Chapter 15: Tang Gang Regrets It

Xin An could not remember the last time she had acted so coquettishly; it must have been before she was married.

To use such a display of girlish charm today felt surprisingly natural, and it amused the Old Madam so much that she laughed heartily, tears even pricking her eyes. "Speak up already, can't you see the second boy is waiting anxiously?"

Only then did Xin An point casually. "That one."

It was the pastel-colored vase that Tang Rong had set his sights on. The Old Madam laughed, "You have a good eye, girl. This vase was a gift from the Empress Dowager when I went to pay my respects at the palace last year. It’s a fine tribute piece. Originally, it was a pair; one was given to the Old Madam of the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate."

Xin An covered her mouth in surprise. "It’s so precious, then I shouldn't take it."

The Old Madam had Ganlu find a box to store the vase in and patted Xin An’s hand. "I told you all to choose for yourselves. Whatever you pick, your grandmother is happy. Although this treasure was a gift from the Empress Dowager, once it is in my hands, I am free to dispose of it as I please."

"Take it back and display it in your room later; it’s a joy just to look at."

Tang Mo and Xin An stepped forward happily to express their gratitude, and Tang Mo launched into another round of witty banter, making the Old Madam’s face ache from laughing.

No sooner had Ganlu taken away the pastel vase than she turned and placed a yellow jade peony on display. Its luster was warm, its color rich, and the carving was exquisite beyond compare. The moment it was set down, it drew every eye in the room. Seeing that everyone was captivated, the Old Madam looked quite pleased with herself.

Tang Rong stared without blinking; yellow jade was his favorite. This yellow jade peony was as large as a soup bowl and flawless—an extreme rarity. Xin An and Tang Mo exchanged a swift glance. In their past lives, they had fought fiercely over this treasure. Tang Mo had wanted it because it was valuable and could accomplish great things if given as a gift; Xin An had fought for it because Tang Rong wanted it. Yellow jade was the apple of Tang Rong’s eye, and ever since he saw it, he had whispered in Xin An’s ear about it constantly. In the end, the item fell into Xin An’s hands. Tang Rong cherished it for many years, only to give it away eventually for the sake of his dear nephew, Tang Hui’s, future.

"Grandmother has simply too many treasures. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have known such exquisite things existed in this world."

Tang Mo chimed in, "Don't say you haven't seen it; I haven't either. Grandmother is truly amazing."

The Old Madam said, "This was a trophy your grandfather won in battle years ago. He brought it back to present to the Emperor, and the Emperor bestowed it upon him."

Everyone stepped forward to take a look. Wang Shi knew that Old Master Tang had many military achievements and received many rewards, but she didn't know the specifics or what exactly he had obtained. She envied the Old Madam for her good fortune in this life, having a man who could win back any fine thing for her.

Seeing that Tang Rong couldn't tear his eyes away, Xin An joked, "Grandmother has so many good things here. I can't take my eyes off this yellow jade peony. I’ll have to come here every day to admire it from now on."

"Grandmother, please don't find me annoying."

The Old Madam had never been so pleased by her grandchildren before. "Good, good, good. Come keep your grandmother company often. After this peony has been displayed for a while, I’ll have it moved to your room later."

Xin An laughed heartily. "I’m satisfied just being able to see it. I wouldn't dare put such a precious thing in my room. I lack Grandmother’s grandeur and composure, and I haven't seen many fine things. If I really put it in my room, wouldn't I look at everyone like a thief? I wouldn't dare leave the house; I’d have to stay in the room to guard it."

Tang Mo chimed in with a smile, "Then I won't leave the house either. I’ll even hold it in my arms while I sleep."

"Hahahaha~~~"

The Old Madam laughed as heartily as she ever had. Wang Shi was also full of joy, joining in the fun. The more she looked at Xin An, the more satisfied she felt. Tang Gang, however, cast several extra glances at Xin An.

