RMBLCUCS – Chapter 44: Tang Rong’s Counterattack
Old Madame Tang had arrived in a fit of anger. Wang Shi’s dramatic outburst earlier had placed Tang Gang in an extremely disadvantageous position. However, when she saw Wang Shi’s pale, tear-streaked face, sobbing in utter misery, a flicker of sympathy stirred in her heart.
Before she could speak, Xin An gave Tang Mo a subtle look, prompting him to immediately kneel before Old Madame Tang.
“Grandmother, please don’t blame Mother. If anyone is at fault, it’s me. She only said those things out of anger because she was protecting me—it’s all my fault.”
He lowered his head, his eyes reddened, voice thick with emotion. The servants attending Wang Shi wiped away their own tears, adding to the sorrowful atmosphere.
Old Madame Tang’s anger quickly turned into guilt. She knew her son well—he was far from a good man.
“Everyone, leave us.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The room quickly emptied, leaving only the three of them. Wang Shi cried even harder, soaking an entire handkerchief. Before Old Madame Tang could say anything, she spoke first.
“Mother, why does he treat our second son this way? He is such a good child—always respectful to his father—and yet, he has never once received his father’s love.”
“When he was little, he would run up to his father with excitement, his eyes full of admiration. Whenever he helped me with something, or whenever his teacher praised him, he always wanted to tell his father—just to hear a single word of approval. But if his father was in a good mood, he would humor him for a moment; if he wasn’t, he would completely ignore him. And whenever he and the Heir liked the same thing, it never once ended up in his hands. Instead, he was always harshly reprimanded, warned never to fight his brother for anything.”
“At the time, he would ask me again and again, ‘Does Father not like me? Am I not good enough?’ And every time he asked, my heart would ache. It’s my fault. My fault for becoming a second wife, for being beneath others, for giving birth to a son who was never treated as an equal.”
Tears fell like broken pearls, streaming down her face as her shoulders trembled. She could barely contain her pain as she thought back to Tang Mo’s childhood.
“When the bride swap scandal happened, his father never once consoled him, not even a single word. And yet, my son never uttered a word of blame.”
“And now, after everything that’s happened, how could he do this? The Heir is his son, but isn’t Tang Mo his son too? How can he favor one and trample the other?”
“The more I think about the years of mistreatment my son has suffered, the more I can’t understand how his father could be so cruel to his own child.”
Old Madame Tang’s eyes turned red, guilt welling up inside her. Her son truly was a heartless man. No wonder Wang Shi lost control today—such grievances were impossible to endure forever.
“Enough crying,” Old Madame Tang sighed deeply. “It is my failure as a mother that I did not raise my son properly, allowing you to suffer like this.”
Wang Shi wept for a long time, as if releasing years of suppressed sorrow. Her eyelids swelled, her entire face puffed up from crying. Only when she could no longer shed tears did she lower her gaze and whisper, “Daughter-in-law is unfilial… I’ve troubled Mother with my complaints.”
“Crying is good,” Old Madame Tang sighed. “But don’t grieve too much. Your son is sensible—he is married now, and he has a good wife. There are many good days ahead for him.”
“You always seem strong, but in truth, you are too soft-hearted—too willing to endure for the sake of your husband. From now on, when something must be said, say it. When something must be stopped, stop it. No matter what, you must learn to let go of some things.”
She paused, then added, “Come with us to the estate tomorrow for a change of scenery. Leave the matters of the household aside for now.”
“As for Tang Mo, when the time comes for him to report to the Northern Garrison, pick a few treasures from my collection. A well-placed gift can make all the difference. Trust in his abilities—he’ll find his footing.”
“As for Tang Mo, when the time comes for him to report to the Northern Garrison, pick a few treasures from my collection,” Old Madame Tang instructed. “A well-placed gift can make all the difference. If handled properly, he may very well secure his footing there. You must trust in his abilities.”
