Chapter 9: 9. Chapter 9: Tang Mo Gains More Benefits Again

Chapter 9: Tang Mo Benefits Again

Aunt Cai stumbled to her feet and retreated behind Tang Rong. Tang Rong’s face was as dark as water as he bowed to Xin An. "It was my fault for causing my sister-in-law such a fright. Thank you for your magnanimity. In the future, should you have any commands, I will not shirk my duty. I hope you will not continue to take this to heart."

Xin An wanted to continue berating him, but since her father was present, she found it difficult to speak. She only regretted not scolding him more while she had such a perfect opportunity. Given the current situation, it would have been perfectly reasonable for her to be a bit temperamental and sharp-tongued after being wronged. Would Tang Rong, who prided himself on his high moral character, have dared to argue back?

If he had dared to utter a single word of retort today, she would have made him regret it!

What a pity; once an opportunity is lost, it is gone.

"I also hope the Heir will not take it to heart. Last night, the Second Young Master did not retaliate or humiliate me in his rage; instead, he comforted me and sat up fully clothed all night. Based on that alone, his character is indeed noble and his conduct exemplary."

"The Second Young Master is handsome and upright. Even if he lacks the talent to govern the world, he can be considered a man of upright character. I do not feel wronged to be married to him."

Tang Mo stood there calmly, though he straightened his back a little more. Tang Gang looked him over twice, thinking that his appearance was indeed quite good. He hadn't caused any trouble from last night until now, which showed that although he was usually a bit of a scoundrel, he knew how to keep his head and stay steady at critical moments.

"Your wife is a good one. You must respect and love her in the future."

Tang Mo bowed and accepted, "I will, Father."

"Hmm." Tang Gang felt that this scoundrel seemed to have changed a little. "Now that you are married, you should be more steady. Go report to the Northern Garrison in a few days."

Tang Mo could not believe his ears, and then his face was filled with wild joy. He had wanted to join the Northern Garrison for a long time, but the old man had never agreed. Unlike the Southern Garrison, which was known for its ruthless killing, the Northern Garrison was where the sons of most noble families went to gain experience. After two or three years, it would be easy to get a promotion through family connections.

"Thank you, Father. I will certainly not let you down."

Seeing him so overjoyed, Tang Gang felt a strange sensation, and his expression softened significantly. Madam Wang fiercely suppressed the wild joy in her eyes and stepped in to smooth things over, finally bringing this farce to an end.

Official Tao, who had watched the whole thing, frowned with a sense of crisis. He couldn't help but look at Xin An twice more. Both had entered the wrong bridal chamber, yet his daughter had gained nothing but trouble, while Tang Mo’s household had gained so much. The difference was clear.

The people in the courtyard soon dispersed, and Xin Kuan was dragged off to the front courtyard to drink. Tang Rong had originally wanted to go back to comfort Tao Yiran, but as Tang Gang left, he ordered him to go to the ancestral hall immediately to kneel and reflect.

Madam Wang watched his retreating back with a sneer, then affectionately took Xin An’s hand to ask after her well-being.

Madam Xin breathed a sigh of relief. She used to think Tang Rong was perfect in every way, but today she realized his skin was truly thick. Even now, he showed no sign of remorse, pushing the mess onto his family while he himself said a few painless words and walked away.

Looking at Tang Mo again, he seemed much more pleasing to the eye than before. Madam Wang showered Xin An with praise and promised to hand over the management of the household affairs to her in three days.

Xin An had managed household affairs for half a lifetime and knew how deep the waters were; how could she possibly take it on again?

"I am grateful for Mother’s care, but how could I handle such a major task as managing the household now? My heart is still in a state of chaos, so I must trouble Mother to continue managing it."

Madam Wang hadn't wanted to give up the power of the household in the first place. She had only mentally prepared herself to agree because she comforted herself that Xin An was her own daughter-in-law, which was better than it falling into Tao Yiran’s hands.

Seeing that Xin An didn't seem to be lying, and thinking that she must still be uncomfortable after what happened, she said, "Mother knows you are troubled. You know a little about the situation in the house now. Although Tang Mo is a bit reckless, he has no major flaws and can be considered honest. If you take the time to appreciate him, you might discover his good qualities."

"I will manage the household affairs for you for the time being. Whenever you want to learn, come to me. This power will always be yours."

Xin An bowed in thanks. Madam Wang then mentioned giving her thirty percent of Tang Rong’s mother’s dowry. Xin An knew those dowry assets all too well; she had spent her entire previous life trying to get her hands on them, only to...

"Mother, since I have married Tang Mo by a twist of fate, I will live my life with him in peace. My eldest brother-in-law’s mother’s dowry was never meant for me. I absolutely cannot accept it. Please handle it properly, Mother."

How many military families had deep pockets?

After the Tang family abandoned the military for the civil service, it was like starting from scratch. Expenses were constant, and they had to maintain the dignity of the Marquis’s mansion. In particular, Tang Rong’s good reputation outside was supported by silver. The current family fortune, while not at the point of exhaustion, was not far off.

In this life, she would not contribute a single penny to the Marquis’s mansion unless she had complete control over it.

Moreover...

That coward, Marquis Weiyuan Tang Gang, was no good either. When his son made a mistake, he, the father, should have been the one to clean it up. Instead, he shamelessly took his late wife’s dowry to use as compensation. If she took that dowry, it would be like handing someone a handle to use against her. No one might say anything now, but who could say what would happen later?

Seeing her so sensible and mindful of the big picture, Madam Wang was filled with joy. She felt it was worth it to have risked the Marquis’s reputation for this scheme. Although she was resented by Tang Gang, gaining such a capable daughter-in-law was worth it!

After comforting her a few more times, she said they would have the new bride’s tea ceremony tomorrow. After finishing with Qiushi Courtyard, she still had to go to the neighboring Chunhua Courtyard. After all, Tao Yiran was now her daughter-in-law in name, and since the Tao family was still there, she had to offer some comfort.

Once she left, Xin An sent Tang Mo away and locked herself in the room with her mother for a private talk. Madam Xin was filled with regret, "How did I not realize it at the time? What kind of thing is the Tang family doing, using Tang Rong’s birth mother’s dowry to compensate you? That is not how things are done."

Xin An smiled and said casually, "I suppose the Marquis’s mansion’s accounts aren't very flush."

"It’s fortunate you were wise enough not to accept it. I’m truly terrified now. That Aunt Cai looks like someone who is used to being overbearing, and even your mother-in-law can’t suppress her. If you had married Tang Rong, wouldn't you have had to suffer her temper?"

Madam Xin was genuinely scared, but since things had reached this point, they had to bite the bullet and move forward. "You shouldn't have tried to persuade them earlier; it would have been better if she had been beaten to death."

Xin An was more open-minded. She had treated Aunt Cai with courtesy in the past only because she was infatuated with Tang Rong and loved everything associated with him. Now that she hated Tang Rong to the core, what was Aunt Cai to her?

"By sparing her, the people in the Marquis’s mansion will think I am magnanimous. Sometimes, taking a small loss can lead to a big gain. That cheap husband of mine is probably secretly rejoicing next door right now."

Madam Xin laughed along, "Mother sees it now. Your mother-in-law doesn't actually like the people next door. I saw her secretly smiling several times today. She is biased toward you. Now that her son has gained a position because of you, he will treat you better in the future. With your mother-in-law’s support and favoritism, your life won't be too difficult."

"That cheap husband of yours also has his own schemes. As long as you support each other, how could your life not be good?"

(End of chapter)