Chapter 4: 4. Chapter 4: Making Do Living Together

Chapter 4: Making Do

The bride had entered the wrong bridal chamber. This news spread through the Marquis’s estate like the wind. The Chunhua Courtyard, where Tang Rong and Tao Yiran resided, had been in an uproar since before dawn. The servants were terrified, but Tang Rong managed to stabilize the situation quickly.

Separated only by a wall, the Qiushi Courtyard also settled down after a moment of chaos, following a thunderous roar from Tang Mo.

By the time Madam Wang and her daughter-in-law arrived at the Qiushi Courtyard, Tang Mo and Xin An were already up and dressed in yesterday’s wedding attire. Without needing to discuss it, both knew exactly what they had to do next.

The two, who hadn't yet fully woken up, played their parts: one with red, swollen eyes, looking downcast and heartbroken; the other suffering from a severe case of morning irritability—though who would know his anger was simply because he hadn't slept enough?

Seeing Xin An’s puffy eyelids, Madam Wang stepped forward and took her hand. "My poor child, you have been wronged."

Tang Mo was furious, gritting his teeth. "Last night, after I realized the mistake, I went to find Big Brother. Who would have thought he’d be so quick? He had just parted ways with me at the courtyard gate, yet when I went looking for him a moment later, he had already turned in. Was he in such a rush to make the raw rice into cooked porridge?"

"To be so drunk he couldn't even recognize a person, yet still manage to consummate the marriage? He truly has some talent."

With Tang Mo doing the talking, Xin An only needed to lower her eyes and shed tears. For no reason, she felt a sense of relief. In the past, when she was with Tang Rong, he would only play the "good guy." She had to personally step forward to fight for everything, and when he benefited, not only did he not thank her, but he would also harbor resentment toward her.

"Big Brother must give me an explanation for this."

Tang Mo struck a pose of being unrelenting.

The Old Madam had always favored him, and now she felt even more that he was a good man. Despite suffering such a great grievance, he hadn't caused a scene, showing he understood the bigger picture. Compared to the pair next door, they were simply incomprehensible.

"Good child, Grandmother knows you have been wronged, but since this has already happened, even if you are unwilling, you must accept it."

The Old Madam spoke earnestly. After Madam Wang offered Xin An some comfort, she made a show of pressing Tang Mo to agree. "That is your older brother. Even if he did something wrong, it is for your grandmother and father to reprimand him. It is not your place to shout."

"Xin An is a good girl. Being able to marry her is your blessing. Don't be ungrateful."

"Why are you scolding him? The second boy has already been wronged; you are his mother, and instead of comforting him, you are being harsh?"

After roaring at Madam Wang, the Old Madam softened her voice and turned to Xin An. "Good child, Grandmother knows you have suffered a great injustice. Rest assured, Grandmother will not let you suffer in vain. The estate has already sent word to invite your father and mother over to discuss this. We will certainly give you an explanation."

Only then did Xin An nod. "Thank you, Grandmother."

"Oh, there, there, stop crying, good child. Tidy yourself up. You are a beautiful new bride. Grandmother has a set of head ornaments; the pigeon-blood rubies on them are rare and will suit you perfectly. I will have them sent over later. Why don't you wear those today?"

"I will follow Grandmother's arrangements."

Xin An knew that set of ornaments. In her past life, she had tried desperately to please the Old Madam after marriage. Once, when the Old Madam nearly had a stroke and was saved by Xin An’s timely intervention, she had gifted them to her. No sooner had she received them than Tang Rong told her that as the eldest grandson’s wife, she should be steady, and such extravagant ornaments didn't suit her—they were better suited for Tao Yiran.

Back then, she was blind and foolish. She listened to Tang Rong and handed the ornaments to Tao Yiran. Tao Yiran had feigned reluctance, eventually accepting them, and wore them the very next day. Because of this, Xin An had incurred the Old Madam’s displeasure, and all her previous efforts were wasted.

Thinking of this now, she couldn't help but want to beat herself to death. What a spineless fool she had been!

Seeing her so considerate of the big picture, the Old Madam was very satisfied. With a look, Madam Wang smiled and said she had prepared a pair of gold bracelets inlaid with gemstones for her daughter-in-law. "They should match Mother’s head ornaments."

She then ordered someone to fetch them. Only those who have been poor know the value and beauty of such things. After the Marquis’s estate was raided, she had supported everyone. Although she had some items her mother had sent, the outside world knew the Tang family was in trouble, so even if she sold them, they wouldn't fetch a good price. Back then, she had been anxious until dawn, constantly strapped for cash.

Xin An stood up and bowed. "With Grandmother and Mother here, my heart is much more at ease. Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, Mother."

The moment the two left, the items were delivered. Seeing the shimmering head ornaments, Tang Mo clicked his tongue twice. "I remember these ornaments once fell into your hands before, but you didn't use them. You couldn't hold onto them."

Xin An picked up a cloud-patterned bird hairpin and sighed. "At the time, the estate was being raided. We couldn't take anything. In the end, I don't even know whose pockets they fell into."

Ignoring Tang Mo’s inquisitive gaze, she turned and asked Chunyang to come in and help her dress. Chunyang’s eyes were still red, but she dared not speak in front of Tang Mo.

"Which dress does the Young Mistress want to wear?"

She felt that the Young Mistress loved the Heir so much that this marriage to the Second Young Master would surely not last.

"I am a new bride; naturally, I should wear something festive to match these ornaments."

Since she was a child, she had worn the best clothes and the most beautiful jewelry, loving the vibrant, bustling life. But Tang Rong liked things simple and elegant, so to cater to his tastes, she had dressed plainly, like a nun, all day long.

Now, she didn't like plain, dull clothes. She didn't want to see that widow-like attire from her past life ever again.

"Take all those dull, plain clothes out of my trunk and give them to you. Do whatever you want with them, but they are not to appear before my eyes."

Seeing that she didn't seem too upset, Old Madam Wang, having composed herself, smiled broadly. "I said it in the estate—the Second Young Mistress is beautiful. Why should you wear such plain, dull clothes at such a prime age? The Master used to say that he worked hard and traveled about just so his family could live a good life, wearing the most luxurious silks and the brightest jewelry."

"Many married ladies in the capital wear reds and greens, competing in beauty; it’s a pleasure to look at."

Xin An’s eyes turned red again. Wasn't that the truth? Did her father work hard to earn money just so she could exhaust herself paving the way for Tang Rong?

"I was wrong before. Very well, the marriage is as it is and cannot be changed. From now on, I am the Second Young Mistress of the Marquis’s estate. You all go and pay your respects to the Second Young Master."

Tang Mo raised an eyebrow. Is this woman trying to latch onto him?

On second thought, this woman was the best at calculating; she wanted to possess everything she saw. She was quite compatible with him. Making do wouldn't be impossible.

It was certainly better than that Tao Yiran, who was best at biting the hand that fed her.

Old Madam Wang led the people brought from the Xin family to pay their respects to Tang Mo. Tang Mo was generous, rewarding each of them with twelve taels of silver, saying it was for good luck.

With that, Xin An was not stingy either, rewarding the Tang family servants in the courtyard with twelve taels each.

Twelve taels was what these people could earn in a year. The moment they received it, they were overjoyed and kowtowed with great vigor. Xin An suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction.

She rewarded them generously, the people below thanked her happily, everyone was pleased, and no one called her vulgar or obsessed with money.

The laughter from the Qiushi Courtyard reached the Chunhua Courtyard, separated by a wall. Tang Rong, who had returned to wait for the outcome, didn't know the situation and was busy pouring out his heart to Tao Yiran in the bedroom.