Chapter 49: Madam Tao Begins to Regret

Chapter 49: Madam Tao Begins to Regret

The matters at the manor were quickly settled. Tang Mo sat leisurely with his legs crossed, eating a melon freshly picked from the fields. "It's sweet. Want one?"

Xin An, sitting beside him, took one and took a bite. "It is sweet."

"Who are you leaving that grain for?"

Tang Mo spat out a melon seed. "Naturally, a place for the jasmine flowers."

When Prince Jin returns to the capital after regaining favor, it won't do to have no grain; a few flower pots wouldn't be enough to show his sincerity.

Xin An smiled contentedly. Just as she was about to speak, a woman came in to cook, saying that Er Shan had led several boys to bring a bucket of small fish, intending to deep-fry them. "It will take quite a bit of oil; they said the Young Mistress promised them."

"Mhm."

Xin An clasped her hands. "I saw them catching them having fun, and they seemed so likable, so I said I'd invite them to eat together."

Having received permission, the woman nodded with a smile. "Small fish the size of a finger must be fried to be eaten. Just let those boys clean the fish themselves. You haven't seen them, Young Mistress—those boys are like little mud monkeys, yet they're smiling so happily."

Her own son was among them; it was good enough to get a free meal of fried small fish.

Seeing her leave happily, Xin An also felt pleased. She turned her head to Tang Mo and said, "You know, I love seeing this. You give people a little benefit, and they are filled with gratitude and joy, rather than feeling it's your duty or feeling you haven't given enough, which makes things dull."

Tang Mo understood that feeling quite well. "Yes, it makes people feel that giving to you is worthwhile, and they'll even want to give more. It's a pleasant feeling."

As he spoke, he stood up. "Come on, the Old Lady and Mother haven't returned from the lotus pond yet. Let's go see how much fun it is."

For the rest of the time, the two of them cast those messy affairs to the back of their minds and played happily. They admired flowers and fished with the Old Lady and Lady Wang, ate fried small fish with the boys, picked flowers and wove garlands with the young girls at the manor, and followed people to the mountains to pick mushrooms. There was always something interesting to do, and the smiles on their faces never faded.

While they were having a grand time, those remaining in the Marquis's manor also felt somewhat more at ease. First, Tao Yiran finally stepped out of Chunhua Courtyard, leading her maids and nannies to stroll through the manor's gardens to admire the flowers. Feeling that the eyesore was gone, she felt the flowers were exceptionally beautiful.

Furthermore, Tang Rong was in high spirits; for a short period, he experienced the benefits of being the master of the house, feeling as though the very air was exceptionally clear.

Even Tang Gang, in a good mood, took advantage of a spirited serving maid to forcibly take her as his own, regardless of her wishes, appearing quite triumphant.

This act was secretly despised by many servants, but no one dared to say anything.

Madam Tao also took this opportunity to visit. Her brow was furrowed with unshakeable sorrow. She had thought that as the Heir of the Marquis's manor with a fine reputation abroad, Tang Rong would bring some glory to the Tao family. Instead of glory, they were met with ridicule, and she hadn't left her house for several days.

"What exactly is going on?"

She had come today to get to the bottom of things. Tao Yiran did not hide anything and recounted recent events in detail. The more she spoke, the more Madam Tao's brow furrowed. She never expected the Marquis's manor to be such a mess; so much trouble had erupted in just a few days.

"That mother-in-law of yours truly has methods. After she pulls a stunt like this, will you and your husband even have a place to speak in front of her?"

Having navigated the inner chambers for years, Madam Tao understood Wang's scheme immediately upon hearing it. However, she shifted her tone. "Or perhaps it was your father-in-law himself who left himself vulnerable, leaving him with no ground to stand on when she made a scene."

As for Tang Rong being beaten, she wasn't overly concerned, as long as the position in the Ministry of Rites didn't fall into someone else's hands.

