Chapter 23: The Proud Tang Mo

Chapter 23: The Proud Tang Mo

In the Chunhua Courtyard, Tao Yiran was pruning flower branches with a pair of scissors, in a rather good mood. She looked up as Tang Rong returned. "Is Rong-lang back?"

Tang Rong stepped forward to sit beside her, remarking on how beautifully the flowers were blooming. Tao Yiran lightly stroked a petal, saying she wanted to set up a flower stand in the courtyard. "The flowers are fragrant; looking at them is truly refreshing."

Tang Rong had things on his mind; he merely offered a compliant smile before asking why she hadn't gone to pay her respects to the Old Lady today.

"I intended to, but I felt a bit dizzy and heavy-headed this morning."

Ever since she learned that the Old Lady was merely the daughter of a local landlord, Tao Yiran had looked down on her somewhat. Seeing the vulgarity of the Old Lady's entire household made her even less inclined to curry favor. But how could Tang Rong know her thoughts? He continued to persuade her to go and chat with the Old Lady whenever she felt well, to which Tao Yiran gave a perfunctory nod; whether she went or not was her own business.

Upon entering the room, they found a pink-colored scrolling vine vase placed on the table beneath the window. Tang Rong picked it up to examine it closely. Tao Yiran said, "The dowry items from the front courtyard were moved over today. This vase originally belonged in my bedroom; it is quite suitable for arranging flowers."

A look of joy appeared in Tang Rong's eyes. "I find it even more exquisite than the one the Old Lady has."

"My father brought it back from his post. He loved it dearly, and later gave it to me when he saw that I liked it."

Tao Yiran sat down nearby, mentioning that she would send someone to cut flowers tomorrow morning to arrange in the vase. Tang Rong hesitated to speak, ultimately keeping his words to himself. Seeing many more high-quality ornaments in the room, his heart grew increasingly joyful, and his affection for Tao Yiran deepened.

Tang Mo did not return until nearly midnight, reeking of alcohol. Unluckily, he ran into Tang Gang, who was also returning smelling of wine. The father and son stood eye-to-eye at the main gate. Before Tang Gang could erupt in anger, Tang Mo spoke up immediately, "Your son accompanied my father-in-law today and had a few drinks with him."

Tang Gang gave a cold "Hmph." Thinking of how this scoundrel was good for nothing except eating, drinking, and fighting, his anger flared. Seeing Tang Mo attempting to slip away, he called out, "Once your father-in-law returns, go report to the Northern Guard."

"Your son understands."

Tang Gang gave an "Mm" and added, "The opportunity to train in the Northern Guard was originally intended for your elder brother. Now that it is given to you, you must perform your duties well in the future; do not be lazy or deceitful."

Tang Mo was displeased, but he didn't dare say anything, fearing his father might revoke the opportunity with a single word.

"Since your brother's post has been given to you, your father must plan anew for him. He will likely go to the Ministry of Rites. Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites holds your brother in high regard, so I was thinking—"

Tang Mo keenly sensed that his father's next words would not be pleasant. He cut him off, "My brother is so capable; he will thrive anywhere. The Ministry of Rites is one of the Six Ministries; it is far more promising than training in the Northern Guard. I wish my brother a brilliant future."

"Your son feels a bit dizzy; I shall go back and rest first."

With that, he turned and ran. Tang Gang's expression was displeased. He had originally intended for this scoundrel to bring out that pink vase to use as a gift, but since he hadn't finished his sentence, the opportunity had passed, and it wouldn't be easy to bring it up again.

Running all the way back to Qiushi Courtyard, Tang Mo collapsed onto Xin An's beautiful chaise lounge, panting heavily. Xin An asked curiously, "You ran back like this—was a dog chasing you?"

Tang Mo froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. He laughed louder and louder, feeling immensely relieved. Xin An, not understanding, muttered, "You're crazy."

Seeing that he had brought back several boxes, Xin An stepped forward curiously to look through them. Having laughed his fill, Tang Mo kicked off his boots and shifted into a more comfortable position, sighing, "Compared to your brother, I am truly getting old. I spent the whole day walking and nearly wore my legs out."

"Did you buy up all the good things from the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Xin An was somewhat surprised. He had brought back not only Qi-Nourishing Pills but also Beauty-Preserving Pills, and even Beauty Ointment.

Tang Mo looked quite proud. "I bought everything useful. These are for you, the Old Lady, and Mother. Isn't that what you women like? They will all be useful."

"I personally delivered Mother-in-law's portion. You didn't see how much she cherished me; she treated me like her own son."

In the past, when he gave things to Tao Yiran's mother, she would only nod politely and say, "You are very thoughtful," which felt quite dull.

Today, however, his mother-in-law was beaming with joy, calling him "virtuous son-in-law" with every breath. He felt a great sense of achievement and immense satisfaction. He wanted to bring all the good things to his mother-in-law; even his father-in-law had treated him with kindness today, and even his brother-in-law, Xin Huan, seemed to look up to him.

"I told Mother-in-law to send word to me once she finishes eating, and I will send someone to deliver them to her."

"I must ensure she has face when she returns."

"Father-in-law even kept me for dinner. I toasted with him quite heartily. His drinking capacity is truly unfathomable; if Mother-in-law hadn't stopped me, I probably wouldn't have made it back tonight."

He was very happy and talked incessantly. This happiness even infected Xin An, causing a smile to unconsciously touch her lips, though she didn't notice it herself.

By the time he stopped talking, he had already fallen asleep. Xin An ignored him, having Chunyang bring a thin quilt to cover him, and she also slept soundly through the night.

In the morning, Tang Mo was woken up by his own fall. After all, the chaise lounge was only so wide; one toss and turn and he tumbled off. After struggling to climb up, he remembered the events of the previous night. Thinking of how much his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law doted on him, he began to laugh happily again. The laughter woke Xin An, who propped herself up halfway out from behind the bed curtains. "Laughing like that so early in the morning—who are you trying to scare?"

Xin An was naturally charming, and now, with sleepy eyes and her dark hair cascading like a waterfall from her shoulders, her face bore a hint of dissatisfaction and a touch of coquettishness. This caused Tang Mo, who was about to talk back, to shut his mouth, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. "I woke you up."

For some reason, his voice became soft and gentle.

Xin An pushed aside the bed curtains and sat cross-legged, letting out a yawn. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she said with a sense of existential dread, "I have to go pay my respects. When will I finally become a 'matriarch'?"

"Haven't you had enough of being a 'matriarch'? Being young is so much better. Get up quickly; I'll go with you today to curry favor."

Tang Mo laughed again. Thinking of how beautiful and cute Xin An was at this moment, he couldn't resist the urge to pinch her cheeks. This thought suddenly made him shiver; he thought to himself that he had almost been bewitched by this woman's appearance—beneath this beautiful exterior lay a ferocious heart.

"I'm going next door to wash up."

As soon as he left, Chunyang and Chunlü entered. Chunyang was very nervous. "The Son-in-law didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Chunlü set down a basin. "He is the Son-in-law. If he wanted to do something, would you have come in here to drag him out?"

Chunyang was speechless. "Anyway... anyway, we can't let him get off that easily."

He was always threatening to strangle her lady; he wasn't a good person!

Xin An put on her shoes and stood up, joking, "Don't tell me you two stayed up all night because of this?"

Especially Chunyang, whose dark circles under her eyes were unmistakable.