RMBLCUCS – Chapter 22: Unreasonable Favoritism
Under Nanny Cai’s flattery, Tao Yiran maintained a faint smile without saying anything further. Outside, the servants bustled about, occasionally casting eager glances toward her, clearly waiting for her to grant them a reward. Motivated by this anticipation, they worked with extra diligence, and before long, all of the dowry was safely stored away.
Seeing them linger instead of leaving, Nanny Liu understood what they were waiting for. In her opinion, the reward should indeed be given—on an ordinary day, it wouldn’t be necessary, but this was the first time the new Young Madam was giving orders in the household. Moreover, it was unwise to offend the servants from the outer court too easily. If provoked, they could make things difficult in subtle ways, forcing her mistress to turn a blind eye to their misdeeds.
“You have all worked hard today. Thank you,” Tao Yiran finally said.
These men were quick to observe the moods of their superiors. Seeing the awkward expression on her face, they didn’t press the matter. After exchanging a few polite words, they turned and left—only to run into the servants coming from Qiushi Courtyard.
Those men were beaming with joy, clutching silver ingots and even testing them with their teeth. Some of them cheerfully talked about going out for drinks, which only made the empty-handed servants from Chunhua Courtyard even more displeased.
“Miss, the servants from next door didn’t receive any reward,” Chunyang whispered.
Her form of address fluctuated between “Miss” and “Second Young Madam,” as she still wasn’t used to the latter.
Xin An glanced at her and smiled. “Whether to give or not is a personal choice, and we can’t demand it. However, since we are new here, we must build goodwill. Over the next few days, you and Chunlü should carry extra silver on you. If the situation calls for it, treat the servants to some tea.”
Then she turned to Nanny Wang. “Nanny Wang, you should also carry more. The servants of Mother and Grandmother must be taken care of. Also, allocate fifty taels of silver to Uncle Wang for handling the affairs in the outer court—especially the stewards and the people serving the Marquis. Give another twenty taels to Wang Fu; these will be useful.”
Uncle Wang and Wang Fu were Nanny Wang’s husband and son, both of whom had accompanied Xin An as part of her dowry.
“Tell Uncle Wang that I will be visiting the manor in the outskirts in a few days. Have him and Wang Fu accompany me.”
Nanny Wang nodded in agreement and added that, no matter the place, silver was essential—only money could ensure people did their work with care, and it was not something that should be skimped on.
After handling this matter, Xin An took some fine fabric she had selected and headed toward Chunrong Hall.
Winning Over the Grandmother
Inside Chunrong Hall, Grandmother Tang was admiring her flowers. Upon seeing Xin An, she waved her over with a smile. “Come quickly and look—these hydrangeas are blooming beautifully. Take a pot back to your courtyard.”
Xin An beamed. “Then I’ll take this purple one—it looks so regal.”
“Good choice,” Grandmother Tang praised.
She was in a good mood, so Xin An seized the opportunity to please her further. “Grandmother, I came to bring you a small token of appreciation. I love the famille rose vase you gifted me. While sorting through my dowry today, I came across a few exquisite fabrics. I hope you’ll find them pleasing.”
Chunyang set a tray down on the tea table and pulled back the cloth, revealing a bolt of dark purple brocade embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. Xin An held up the fabric near her grandmother and said cheerfully, “I knew this rich purple would complement Grandmother’s fair complexion and dignified bearing. It truly suits you.”
Grandmother Tang loved colors that exuded nobility without being too ostentatious. She lightly ran her fingers over the brocade and praised, “This truly is a wonderful color. Ganlu, quickly put it away—I will have a dress made from it and wear it next month when I attend the Duke of En’s banquet.”
Ganlu, her personal maid, praised the fabric’s color as well and noted that the other bolts were equally elegant. Grandmother Tang was delighted and held Xin An’s hand, unwilling to let go. “Young girls like you have such keen eyes. Every three months, the fabric merchants bring new textiles for me to choose from, but from now on, you must help me pick.”
Xin An agreed with a bright smile. Grandmother Tang then asked about Tang Mo.
“My parents will be leaving in a few days,” Xin An said, “so today, he took my younger brother around the city.”
Grandmother Tang patted her hand. “Tang Mo is a good man—don’t listen to the nonsense outside. You’ll see in time. He may be glib, but he’s sincere.”
Xin An nodded and added, “Yesterday, he mentioned that once my parents leave, he wants to take me to visit the manor in the outskirts. He even considered inviting Grandmother but worried that it might not be comfortable for you, since he’s unsure of the manor’s current state.”
Grandmother Tang’s eyes lit up. She had grown up in a landlord’s household, surrounded by farmland. Now, as she aged, nostalgia hit her even harder. She spoke wistfully, “You may not have seen it, but when the wind blows across a golden wheat field, it’s a breathtaking sight. I haven’t seen it myself in many years.”
“Back then, we’d find sparrow nests and rabbit burrows in the wheat fields. During the harvest, we’d always catch some little sparrows. The people were busy, and so were the birds…”
Xin An listened, fascinated. She had never witnessed such a scene but could imagine its beauty. “Hearing you describe it makes me want to go even more.”
“Then would you like to go with us, Grandmother?” she asked, hopeful.
“Of course!” Grandmother Tang agreed at once.
Aside from banquets, she rarely had the opportunity to leave the house, and even those events were just trips from one grand residence to another. She had long grown bored of such social gatherings. “Tell Tang Mo to make the arrangements—we’ll go together.”
“But what if Father doesn’t allow it?” Xin An asked.
Grandmother Tang dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “He can’t stop me.”
Could Tang Gang stop her?
Absolutely not.
The moment he objected, he was met with a scolding. “What is filial piety?” Grandmother Tang demanded. “It is respecting my wishes! Are you saying that locking me inside this courtyard for the rest of my life is an act of filial piety?”
Tang Gang had no choice but to murmur, “Mother, please don’t be angry,” and quickly dropped the subject. Instead, he turned to Tang Rong and urged him, “You must spend more time currying favor with Grandmother.”
“A man must focus on establishing his career, and in the future, your wife must manage household affairs for you. Yet today, your wife has not stepped outside Chunhua Courtyard even once! Meanwhile, your younger brother’s wife has not only paid respects to your mother but also accompanied Grandmother for breakfast and gifted her fine fabric, winning her favor.”
“Tang Mo and Xin An are even taking Grandmother to the manor in the outskirts for a retreat. They are moving aggressively, while you and your wife remain completely idle!”
“Today, I met with Minister Wang of the Ministry of Rites to solidify your appointment there. The matter is not difficult to arrange, but it still requires a gesture of goodwill. Minister Wang is particularly fond of famille rose vases. Grandmother owns one, but it is already in Qiushi Courtyard. You will have to find another.”
When a father plays favorites, there is no reasoning with it. Tang Gang had placed all his hopes on Tang Rong, wishing for him to soar to great heights.
Tang Rong regretted his earlier moment of hesitation—if he had acted sooner, the vase wouldn’t have ended up in Tang Mo’s hands. And with Xin An at his side, retrieving it now would be no easy task.
Thinking of Xin An’s hostility toward him, Tang Rong frowned. Her resentment toward him seemed excessive.