Wang Shi nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”
Old Madame Tang let out a long sigh. “It is I who have failed you.” She glanced at Wang Shi’s tear-streaked face before adding, “There’s been enough arguing and commotion today—let this matter rest. Gather yourself properly. When you step outside, you are still the Marchioness of Wei Yuan, and you must not give others a reason to mock you.”
Wang Shi felt another wave of emotion rise in her chest, on the verge of tears once more.
Old Madame Tang, however, only smiled and rose to her feet. Upon stepping out of the room, she gave a final instruction to Tang Mo and Xin An, “Stay by your mother’s side. Do not let her dwell in sorrow.”
Both understood her meaning and hurried inside to check on Wang Shi.
Once outside, Old Madame Tang let out a breath and commanded, “Summon the Marquis to Spring Glory Hall.”
“The Marquis has gone out.”
“Then send someone to bring him back.”
Old Madame Tang had enjoyed a peaceful retirement for years, avoiding involvement in the household’s affairs. But at this point, she could no longer stay uninvolved.
Inside the room, with Tang Mo and Xin An by her side, Wang Shi’s mood quickly improved. Xin An helped her apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling around her eyes, while Tang Mo cracked jokes, successfully coaxing a smile from her.
While their family was finally breathing easier, elsewhere in the residence, Tang Rong and Tao Yiran were both wearing grim expressions.
Wang Shi’s explosive confrontation with Tang Gang had placed them in a deeply awkward position—especially for Tao Yiran. She was already in a difficult spot as a daughter-in-law to a stepmother, and now her husband’s actions had sparked a full-blown conflict within the family. How was she supposed to face Wang Shi in the future?
Tang Rong had not expected Wang Shi’s reaction to be this extreme. He was the Heir of the Marquisate—protecting him meant protecting the family’s standing. If he was well, then the household would prosper. For the sake of the bigger picture, wasn’t it only natural for Tang Mo to endure a little injustice?
Why couldn’t they understand that?
And now, after such a disruptive scene, how was he supposed to face outsiders?
“Help me up. I must go apologize to Mother.”
Tao Yiran immediately understood his intentions. Without hesitation, she helped him out of bed and fetched a veiled hat to cover his injured face. Gathering their attendants, they set off to formally kneel and beg for forgiveness.
At that moment, a physician had just arrived and was examining Wang Shi. She clutched her chest and complained of dizziness and shortness of breath. The physician diagnosed it as a result of extreme distress and anger, prescribing medicine and urging her to maintain a peaceful state of mind.
As Tang Mo escorted the physician out, he happened to glance up and saw a group of people approaching—at the center, a figure wearing a veiled hat. The moment he spotted Tao Yiran, he immediately knew who it was.
He didn’t bother to acknowledge them and simply continued seeing the physician off.
Tang Rong stopped in the courtyard, lifted his robes, and knelt down.
“Your unfilial son, Tang Rong, has come to beg for Mother’s forgiveness.”
As he knelt, Tao Yiran followed suit. The attendants had no choice but to kneel as well, filling the courtyard with people on their knees.
With just one sentence, Tang Rong had placed Wang Shi in a difficult position.
Inside the room, Wang Shi trembled with rage. Before she could react, Xin An swiftly intervened and calmly reassured her. “Mother, you should rest. You’re exhausted. Sleep for a while.”
Crying for so long must have been draining.
She turned and cast a brief smile toward Wang Shi, then immediately twisted her expression into one of panic.
“Mother has fainted! Quickly, fetch the physician again! Hurry!”
She strode out of the room, heading straight for Tang Rong and Tao Yiran.
“Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, what are you doing?” she exclaimed in alarm. “Mother has been deeply worried about you ever since you were attacked. She fears that as long as the culprit remains at large, you will always be in danger whenever you step outside.”
“And now—instead of resting and recovering, you’ve come here to kneel and beg forgiveness?”
“You were a victim—you suffered misfortune through no fault of your own. What sin is there to confess?”
“Could it be that you’re resentful that the culprit hasn’t been caught yet? Father is already doing everything he can to investigate.”
“But when Mother heard that you had come to apologize, she thought you were blaming her—she was so distressed that she collapsed on the spot!”