Chapter 14: Pleasing the Old Lady

Chapter 14: Currying Favor with the Old Madam

After drinking the tea offered by the new bride, Tang Gang and the others had no intention of leaving. They claimed they wanted to stay and keep the Old Madam company, adding that since today was an auspicious day, the whole family should dine together. Tang Yong very self-awarely offered to leave, and not a single person in the Marquis’s residence spoke up to ask him to stay, nor did they even offer a polite gesture.

Once only the immediate family remained in the room, Tang Gang hesitated to speak, but the Old Madam asked directly about the dowry of Tang Rong’s mother. Tang Gang very calmly gave all the remaining dowry to Tang Rong in front of everyone. There were several large locked trunks, and no one knew what was inside, but judging by the quantity alone, the difference shouldn't have been significant.

Tang Mo gave his mother a look. Madam Wang said to Tang Rong, "Yesterday, your father said he would give thirty percent of your mother’s dowry to your younger brother and his wife. However, your younger brother’s wife told me that she has no reason to accept your mother’s belongings. Your father and I thought that since it belonged to your mother, it should all go to you, so we, as your parents, will provide two thousand taels of silver to your younger brother and his wife instead."

Tang Rong was caught off guard. He felt something was not quite right about this, but he couldn't put his finger on it, so he could only bow and say, "I leave everything to Father and Mother’s decision."

Madam Wang had someone deliver a box to Xin An. Xin An opened the lid and caught a glimpse of the neatly stacked silver banknotes inside. Tao Yiran felt a tightness in her chest. They were both new brides who had married into the family; in such a short time, the second branch had already received an estate and a set of head ornaments, and now they were being given silver as well. She didn't care about these worldly goods, but this was a clear slap in her face—it was as good as saying that she was the one who had wronged Xin An.

Xin An closed the lid and personally returned the box to Madam Wang’s hands. "Mother, the Second Young Master and I had a heart-to-heart talk last night, and he promised to treat me well in the future. I didn't leave with my mother yesterday because I decided to live a good life with the Second Young Master. How could I possibly accept this silver?"

"Mother, please keep it. Managing the household is not easy, and the expenses of the residence are vast. Consider this my small contribution."

Madam Wang’s eyes were filled with surprise. "Good child, are you telling the truth?"

"I am."

Madam Wang wept with joy and turned to the Old Madam excitedly. "Mother, did you hear that?"

The Old Madam had naturally heard it, and her face was full of satisfaction. "If the girl can think this way, it is the Second Young Master’s blessing, and your blessing as a mother-in-law."

"Ganlu, go and bring that headpiece the Empress bestowed upon me years ago, and also bring that string of pink tourmaline beads."

Tang Mo clicked his tongue inwardly. He had been wondering how this woman, who usually only cared about money, could push away silver that was already in her hands. So, she was taking a small loss to gain a greater advantage.

She was giving him a lesson right there on the spot.

Soon, the items arrived. The headpiece bestowed by the Empress was palace-made, incomparably luxurious, and having been maintained by experts every year, it looked as good as new. If nothing else, the two strings of perfectly round and plump pearls on it alone were worth a fortune.

The Old Madam first took the pink tourmaline beads, spoke of how precious their origin was, and finally, with great solemnity, placed them into Tao Yiran’s hands. "Your skin is as lustrous as jade; pink suits you best."

If presented alone, Tao Yiran would naturally have been pleased, as the bracelet was indeed a rare treasure. But in the presence of that headpiece, no matter how luxurious the bracelet was, it paled in comparison. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Her expression was indifferent, and she didn't show much joy. The Old Madam immediately felt displeased. She was the Old Madam of the Marquis’s residence, the most noble person here; even if she gifted a blade of grass, one should praise it as a non-ordinary item.

