Chapter 8: 8. Chapter 8: The Magnanimous and Tolerant Xin An

Chapter 8: The Magnanimous Xin An

Xin An’s confused remark successfully pleased Lady Wang. As a second wife, she had suffered no shortage of grievances from this servant. Relying on the fact that she was a remnant from the previous mistress and had raised the Heir, the woman was extremely arrogant in the manor, constantly claiming that she, the stepmother, was mistreating the Heir.

If she acted this way in front of her, she was even more like an old matriarch in Tang Rong’s courtyard; no one dared to defy her.

Nanny Cai had not suffered such indignity in many years. Subconsciously, she raised her voice, "Second Young Mistress, this servant is a person by the Heir’s side, not the Marquis’s concubine. I ask that the Second Young Mistress not mistake my identity."

"Mother."

Xin An threw herself into Madam Xin’s arms. "Tang Rong is truly a liar! He actually has such a high-ranking concubine, and this concubine is so fierce. I don't want to stay here anymore; I want to go home."

Madam Xin saw at a glance that Nanny Cai was no good sort. She suddenly felt very fortunate that she hadn't married into the Tang family. Patting Xin An’s back, she said to Lady Wang, "Marchioness, your manor is truly too chaotic. What was said before no longer counts. We are taking An’er away right now."

Making a show of it, the mother and daughter prepared to walk out. Lady Wang hurriedly blocked them and scolded Nanny Cai directly, "When the masters are speaking, is there any room for a servant like you to interrupt? The Heir is at fault in this matter, and the Marquis personally ordered the Heir to come and apologize. Can’t An’er complain a little after suffering such a great grievance?"

"Or is it that you haven't been presumptuous enough on ordinary days, and now you don't even take the Marquis’s words to heart?"

"A servant daring to speak sharply in front of their masters—are you trying to stage a rebellion?"

Tang Mo had been sitting calmly drinking tea, but in his heart, he wished Xin An would scold her even more fiercely. After only one day, he had fallen in love with the feeling of having someone working in tandem with him; it was truly wonderful.

Seeing Xin An about to deal with this old hag, his heart leaped with joy. Seeing Tang Rong’s face turn dark and blue, he comfortably set down his teacup, a look of anger appearing in his eyes. It was his turn now!

"Big Brother, from the moment this happened until now, I haven't said a word. I don't want to pursue the cause, fearing it might damage our brotherhood, but you shouldn't bully people too far!"

"It’s normal for Xin An to not recognize people since she just arrived at the Marquis’s manor. Look back at your wet nurse—dressed in silks and satins, wearing gold and silver. What’s wrong with Xin An mistaking her for Father’s concubine? Even Father’s concubines don't dress as ostentatiously as she does."

"She acts like a tyrant in the manor every day, barking orders at everyone. You clearly knew she was boorish and ignorant, yet you brought her along. Is it because you don't accept Father’s decision and want to use her mouth to make me lose face?"

Nanny Cai tried to defend herself, but a sharp look from Lady Wang made her close her mouth unwillingly. She knelt directly before Xin An. "It was this servant who offended the Second Young Mistress. This servant deserves punishment."

After saying this, she gave herself a slap with a 'pa' sound—a very loud one.

"The Heir’s wedding is a joyous occasion. This servant was happy in her heart, which is why I dressed more festively these past two days. I have not forgotten my status."

She immediately began removing the jewelry from her body. Xin An looked shocked and took two steps back. "Mother, the rules of the Marquis’s manor are truly terrifying. Let’s go back."

Madam Xin was also extremely dissatisfied; a servant dared to lose their temper just because the masters said a few words. "This Marquis’s manor has no distinction between master and servant. Our Xin family truly cannot afford to be tainted by this."

"Marchioness, don't try to persuade us anymore. If this wicked servant is so rampant in front of me, I don't know how she will treat my An’er once I leave."

After speaking, she ordered the people waiting behind the door, "Wang’s, Chunyang, Chunlu, inventory all of the young lady’s things. We are leaving."

Xin Huan, who had come looking for them, saw the situation and immediately started shouting, saying he wanted to go out and tell everyone that the Marquis’s manor was actually run by a servant.

