Chapter 17: I Don't Feel Wronged at All for Losing

Chapter 17: I Am Not Unjustified in My Defeat

In the past, Tang Rong would listen to whatever Auntie Cai said; even if he did not adopt her suggestions, he would always give her sufficient face. This time, however, he refused to let her touch the dowry at all, and instead, with great care, handed the keys and the ledger to Tao Yiran, asking her to keep them safe.

Auntie Cai clenched her fists. She had suffered a great loss next door yesterday, and the servants in the manor were all mocking her. She had to restore her prestige as quickly as possible.

"Heir Apparent."

She called out to stop Tang Rong, who was just about to assist Tao Yiran into the room. "The Young Mistress has entered the family, and today is an auspicious day. It is only proper to invite the Madam to share a cup of the Young Mistress's daughter-in-law tea as well."

This time, not only did Tang Rong find it reasonable, but Tao Yiran also felt it was appropriate. "I indeed should serve tea to my mother. I shall leave the arrangements to Auntie Cai."

Auntie Cai immediately began ordering the people of Chunhua Courtyard to busy themselves. Before long, a formal setup was arranged. When Tao Yiran arrived, she saw Auntie Cai standing while holding the memorial tablet of the late Marquise, with a chair placed in the center and a prayer mat before it. Despite there being a formal altar, Auntie Cai insisted on holding the tablet in her own arms. Tao Yiran's dowry maid, Auntie Liu, immediately understood her intention and spoke with a smile, "Auntie Cai, why have you brought the late Marquise's memorial tablet down?"

Auntie Cai replied with a solemn expression, "The late Marquise cherished the Heir Apparent most during her lifetime, and her greatest concern upon her deathbed was also him. Now that the Heir Apparent is marrying, the late Marquise must be overjoyed; she surely wishes to personally drink this cup of daughter-in-law tea."

Auntie Liu continued to smile, "The late Marquise was of noble status and kind-hearted; she was surely someone who would dote on her daughter-in-law. Auntie Cai's consideration is very thorough. Why not send someone to invite the current Marchioness to come and drink this tea on behalf of the late Marquise?"

*This shameless old woman actually thinks she is worthy of receiving my Young Mistress's grand salute and drinking her daughter-in-law tea on behalf of the late Marquise? Unworthy!*

Auntie Cai's gaze fell upon Tang Rong. She was certain that Tang Rong, whom she had raised from infancy, would grant her this face.

Tang Rong frowned deeply. "Auntie Cai, return Mother's tablet to the altar. Mother was kind and benevolent; she would like Yier."

The smile on Auntie Liu's lips deepened. With a single glance, the two maids behind her stepped forward to move the chair away. Auntie Cai's face turned as dark as water as she stepped forward to place the tablet back onto the altar.

Tao Yiran knelt down. The maid beside her brought the tea, but just as it was placed in her hands, a gasp was followed by the sound of a teacup shattering on the floor. Half of the steaming tea splashed onto her knee, the heat causing tears to well up in her eyes. Auntie Liu rushed forward and demanded, "Who prepared this tea? Sending it here while it is still scalding—are you intentionally trying to prevent the late Marquise from drinking this cup of daughter-in-law tea?"

The reprimand Auntie Cai intended for Tao Yiran got stuck in her throat. Unable to speak, she turned and slapped the young maid who had carried the tea. "You worthless girl, you can't even handle such a small matter."

The young girl did not dare to make a sound and hurriedly turned to prepare new tea. Tang Rong, pained by Tao Yiran's injury, tried to help her back to the room to apply medicine. Tao Yiran, her eyes red, shook her head stubbornly. "Mother hasn't had my tea yet. I am fine."

Tang Rong felt even more heartache and grew dissatisfied with Auntie Cai. After the farce, the tea ceremony was finally completed smoothly. Tang Rong could not wait to carry Tao Yiran horizontally back to the bedroom to tenderly apply medicine.

