People always want more. When Madame Tao first set her sights on Tang Mo as a son-in-law, she lamented that he lacked the prestige of Tang Rong. Once she secured Tang Rong, she then regretted that he wasn’t as attentive or thorough as Tang Mo, nor did he place enough importance on the Tao family.
In her heart, she dreamed of a perfect son-in-law—one with Tang Rong’s noble status and Tang Mo’s thoughtfulness.
Privately, she wouldn’t mind seeing the two at odds. After all, Tang Mo was the one she had chosen first. If the match had gone through, the Tao family would now have no ties to Tang Rong. That thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“I had a high opinion of the Second Young Master from the beginning,” she said with a smile. “He’s a fine young man. What happened in the past… was fate. Since your parents are no longer in the capital, if you ever encounter difficulties, you can come to me. The Tao family will not turn you away.”
Is this woman ill? Xin An thought. Coming here to play the kind elder—does she not find herself ridiculous?
And what right did she have to say such things?
To deal with someone like this, Xin An knew she had to be even more audacious.
“As Auntie says, my husband truly is wonderful—witty, thoughtful, attentive, and not to mention remarkably handsome. He’s been good to me and kind to my parents as well.” Xin An’s lips curved into a radiant smile, as if she’d finally found someone with whom to share her joy. “Just a few days ago, he even had people send a large package of goods to Huai Jiang. I told him it wasn’t necessary, that everything could be bought here, but he insisted—it was about the sentiment. Truly, there’s nothing about him I could find fault with.”
“In fact,” she continued brightly, “you could say I turned misfortune into a blessing. Any lingering resentment I once had has completely vanished. You wouldn’t believe it, but my husband is quite amusing sometimes…”
Madame Tao’s smile stiffened.
They had Tang Rong as a son-in-law, yet aside from the return gift ceremony, he hadn’t once visited the Tao residence. That had already left her feeling sour. And now, Xin An was going on and on—about how good Tang Mo was, how kind Wang Shi was, how loving the Old Madam was. She chattered endlessly, making Madame Tao deeply regret ever striking up this conversation. What a dreadful chatterbox!
By the time they reached the gates of Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Madame Tao couldn’t hold back any longer.
“As long as you’re doing well, I can be at ease.”
Xin An beamed. “I’m truly touched by your concern, Auntie. We really are kindred spirits—it’s been such a warm and delightful chat. Why don’t I accompany you to see my sister-in-law? We rarely get to talk, and I’d love to visit with her.”
“My sister-in-law seldom leaves her courtyard, and I haven’t had much opportunity to speak with her.”
Xin An was all warmth and enthusiasm, even moving as if to head toward Spring Blossom Courtyard. Madame Tao’s smile twitched, and she hurriedly intercepted her.
“You just came from your mother-in-law’s rooms—you must be tired. You should rest now, so you’ll be refreshed in the afternoon. When we both have more time, we can chat properly again.”
What sort of person is this girl? Madame Tao was genuinely unnerved.
Xin An sighed, “Auntie is right. I do feel a bit fatigued.”
But before Madame Tao could exhale in relief, Xin An turned sweetly and added, “But getting to speak with you is worth the weariness.”
She clasped Madame Tao’s arm with a sunny smile. “I’m still new to the capital and don’t know many people. It’s rare to meet someone like Auntie who’s taken such a liking to me. I’m so happy. I’ll be counting on you to introduce me to more family and friends.”
Madame Tao instantly regretted everything. Why had she come here to begin with? Now she was stuck dealing with this overenthusiastic lunatic. Barely concealing her dismay, she gently pulled her arm away and muttered, “The cicadas are shrill and the sun is too strong—don’t just stand around here. Go get some rest. I’ll come talk to you another time.”
Xin An clung to the act. “You must keep your word, Auntie!”
“I will, I will. Go rest now.”
Madame Tao all but shoved her into Autumn Harvest Courtyard like she was sending off an ancestral spirit, then hurried away.
