Chapter 42: Forming a Group to Visit and Watch Tang Rong's Laughable Failure

Chapter 42: Forming a Group to Visit and Mock Tang Rong

Secrets were hard to keep in the capital, let alone news regarding the Marquis of Weiyuan's manor, which had been at the center of a storm for the past two days.

The news that Tang Rong had been beaten in a sneak attack spread like wildfire. The scions of noble families, who had long looked down upon him, finally found something to amuse themselves with. They had lived in Tang Rong's shadow for years; every time they made a mistake, their elders would bring up Tang Rong as a comparison.

"That sanctimonious hypocrite finally has his day!"

Several playboys gathered at a tea house in the city to drink tea. This tea house was co-owned by Tang Mo, Yan Shimao, and others. Business wasn't particularly booming, and most of the patrons were these very playboys. One of them was extremely agitated: "I wonder which hero did it? I heard he was howling in pain after being beaten?"

"I heard he was kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, wailing for his parents, and even had two broken ribs."

"I heard he was blinded! Oh my, shouldn't we go pay him a visit?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone agreed. These playboys sent people to buy two catties of pastries and then marched grandly toward the Marquis of Weiyuan's manor. Since they were guests, they didn't come empty-handed. Moreover, these playboys were either the grandsons of princes or the sons of high-ranking officials; the manor's gatekeepers didn't dare offend them. Before they could even be formally announced, the servants were intercepted and sent to deliver their "condolences" to Tang Rong.

Tang Rong did not want to see them; he knew they were there to laugh at him. However, he had no choice. Before long, bursts of laughter erupted from his room, with the visitors laughing until tears streamed down their faces.

They didn't have the same inhibitions as Tang Mo.

"I say, Brother Tang, you are far too careless! You are famous for your high martial arts skills; how could you be beaten like this?"

"Perhaps the bandits were too many. A man cannot fight many hands at once; there must have been a fierce struggle."

"I heard Brother Tang had just come out of a restaurant. He might have been too drunk to have any strength in his hands. It was a lapse in judgment; you should learn some Drunken Boxing."

"Hahahaha!"

The group laughed boisterously, yet they maintained the pretense of being Tang Rong's good brothers. It was normal for brothers to tease each other, after all. Moreover, they had a backup plan: "Brother Tang has suffered a calamity; you must take good care of yourself."

"Exactly. It takes a hundred days to heal broken bones; you mustn't be careless."

"Oh dear, there are several banquets coming up. It looks like Brother Tang won't be able to attend."

Tang Rong remained silent throughout, his fingernails digging into his palms until they bled. Someone noticed Tang Gang approaching and hurriedly said, "Brother Tang, we are worried about your misfortune. Rest assured, we will spare no effort in helping you find those thieves. Just focus on your recovery."

"Yes, we will surely avenge you, brother!"

"Recover well, and we will come to see you another day."

The group exited the room. After paying their respects to Tang Gang, they swaggered out of the Chunhua Courtyard. The smile on Tang Gang's face vanished in an instant. He strode into the room, and Tang Rong immediately spoke, "Father, those people were only there to laugh at your son."

"I know."

It was precisely because he knew that he was angry. Rumors were already spreading that the Heir of the Marquis of Weiyuan was a hollow shell, beaten into a state of utter disgrace by a few street thugs. Tang Rong's reputation was tied to the Marquis's manor; if his son lost face, he, as the father, could not escape the fallout. "Your grandfather fought in many wars and achieved great military honors, yet his grandson has no power to fight back against a few street thugs."

"To face the doubts from the outside, you can only use 'being drunk' as an excuse."

Tang Gang took a deep breath. Being too drunk and entering the wrong room to consummate a marriage with a junior sister-in-law, and being too drunk to fight back against a beating—"I hope there won't be a third time of you 'being drunk'."

Tang Rong closed his eyes. Thinking of the mountain of messy affairs waiting for him, Tang Gang did not stay long and left, filled with rage.

Upon exiting, he ran into Tang Mo and Xin An, who were returning from flower-viewing with the Old Lady. Seeing the two of them looking quite joyful only fueled his anger. His fury was directed straight at Tang Mo: "Don't you have anything better to do than wander around? Why haven't you reported to the Northern Command?"

Tang Mo cupped his hands. "I must accompany Grandmother to the manor for a short stay first; I can go after I return. I just discussed it with Grandmother; we depart the day after tomorrow."

"Your elder brother is in trouble, and you're still thinking about going out to play?"

Tang Gang was half-dead from anger, thinking to himself that Tang Mo was indeed useless and could not be relied upon at all.

Tang Mo said, "Brother's injuries only look serious. As long as we, his family, treat them lightly, and the outsiders see that Grandmother is still in the mood to travel, they will conclude that Brother's injuries are nothing serious."

"Rumors are the most terrifying thing. If we, his own family, act so nervous that we won't even leave the house, the outside rumors will only become more detrimental to him."

Tang Gang gave a "hmpf," but felt there was some logic to it. "In your opinion, what is the best way to handle your brother's matter?"

Tang Mo thought for a moment and cupped his hands again. "The capital has been peaceful for a long time; it is understandable that Brother was negligent. He accidentally grazed the corner of his eye during a struggle; he will be fine after resting for ten days or half a month."

"But the young masters from the Prince of Changping's manor and several noble families have already seen your brother's state."

Tang Mo felt a pang of regret. On the way back, he and Xin An had taken a detour to look at fish; had he known, he would have rushed back sooner to catch more of the spectacle.

"They are all just capital playboys; no one will take what they say seriously. I'll find someone to go and talk to them later."

Only then did Tang Gang remember that the person before him was also a playboy, one who had influence among them. "Then get to it as soon as possible."

Entering the room, Tang Mo's expression soured as he gulped down a cup of tea. "Do you think the old man's heart was born crooked?"

To demand he do things while maintaining such an attitude.

Xin An sat down and sipped her tea leisurely. "Favoritism has no logic. For example, my parents favor me, so whatever I do is forgivable. Why do you dwell on this?"

"You have a mother who favors you; that is enough."

She set down her teacup. "I wonder if he will use the reason you provided?"

"If he says the capital isn't peaceful enough, then he's offending the Northern Command on Tang Rong's behalf. After all, the Northern Command is responsible for patrolling the capital. If you want to establish a foothold in the Northern Command later, you'll have to put in a lot of extra effort."

"It's a difficulty, but also my opportunity, isn't it?"

Tang Mo wasn't worried at all. It had always been Tang Rong who stepped on him to build his own image as a refined gentleman; why couldn't he step on Tang Rong to establish himself in the Northern Command?

"It's a pity I missed the spectacle just now."

As he spoke, he opened a drawer next to Xin An's dressing table and pulled out some banknotes. "I'm going out for a bit. I'll stop by my second uncle's place first, then invite a few people for dinner tonight. Don't wait for me."

"Work hard to prepare for our departure the day after tomorrow."

"Go on."

Xin An was full of anticipation for their upcoming stay at the manor, but she had an issue with Tang Mo keeping his private money in her drawer. "Aren't you afraid I'll take all your private money and spend it?"

Tang Mo smiled. "If you like spending it, go ahead. I don't have much money; compared to your generous dowry, it's nothing. Once I've spent it all, I'll just wait for you to support me."

"You have the nerve?"

Tang Mo nodded solemnly. "Who doesn't want to live off others without working? I'm going to work now, so you don't feel like supporting me isn't worth it later."

Xin An laughed. "Truly shameless."