Chapter 336

Chapter 337: Tang Mo Gets Drunk and ‘Causes Trouble’

The five lads came quickly, and when they drew near they knocked their foreheads to the ground and completed the full courtesies. The Emperor appraised them, then tested their learning. The satisfaction on his face was plain to see as he said to Tang Gang: “Their foundations are solid. They have clearly put in hard work.”

He asked with interest: “Have you set your sights on the Imperial Academy?”

Tang Gang felt a sourness in his heart, but he still smiled as he explained his arrangements, praising the five boys again and again, and even glanced at Tang Rong without seeming to, deeply regretful. He had done all he could; it was a pity Tang Rong himself would not strive.

After seeing the Emperor off, the smile vanished from Tang Gang’s face. He had worked for nothing all this time, and in the end those clan boys had gained the advantage.

Tang Yu also understood that the five lads had stolen Tang Rong’s thunder today and that Tang Gang must be displeased. But the very reason they had come to the marquisate was to borrow its influence. With their abilities, they might never have seen the Emperor in this lifetime. So he prepared generous gifts and presented them to Tang Gang then and there, and only then did Tang Gang’s mood improve somewhat.

Now that the five lads were on the Emperor’s radar, Tang Gang would be all the more careful. He instructed the five to study diligently and prepared to invite tutors for them in person.

Tang Rong returned to Chun Hua Courtyard and went straight into his study, his face dark and his mouth shut. In his heart he laid blame on Tang Gang: he knew perfectly well what my situation is, so why claim I am having realizations and make me miss such a good opportunity? He brooded: [Couldn’t you have said that while recuperating I also helped manage the household’s affairs and tempered myself? Or wrapped some of what you have done around me—say that I offered counsel and showed talent?] But the matter was already decided, and such opportunities would be hard to come by again. He was so angry he could not eat.

That evening Madam Wang came carrying a suit of chain mail. She said it was the Old Master’s from back in the day, later given to Tang Gang, and that Tang Gang had cherished it for many years: “It was only repaired and refurbished by craftsmen last year. The second son will have good use for it.”

Xin An gazed at the treasure with delight and asked with a grin: “How could Father bear to take it out?”

Madam Wang replied with a smile: “You let him save face today; naturally he has to show something for it. He has no use for it anyway, so it is better to give it to the second son—he needs it right now.”

Xin An guessed at once that her mother-in-law had asked for it and thanked her with a squinting smile: “Thank you, Mother; you always dote on us.”

As they were speaking, Gan Lu, who served the Grand Matron, arrived and brought Xin An a set of headpieces—carved gold inlaid with gems, rich and imposing at a glance. Gan Lu said with a smile: “The Grand Matron had the goldsmith make these especially for Second Young Madam last month. She said Second Young Madam likes this opulent style.”

Xin An answered with warmth: “Please thank Grandmother for me.”

Everyone liked beautiful jewelry. Xin An felt the Grand Matron was truly generous to her, and thought that she should prepare some return gift in due course.

After two more pleasantries, Gan Lu went on to Chun Hua Courtyard. The Grand Matron had likewise prepared a set of headpieces for Tao Yi Ran—gold inlaid with jade, very fine. This landed right where Tao Yi Ran felt it most. Gan Lu said: “The Grand Matron says the Eldest Young Madam has worked hard to carry a child and must nurture herself well. She is waiting to hold her great-grandchild.”

Tao Yi Ran thanked her with a smile. Auntie Liu’s face was all delight, and after a few cordial words she personally escorted Auntie Gan Lu to the door.

When Nan Feng returned to report, Chun Lv could not contain her anger and burst out: “It was obviously the young madam who bought the rice and flour. How can it be said that the Marquis arranged it? If the Emperor learned it was the young madam’s plan, he would certainly praise you.”

Chun Yang had the same thought. “We paid out money and effort, and in the end the Marquis gets the credit.”

Reclining on the beauty couch, Xin An said evenly: “There is no help for it. Times are hard, and it is harder still for women. Even if the credit for the porridge goes elsewhere, so what?”