Once inside, Xin An couldn’t hold back her laughter. Chunyang, struggling not to giggle, finally burst out, “When you said you wanted to visit the courtyard next door with her, Madame Tao’s face turned green—she was terrified!”
“She must be thinking that next time she sees you, she’d rather take a detour.”
Xin An chuckled. “She doesn’t even know her own place—why should I waste my concern on someone like that?”
Just then, Nanny Wang stepped forward with a smile. She announced that the new dress, specially made for the Water and Blossoms Banquet at the Duke of En’s Residence, had arrived. “Once you’ve had a short rest, Young Madam, you should try it on.”
“Very well.”
After talking the entire morning, she did feel rather drained. On a sweltering summer afternoon like this, without a short nap, she’d have no energy left for the rest of the day.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent courtyard, Madame Tao was already speaking with Tao Yiran. Her tone carried unmistakable praise.
“I said it from the beginning—there’s no way a courtyard can manage with two women overseeing affairs. Now that one’s gone, with Nanny Liu handling matters in her stead, your days will be far more peaceful.”
In Madame Tao’s eyes, this was a sign that her daughter had finally asserted herself—something worth celebrating.
Tao Yiran, however, wasn’t in the best of moods. That cup of concubine tea offered to Yingyue still sat in her throat like a thorn. Madame Tao, unaware, went on speaking until she noticed her daughter’s detached expression. “What’s the matter? Something bothering you?”
Tao Yiran explained about Yingyue, and Madame Tao sighed. “I told you from the beginning—rather than waiting for your husband to take the initiative, you might as well propose it yourself. Either way, the result is the same, and it makes you seem more magnanimous.”
“It’s just a concubine. Not worth troubling your heart over. What you should focus on is your health.”
“Giving birth to the legitimate eldest son—that’s the real priority.”
Tao Yiran, irritable, didn’t want to hear more of this tiresome advice. “We’ve only been married a month. It’s a bit early to be so anxious.”
“As long as you understand.”
Having finished her tea, Madame Tao got to the real reason for her visit. “Your cousin Tao Hong is already nineteen. Your second uncle is eager to find him a position. He’s searched all over, but nothing suitable has come up. When you have a chance, speak to your husband—ask him to keep an eye out. If he could get into the Censorate, any department would do.”
“Though of course, a post in any of the Six Ministries would be even better.”
Tao Yiran lifted her gaze. “Can Father not help?”
“You know our situation well enough. Your father returned to the capital to report on his term, but he’s still without a new appointment. We’ve been counting on your father-in-law’s help.”
Madame Tao sighed. “No matter how things stand, the Marquis’s Residence is still stronger than our Tao family. The late Marquis Tang’s military achievements speak for themselves. His retirement came at the perfect moment, earning the Emperor’s favor. Even after so many years, his influence still lingers. If your father-in-law is willing to help, your father might just secure a post here in the capital.”
The old sought help from Tang Gang. The young turned to Tang Rong. Tao Yiran’s brows furrowed faintly.
A daughter knows her mother best.
Madame Tao, earnest to the point of pleading, added, “I know you never cared for these troubles since childhood, but surely you understand this: only with a strong maternal family can you stand tall in your husband’s household. You mustn’t turn away when you can lend a hand. Your second uncle once helped your father’s career—our family owes him a debt.”
Seeing Tao Yiran’s expression remain unmoved, Madame Tao cursed silently the old woman back home—that low-born hag who had raised her daughter into this. What had become of her dignified, proper-born child?
She regretted it all—the entire marriage. Most of all, she blamed herself for failing to investigate thoroughly before marrying into that family. Back then, she’d even rejoiced that the old matriarch would personally raise her daughter, having heard she came from a reputable lineage in another province.
But when she learned the truth of her vulgar origins, she regretted it bitterly. By then, her daughter had long been shaped by that woman’s influence—not like a noble-born lady at all, but more like a concubine trained to serve with her charms. No matter how hard she tried, she could never mold her back into what she was meant to be.