Chapter 26: Are You Satisfied With My Arrangements?

Chapter 26: Are You Satisfied with My Arrangements?

Yan Shimao and his two companions were well-versed in social graces. After chatting with the Xin family for a while, they rose to leave, careful not to disturb the family's harmony for too long. As they departed, they repeatedly invited the Xin family to dinner that evening as a token of their appreciation, and Xin Kuan accepted.

Once they left, Xin Kuan praised the three men for their sincerity, adding that friends need not be judged by status. "You know the situation at home to some extent. A son-in-law is like a second son; if you ever need your father-in-law's assistance in the future, do not hesitate to ask."

Tang Mo hurriedly rose, took a step back, and bowed with cupped hands. "Your son-in-law thanks you, Father."

Xin Kuan chuckled and motioned for him to sit and have tea. "We are family; there is no need for such formalities. I expect nothing else from you but to see you thrive. My daughter is not suffering by following you. Once her life improves, if anyone mentions the matter of the marriage swap in the future, they will only say she was blessed by fate."

Xin An felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. Her family was always planning for her future, whereas she felt like an inadequate daughter.

Tang Mo's gaze brushed over her before he earnestly refilled his father-in-law's tea. He spoke of his upcoming plans, which were largely centered on striving to make a name for himself. "I always hope that those who care for and protect me can share in my glory once."

Xin Kuan was deeply gratified, and the atmosphere in the private room grew increasingly harmonious.

After leaving the teahouse, Tang Mo led the group to a jewelry and cosmetics shop to purchase small gifts to bring back to Huaijiang. Afterward, he fulfilled Xin Huan's wish by taking them on a boat to listen to music and watch dancers. Even lunch was served on the boat. Uninterrupted by the world, they enjoyed the gentle lake breeze, the occasional leap of a fish from the water, and the melodious sounds of the zither. Xin An sat comfortably enjoying the breeze, her ears filled with Xin Huan's incessant chatter and laughter, and an inexplicable smile touched her lips.

"So, are you satisfied with my arrangements?"

Tang Mo also felt comfortable. Although he was leading his in-laws out for leisure, he himself needed an opportunity to relax. He had not returned much earlier than Xin An. If he had died early, that would be one thing, but to learn that the wife he had treated with all his heart had been entangled with his most hated rival, Tang Rong, until old age—what man could accept that? What man could let it go easily?

Crucially, it had cost him his money!!!

His brother's insidious nature, his father's favoritism, and a wife who turned against him—thinking of those days made him feel wretched. The moment he discovered the bride had been swapped for Xin An, his heart was a complex mess, but he had keenly captured a sliver of relief. At that time, he only cared that it was anyone as long as it wasn't Tao Yiran.

However, in recent days, Xin An and the Xin family had brought him too many surprises. The feeling of having someone to protect him and someone who responded to his efforts was truly intoxicating. Furthermore, the rapport he shared with Xin An made him feel relaxed and happy, which led to today's itinerary.

Xin An turned her head with a smile. "Quite satisfied. I find you are actually quite good at arranging these things. You'll need to plan well for when we go to the manor later."

"Understood."

Tang Mo slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and inhaled the crisp, fresh air, feeling it refresh his soul.

At dusk, the group went to attend a banquet hosted by Yan Shimao and the others. They drank wine sent by the Old Madam; in Wei Ye's words, the arrangements were "perfectly clear."

Furthermore, the three men had considered that Madam Xin and Xin An were female guests and might feel uncomfortable, so they had specifically gone back to fetch their own younger sisters to accompany them. They had arranged an extra table: the older girl was roughly Xin An's age, while the younger one was only nine, the sister of Xie Changyou. Xin An couldn't help but smile at the sight; she could only say the arrangements were exceptionally thoughtful.

The Xin family felt highly valued, and their satisfaction with Tang Mo as a son-in-law grew even further. Since they had purchased many pieces of jewelry today, Madam Xin took the lead and gave each of the girls two items as meeting gifts. The girls' finances were somewhat tight; although they were daughters of noble families, purchasing new jewelry usually required a family celebration or a seasonal festival. Moreover, the two items each received today were not cheap, making it an unexpected windfall.

The Xie family girl, Xie Yuhuan, was currently responding to her name, feeling immensely joyful. She had received a pair of exquisite pearl hairpins and a bracelet with a small golden fish dangling from it. "Sister-in-law Tang, please help me put them on quickly! When I go back, I'll show them off to Mother. This little fish bracelet is my absolute favorite."

Today was truly lucky. Originally, her sister-in-law was supposed to come, but since she had business and couldn't make it, she had reaped the benefits.

Xin An helped her put on the hairpins and the bracelet, nodding with satisfaction. "It looks beautiful."

The young girl was as spirited as a flower in full bloom in the morning; looking at her made Xin An feel much younger herself.

At the adjacent table, the sound of clinking cups was incessant. Yan Shimao and his companions were skilled at drinking with guests, offering one pleasant word after another while downing cup after cup of wine. Xin Kuan was flushed with joy and happily invited them to visit Huaijiang. "When you arrive, stay at my residence. I will make sure everything is perfectly arranged for you."

The group laughed uncontrollably, and within a few words, they had agreed on when they would go. Madam Xin shook her head with a smile. "Your father is rarely this jovial. The son-in-law's friends are all quite excellent—warm and loyal."

They were all legitimate sons of noble families; why were they treating a merchant with such enthusiasm?

It was all to give their good brother face; they were worth befriending.

Xin An nodded. The tide had turned. Previously, they were at odds with these people, but now they were on the same side, so her mindset had naturally changed. She was gradually realizing that there were actually some good people around Tang Mo. If she could win them over to work toward a common goal, combined with the binding force of shared interests, it would undoubtedly give Tang Mo wings like a tiger.

She already had some ideas in mind, but she would wait a while longer.

By the second half of the gathering, everyone was slightly tipsy. Tang Mo and Yan Shimao stepped out for convenience and encountered Lord Tao, who was drinking with his colleagues. Sensing the smell of alcohol on him, Lord Tao felt a flash of dislike. In his eyes, Tang Mo had only been married for a few days and was already out drinking, which was improper. He felt relieved that his daughter hadn't married him; to end up with such an unreliable son-in-law would be a waste of the careful upbringing he had given his daughter.

Sensing that displeasure, Tang Mo remained cheerful and stepped aside to make way. "Please, go ahead, Uncle Tao."

Accompanying Lord Tao was Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of War. He had heard of the Tang family's situation. Any observant person could see that Tang Mo had lost out in the bride swap, yet seeing that he wasn't making a scene and was instead out drinking made him find the situation interesting. "Is the Second Young Master Tang gathering with friends?"

Tang Mo bowed. "My father-in-law is returning to Huaijiang in two days, so I am specifically accompanying him to tour the capital today and having dinner here tonight."

"Boss Xin?"

"Yes."

Vice Minister Xu studied Tang Mo for a moment and asked with a smile, "If it is convenient, might you introduce us?"

Xin Kuan was not just a salt merchant; he was also the Vice President of the Huaijiang Chamber of Commerce, and the wealth he could mobilize was not to be underestimated. The Ministry of War was often short on funds and frequently needed to coordinate war contributions; it was necessary to cultivate relationships with wealthy merchants.

Furthermore, although the Xin family were in-laws to the Marquis of Weiyuan, it didn't mean they were bound only to him. They, too, had an opportunity.