***

After dinner, Tang Mo received news from the opposite side and let out a scoff.

"How does she have the nerve to say she is letting you have the Yellow Jade Peony?"

"Anyone who didn't know would think that Yellow Jade Peony already belonged to her."

Xin An was not surprised at all by Tao Yiran's actions, but she was curious about Tang Mo's attitude. "I recall you used to be incredibly fond of her. You should have known long ago that she has a temperament of not competing or grabbing. Why are you so indignant now?"

Tang Mo gave her an annoyed glare. "Didn't my dear elder brother also act like a doting husband in every way before? Don't you want to serve him a cup of poisoned wine to end him now?"

Xin An successfully rolled her eyes. Tang Mo gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Tao Yiran has always been lenient with herself and strict with others; she is skilled at putting labels on people to make them look bad. Tang Rong is counting on her to fight for that Yellow Jade Peony, not realizing that Tao Yiran thinks the same way—she is waiting for the other party to fight for her. Do you think they will eventually end up biting each other like dogs?"

Xin An was in no mood to think about that. Her heart was currently filled with a complex mix of emotions as she spoke softly, "I am not unjustified in my defeat to Tao Yiran."

Tang Rong only used her, whereas he truly liked Tao Yiran; the difference in affection was very obvious.

"In my past life, I suffered greatly at the hands of Auntie Cai. Firstly, because Tang Rong had no feelings for me, he naturally didn't care about the grievances I endured. Secondly, the Xin family's status was not high, and Auntie Cai always used my background against me. Although I had the ability to argue back, I worried that Tang Rong would be put in a difficult position because of it. Auntie Wang, Chunyang, and Chunlü followed my lead, and both master and servant lived in stifling misery."

"Whether Tao Yiran followed you or later connected with Tang Rong, she lived very well. She never suffered a single grievance."

To think that she had even secretly hoped Auntie Cai would torment Tao Yiran today—how ridiculous.

Tang Rong had eyes and a heart; he just hadn't seen her before.

Tang Mo turned his head in disbelief, gripping his cup tightly. "Speak clearly. 'Later connected with Tang Rong'—how did she connect with him, and when?"

Xin An was too weary to say much. Tang Mo paced back and forth in the room with his hands on his hips. "Was it Tang Rong who forced her? Then again, they are a widow and her son in the manor; who knows how much you bullied them. It's only natural she would seek Tang Rong's help."

Xin An lifted her eyelids. "If you think deceiving yourself makes you feel better, you are welcome to do so."

Tang Mo stopped in his tracks. Looking back at the past, a bitter smile touched his lips. "It is indeed a bit of self-deception."

They were already exchanging glances while he was still alive; was force even necessary?

"You say she had no intention toward me at all, so why did she agree to marry?"

He had never understood this matter in his past life.

"Naturally, she was gambling on your mother's maneuvering and betting on whether you could have the last laugh. You wouldn't happen to know that the Tao family originally intended to send her to the Second Prince's manor to be a side consort, would you?"

Seeing Tang Mo's bewildered expression, Xin An knew he didn't know. She let out a long, heavy breath. "I only learned of this while chatting with other ladies. She had invested effort into the Second Prince, and the Second Prince naturally had intentions toward her. However, the father of the Second Prince's consort is not only a general holding military power, but he is also very decisive in his actions; he even personally appeared to humiliate her. Since the Second Prince relies on his consort to achieve success, he naturally wouldn't dare offend her."

"Although this matter wasn't publicized, quite a few people knew. Consequently, there weren't many families left who could take her in. After picking and choosing, weren't you just the 'tallest among the short' who was handpicked?"

"If you had eventually inherited the title, she would have won. This time, with Tang Rong being the legitimate Heir Apparent, how could she possibly hesitate?"

Tang Mo smiled bitterly. He suddenly understood why Tao Yiran had always looked down on him. He used to think it was because he hadn't done enough, but in reality, he was simply the result of having no other options. He was never the first choice.