Some matters were beyond her power to change. Women lived dependent on men; the marquisate lived dependent on Tang Gang.

She explained patiently: “If I give the credit away, Father is pleased and Grandmother is pleased, and I can still receive some tangible benefits. Father props up the marquisate. If he has merit, the entire household will benefit. If I expose him, the Emperor will surely be displeased. If there is a reprimand or punishment, the entire household will suffer for it. It is common honor and common loss. Even if I received a couple of compliments from the Emperor, what help would that be to me?”

“Only by giving the credit to Father can we obtain the greatest benefit.”

Auntie Cui Ping nodded in approval: “Second Young Madam has done right. Any great family will put forward someone who represents the clan. Most of that person’s achievements are not his alone but the result of the whole family’s strength. The outcome for the household is that when one person attains the Way, even the dogs and chickens rise with him; and when one person falls, the whole house may be confiscated. A great tree reaches the sky because its roots are firm and its branches dense.”

“Do not look only to immediate interests.”

“Only when the Marquis prospers will the marquisate prosper.”

Xin An was glad she had moved quickly to draw Auntie Cui Ping to her side. The knowledge she had brought out of the palace was indeed uncommon. She told Chun Yang and Chun Lv: “You should learn more from Auntie Cui Ping in the future.”

Chun Yang and Chun Lv accepted with conviction. By now Gan Lu had returned to Chun Rong Hall, and the Grand Matron was very much at ease today. She said contentedly: “Children are the most important thing. Whatever the eldest daughter-in-law had before is in the past. I find she seems different lately.”

“The second daughter-in-law has changed even more. The banquet she hosted was very good—thoughtful in every detail. She is broad-minded.”

Since the last time Auntie Gan Lu spoke out of turn and nearly ruined the Grand Matron’s health, Madam Wang had almost cut off the Grand Matron’s eyes and ears. Unless Gan Lu committed the same mistake again, the Grand Matron would go on believing the household lived in harmony.

Of course Gan Lu would not speak out again. What could it change if the Grand Matron knew? A few quiet, comfortable days were best. As for what the Grand Matron had just said, Gan Lu did not quite agree. In her eyes, Second Young Madam was not so much magnanimous as deep of mind, having learned to keep joy and anger from showing on her face. Putting herself in that place, she would not have been so forgiving.

That night Tang Mo came home again at midnight, reeking of wine and staggering in his steps. Lai Lai supported him to wash up. Thinking that, in this state, he would surely wake Second Young Madam, he helped Tang Mo lie down in the side chamber for the night.

Tang Mo mumbled through the fog of drink: “Back yet?”

Lai Lai soothed him: “Back, back; sleep now.”

“Sleep?” Tang Mo smiled with his eyes still shut and said: “Time to sleep.”

Before Lai Lai could pull up the quilt to cover him, Tang Mo hooked him with one long leg and dragged him onto the bed. Before he could scramble up, a heavy thigh pinned him down, and Tang Mo said with tipsy satisfaction: “Wife, how have your bones gotten so much harder?”

Lai Lai was on the verge of collapse and thought in despair: [You get drunk and now you want to change the game to sworn brotherhood—what new stunt is this?] He blurted: “Young master, how about we become sworn brothers instead?”

“Sworn brothers?” Tang Mo laughed and said: “Holding the wedding ceremony would do.”

At that moment Lai Lai’s guts turned to water. He thought in panic: [If we really bow to the hall tonight, how will this end tomorrow?] He pleaded: “Young master, wake up, I am Lai Lai.”

“Lai?” Tang Mo, eyes still shut, grinned wider at the wordplay: “Then here I come.”

“Young master, young master, have mercy.”

Lai Lai fought his way free, rolled off the bed, turned back and pointed at Tang Mo in fury, saying: “In the middle of the night, what are you trying to do? Speak, what are you trying to do? Just you wait, I will accuse you, I will report you to the young madam. See if the young madam does not beat you to death.”