When it was Xin An’s turn, she, who knew the Old Madam’s preferences well, vividly performed for the Old Madam and Tang Mo what it meant to be surprised, delighted, incredulous, flattered, deeply grateful, and cautious, treating the gift as if it were priceless. The layered progression of her expressions alone made the Old Madam beam with joy and feel extremely satisfied.

When giving gifts to the younger generation, she wanted them to be this grateful, as it brought her pleasure.

She stroked Xin An’s hand. "Good child, come and talk to Grandmother often when you have time."

"Even if Grandmother didn't ask, I would. From the first moment I saw you, I felt an extraordinary closeness. You look just like my own biological grandmother—so kind and amiable."

The Old Madam laughed even more happily, feeling that this granddaughter-in-law was fated to be with her.

Xin An smiled brightly; she didn't even realize that she looked incredibly young at that moment.

Seeing that Xin An had reaped all the benefits, Tang Mo mimicked her and leaned forward, saying with a cheeky grin, "Grandmother, you are too biased! Now that you have a granddaughter-in-law, you don't even see your grandson anymore. I also think you are very kind and amiable. Grandmother, why don't you reward me with something too?"

Xin An got goosebumps all over from hearing this, but the Old Madam couldn't stop laughing. "This rascal, whenever he came to pay his respects before, he only knew how to eye the good things in my room. I’m afraid he’s been coveting them for a long time, and today he finally found the opportunity to ask."

She thought to herself that he had grown up a bit after this incident, learning that currying favor with her could bring benefits. Her heart softened; after all, even if she took the treasures in her room to the grave, they would only turn to dust. It was better to reward them to those who could make her happy.

"Today, Grandmother won't be biased toward anyone. You brothers may each pick one thing you like from that treasure shelf to take away."

The items placed on the Old Madam’s treasure shelf were never judged by their significance or style, only by their price. Tang Mo felt refreshed, thinking that following this woman’s lead truly had its benefits. He also thought that since she had died after so many others in her past life, she naturally knew everyone’s preferences—following her was definitely the right choice.

"Grandson knew Grandmother loved me."

After saying this, he turned to Tang Rong. "Big Brother, you choose first."

Tang Rong looked down upon the two of them for their mercenary behavior in currying favor with the Old Madam. Seeing the items on the treasure shelf displayed like those of an upstart, lacking any elegance, he bowed to express his thanks but hesitated to choose. It was only after looking closely that he realized every single item was worth a thousand gold, and he wondered when the items on this shelf had been changed again.

"Big Brother, why aren't you choosing?"

Seeing Tang Rong staring blankly at a pastel vase with a hundred flowers, Tang Mo walked up happily. "Grandmother’s treasures are rarely seen on the market. Every time I come, I can't bear to look away."

He then slapped his head in annoyance. "I forgot that Big Brother doesn't like these gold, silver, and jade ornaments, and prefers calligraphy, painting, and yellow jade."

Tang Rong straightened his back slightly, reached into the celadon vase, and took out a rose with dew on it, looking dashing and elegant. "I dare not take what Grandmother loves. This rose is just right—alluring but not gaudy, fragrant and pleasant."

As he spoke, his peripheral vision swept toward Tao Yiran, who blushed, her heart filled with joy.

Tang Rong smiled faintly. He knew that everything on the treasure shelf was the Old Madam’s favorite, which she usually treasured dearly and never offered to anyone. That she let him take one today was only because of Tang Mo’s shameless request earlier. Thinking he had guessed the Old Madam’s intentions, he smiled at Tang Mo, "Brother Mo, it’s your turn to choose."

He had suffered too many losses at Tang Mo’s hands and couldn't quite read him for a moment. A bright idea struck him, and he looked at Xin An. "Which one do you want? I’ll get it for you."

Xin An feigned a shy expression. "Grandmother, look at him."

The Old Madam, who had just been disappointed by Tang Rong, was amused by Xin An’s gesture. "It means he has you in his heart; you should be happy."

"Grandmother is bullying me too."

"Hahaha~~~"

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