After the laughter died down, Tang Mo let out a long breath, finally feeling a bit more at ease. For all his show of confidence, he knew his own limitations. It was only because he wasn’t alone anymore that he dared to consider something so grand.
“Since we’ve decided on this, we should start preparing. Tomorrow, ask Mother if she’ll let you borrow Nanny Zhao for a few days. Learn what you can about matters outside the residence. I’ll do the same—start digging into court affairs, beginning with the Duke of En, the Empress Dowager’s clan, the Emperor’s maternal relatives. If we can figure out how the princes relate to one another, we’ll start to get the full picture.”
“We’ll split up—two fronts. And at night, we’ll compare notes before bed. Between the two of us, surely we’ll make something of it.”
Xin An nodded. If you don’t understand something, you learn. There was still time. They would grow quietly, and when the moment was right—step into the light.
“Time to sleep. We have to wake early tomorrow,” he said.
He needed to rise for martial arts practice. He had resolved to better himself—otherwise, even if he were presented to the Second Prince, he’d be brushed aside. Like it or not, Tang Rong was still far more valuable in the eyes of others.
Why would anyone try to recruit him first?
Xin An yawned and stretched out comfortably after lying down. “I need to go through my dowry tomorrow—see what’s worth giving away. I almost forgot about that tea. If it’s gone stale, that would be such a waste.”
“Once I’ve attended the Water and Blossoms Banquet, I’ll be free to socialize more. And wherever I go, I’ll need proper gifts.”
Tang Mo gave a low hum. “Use whatever you need from the storerooms. If it’s not enough, ask Mother. And if that still doesn’t do, tell me—I’ll find a way.”
Just as she was about to fall asleep, Xin An suddenly recalled something. “Your cousin—or was it your younger maternal cousin—from the Wang family. His name is Wang Shi. In a few years, he’ll become a jinshi and rise to great heights.”
“Wang Shi?” Tang Mo sat upright at once, visibly excited. “My cousin from the Wang family? Wang Shi?”
“You didn’t see it coming, did you?”
Well, now this was a pleasant surprise.
Xin An smiled. “The year after you died, he suddenly shot to prominence. You just missed the right timing.”
Tang Mo grinned from ear to ear. “No matter. This time I won’t miss it. I actually get along pretty well with him. And I already had plans to strengthen ties with the Wang family. Perfect.”
Xin An gave a sleepy yawn and turned over. “Go to sleep.”
Exhausted, she was soon fast asleep, her breathing slow and steady. Tang Mo lay there under the mosquito net, a wide grin on his face. Before long, he too drifted off into dreams.
Back in her quarters, Chunyang had returned. Nanny Wang asked, “They’re sleeping in the same room again?”
“Of course they are.”
Chattering beneath the covers again.
Their expressions lately held something deeper—like an old married couple, even without having consummated their marriage.
Nanny Wang sighed. She had seen a thing or two in her life, yet she still couldn’t quite figure those two out.
—
Before dawn, Xin An was jolted awake by Tang Mo, who was scrambling around looking for proper clothes to train in. Lailai finally managed to find something, only for Tang Mo to complain it looked terrible. Xin An, thoroughly annoyed, kicked him.
“If you’ve got nothing to wear, just go shirtless! You’ve got time to fuss over clothes? Fire’s already at your eyebrows.”
“Hurry up and get outside. I’ll supervise you, you pampered thing.”
“You talk a big game, but training looks like torture to you. You’ve said for days you’d start, and still nothing. You think Liao Zhi will take you seriously like this? That man made his name in battle—if something happens out there, do you think blades care who you are?”
And so, half-dressed, Tang Mo was driven out of the room by Xin An. She herself sat under the eaves in a light robe, watching him train. There was no helping it—he was, after all, the pampered Second Young Master of the Marquis’s household. Aside from being spoiled, the worst hardship he’d known was reading books and half-hearted martial arts practice as a child.
