in fact, overlooked his wife’s feelings.

Tang Mo had expected him to be angry—generals seldom had the best tempers—and he had braced himself. Who would have thought Liao Zhi would simply say: “If you know anything else in the future, tell me.”

Tang Mo blinked and blurted out: “Ah? You’re not angry?”

Liao Zhi raised a brow and asked evenly: “Do I look like someone who is unreasonable? Are you two allowed to cling to each other as husband and wife, yet we are not allowed to live harmoniously as a couple?”

Tang Mo laughed and replied with good humor: “You put it far too seriously. If I get any first-hand news later, I guarantee I won’t fail to come tell you first.”

Liao Zhi nodded. In rare good spirits, he resumed offering pointers to Tang Mo, and Tang Mo straightened his back, afraid to miss a single word. Liao Zhi concluded with calm assurance: “You’re accompanying me to a banquet today; there’s no need to be nervous. Just follow my lead. Do you still remember the rules I taught you yesterday?”

It was a rare day of bright skies, and even the cold wind felt gentler. Xin An and Madam Wang were to lead the clan’s womenfolk to the banquet. Early in the morning, Madam Zhao had already dressed up the three cousins. It was their first time attending a grand banquet among the capital’s powerful, and it would have been a lie to claim they weren’t nervous.

One cousin tugged at Xin An’s sleeve and asked softly: “Second Sister-in-law, is my attire all right like this?”

Another admitted in a whisper: “Second Sister-in-law, we don’t know anyone. We’re a little scared.”

A third confessed with worry: “Auntie Cui Ping has taught us the rules, and we remembered them then. I’m afraid we’ll forget as soon as we see people.”

The three clung to Xin An as if they wished to hang on her all day. Xin An soothed them with a smile and said: “No need to worry. Noblewomen care most about saving face; they won’t put anyone on the spot. When we arrive, I’ll first introduce you to acquaintances who are all easy to speak with, and then you can adapt as you go.”

She added a few practical instructions: “Once we’re there, don’t wander and don’t end up alone. We won’t show off, but there’s no need to look timid either. You are now young ladies of a marquis’s household; quite a few people will have lower status than you. Don’t worry.”

After this round of reassurance, the three finally relaxed a little. Before they boarded the carriage, Madam Zhao offered yet another round of instructions. She herself would be going with Madam Wang to meet people and was nervous too, but as an elder, she had to keep up appearances.

Today was the birthday of Old Master Ouyang at Chief Grand Secretary Ouyang’s residence. That Old Master Ouyang who once “plucked the moon” at the Second Prince’s residence was hale and spirited; it was said that once or twice every month he would grab a stick and chase Chief Grand Secretary Ouyang to give him a beating, so much so that Chief Grand Secretary Ouyang’s fear of the Old Master had become common knowledge.

The Ouyang residence was full of festive cheer. When the marquis’s household carriage arrived, the butler trotted down the steps to welcome them with enthusiastic courtesy, and then a stewarded matron led the women into the inner quarters.

The heated room was already packed. After Madam Wang led them in, it grew instantly more crowded. Once they had exchanged greetings, Xin An took the three cousins out into the garden to make space for the next arrivals.

“Are these the three cousins from your household?” Lin Yao and a few others had arrived early; when they saw Xin An approaching, their gazes fell on the three young women behind her. Lin Yao laughed and said: “Heaven truly favors the Tang family. Look at how lovely these three girls are. With a houseful of beauties, your marquis’s residence won’t be able to go visiting easily anymore.”

Xin An asked with an amused tilt of her head: “What do you mean by that?”

Lin Yao teased with a wink: “A whole household of beauties. Won’t others feel inferior?”

Xin An laughed: “If Sister Lin puts it that way, I’ll take it as you complimenting me.”

She turned aside and said to the three young women: “Come quickly and pay respects to these beautiful young madams.”

The sisters, cheeks flushed, came forward to salute. Xin An introduced them one by one with easy warmth: “Quan’er is courteous, Fei’er is lively, and Ke’er is sweetly naive. In the future, I must ask you beautiful young madams to take care of them.”

Those present all smiled, lifted their eyes, and examined the three sisters carefully. After a few questions, someone sent for a young lady from Marquis Qing’s residence and introduced the sisters to her. A maid was instructed: “Take these three younger sisters to stroll in the garden. If it’s cold, come back to warm yourselves.”

By their seats stood several large braziers capped with delicate iron grates; with everyone gathered around them, the chill could hardly be felt.

At Xin An’s signal, the three girls went off to talk. Lin Yao tugged Xin An closer and asked in a low voice: “Are they staying in the capital to arrange marriages?”

“Not necessarily,” Xin An answered without pinning the matter down. Smiling, she said: “Five young men from the clan have also come. Each one is upright and handsome. Three already hold degrees, and two are provincial graduates. The eldest is only sixteen. This time they’re in the capital to study and will sit for the examinations two years from now.”

“Among those five are the elder or younger brothers of these three sisters. They came, first, to look after each other as siblings, and second, to see whether a match might be found in the capital.”

“Their parents can hardly bear to part with them, so it isn’t certain they must marry here.”