Seeing Tao Yiran standing there with a haughty expression and a slight frown, he thought to himself that the second daughter-in-law was clearly no pushover. With a few words, she had the Old Madam overjoyed. Everyone knew the Old Madam was stingy and guarded a room full of treasures, giving them to no one. Yet, in just two days, Xin An had already obtained two items, and now she was saying she would come every day—who knew how many more treasures she would walk away with.

As the father-in-law, he couldn't say anything. Wang Shi was a stepmother and would certainly favor her own son. The only person who could scheme for the eldest son was his wife, and the only one qualified to step up and compete with the second daughter-in-law was the eldest daughter-in-law. Just now, the eldest had made a mistake by choosing a flower instead of a treasure; the eldest daughter-in-law should have stepped up to make amends. Instead, she just stood there motionless, and now she was watching indifferently as the second couple coaxed the Old Madam for benefits. What was the meaning of this?

Recalling that he had impulsively given the opportunity to train in the Northern Yamen Army to the second son yesterday, it seemed the second couple had gained far too much in these two days.

The Old Madam was in high spirits today and wanted to show off her treasures, so she had Ganlu bring out a few more for everyone to admire.

Xin An and Tang Mo were very supportive, the two of them praising the items throughout. Wang Shi chimed in, Tang Gang occasionally said a word or two, Tang Rong smiled with a mix of awkwardness and politeness, and Tao Yiran remained indifferent, though her eyes never left the treasures.

Soon it was time for lunch. Naturally, the table was filled with delicacies. Xin An hadn't eaten much when she married two days ago, and even less yesterday, so she was already ravenous. More importantly, after the Marquis’s estate was raided in her past life, she hadn't eaten anything decent; now, she felt like she could eat a whole cow on the spot.

Normally, she should have stood to serve the elders, but she couldn't help it as her stomach began to growl. The Old Madam, sympathizing that the two young couples hadn't eaten much over the past two days, waived the rules.

Xin An didn't hold back; she silently finished a bowl of rice and then smilingly asked the serving maid to help her fill another. At this point, Tao Yiran had only eaten half a bowl, acting incredibly reserved.

The Old Madam had originally been a girl from a local landlord’s family. Before the Old Master had made his fortune, her father had seen his potential and betrothed her to him.

She hadn't read many books and didn't have much worldly experience; she just waited at home, and after a few years, her husband became a Marquis. Her husband remembered their early days and brought her to the capital in great splendor. She transformed into the Marchioness, and it was a case of "when a man attains the Tao, his pets ascend to heaven."

In this life, besides her husband, she loved gold, silver, and jade the most—or rather, she loved anything expensive. She had always had a good appetite. She didn't like eating with Wang Shi only because Wang Shi was a noblewoman who followed strict etiquette and ate like a bird. The Old Madam didn't want to be looked down upon, so she never ate her fill.

Originally, she had been worried about being judged by her two granddaughters-in-law for eating too much and had prepared to restrain herself. But seeing Xin An finish her second bowl, she laughed and teased herself, "The second granddaughter-in-law eats with such gusto that even an old woman like me has worked up an appetite. Ganlu, fill another bowl for me, too."

Tang Gang dampened the mood, "Mother, watch your digestion."

The Old Madam was displeased, but she smiled on the surface, "It’s fine. I’ll just drink a bowl of hawthorn tea after the meal and take a walk after my nap."

Xin An understood her. She took the freshly filled bowl and smiled, "My grandmother always said that being able to eat is a blessing. People who are sick spend a fortune to get cured just so they can continue to eat. Grandmother has a good appetite and looks to be in good health; it is our blessing."

The Old Madam was happy again. Tang Gang didn't continue, his gaze falling once more on the silent Tao Yiran. Suddenly, he understood why the Old Master had insisted on Tang Rong marrying a girl from the Xin family before he passed away. If this marriage hadn't gone wrong, would he, as a father, have needed to worry so much about his eldest son?

(End of chapter)