Tang Mo personally watched as Xin An placed the drawing into the small cabinet by the bedside. With a mix of nervousness and anticipation for what lay ahead, he murmured, “I’m thinking of inviting someone to dinner tonight… I just hope they don’t turn me down.”
“It’s alright. One step at a time—start small and work your way up. No need to rush.”
After locking the cabinet, Xin An rose to her feet and called Chunyang inside. Lailai was still waiting outside the door.
“Lailai, help Second Young Master wash and get dressed. Chunyang, go arrange breakfast—something light.”
She herself unfastened the sachet from Tang Mo’s waist and filled it with silver.
Once everything was ready, Xin An led the entire Autumn Harvest Courtyard in a grand procession to see Tang Mo off at the gates of the Marquis’s residence. Tang Mo felt a bit embarrassed.
“Isn’t this all a bit much?”
Xin An smiled. “It’s your first day on official duty. From this day forward, you are a man with responsibilities. You’re the pillar of this courtyard, the one we all rely on. Of course we must send you off with all the fanfare.”
The servants all nodded eagerly.
“Second Young Master, you’ve got this.”
“Second Young Master, I wish you a bright future ahead.”
“Yes, may your career rise step by step.”
Everyone chimed in with warm, cheerful blessings. Xin An added, “See? We all believe in you. You must believe in yourself too—you can do this.”
Tang Mo was genuinely moved. As he lifted his gaze, he saw Wang Shi approaching with a smile.
“No need for more words—just go and do your best. Your mother is proud of you. My son looks truly dashing today.”
Tang Mo smiled and bowed. “Your son takes his leave.”
The crowd stood at the gates of the residence, watching as Lailai drove the carriage until it turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Only then did they disperse.
“Back to your duties now, everyone,” Xin An instructed. “Do your best.”
“Yes, Young Madam,” came the joyful response as they all returned to Autumn Harvest Courtyard.
Their lively send-off hadn’t gone unnoticed—naturally, the neighboring Spring Blossom Courtyard caught wind of it. Nanny Cai scoffed.
“It’s not even that high of a post. Do they really need to make such a fuss?”
Utterly unpresentable.
But she conveniently forgot that this “lowly post” had originally been promised to Tang Rong. Now, Tang Rong felt insulted—and perhaps even a little jealous of how dearly Tang Mo was cherished. He couldn’t help but imagine his own first day on duty. Would Tao Yiran gather the entire courtyard to see him off too?
That morning, Nanny Cai hadn’t yet seen Tao Yiran emerge from her chambers, and her displeasure simmered just beneath the surface. With a composed face, she asked Nanny Liu, “Is the Young Madam still unwell?”
Nanny Liu understood the barb behind her words but could find no defense. “The Young Madam has always been a bit frail. Even minor discomforts take time for her to recover.”
“Ai.” Nanny Cai sighed dramatically. “The heir must handle affairs outside the residence, and while the Marchioness is the head of the household, the Young Madam should at least share her burdens. Falling ill this often won’t do. Perhaps we should ask the Marquis to summon an imperial physician from the palace to help her recover properly.”
Nanny Liu was fuming. Before the Young Madam, this old woman played the role of the devoted confidante—her words were sweet as honey, and Tao Yiran believed every one of them. She ought to be present now to hear the poison she spewed behind her back.
Before Liu could come up with a defense, Nanny Cai added, “Helping manage the household is one thing. After all, the Marchioness is in good health and can endure more for now. But if the Young Madam is so delicate, won’t that affect her ability to bear children?”
Liu found herself unable to argue either point. Claiming Tao Yiran was strong? Then why didn’t she get up to pay her respects morning and evening? Claiming she was weak? That would just confirm her poor fertility.
It truly was a case of hoisting one’s own petard.
Tang Rong frowned. As her husband, he didn’t believe Tao Yiran was physically unwell—he saw it simply as an excuse to shirk her duties.
His mind drifted to something Tang Gang had said. His brow furrowed deeper, and without another word, he turned and went back inside.
Compared to Nanny Cai’s self-satisfaction, Nanny Liu could only stand there, deeply worried.
At this moment, Tao Yiran had long since risen. She was seated, trimming flower branches that the maids had picked from the courtyard earlier that morning. Upon hearing footsteps, she glanced up slightly, a faint smile on her lips. “The flowers are blooming beautifully today—perfect for arranging in a vase.”
Tang Rong’s anger diminished somewhat, but he still asked, “Why didn’t you go pay your respects to Mother again today?”
Her hand, holding the scissors, paused for a brief moment. Then Tao Yiran smiled lightly. “Would Mother like me any more if I went to pay my respects?”
“In the past, she might have feigned affection, but ever since that argument between her and Father, things have changed completely. No matter what I say or do, she won’t like me.”
“Just as no matter how virtuous and gracious she pretends to be, she’ll never truly like you. After all, she’s not your birth mother. How could there not be a difference?”
Tang Rong knew her words were reasonable—indeed, they were the truth. But facts were one thing; conduct was another.
“Everyone outside knows Mother treats me like her own son. Over the years, even if it was just an act, she did show me kindness in public. Now that she and Father have quarreled, I should be all the more dutiful to her to avoid gossip. If I start avoiding her and neglect even the basic rituals of greeting her morning and evening, won’t I be seen as unfilial?”
Tao Yiran set down the scissors. “Then by that logic, you should go to her personally and say something heartfelt. Really, you should’ve gone that very day. After all, the quarrel started because of you. But given your injury, it’s understandable. Just say you’re feeling better now and came especially to see her.”
Both understood the logic. Yet neither could bring themselves to bend—each waited for the other to make the first move.
After pondering it over, Tang Rong finally agreed to follow Tao Yiran’s suggestion. Still, he asked hopefully, “Yi’er, will you come with me?”
Tao Yiran shook her head. “She’s your mother. There are some things that wouldn’t be appropriate for me to say. Go on—once I’m feeling a bit better, I’ll go pay my respects.”
With no other choice, Tang Rong rose and left, taking Nanny Cai with him.
Meanwhile, over at Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Xin An had already walked a full circuit and found nothing requiring her attention. She decided to take a few maids for a stroll in the gardens. Just as she stepped outside, she ran into Tang Rong.
“Elder Brother, heading out?”
She could now face Tang Rong calmly, but he seemed a little uneasy. “Going to see Mother. And you, Sister-in-law—out for a walk?”
“Mhm.”
Xin An smiled. “The flowers in the garden are in full bloom—thought I’d take a look.”
With her bright eyes and dazzling smile, the jade hairpin on her head shimmered, and the agate earrings swayed with life. Even the embroidered flowers on her clothes seemed more vibrant than usual. Tang Rong couldn’t help but think—such a woman belonged amidst blooms and brilliance, living freely and vividly.
At that moment, Madame Tao arrived and caught sight of the scene—her fine son-in-law standing awkwardly, staring at his sister-in-law. Her heart skipped a beat. Still smiling, she stepped forward. “Son-in-law.”
Only then did Tang Rong notice her. The words in his heart slipped out before he could stop them. “Mother-in-law, what brings you here?”
“Just came to see how you and Yi’er are doing.”
With a look of kindness, Madame Tao added, “I’ve been thinking of your injury. I just wanted to check on you.”