Chapter 57: Tang Rong's Sense of Crisis

Chapter 57: Tang Rong's Sense of Crisis

"Look at me, getting so caught up in my own joy that I've neglected my niece-in-law."

Madam You held Xin An's hand with great affection. "The day you drank your new bride's tea, I thought this girl had striking features, but seeing her again today, she truly is one in a thousand. Our Mo is a lucky boy."

Xin An spoke with a beaming smile, "Second Aunt is too kind. Seeing you so happy makes me happy as well. I love listening to Mother and Second Aunt talk."

Madam You introduced her daughter-in-law to her. "This is Yaoming's wife. Knowing you were coming, she specifically sent someone to buy pastries from Wen Su Zhai. You two can chat properly while enjoying tea and snacks."

Madam Gu was slightly plump, and when she smiled, her almond eyes curved beneath her eyebrows. "There are still two sticks of incense left before the banquet begins. Sister-in-law, come sit with me."

Xin An nodded, bowed to Madam Wang and Madam You, and followed Madam Gu to the veranda. A square table sat under the veranda, laid with fruits and pastries, and a lush cluster of roses was blooming vibrantly in sight.

"Please, sit, sister-in-law."

Madam Gu's smile was exceptionally beautiful. "I wasn't sure what kind of pastries you liked, so I just bought a bit of everything. See if there is anything you enjoy. However, it's a bit dry to eat pastries in this heat, so try these grapes first; they are sweet and sour."

"Thank you for your trouble, Sister-in-law."

Xin An sat down with a smile, took a grape from Madam Gu, peeled it, and took a bite. She immediately squinted and shuddered. Madam Gu asked hurriedly, "Is it very sour?"

"I tasted two this morning, and they weren't very sour."

To verify her claim, Xin An had nearly rolled her eyes from the sourness and quickly spat it out. She looked at Xin An awkwardly, and then both of them burst into laughter. "Honestly, they weren't sour when I tasted them this morning. How did they become this sour now?"

Xin An took a bite of water chestnut cake to suppress the sourness. "Is it possible they aren't from the same bunch?"

Madam Gu was also eating water chestnut cake. "No, that other bunch had sparse fruit and wasn't as good in appearance. I thought you were coming, so I specifically picked this bunch with the best quality."

As the sourness faded, Xin An smiled. "Grapes are sweetest when the bunch is sparse but the individual fruits are large."

Madam Gu said she would take her to pick a bunch herself next time. "There will definitely be sweet ones."

"Did you grow them yourself, Sister-in-law?"

"Mhm."

Madam Gu's father worked in the Imperial Observatory and enjoyed planting flowers and plants; he was particularly good at growing grapes. When Madam Gu married into the family, one of her dowries was two grapevines, which produced plenty of fruit every year. "Isn't it strange? The ones my father grows are better in quality and taste. I follow his methods exactly, yet I can never match him. Not only is the flavor inferior, but there isn't as much fruit either."

Her description made Xin An want to see the dowry grapevines immediately. Madam Gu took her to see them right away. The two began to grow close because of a bunch of grapes. Not far away, Madam Wang and Madam You watched with smiles in their eyes. "Young people really do know how to hit it off."

Madam You was incredibly curious; she wanted to know every detail. It hadn't been convenient to ask before, but now that the person was right in front of them, she couldn't help herself. She lowered her voice, "How are the niece-in-law and Mo getting along?"

Having been stifled in the manor for so long, Madam Wang also wanted someone to talk to. She nodded with a smile. "Well. I think that boy has turned misfortune into a blessing. The young couple gets along very harmoniously; their temperaments are similar, both fond of talking and laughing. I see that boy is extremely attentive to his wife. Didn't you see..."

She recounted how Tang Mo treated his father-in-law and how he took Xin An out to play. "Even my short stay at the manor this time was thanks to my daughter-in-law."

Madam You's face was full of gossip. "It shows they are true soulmates. A husband and wife should have compatible temperaments."

"Exactly."

In the main hall, after Tang Yong finished discussing Tang Yaoming's affairs, he brought up Tang Mo. Tang Mo smiled and said he was going to the Northern Guard. Tang Yong frowned slightly; he had heard rumors about the Marquis's estate impeaching the Northern Guard. "I hear Commander Liao is a man who hates evil and seeks vengeance. Going there at this time, I fear..."

He knew his elder brother was biased, but he hadn't expected such things to happen at this time. "If possible, find a mediator to invite Commander Liao out for an apology so this matter can be put to rest."

He thought around but couldn't think of anyone he knew who had a good relationship with Commander Liao.

Tang Mo already had a plan in mind. "I have already made arrangements for this. It is nothing more than a matter of spending some effort."

Tang Yong nodded and added that the manor had already prepared funds, as it was impossible not to spend money on Tang Yaoming's matter. "Spend what needs to be spent. I only fear those who don't want money; favors are not easy to owe."

Tang Mo did not refuse, as real money was indeed being spent. "I will arrange a dinner later. My cousin can come with me. Since we are both entering officialdom, drinking and socializing are inevitable. It is always good to make more acquaintances."

Tang Yaoming stood up and bowed in thanks. Not only was Tang Mo helping him find a position, but he was also introducing him to connections. One could not do this unless they truly considered him a brother.

Tang Rong only received the news from Qing Mo in the afternoon. "You say Tang Yaoming went to the Censorate to serve as an Investigating Censor?"

That was a real post, and a powerful one at that. How could Tang Yaoming land such a good position?

Qing Mo nodded. "He has been there for two days. Even Lord Liu, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, personally came to the Second Master's manor to deliver the appointment document."

"I heard from the people at the Second Master's manor that the Second Young Master acted as the bridge."

Tang Rong sat up straight. "Is that true?"

Qing Mo had spent money to gather this news. "It should be true. Otherwise, the Second Master wouldn't have come early this morning to invite the Second Young Master to the manor."

At this moment, Tang Rong's heart was extremely conflicted. Firstly, he could hardly accept that Tang Yaoming had gone to such a wonderful post; secondly, he could even less accept that it was Tang Mo who had recommended him. How could he not know what kind of ability Tang Mo possessed?

If Tang Mo could secure official positions for others, didn't that mean he was even more capable than him?

He suddenly remembered that the Liu family was related to the Marquis of Qing. The Second Young Master of the Marquis's estate, Yan Shimao, had a good relationship with Tang Mo. Could he have used that connection?

The more he thought, the more stifled he felt. Qing Mo stood there without leaving. "Is there something else?"

Qing Mo gave an awkward smile. "I wanted to apply to the Heir for some silver..."

He had even used his own money to gather news today.

Tang Rong told him to go to Tao Yiran to collect it. "Ask for a bit more. Keep a close eye on things happening outside lately."

Tang Yaoming had already been serving at the Censorate for several days before he received the news. The news had arrived far too late. He couldn't help but think that even his previous news hadn't been this delayed; something must have gone wrong somewhere.

Tao Yiran disliked servants asking her for money most of all. Since Qing Mo was Tang Rong's servant, it was equivalent to Tang Rong asking her for money, even though the money she held was originally given to her by Tang Rong.

Having obtained the silver, Qing Mo felt very aggrieved. Logically speaking, since he had been beaten while following the Heir and continued to serve while injured, the Young Mistress should have given him some reward to show her goodwill. Not only did she not give any, but even asking for his own money was difficult; the way she looked at him just now was as if he were something filthy.