The first light of morning had begun to creep over the courtyard. Lamps still burned in Autumn Harvest Courtyard as Xin An sat beneath the eaves, eyes locked on Tang Mo. She didn’t know much about martial arts, but even she could see that he was rusty.
“Our precious Second Young Master hasn’t trained in quite a while,” she murmured. “He nearly tripped over his own feet just now.”
What was it he’d said before?
Something about finding his old martial arts instructor?
Chances were, he still hadn’t gone.
Lailai, standing nearby, gave a dry chuckle. “Actually, the Second Young Master was quite good… up to age fifteen.”
Xin An yawned. “Then he’d better practice more.”
Compared to Xin An’s calm demeanor, Tang Mo felt both embarrassed and anxious. He had imagined himself striking with the vigor of a tiger, only to realize he had forgotten most of his techniques. If Xin An hadn’t been watching him, he would’ve given up halfway. He’d have to find his old martial arts instructor and retrain properly. After forcing himself through two incense sticks’ worth of practice, he called it.
“I’m exhausted.”
Drenched in sweat, he was handed a towel by Xin An.
“Clearly, your body is still weak,” she said. “When the physician my father is sending arrives, I’ll have him take a proper look at you—get you back in shape.”
“If you keep up this daily practice, even if you don’t become a master, it’ll still strengthen your body.”
This stage required encouragement more than critique.
Lailai had already prepared hot water. Tang Mo, truly feeling the fatigue and aware that he’d lived a short life in the past, decided the sweat was worth it.
After changing into clean clothes, Xin An took two steps back to get a better look at him. “You look great.”
“Honestly, I think you seem completely different after training. Chunyang, Chunlü—what do you think?”
The two maids, already instructed ahead of time, nodded enthusiastically and quickly added their praise.
“Second Young Master truly does look more energetic than yesterday!”
“He looks fresh and sharp—his whole bearing has changed!”
Even Lailai chimed in from outside the room: “Young Master’s looking much more handsome today. Keep this up, and your posture and physique will be so refined, you’ll be known as one of the capital’s most striking gentlemen.”
Tang Mo was nearly floating from the flattery. Proud and beaming, he pinched the flesh at his waist. Too much rich food and wine lately—he’d definitely gained weight there.
“Well, if you all say so,” he declared smugly, “then I shall train daily. Just you wait—this Young Master will become the most handsome man in the capital.”
Everyone, including Xin An, bowed their heads with laughter. Soon after, Nanfeng arrived with servants bearing breakfast. After the meal, Tang Mo—revived and energetic—left for his duties.
Only after he departed did Xin An begin to prepare for her own day. Taking her time, she calculated the hour and left to pay her morning respects. But today was different from the norm. When she arrived at Spring Glory Hall, Tao Yiran was already there, standing in the courtyard, waiting for the Old Madam to wake.
“Sister-in-law?”
Now that’s something new.
Xin An had half expected her to spend a lifetime holed up in Spring Blossom Courtyard.
Tao Yiran turned her head. “You’ve come, sister-in-law?”
“You came to pay respects? Is your health improving?”
Tao Yiran thought Xin An’s smile carried a hint of mockery. “It was just a minor ailment. Nothing serious.”
“Oh, I see,” Xin An replied with an innocent look. “Madame Tao mentioned you’ve been ill for days. She even said it was a weakness from birth—something that requires centuries-old ginseng and the finest rare tonics. But with all those potent medicines going down one bowl after another… even a healthy person might not stand it. I was truly worried for you.”
Whenever she saw Tao Yiran, Xin An simply couldn’t resist saying a few barbed words. If she didn’t, it always felt like a missed opportunity.
Tao Yiran forced a smile. Of course she didn’t want to show weakness before Xin An. How could the daughter of a salt merchant compare to her?
Sis, if I had the chance, Tao Yiran would be crying on schedule—every Monday, Wednesday, and emotional damage Friday!