RMBLCUCS – Chapter 55: Unfair on My Mother
“Grandmother, do come back soon.”
“Yes, we’re really not at ease without you.”
As the family prepared to depart, they offered countless reminders to Old Madame Tang, none of them truly at ease.
The old matriarch waved them off, unconcerned. “You’ve practically moved the entire estate here. The physician came, the medicinal herbs are well-stocked—what could possibly go wrong? Go on, go on.”
She didn’t want her fishing time delayed.
The group boarded the carriage with heavy hearts, silently praying that the old matriarch would stay healthy and unharmed during her stay. Otherwise, the three of them would truly lose all footing in the household.
Once the carriages rolled away, Old Madame Tang finally breathed easy and said to Ganlu, “Not a single one of them gives me peace of mind. A rare chance to get out of the house and they want me to return this soon? I’m not going back.”
Returning meant being confined again to that tiny world within the residence. No matter how many treasures Spring Glory Hall held, she’d grown tired of them. Besides, though the household wasn’t in utter chaos, peace was far from its state. She wanted to live a few more years and had no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the younger generation.
“I know they’re all eyeing my belongings. Once I return, I’ll divide them among a few people. That way they’ll stop dropping hints and speaking in roundabout ways.”
She was referring to Tang Gang. She had long lost any faith in that son—nothing but a disappointment.
Ganlu lowered her voice. “News just came—His Lordship has taken another maid into his chambers. No official title yet. Likely waiting for Madame’s return to make it proper.”
The old matriarch furrowed her brow, almost ready to head back. “That scoundrel really knows how to drive a knife into someone’s heart.”
Ganlu, too, felt Tang Gang was being foolish, though she still held hope for Wang Shi. “Madame has always been gracious, perhaps—”
“If she stays quiet, that’s when you should worry.”
The old lady saw it clearly. “If she truly didn’t mind, that only means her heart is dead. Once a woman gives up on a man, all that’s left is cold pragmatism. Only a fool of a man would find satisfaction in thinking such a woman is considerate.”
Taking a deep breath, she thought to herself: in the past few days, she had said all she could. She had even helped that worthless son as best she could. At her age, how much longer could she keep interfering?
She went to fish—but her heart wasn’t in it.
Meanwhile, in the carriage, Wang Shi praised Tang Mo in front of Xin An and told her that she and Tang Mo could pursue whatever they pleased. If Tang Gang tried to interfere, they could come to her. “I used to care too much for reputation and made the second son suffer needlessly. That won’t happen again. As long as I’m around, no one will bully you.”
Xin An smiled and nodded. “Mother, tell me about the prominent families in the capital. I’ll soon have to start making social calls. I can’t go in blind.”
“Indeed. There’s a lot you need to know. Let’s start with the visit to the Duke of En’s residence next month…”
Wang Shi held nothing back. She shared everything she knew, and Xin An listened intently. In her past life, she’d suffered greatly from her ignorance in these matters. Back then, Wang Shi hadn’t been so forthcoming, and she had to rely mostly on Nanny Cai, who, being just a servant, had limited information. As a result, Xin An had embarrassed herself more than once, further tarnishing Tang Rong’s view of her.
By dusk, the carriage arrived at the gates of the marquisate. The steward eagerly stepped forward to welcome them and discreetly sent someone to inform Tang Gang. With both the old matriarch and Wang Shi away, Tang Gang had spent the past few days in unbridled leisure. He hadn’t even come home the previous night.
“His Lordship is still away on business. He will surely be overjoyed upon learning that Madame has returned.”
Wang Shi responded with a courteous smile, hiding the fact that she had long stopped hoping anything from Tang Gang. “Since His Lordship is busy, there’s no need to disturb him. Has anything happened in the estate these past days?”
“All is as usual,” the steward replied with a servile smile. “Several invitations for banquets have arrived, awaiting Madame’s decisions. There are also ledgers that need your review, and next month’s household stipends have been drafted…”
Wang Shi acted as though nothing had happened and resumed managing household affairs. Tang Mo, who had been in a decent mood, soured at the sight. Inside, he cursed his father bitterly. Watching his mother handle things so calmly, he could only feel that her life was unfair, and he hated himself for not being able to protect her.
Before they even reached Autumn Harvest Courtyard, they saw a crowd of servants gathered at the gates. Standing at the front was Nanfeng. Tang Mo instantly frowned. If she dared make eyes at him again, he swore he’d deal with her.
But as they approached, Nanfeng broke into a joyful smile and bowed to Xin An. “Welcome back, Young Madam. You must be tired. The hot water is ready, and the kitchen is preparing bird’s nest soup—it’ll be ready soon.”
It had been Nanfeng managing Autumn Harvest Courtyard these past days, and judging by her manner, nothing had gone wrong. Xin An smiled. “I was tired, but seeing you smile like this, not anymore. Have the kitchen prepare a few light side dishes as well.”
“I’ve already given the order.”
Nanfeng hovered attentively by Xin An’s side, not once sparing Tang Mo a glance. His face darkened—did he still have any status in his own courtyard?
All was in order within the courtyard. After a refreshing bath, Xin An reclined on her chaise and inquired about events in the household. Nanfeng had served at the marquisate for years and had a knack for gathering news, sparing no detail. Nothing about the neighboring courtyards surprised Xin An—this was her husband’s family, not her own. It was perfectly normal to invite one’s mother over when the mother-in-law and sisters-in-law were away. Meeting a few close friends was also expected.
But Tang Gang taking a maid to bed? That was simply pathetic.
Tang Mo nearly exploded on the spot. Xin An’s glance was the only thing that held him back. After clarifying everything, the bird’s nest soup was ready. As Xin An sipped, she said, “That’s your father. You can’t exactly control his bedroom matters, can you?”
“I just feel it’s unfair to my mother.”
Wasn’t the whole reason she went away to clear her mind?
And now, rather than reflecting, Tang Gang had only grown bolder. Disgusting.
“You’re not angry?” he asked, seeing her still calmly enjoying her soup.
Xin An remained composed. “The world has never been fair to women. Do you think this happens only in a marquisate? Go outside and ask around. Men in their seventies and eighties still keep concubines, calling it ‘poetic companionship,’ claiming it shows their vigor. They wear it like a badge of pride. Who ever cared what the women think?”
“If you speak out, you’re considered unreasonable. If you make a fuss, you’re unfilial.”
Tang Mo inhaled deeply, suddenly curious—how did women really feel about such things? “Are they truly so forgiving?”
“What choice do they have?” Xin An put down her bowl. “Show the slightest dissatisfaction, and you’re labeled jealous and lacking virtue. That label doesn’t stop at you—it follows your children.”
“Unless she’s barren and afraid of losing her place, what woman wants her husband to take concubines?”
“All those sweet hopes and romantic illusions eventually turn into nothing more than cohabitation. And once it becomes that, expectations change. If he does well, you hope he lives a long life. If not, you wish he’d die early and get out of the way.”
She even offered him encouragement. “If you want your mother to live with dignity, then you need to do well for yourself. Once you have real power, even your father will have to mind your opinion. He won’t dare take a concubine without thinking twice.”
Tang Mo twitched at the corner of his mouth. “So in your eyes, I’m just a laborer, is that it?”
Such a pragmatic woman.