RMBLCUCS – Chapter 57: Tang Rong’s Sense of Crisis
“Oh, look at me, so caught up in joy that I neglected my niece-in-law.”
You Shi warmly grasped Xin An’s hand. “The day we received your daughter-in-law tea, I already thought you were quite the beauty. Seeing you again today, I must say—you truly are one in a thousand. Our Mo’er is a lucky one.”
Xin An replied with a bright smile, “You flatter me, Second Aunt. Seeing you this happy brings me joy too. I enjoy listening to Mother and Second Aunt talk together.”
You Shi introduced her daughter-in-law. “This is Yaoming’s wife. She heard you were coming and had someone buy pastries from Wen Su Zhai just for the occasion. You two sisters-in-law can chat over tea and sweets.”
Gu Shi, slightly plump and cheerful, had arched brows and bright apricot eyes. “There’s still time before the meal. Sister, why not come sit with me?”
Xin An nodded, offered a bow to Wang Shi and You Shi, and followed Gu Shi to the corridor, where a square table was set with fruits and pastries. A flourishing bush of blooming roses stood nearby, its blossoms vivid and striking.
“Please, have a seat.”
Gu Shi’s smile was charming. “I wasn’t sure what kinds of pastries you liked, so I got a bit of everything. Take a look—maybe something catches your fancy. But it’s hot, and sweets can be drying. Try these grapes first—they’re sweet and a little tart.”
“You’re too kind, Sister.”
Xin An smiled as she sat, accepted a grape from Gu Shi, peeled it, and took a bite—only to squint and shiver at the sharp tartness. Gu Shi immediately asked, “Too sour?”
“I had a couple this morning—they weren’t sour at all!”
To test, she popped one into her mouth and nearly rolled her eyes from the shock of sourness. She quickly spat it out, giving Xin An an embarrassed look. Then both burst into laughter.
“Honestly, this morning they weren’t sour! How did they turn out like this now?”
Xin An bit into a piece of water chestnut cake to counter the taste. “Maybe it’s not the same bunch?”
Gu Shi nodded while nibbling the same cake. “No, it’s not. That earlier bunch was sparse and scraggly. I picked this one especially because the grapes looked the best, thinking it’d suit you.”
As the sourness faded, Xin An chuckled. “The sweetest grapes are usually from the bunches that look the least full.”
Gu Shi promised to take her grape-picking herself next time. “We’ll find a sweet one, I’m sure.”
“You grow them yourself?”
“Mhm.”
Gu Shi’s father worked at the Bureau of Astronomy and had a passion for gardening, especially grapevines. When she married, he gifted her two vines as part of her dowry. Every year, they bore plenty of fruit. “It’s strange, isn’t it? My father’s grapes always taste better and look better. I follow his methods exactly, but mine still don’t compare—not in taste, and certainly not in yield.”
The conversation piqued Xin An’s interest, and Gu Shi immediately offered to show her the vines. The two grew lively over nothing more than a bunch of grapes. Not far off, Wang Shi and You Shi watched with pleased smiles.
“Ah, young people really do find it easier to bond,” You Shi remarked.
She was bursting with curiosity now—curiosity she’d once kept in check, but no longer. With Xin An right in front of her, she couldn’t resist.
Lowering her voice, she asked, “So… how are things between your niece-in-law and Mo’er?”
Wang Shi, stifled for far too long at the marquisate, welcomed the opportunity to talk. She nodded with a smile. “Very well. I’d say the boy found fortune in misfortune. The two of them get along wonderfully—same temperament, both lively and warm. That boy treats her with great care. You wouldn’t believe…”
She recounted how Tang Mo treated his father-in-law and took Xin An out to enjoy herself. “Even this recent stay at the estate was thanks to my daughter-in-law.”
You Shi’s face lit up with gossip. “Now that’s true fate. A real marriage should be between kindred spirits.”
“Isn’t that the truth?”
Inside the main hall, Tang Yong finished talking about Tang Yaoming and turned the conversation to Tang Mo, who revealed that he was heading to serve in the Northern Garrison.
Tang Yong frowned. He had heard about the Marquis’ attempt to impeach the Northern Garrison’s command, and knew Commander Liao had a notorious temper and held grudges. “You’re going at a dangerous time…”
He’d long suspected Tang Gang played favorites, but hadn’t expected such a move at such a time. “If possible, try to have someone arrange a meeting with Commander Liao and offer an apology. Best to settle things before it escalates.”
He racked his brain but couldn’t think of anyone in his circle close to Commander Liao.
Tang Mo already had a plan. “It’ll take some effort, but I’ve made arrangements.”
Tang Yong nodded, then mentioned that the family had prepared silver—after all, official appointments rarely came without a price. “Spend what needs to be spent. The ones that don’t ask for money are worse—favors are much harder to repay.”
Tang Mo didn’t refuse. It had taken money to make this happen. “I’ll arrange a small banquet soon. Cousin can come with me—we’re both entering officialdom, after all. We’ll need to attend a few gatherings and build connections.”
Tang Yaoming stood and bowed. It wasn’t just about helping him get the post—Tang Mo was also helping him build his network. No one but a true brother would do such a thing.
Meanwhile, Tang Rong only received news that afternoon from Qin Mo.
“You’re saying Tang Yaoming was appointed as Censorate Inspector at the Censorate?”
It was a full-rank position—an official one with real power. How could he possibly have landed such a post?
Qin Mo nodded. “He’s been there two days. The appointment was delivered personally by Master Liu, Left Assistant Director of the Ministry of Personnel.”
“Word is it was Second Young Master who pulled the strings.”
Tang Rong sat up straighter. “Is that true?”
Qin Mo had paid to get the information, so it was likely accurate. “Otherwise, why would Second Master have come to invite Second Young Master so early this morning?”
Tang Rong’s thoughts grew heavy. He couldn’t accept that Tang Yaoming had received such a good appointment—and that Tang Mo had been the one to arrange it. Could Tang Mo really be more capable than he was?
He suddenly remembered that the Liu family was connected by marriage to the Marquis of Qing’s household. Yan Shimao, the second son of that family, was a known friend of Tang Mo’s. Was that the route he had used?
The more he thought about it, the more suffocated he felt.
Qin Mo stood awkwardly in place.
“Is there something else?”
Qin Mo offered a sheepish smile. “I was hoping the Heir Apparent could spare a bit of silver…”
He’d spent his own money gathering the intel.
Tang Rong told him to get it from Tao Yiran. “Take a little extra. Keep an eye on what’s happening outside.”
The fact that he only learned of Tang Yaoming’s appointment two days late meant something had gone wrong with his sources.
Qin Mo, as Tang Rong’s personal servant, had to get the money from Tao Yiran—but she hated when servants asked for silver, especially on Tang Rong’s behalf. Even if the money technically came from him, once in her hands, it felt like hers.
Though Qin Mo left with the silver, he was thoroughly disgruntled. After all, he’d taken a beating along with Tang Rong and was still limping, yet continued to serve. One would expect the Young Madam to offer him some reward. Not only had she given nothing, she’d acted as though he were filth.