Chapter 16: Do You Want to Inherit the Peerage?

Chapter 16: Do You Want to Inherit the Peerage?

After drinking hawthorn water following dinner, the old lady felt a bit drowsy and sent everyone back to rest, at which point the crowd finally departed.

Back in Qiushi Courtyard, Xin An collapsed onto the beauty chaise without any concern for her image. She let out a yawn, her eyes brimming with watery mist. Chunyang and Chunlü entered to remove her hairpins and ornaments, brought her tea, and then withdrew.

Tang Mo was blissfully admiring the newly acquired pastel porcelain vase. "This thing is truly beautiful; it's worth at least a thousand taels. I saw it clearly. Tang Rong likes it too, so it's a good thing I was smart enough to prevent him from getting his hands on it."

Xin An propped up her head with one hand while playing with the jade pendant at her waist with the other. "Do you think I was a bit too lively today? I'm afraid I might have caught your father's attention."

"So what?"

Tang Mo carefully placed the vase down. "He cares most about his reputation. How could he say anything bad about his own daughter-in-law? If he dares to reprimand you, I'll secretly have someone spread the word and see how he manages to show his face at the imperial court."

"As for the others, you don't need to worry. My mother will definitely side with you; she'll only think you've come to your senses and want to stay to live a good life. As for those two next door—one a lofty flower on a high peak, the other a bright moon in the distant sky—could they really descend to the mortal realm to fight over worldly trifles?"

"Didn't you notice they didn't say a word today?"

Xin An smiled. "I'm afraid they were busy belittling you and me in their hearts, calling us worthless."

Tang Mo cared even less about that. "They'll just call us materialistic schemers, sycophants, or unrefined and vulgar. It's not like it'll cost us a piece of flesh."

Tang Mo pulled a stool up to the beauty chaise and sat down, speaking with a grin. "Tell me what the old lady likes. I'll get a sense of her preferences so I can go and curry favor with her. I can't let you do all the hard work by yourself, can I?"

Xin An had intended to tell him, but on one condition: "In the future, if we get any benefits, we split them fifty-fifty."

"And if I encounter difficulties, you must help me unconditionally."

"Naturally."

Tang Mo had already tasted the benefits. Today, by playing their parts in harmony before the old lady, they had easily won her favor. Compared to his previous life, where he had fought forward alone while the person behind him not only failed to help but actually dragged him down—even enjoying the fruits of his labor while mockingly calling him a vulgar social climber—this felt as easy as a dream.

Xin An hooked her finger, and Tang Mo leaned in closer. She whispered the old lady's preferences in a voice only the two of them could hear. Tang Mo's eyes gleamed. "Take it easy, don't let it slip. You have to do it step by step, understand?"

"Actually, the old lady is quite decent. She enjoys a good life and doesn't torment anyone. If she doesn't like someone, she simply doesn't see them. Before she passed away, she even instructed that all her treasures be returned to the household rather than being buried with her. Later, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and get some Qi-Nourishing Pills. Get plenty of them. Give half to me and send the other half to the old lady. Her longevity will benefit us."

Tang Mo nodded repeatedly, but one thing piqued his curiosity: her attitude toward Tang Yong today. "I clearly felt your killing intent back then. What did that man do to you?"

Xin An lowered her eyes. Mentioning Tang Yong reminded her of Tang Gang's incompetence and Tang Rong's loathsomeness. "There are some things I'm not mentally prepared to tell you yet. When I was serving tea today, old memories resurfaced. I wanted to serve a cup of poisoned wine to kill Tang Rong; it wasn't directed at my second uncle."

"Even now, looking at you, you seem a bit hideous. The only reason I didn't show it is because I can still exercise restraint."

Tang Mo's mouth twitched slightly. "Even if I died, you wouldn't let it go? You've been holding a grudge until now?"

Xin An wasn't that petty. She was angry at Tang Mo's son, Tang Hui—that wretched thing. "You should be glad I still have my senses, otherwise, I'd kill you."

Tang Mo's curiosity grew, but Xin An did not continue with the reason. She only asked him, "Do you remember if there was something happening with Tang Yaoming, your second uncle's son, around this time?"

Tang Mo had returned slightly earlier than Xin An and knew a bit more. "He barely passed the imperial examinations. My second uncle wanted to secure a better official position for him and petitioned the old man half a month ago, hoping for help. The old man didn't agree, saying he needed to avoid a conflict of interest, but I think he was just avoiding trouble."

