Chapter 345

Chapter 346: Tang Gang Paves the Way for Tang Mo

After watching the Wei family’s carriage roll away, everyone turned back toward the residence. Tang Gang invited Tang Yu to play chess, several of the Tang family’s young men tugged at Tang Mo’s sleeve to go practice archery, and Xin An was pulled aside by the three young ladies to chat.

Tang Rong, whom no one approached, returned to Chun Hua Courtyard; Madam Zhao privately shook her head, thinking: [Tang Rong and his wife are truly… difficult to judge.]

On the contrary, the second daughter-in-law was not to be underestimated. The young couple had once clashed with Madam Zhang, Madam Wang had even refused to give Madam Zhang face in public, and Madam Zhang had done what she did afterward.

Madam Zhao had assumed the banquet and New Year’s Eve were the couple’s best moments, yet today they surprised her again. As juniors, they were already beyond reproach.

In the Wei family’s carriage, the sisters opened the box Xin An had given them. Inside lay the capital’s most fashionable powders, several delicate velvet-flower hairpins, two pairs of earrings, and a few exquisitely patterned brocade handkerchiefs.

They were all things girls would love; fine for one’s own use and dignified enough to gift at their father’s post. One sister admired the handiwork, saying: “The beads on this velvet flower are truly lovely.” The other remembered: “Didn’t we ask about this face powder last time? They told us it was sold out.”

The sisters were delighted with the gifts. They often played with the three Tang sisters and had always liked Xin An; now they felt even more that their cousin was muddle-headed.

How could he have swapped out such a good future sister-in-law? If the second cousin-in-law were their true cousin’s wife, their trip to the capital would not have ended like this.

Madam Zhang looked over the items. Even with a critical eye she had to admit they were prepared with care, which neatly stopped her tongue.

Though she still resented the woman’s slyness, she had to concede Xin An was better than the one in Chun Hua Courtyard. They obviously knew the Wei family was leaving today, yet that one not only failed to send a gift, she did not even come to see them off.

She had, however, accepted their couple’s New Year’s red envelope on the first day and thanked them very readily.

In the carriage ahead, Wei Chuan Zong was also examining his gift. Afraid he might find nothing but brush and ink, he opened the box and immediately grinned.

Inside were a folding fan beloved by the capital’s young gentlemen, a wolf-hair brush from Lin Prefecture, and the Diexie belt he had wanted most. Everyone in the Tang family had one, only he did not; when he went to buy it, the shops had already closed for the New Year.

He had been thinking about it for days. He held it up, exclaiming: “It really looks good, and it’s leather.” He was on the verge of trying it on his own waist, but after catching his father’s look, he sheepishly stopped and instead opened the fan to admire it carefully.

Wei Liang Cai said nothing, only letting out a long, quiet sigh in his heart: [His nephew is likely no match for the couple of the second branch. The second son’s wife has a strategic mind that his nephew’s wife lacks. One is stifled and full of resentment; the other waves her pregnancy like a command token, and who knows what she is thinking. How can such a pair inherit the marquisate?]

He admonished his son, saying: “Learn well from your second cousin. Even a marquis’s son can endure hardships and strive for his future. What excuse do you have to slack off? Once we arrive at the post, I will find you a place at the Imperial Academy, and from then on you must report your lessons to me every day.”

“Tang Nan and Tang Hua of the Tang family are not much older than you, and both are already Provincial Graduates. If you fail to pass as a Xiucai this year, then do not step outside the gates again. Devote yourself to study.” Wei Chuan Zong drew in his neck, set the box down lightly, and did not dare say another word.

On the fifth day of the first month the entire family went to Tang Yong’s residence for a New Year’s banquet; on the sixth they visited Wang Mian’s household. On the evening of the sixth, Tang Gang sent word for Xin An and Tang Mo to prepare: on the seventh he would take them to pay New Year’s calls at the residences of Old General Zhang and Old General Liu.

The New Year’s gifts had been delivered early, so little preparation was needed. On the morning of the seventh, the couple dressed neatly and departed with Tang Gang and Madam Wang.

When Tang Rong learned of it, he spun an entire drama in his head about being abandoned, thinking: [I am being cast aside], and he went about with a sour face all day.

Old General Zhang sized up Tang Mo with satisfaction, saying: “The last time I saw this lad he was still a bit skittish and green. Now he looks much steadier. Marquis, you teach your son well.” Tang Gang smiled, answering: “This boy is indeed skittish. Now that the tasks on his shoulders have grown heavier, he naturally carries himself more steadily. The road ahead of him is still long. You know I turned to civil affairs too early, and there are things I do not fully grasp. I can only hope you might guide him a little.”

Old General Zhang heard the implication and asked: “Oh? Has there been a change?” Back when the Old Marquis abandoned the martial path for the civil, they had not approved. It was right to retire at one’s peak, but not to retreat so completely; one should always leave another path for one’s descendants.

Tang Gang said: “Plans cannot keep up with changes. This boy has done well in the Northern Garrison Army, has earned Commander Liao’s appreciation, and even has a bit of a name before His Majesty the Emperor. As for the road ahead, even I cannot say.”

Old General Zhang nodded: “Storm or dew, all is the ruler’s grace. Since he has earned His Majesty’s favor, he should share in easing the burden of the throne.” He understood both what Tang Gang meant and why he had come today, and added: “If only for the Old Marquis’s sake, whenever this lad is muddled he may come to me. I will also send people to keep an eye on him more often.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zhang,” said Tang Gang, rising to offer a formal salute. Tang Mo hurried to bow as well, thinking: [So that performance of mine must have had an effect. My grandfather has been gone for years; the credit left on his name diminishes each time it is used. I did not expect the old man to spend such a favor on me.]

Since Old General Zhang had promised to look after Tang Mo, he would have to observe the young man’s abilities and form a clear judgment.

Meanwhile, Xin An and Madam Wang sat with the Old General’s wife and Madam Zhang. The elder had already heard Old General Zhang mention Xin An more than once and had received her New Year’s gifts during the festival; each item had been just right, so she was favorably disposed.

She smiled and said: “Before you came I was wondering what sort of young lady could draw my old man’s praise. Now that I have met you, you truly are gentle and pleasant.” Xin An smiled and said: “But Granny Zhang, I had never met Grandfather Zhang before.”

The Grand Matron teased her, saying: “Then ask your husband. You are the wife he mentions every three sentences.” Xin An should have been embarrassed, but she had been teased so often her skin had thickened, and she replied with a laugh: “He just has a sweet tongue and always talks me in circles.”

The Grand Matron laughed again: “That means he cherishes you, which is your good fortune. But that he could marry you is also his good fortune.” Xin An answered with a smile: “I do feel fortunate. At my parents’ home my father and mother doted on me, and my younger brother gave way to me. Now in the marquisate my mother-in-law prefers me, and my husband suits my heart. It is all quite complete.”

The Grand Matron nodded with approval and praised Xin An to Madam Wang, who naturally burnished her daughter-in-law’s virtues. The two sat together with smiling eyes, which the Grand Matron found pleasing to the heart.

Just then a familiar voice sounded. They turned and found an acquaintance approaching. The big-mouthed Young Madam Zhang came in with a smile.

After exchanging courtesies, she said to Xin An: “When I heard someone from the marquis’s household was coming today, I wondered whether you would come along. And here you are.”