The mother and son exchanged glances; they were determined to deal with this wicked hag today and slap Tang Rong’s face hard.

Lady Wang couldn't stop them, and Tang Mo had also said all the right things in front of his mother-in-law. Without even discussing it, they were in perfect sync. Seeing that the atmosphere was ripe, Madam Xin had Xin Huan go find Xin Kuan.

In the front courtyard, Tang Gang was drinking with Xin Kuan and Magistrate Tao. Before the atmosphere had fully warmed up, Xin Huan rushed in and explained the situation in a few words, inevitably adding his own flair. "It’s quite interesting. The master comes to apologize but brings threats, and that servant is even more rampant, with a pair of slanted eyes so venomous they could kill."

"Father, my sister is being blocked and isn't allowed to leave."

Xin Kuan was so angry he smashed his cup, and Tang Gang was so furious he saw stars. Magistrate Tao inwardly despised the Marquis’s manor for their incompetence and regretted the marriage alliance, but that didn't stop him from following along to understand the situation.

Tang Rong never expected things to develop this way. He had assumed the Xin family would make a scene, but a woman’s reputation was paramount. Since she had entered the Marquis’s gates and spent the whole night in the same room as his second brother, he figured Xin An would endure it regardless of whether he came to apologize or not. He thought it would just be a formality.

As for Nanny Cai, who had been acting high and mighty for so long, she remained kneeling, not daring to make a sound. She wasn't too afraid; she was a person from the late Marchioness, and the Heir was raised by her. Even if the Marquis came, he would have to give her some face.

"You scoundrel! I told you to come and apologize; why did you bring this old hag?"

Tang Gang arrived, feeling dissatisfied with Tang Rong for the first time in his life. Seeing Nanny Cai still kneeling with an unconvinced look, his anger flared even more. "Someone, drag this servant who defies her superiors away and give her thirty strokes of the military staff."

The Tang family rose to power through military merit. Even if they no longer held command, the servants in the manor were punished with military staves. After thirty strokes, Nanny Cai would be bedridden for at least three months. But if she were bedridden, wouldn't Tao Yiran’s life be easier?

Nanny Cai was terrified and looked at Tang Rong in horror. Tang Rong did not plead for her, knowing he couldn't at this moment. Instead, Xin An spoke up timidly.

"Marquis, it was my fault first for not recognizing her. Seeing her dressed so luxuriously, I mistook her for the Marquis’s concubine. It was indeed my mistake first, so it’s natural for her to be angry. Besides, she is the Heir’s wet nurse and has held a position of respect in the manor for many years, representing the Heir’s face. She is also getting on in years, so I fear she might not be able to withstand it."

"Since it is my newlywed time with the Heir, let’s spare her."

Tang Mo gave her a thumbs-up in his heart. It was satisfying to beat this hag today, but it would make people in the manor think the Xin family was unforgiving. His father, whose heart was biased toward his favorite son, would be dissatisfied with Xin An later. Beating this old hag would hurt his precious son’s face.

By magnanimously sparing her, she might even be able to get some benefits from his biased father.

Tang Gang’s expression softened slightly. He felt that although the Xin family had a temper, at least this Xin An was magnanimous and tolerant. He also thought about how this dishonest servant had once harbored delusions of climbing into his bed when she was young, which disgusted him. With old grudges and new ones combined, he kicked her in the chest. "Consider yourself lucky, you servant, to have met such a kind-hearted Second Young Mistress. Why aren't you kowtowing to thank her for sparing your life?"

If it weren't for his late wife’s lingering affection giving this servant a chance, he would have beaten her to death long ago.

This kick successfully drew blood from Nanny Cai’s mouth, but she didn't care about the pain. She scrambled to Xin An’s feet, knelt, and kowtowed. "This servant is a scoundrel. Thank you, Second Young Mistress, for your magnanimity. Thank you, Second Young Mistress, for your magnanimity."

Xin An made a show of being a little frightened and a little soft-hearted, leaning slightly closer to her mother. "Get up. I mistook your identity, so don't take it to heart."

(End of chapter)