Chapter 45: Tang Rong is Beaten Again

Chapter 45: Tang Rong is Beaten Again

Upon hearing that his mother had fainted from anger, Tang Mo, who had just returned with the physician, charged forward immediately. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on Tang Rong. Xin An, standing aside, feigned an attempt to break up the fight. "Stop it! Eldest Brother is not here to coerce Mother. He has no intention of forcing her into an unjust position. Please, stop!"

She provided Tang Mo with the perfect line of reasoning, and his fists struck even harder and faster. He shouted, "Tang Rong, don't push your luck! What are you trying to do? My mother treats you better than she treats me—what more do you want? You come here to offer apologies only because she is ill, hoping to let the world know she mistreated you? Are you even human? Do you have any conscience at all?"

The courtyard instantly descended into chaos, a mixture of gasps and cries to stop the fight. Xin An watched with bright, keen eyes, enjoying the grand spectacle.

Tang Gang, who had been called back, learned of the commotion as soon as he entered the manor. By the time he arrived, Tang Rong had already been beaten into the ground, looking utterly wretched. Tang Mo was like a wolf driven mad by blood; thinking that since things couldn't end peacefully, he might as well go all out, he roared at Tang Gang, "It was me! I did it! I beat your precious son! Hit me! Come and beat me to death!"

He lunged toward Tang Gang, clamoring to be killed. Tang Gang stumbled back several steps, his head spinning. It was only when Gan Lu, the old lady's attendant, rushed over to control the situation that order was restored. "Please call a physician to treat the Heir Apparent."

"Marquis, the Old Lady requests your immediate presence at Chunrong Hall."

"Second Young Mistress, the Old Lady requests that you comfort the Second Young Master and temporarily take over the management of the household."

The agitated Xin An had already calmed down. Just a moment ago, she had almost rushed forward to land two punches on Tang Rong herself. "Please rest assured, Grandmother. I will handle everything."

Gan Lu made a gesturing motion for Tang Gang to follow. Tang Gang took a deep breath and left. Behind him came the sound of Xin An arranging for people to carry Tang Rong back, and only after hearing her request a physician to check on him did she feel at ease.

"Go to the room and watch over Mother."

Having arranged things for Tang Mo, Xin An officially began her duties as housekeeper. With decades of experience in household management, she picked up the reins incredibly quickly. First, she closed the doors to visitors, then she summoned the various stewards of the manor, ordering them to silence the subordinates and forbidding anyone from discussing today's events. After punishing several servants who had neglected their duties just to watch the spectacle, she finally went to Lady Wang's room.

"You see, as long as one doesn't follow his lead, he will try to drive me to my death."

Lady Wang felt somewhat distressed. After all, she had once truly invested her heart into Tang Rong. But Tang Rong's kneeling today was an attempt to step on her to pull himself out of the mire and secure a good reputation. "One truly cannot underestimate the schemes of our Heir Apparent."

If Xin An had not ruined his plan today, the outside world would likely already know that this stepmother did not accept her stepson, and that they had fought relentlessly, forcing the stepson to personally kowtow in apology.

The mother and son looked like two defeated roosters. Xin An shook her head silently. Only those who have given their sincere heart are easily hurt. These two were not actually that wicked, especially Lady Wang. When she married in, how old was Tang Rong? For a stepmother to want to harm a child, even with Tang Gang's strict vigilance, opportunities would inevitably arise.

Reflecting on the past, the things Lady Wang fought for were merely material wealth; the same went for Tang Mo. In a sense, they weren't villains.

"Mother, sleep for a while. I fear the Old Lady will want to speak with you later. You need to be well-rested to face what comes next."

With such an incident occurring, the trip to the manor tomorrow would likely have to be postponed. Xin An felt a slight sense of regret.

Lady Wang indeed felt exhausted; crying is a highly draining endeavor. "You two go back and rest as well. If your father dares to cause you trouble, send someone to find me immediately."

Tang Mo rose and offered a few more words of persuasion before leaving. Once outside, he rubbed his aching wrists. He hadn't held back when beating Tang Rong just now; he had wanted to beat him for a year or two.

In Chunrong Hall, the Old Lady believed that today's situation was entirely caused by Tang Gang. Given Lady Wang's temperament, if Tang Gang had shown even a little affection toward Tang Mo, today's incident would never have happened.

"You worry that the legitimate eldest son will suffer grievances, so you are constantly on guard against Lady Wang. You worry that the legitimate second son will fight for the title, leading to sibling discord and domestic unrest, so you suppress them at every turn. You think you are acting for the peace of the Marquis's manor, but things are quite the opposite."

"The manor was peaceful in the past because Lady Wang and her son chose to endure. You pushed your luck until they could no longer bear it. Today's incident is not a major matter, but if you continue like this, every day in this manor will be filled with chaos."

"Lady Wang made such a scene today. Let me ask you: how are the eldest couple to face this stepmother in the future?"

Tang Gang wiped his face. Today's events were unexpected. He had thought Lady Wang would resent him, but he hadn't expected her to be so agitated. He thought providing a few benefits would appease her; wasn't that how it had always been?

"I await your instructions, Mother."

The Old Lady said, "Talk to Lady Wang properly tonight. Have a heart-to-heart. You must make her soften her heart. Tomorrow, I will take her to the manor for a short stay. Once her mood improves, this matter will mostly pass. When we return, have Tang Rong apologize to her. His beating today was not unearned after that kneel."

"From now on, as long as you, as a husband and a father, are slightly more impartial, such incidents will not happen again."

Tang Gang nodded. He was completely helpless whenever Lady Wang lost her temper. "I'll go check on things... or perhaps I should check on my wife first."

The Old Lady told him to hurry, thinking to herself that he simply never learned how to deal with people. When an honest person is pushed to their limit, he turns cowardly. She didn't even know how to describe him, but she felt she truly was inadequate. If she had listened to the Old Master years ago and let Tang Gang go off to war instead of keeping him in the capital to be raised by someone with little worldly experience like her, perhaps things wouldn't be this way.

"It is my lack of education that has caused me such trouble."

After all, before she met the Old Master, she was illiterate. Back then, she thought being able to count money was a great achievement. Who could have imagined she would have such fortune later in life?

The Old Lady engaged in profound self-reflection, though it seemed to serve little purpose.

In the Chunrong Courtyard, Xin An walked in with an air of swagger and approached Tang Rong's bedside. "Doctor, these injuries look quite severe. They won't leave scars, will they?"

Tang Rong, who had been slightly recovering, had been beaten again. With injuries piled upon injuries, he looked the very definition of miserable. Xin An felt quite satisfied.

The physician clasped his hands and said they were merely superficial wounds; they looked terrifying but had not damaged the bones or muscles. Xin An nodded. "It seems Eldest Brother's constitution is indeed robust. That puts my mind at ease."

To be beaten three times within a few days without any bone or muscle damage—was that not the very definition of being healthy and strong?

"Be sure to use the best medicine. Money is not an issue. The wounds on his body can heal slowly, but the injury to his face must be addressed as quickly as possible. I'm counting on you, Doctor."

The physician nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Second Young Mistress. If the Heir Apparent uses the medicinal ointments from the Imperial Medical Bureau, the facial injuries should recover in about seven days."

Previously, it was half a month; now it was only seven days. Tang Rong couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling as though the doctor had been bribed by the neighbor next door.

(End of Chapter)