With tears in her eyes, Tao Yiran mentioned Xue Yu's pregnancy and how Ying Yue had taken advantage of the situation. Madam Tao was nearly driven to death by anger, yet she could only swallow her grievance. Tang Rong should never have been a son-in-law to the Tao family to begin with, and there was no reason for the Tao family to interfere in these matters. However, Madam Tao could not understand how a concubine-servant could take advantage of him so soon after marriage. "Tell me exactly how this happened."

As Tao Yiran explained, Madam Tao felt a sense of frustration at her daughter's perceived weakness. "When he was beaten like that, couldn't you have stayed to accompany him? Why did you go to live in a separate room?"

Tao Yiran lowered her eyes and remained silent. She dared not say that Tang Rong in that state was truly terrifying. More importantly, the gentleman who was once as gentle as jade in her heart had suddenly become that version of himself. Everything about him—his moonlight-like purity, his gentlemanly poise—shattered like a dream or a bubble in that moment. The impact on her was immense. At that moment, she felt he was nothing special, beaten into a pathetic, unrecognizable state by a few petty thugs.

Unable to accept such a sudden drop in perception, she had thought to escape.

Madam Tao, naturally unaware of these thoughts, continued to say that this was the best time to deepen the bond between the two, yet her daughter had chosen to be absent, leaving the opportunity to a concubine-servant. That girl had served him for a long time and had some level of familiarity; with this recent display of care, if the girl were even slightly clever, "I fear that once his injuries heal, you will be forced to drink the tea of a concubine."

Thinking of the eldest legitimate son ahead and a concubine behind, Madam Tao felt a surge of resentment but had nowhere to vent it, making her regret even more. "Earlier, your father met Tang Mo at a restaurant. Tang Mo invited his father-in-law for drinks and was said to be extremely respectful and flattering during the meal. Boss Xin also praised him repeatedly. Upon looking into it later, it turned out that Tang Mo had been accompanying the Xin family these past few days. Not only did he buy various fine things from the Imperial Medical Bureau to show filial piety, but every time he visited, he brought large bundles of gifts, even inviting several good friends to dine with them."

"One could say he was attentive in every way, giving his father-in-law plenty of face."

She didn't say the rest, but Tao Yiran understood her meaning. Lately, Tang Rong had not visited the Tao family at all, except for the day of the three-day return visit after the wedding, let alone inviting her father for drinks.

Madam Tao asked again, "How is Tang Mo treating that lady of the Xin family?"

Tao Yiran's eyes darkened. Though she felt unwilling, she could only tell the truth. "He accompanies her every day for morning and evening greetings, and even took her out for a day of travel, returning only after dark. This time, he has taken her to the manor for a short stay."

"Wasn't he specifically taking your mother-in-law to relax?"

Tao Yiran shook her head. "That was decided long ago. There was no original plan to take Mother-in-law, but it was added later."

Madam Tao felt even more distressed, but since things had come to this, there was no turning back. "Tang Rong is the Heir after all, and his father dotes on him. You must put more effort into making him listen to you. Everyone has their ups and downs. Once his injuries are healed, he will need to take guards when he goes out. Only when he is well can you be well. This is just the beginning; there are many days ahead. Do not lose heart."

These words were meant to comfort Tao Yiran as much as herself. "Next month, there is a banquet at the Duke of En's manor, and the Marquis's manor has been invited. When the time comes, attend with dignity. Show your poise and grace; you can still outshine the Xin family. After all, you are the one who will be the mistress of this Marquis's manor."

Tao Yiran nodded. Madam Tao could not bear to blame her further, and soon the mother and daughter began whispering. It was, at most, about how to win over Tang Rong, how to suppress Xin An, and if possible, how to trip Xin An up so she could take control of the household management and conceive a child as soon as possible. "Setting aside whatever is in that girl's womb, even if she gives birth to a son, he will merely be a concubine's son. A mere concubine's son is nothing to fear."

(End of Chapter)