Chapter 344

Chapter 345: Wei Liang Cai’s Family Leaves the Capital

Tang Mo’s words made Tang Gang’s heart go weak. Before he could speak, Tang Mo smiled and said: “Give me three years so I have the capital to stand on. Consider that the congratulatory gift from you before you split me off.”

Sure enough, no matter how outstanding he himself was, he could not compare to the elder son at the very center of the old man’s heart. [What are these three years? A compensation for me?]

In Tang Gang’s eyes, this second son had always been unreliable. Even though he was now exceptional, he still irritated him, so he subconsciously thought him thick-skinned and unfeeling. At this moment, suddenly sensing the loss and chill emanating from Tang Mo, his heart gave a thump and went a little numb for an instant. For the first time in his life he reflected: [Had he perhaps neglected this son too much?]

For doing his tasks well, the boy had been resented by his elder brother, who abetted others to cause trouble for him, even perhaps to take his life. As a father, he had not given him justice and had instead considered only the elder son.

Sensing that trace of guilt in Tang Gang, Tang Mo’s heart stirred. His whole bearing grew more desolate; with a bitter smile he lifted his eyes and blinked, exhaled, then slowly rose to his feet and, in a voice of bleak disappointment, said: “Since it is Father’s decision, then so be it. Three years are enough.”

He turned, lifted legs that felt weighed with lead, and left the study. At the door he tilted his head and looked up, then raised a hand to wipe his eyes, after which he left as if escaping.

This entire performance, in Tang Gang’s eyes, meant he had wounded this son once again, so that the boy was so disappointed and heartsick he had shed tears. Tang Gang’s own heart ached sourly. Yet what could he do? Kill Tang Rong? Or abandon him completely? They were both his sons. Even if the one who had done evil were Tang Mo, he also…

Memories flashed through his mind of his past disgust and cold words toward Tang Mo, and he thought that, had he not been painstakingly planning a future for him now, he would have let him live in the residence like a waste and pretended he had no such son. [So he truly had been partial.]

If one was going to act, one should act the full set. Returning to Qiu Shi Courtyard, Tang Mo kicked off his shoes and lay down on the beauty couch. Curious, Xin An waved the attendants away, came forward, and sat beside him, saying: “Weren’t you going to get money? What is this supposed to mean now, did you fail to get it?”

Tang Mo sat up, pulled her into his arms, and only after a while released her, saying: “I just acted a scene, and even so I managed to hurt myself a little.”

She said, concise and direct: “Tell me.”

Tang Mo recounted what had happened in the study and said: “I actually know this is already the best outcome, but at the time I still felt uncomfortable.” [I said I would have no expectations of the old man. Why does it still hurt?]

Xin An’s focus was elsewhere. She said, her eyes sharp: “You said he tried to assassinate you? When was that?”

He had kept this from her before so she would not worry, but now, at this point, he did not hide it; he told her everything. Xin An slapped Tang Mo’s thigh hard and said: “And you just let it go? Without a sound? He spent money to hire killers to murder you. Are we short of money or what?”

Tang Mo hastened to soothe her and said: “I have other plans. Those who tried to assassinate me also ran into Liao Zhi. I originally wanted to retaliate at once, but later felt that keeping it to erupt later would be of greater use. I have told the old man, and his people will certainly be able to find out. Later I will render another merit and ask Liao Zhi to help speak for me before His Majesty the Emperor.”

He reminded her: “Remember, our original goal was not to end him for a moment’s satisfaction, but to crush him completely so that the title falls to me fair and square. Do not worry; I am prepared.”

Then he laughed and said: “Seeing you this anxious for me makes me very happy.”

Xin An glared at him and said: “Do not hide things from me again. If there is a next time, I will give a packet of medicine to the one next door to send him on his way.”

Tang Mo laughed even more and said: “How rare; you would even use him to threaten me. Rest assured, on his way to take office I will not let him have it easy. The old man is counting on him to come back with some achievements, but it is not so easy. Would I allow it?”

He added, full of fighting spirit: “The next three years are ours. All the money and connections of the marquisal residence are at our disposal. I refuse to believe we cannot achieve something.”

“Since the old man has sent him out, it will not be easy to come back once he is gone.”

Xin An snorted. Only after Tang Mo said a great many soft and pleasant words did he coax her into a better mood. The two of them squeezed together on the beauty couch; with a rare moment of leisure, of course they would take a nap.

On the fourth day of the new year, Wei Liang Cai’s family left. Everyone from the marquisal residence went out to see them off, and Tang Rong’s face did not look good.

Last night he had personally asked his uncle to keep Wei Qing and her younger sister, promising to find them good marriages, but Wei Liang Cai refused without a second thought and also advised him to accept an outside post, saying that was the best path for him right now.

He was furious. He was the Heir Apparent of the marquisal residence and would one day inherit the title to become the next Marquis Wei Yuan; how could someone of such status be sent out to serve as a minor official? If he left, how would people outside view him? They would likely say he had lost his footing in the capital and slunk away in shame. Moreover, if he were gone for three years, would that not hand Tang Mo three full years? In only a few months Tang Mo had reached where he stood today; he could not be dragged down or killed. With another three years, how far would he go?

He understood the old man’s mind best. He feared that while he was away, all the resources of the capital garrison Lieutenant General would be placed at Tang Mo’s disposal, which would be like adding wings to a tiger.

He told all this to Wei Liang Cai, but Wei Liang Cai said his temperament was impetuous and that he should cultivate himself, and even said that even if Tang Mo rose, he would not surpass him and could even become his support. It was laughable.

Wei Liang Cai cupped his hands to Tang Gang and said: “We have disturbed you many days. If there has been any discourtesy, I beg your forgiveness. Once I reach my post, I will write to the Marquis. If there is anything you need of me in the future, just send word quickly.”

Tang Gang answered with polite warmth and said: “The Tang and Wei families are one family, so there is no need to stand on ceremony. I will wait for your next return to the capital to give your report. By then you will certainly have risen another step. We will drink deep together then.”

Madam Zhang stood by the carriage with her two girls and Wei Chuan Zong. She felt a measure of happiness at leaving today.

Tao Yi Ran said her stomach was unwell and did not come to see them off. Seeing that the farewells had been spoken almost to completion, Xin An ordered the gifts she had prepared to be presented and said: “The road is long and jolting. I worried Maternal Aunt and my younger sisters might feel uncomfortable in the carriage, so I had some revitalizing candy pills prepared. If you feel unwell, keep one in your mouth. There are also some dried fruits and cured meats for Uncle and Maternal Aunt to nibble on and pass the time.”

She took out a bottle of qi tonic pills and three small caskets. The qi tonic pills she gave to Madam Zhang; the two caskets she gave to Wei Qing and her sister and to Wei Chuan Zong. She said: “I am young and not very sensible, and my temper is impulsive. If I have done anything to displease Maternal Aunt, please be generous and do not take it to heart. This bottle of qi tonic pills comes from the Imperial Medical Bureau. This is skin nourishing ointment, which I hurriedly had prepared. Its main ingredient is powdered pearl, blended with honey and egg white to apply to the face. After it dries, wash it off with water. It will leave the skin tender and fair.”

Madam Zhang forced a smile and said: “You are thoughtful.”

With just that one sentence, she could say nothing else.