In the front hall, Wang Shi once again offered apologies, while the Marquis of Weiyuan, Tang Gang, shifted the blame entirely to the servants, claiming negligence on their part. Lord Tao, suppressing a smirk, hypocritically remarked that it was all “fated,” an arrangement by the heavens, and part of a grand cosmic plan.
After checking on her daughter, Madame Tao sat calmly with Wang Shi, chatting amicably. Meanwhile, Tang Rong busied himself with apologies and pouring tea. The atmosphere wasn’t particularly tense, as though the matter had been glossed over.
Xin An’s father, Xin Kuan, sat quietly, observing the scene with a cold expression. His family’s connection to the Tang family stemmed from Tang Gang’s father, the late elder Marquis, who had died heroically in battle. Back then, when resources were scarce, Xin Kuan had generously funded and supported the elder Marquis during the campaign. In gratitude, the elder Marquis had arranged the marriage between their families.
Over the years, while the Xin family had indeed benefited from their association with the Tang family, they had also contributed significantly. Though their relationship was one of dependence, Xin Kuan had no intention of swallowing his pride. As a salt merchant, he wielded significant influence and could easily align himself with other nobles if he so desired—perhaps even those with higher status than the Tang family.
When Madam Xin entered the room, all eyes turned to her. Xin Kuan asked in a grave tone, “How is An’er?”
“How is she?” Madam Xin replied angrily. “After such an incident, what else can she do but cry her eyes out?”
“She left home in joy, only to cry herself blind in a bridal chamber that wasn’t hers. Her eyes are so swollen they look like walnuts, and no amount of powder can hide it.”
“And you didn’t even bother to send word back to us!”
Xin Huan, Xin An’s younger brother, seized the moment, scoffing before directing his sharp gaze at Tang Rong. “Even if a message had been sent, what difference would it have made? Her groom was busy rolling in the sheets with his new ‘sister-in-law.’ If she’d made a fuss, would Tang Rong and that Tao woman still have the face to live?”
He emphasized the term “sister-in-law” heavily, causing Madam Tao to stiffen. The implication touched upon her daughter’s reputation, and her face turned an ugly shade of blue. “This matter has already been explained. They were both drunk. In such a state, who could tell who was who?”
Xin Huan had been waiting for this excuse. He sneered, turning his verbal assault back to Tang Rong. “Oh, what talent! Drunk to the point of not recognizing people, yet still remembering the bridal chamber. And what’s more—successfully consummating the marriage! Truly remarkable.”
“You’ve always boasted about being virtuous, claiming to have never kept a single concubine before marriage. Clearly, you’ve been studying those filthy little books in private. An expert in every sense of the word.”
“And let’s not forget the bride. I hear you’re both regulars at the capital’s grand banquets. Familiar faces at familiar places—how could such a mistake happen? Did she get bored in the bridal chamber and drink herself into a stupor, leaving you to take advantage of her?”
With cutting words, Xin Huan tore apart the facade that Tang Rong and the Tao family had desperately tried to maintain. Xin Kuan said nothing to stop him, and Madam Xin continued to quietly weep. Once Xin Huan finished, Madam Xin picked up where he left off.
“Tang Rong, the marriage between our families was arranged by your grandfather. Though the Tang family never mentioned it again, we assumed it was just a joke, given the disparity in status. But when you brought it up again and formally proposed, you should have been prepared to take responsibility for my An’er.”
“If you didn’t like her, you should have said so. My daughters don’t lack suitors. But having followed the proper customs to seek her hand, why would you then bring shame upon her?”
“People say you’re a gentleman, all self-restraint and virtue. Is this how a gentleman behaves?”
The mother and son’s joint attack left Tang Rong pale and speechless.
The Tao family, equally furious, realized that if they didn’t shift the blame entirely onto Tang Rong, Tao Yiran would be labeled as promiscuous, a stain they couldn’t afford.
Madam Tao’s eyes reddened as she spoke. “Xin An isn’t the only one who’s suffered. My Yiran also entered her bridal sedan joyfully, only for this to happen. She’s been spoiled since childhood and wasn’t prepared for such a situation. When she realized the mistake, she froze in shock. How could a weak woman stand up to a drunken man? If she had raised an outcry, all three families would have been humiliated in the capital.”
“I just saw her, and she said she’d rather die. But can she die? Dare she die? A woman’s life is hard enough, and if she dies, it would ruin Tang Rong forever. So, she swallowed her pride and endured it in silence. This is a woman’s entire life at stake.”
“She’s already endured such injustice. I will not allow anyone to slander her further.”
Throwing all the blame on Tang Rong, Madam Tao painted both women as silent martyrs for the Tang family’s honor. Wang Shi felt as though she’d shot herself in the foot. No matter how the story was spun, it was her poor arrangements that had caused this disaster.
In the end, Marquis Tang Gang, though furious at his son, was forced to defend him. “Our three families have been close for years. None of us wanted this to happen, but what’s done is done. Once someone enters the Tang household, they are part of our family. That cannot change.”
“Tang Rong, kneel.”
Tang Rong knelt, his back straight. “Everything is my fault. Any punishment is deserved. But I hope this matter won’t implicate Yiran. She is innocent.”
His defense of Tao Yiran didn’t make him seem noble; instead, it reeked of premeditation. Tang Gang spoke gravely. “Punishment will come. But the one who has suffered the most is Xin An, and compensation must be made. Three-tenths of your mother’s dowry will be sent to the Autumn Harvest Courtyard. Do you agree?”
Wang Shi quickly glanced at Tang Gang before regaining her composure. Tang Rong nodded. “Understood. I’ll leave it to Mother to handle.”
Tang Gang turned his head to Wang and said, “Since the eldest brother has already married, the dowry left by his mother should also be given to him.” Wang Shi, smiling sweetly, replied, “Of course. I’ll sort it out and send it over. If only your mother were here to see you married, she would be so happy.”
Tang Mo felt uneasy. Most of Tang Rong’s mother’s dowry had long since disappeared. How would they produce it now? Lady Wang shot him a reassuring look before rising to apologize to Madam Xin. Her carefully chosen words softened Madam Xin’s anger slightly.
Xin Kuan, however, spoke up. “We came today to take An’er home. If this matter is explained clearly, the public will understand. Although remarriage is not easy, it is better than wasting your life in the backyard of the Tang family.”
How could the Tang family agree to this? Wang Shi spoke nicely again and tried to persuade Xin Kuan. Xin Kuan raised his hand and said, “No need to persuade me anymore. We said before that she would marry the Tang family’s eldest son. Now that something like this has happened, there is no reason to change it to the second young master. She is not an object, and it is not fair to the second young master. It will only lead to resentment in the future. It’s better to part ways now.”
“I, Xin Kuan, will try my best to find a good marriage for An’er even if I have to sacrifice all my wealth.”
Trying to smooth things over with a fraction of dowry? Wishful thinking!
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