Xin An said, "Your second uncle is much more reliable than your father. When the Marquis's manor ran into trouble, your second uncle was the one running around making connections."

She stared intensely at Tang Mo. "Do you want to inherit the Marquis's peerage?"

Tang Mo was stunned. "What are you saying? I am also a legitimate son; I am qualified."

"If Tang Rong inherits the peerage, you and I will have to live under his thumb for the rest of our lives. Would you be willing to do that?"

Xin An raised an eyebrow. "In that case, let's devise a plan. Go close the door."

Tang Mo quickly stood up to close the door, then sat back down impatiently. "I actually already had a plan..."

The two of them huddled behind the closed door, whispering and plotting with increasing fervor. Meanwhile, in the adjacent Chunhua Courtyard, Tao Yiran was sulking. The rose in the vase before her looked somewhat wilted, and the more she looked at it, the more upset she became. As a newly married granddaughter-in-law, she felt she had been treated differently today.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Tang Rong placed his hand on her shoulder. Tao Yiran's eyes instantly reddened as she lowered her gaze to wipe away tears. "Does Grandmother dislike me? I saw it clearly. I'm afraid she has decided I am an immodest woman, and she's even being distant toward you because of it. I'm a burden to you; perhaps I should just go home."

"Don't talk nonsense." Thinking about today's events, Tang Rong also felt somewhat uneasy. For years, no matter where he was, he had been the center of attention, surrounded by praise. Today, however, he could only serve as a foil. "Neither of us is the type who loves the spotlight, so why bother minding?"

"Grandmother is quite easy to get along with. In the future, when you have time, go and talk to her more. She will grow to like you."

He couldn't help but think of that yellow jade peony, and a slight smile touched his lips. "Speaking of which, that yellow jade peony would suit you perfectly. I'll find an appropriate time to ask Grandmother to gift it to you."

Tao Yiran was naturally tempted, but she turned and said, "That yellow jade peony is indeed extraordinary, lustrous and elegant. But I saw that Second Sister-in-law liked it very much; let's just give it to her."

"Only you are so kind-hearted."

Tang Rong sat beside her and took her hand. "Marrying you is my good fortune. Father said he will secure a position for me next month. Rest assured, I will surely earn you a title of nobility and won't let anyone look down on you."

Tao Yiran was overjoyed. "I knew Rong-lang was the best man in the world."

"Are you still going to the Northern Guard?"

Tang Rong shook his head. "Father spoke to me early on about the possibility of training in the Northern Guard. I was originally hesitant, but seeing as Second Brother prefers it, I'll let him go. Father said he would seek an opportunity for me to enter the Ministry of Rites. Previously, Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites also mentioned to me that they lack someone dedicated to receiving foreign envoys. I want to try for that."

Tao Yiran spoke softly, "No matter where Rong-lang goes, you will surely achieve great things."

The two shared another moment of affection, but soon, the servants arrived to deliver the dowry from Tang Rong's mother. They handed the ledgers and the keys to the chests to him. It was Manager Zhang from Tang Gang's side who delivered them personally. "Young Master, the Marquis said everything is here. Please inspect and count them."

Auntie Cai reached out to take them first, but Tang Rong was a step faster. "I naturally trust my father and mother. Thank you for making the trip, Uncle Zhang."

Manager Zhang cupped his hands. "It is my duty."

Once he left, a flash of joy crossed Tao Yiran's eyes as she looked at the chests piled up in half the courtyard. "Is all of this Mother's dowry?"

Tang Rong nodded and ordered the chests to be locked in the warehouse. "My maternal uncle's family was wealthy before. Mother was quite favored at home, so her dowry is somewhat extensive. Unfortunately, my uncle's influence has waned over the years, and he hasn't been able to return to the capital in five years."

"Young Master."

Auntie Cai did not know the internal details; she only knew that these items had passed through the hands of the second wife. Who knew if anything was missing?

"It would be better to open the chests and verify them. Many items in Madam's dowry were quite valuable. One must always be wary of others."

Tang Rong directly ordered the chests to be carried into the warehouse, then turned to Auntie Cai and said, "I already inspected them yesterday and there were no issues. You are overthinking it, Auntie."

(End of Chapter)