“Thank you, Mother.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.”
The father and sons stood in a row, cupping their hands in salute, their faces unable to hide their joy.
Tang Gang’s thoughts were simple—She says three years, but would it really be just three? When a difficult situation arose, wouldn’t they inevitably come begging for her help again?
Tang Rong was thinking that with all these extra goods in hand, he’d have far more flexibility and leverage for whatever needed doing.
Tang Mo was already imagining each item laid out and admired, each one carefully categorized by value and meaning. He had no intention of using them unless absolutely necessary. One day, these would be heirlooms passed on to his son.
Oh right—he’d give half to Xin An.
Even so, the remaining half was more than enough to delight him.
The three of them thought they were finished and ready to head home with their chests, but the Old Madam gestured for Ganlu to bring out three smaller boxes. Inside were neatly stacked silver ingots.
“Your grandfather left me a reserve of silver,” she said. “The Zheng family also sends some every year. I’m just an old woman—how much can I possibly spend? Each of you, take one of these.”
The three men were overjoyed once again. Today, the Old Madam seemed especially benevolent and kind.
Ganlu placed the boxes before each of them, but when it came to Tang Gang, she set his box aside.
“You have a wife who manages everything when you go out,” the Old Madam said. “Surely you won’t be needing this. I’ll have both of your boxes delivered to your wife. She can manage them properly.”
In other words, she had only let him see the silver—ultimately, it would end up in Wang Shi’s hands. Tang Gang opened his mouth to object, but just then, his mother pulled out a few silver notes and handed them to Tang Mo.
“Your father said he’d allocate funds for you from the household account,” she explained, “but your mother knows exactly how much is in that account. You can’t just run to your father-in-law every time you’re short. Our marquisate still has its dignity—we won’t be reduced to beggary.”
“These are for you to use. And from now on, half of the grain the Zheng family sends us each year will be yours to manage.”
Her generosity took everyone by surprise.
Tang Mo accepted the notes with both hands, his eyes moist. “Thank you, Grandmother. As long as you’re here, I have nothing to fear. May you live long and well, and see my son born and raised, even witness your great-grandson marry and start his own family.”
His words were genuine and heartfelt. The Old Madam had gone to great lengths to give him what she wanted while avoiding jealousy from father and brother. It was favoritism—but carefully balanced.
The Old Madam smiled with narrowed eyes. “Seeing you brothers get along makes me happy. I hope I live long enough to watch the marquisate flourish for generations.”
Tang Rong bowed. “Your grandson will remember your guidance.”
Soon after, the brothers left with their men and their allotted boxes.
Tang Gang remained, sulking on the side.
The Old Madam glanced at him. “Don’t make that face. I did this for your own good. Or would you rather come home every day to your wife giving you the cold shoulder?”
“She handles everything in the household and half of the outside affairs too. You’d better get your priorities straight.”
In the past, Tang Gang never minded. If he asked, Wang Shi would always give him whatever he needed. But now… he couldn’t say that with such certainty anymore.
The Old Madam gave him a few more reminders—not to show favoritism, to treat Tang Mo better.
“He needs to socialize and build relationships—it’s normal. If he does well, it reflects well on you too. And if he comes to you about aiding the old soldiers, give him a proper answer. Don’t make it look like you’re competing with your own son for credit.”
Tang Gang sighed. “How could I ever do such a thing?”
Of course, taking credit was off the table—but if his son insisted on giving it to him… that was another matter.
The Old Madam, wearied by the day’s events and knowing her son too well, felt mentally and physically drained. She handed him a few silver notes.
“Don’t say your mother’s playing favorites. Keep these for yourself. Just don’t let your wife find out.”
A full thousand taels.
Tang Gang’s mood lifted immediately. He grinned as he tucked the notes away. “Mother always loves me best.”
No one knows a son like his mother. And that was precisely why the Old Madam felt so exhausted.
She waved her hand. “I’ll have it said that you sent those boxes to your wife yourself. Now go—stop lingering and being an eyesore.”
Tang Gang rose and respectfully bowed. “Your son takes his leave. May Mother rest early.”
In his joy, he completely forgot that his elderly mother hadn’t yet eaten dinner.
After he left, the Old Madam let out a long sigh. Ganlu brought over a bowl of bird’s nest soup.
“Please, rest your mind, My Lady,” she said gently. “The Marquis will come to understand your efforts.”
But the Old Madam merely pressed her fingers to her temple. “Whether he understands or not doesn’t matter to me anymore. I only hope the younger one remembers that, even if this mother is biased, I’m still his father. That he’ll hesitate before taking things too far.”
“You heard it yourself today. The younger one no longer intends to endure in silence. Wang Shi has no intention of swallowing her grievances either. With the two of them working together—and that clever girl Xin An supporting them—I fear that father and son won’t stand a chance. That elder daughter-in-law… she married into the wrong family.”
“And he doesn’t even stop to think—would the wife personally chosen by the Old Marquis really be unworthy?”
As a woman herself, she understood Wang Shi’s resentment. A second wife from the start, she had made efforts, yet received no recognition. Her own children were denied fair treatment. Now that her wings had grown strong, she naturally shed the mask.
“When a woman becomes ruthless for her son’s sake, how many men walk away unscathed?”
“If I don’t help steady things, who else can I rely on—that useless one?”
Ganlu sighed along with her. “Drink the bird’s nest soup first, then have a little porridge and rest. You’ve had quite a day.”
The Old Madam gave a tired “Mm.” As she drank, her mind quietly replayed the events of the past month. The more she thought about it, the more she realized: Tang Mo and his wife weren’t just back—they were charging in full force.
And that Tao family girl… utterly clueless.
—
Meanwhile, Tang Mo returned to Autumn Harvest Courtyard in high spirits, carrying the two chests. He set them down proudly in front of Xin An.
Nanny Wang personally went out to escort the porters away.
Pointing to the chests, Tang Mo grinned. “Grandmother was handing out rewards today—very generously, I might add.”
Xin An raised an eyebrow, curious but not in a rush to open them. Instead, she asked him to recount everything the Old Madam had said in detail.
Tang Mo said there was no need to rush. Just then, Lailai returned with roast crispy chicken—and several other dishes besides.
Once the food was laid out, they closed the doors. Lailai brought out a small pot of wine. Tang Mo personally poured a cup for Xin An.
“I said back at the estate that I wanted to treat you to roast chicken behind closed doors. On the way back, I remembered—and sent Lailai to fetch it.”
He filled her cup, then his own, raising it with a smile. “Come, let’s drink—to thank you for everything you’ve done for me lately.”
Xin An found it amusing and raised her own cup. “And I thank you—for giving me face at every turn.”
“Cheers.”
They drank.
Tang Mo set down his cup and tore off a juicy chicken leg, handing it to Xin An. “Here—just hold it and bite into it like this. It’s good.”
Xin An accepted it. She considered wrapping it in a cloth to eat more delicately, but then thought—I’m already gnawing on a chicken leg. What etiquette is there left to keep?
She bit straight in. The skin was crisp, the meat tender.
“It really is good.”
“See? I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Pleased with himself, Tang Mo tore off the other drumstick. “Later you can try a chicken wing—it’s just as tasty.”