Chapter 152

As the saying goes, those who go barefoot aren’t afraid of those wearing shoes. In the dispute between the Wang and Tang families, publicizing the matter would mainly harm the girl’s family. However, at worst, the Wang family might end up without a daughter or have her marry far away—that wouldn’t be the end of the world. After all, plenty of men in the world are unable to find a bride.

The Tang family, however, is a different matter. Setting aside that Tang Xiuping is a scholar who recently passed the imperial examinations, his future depends on continuing down this path. If he gains a reputation for deceiving someone into marriage or tarnishing the honor of a respectable woman, what future could he have?

Then there’s Tang Mingzhong, the second master of the Tang family and the family’s main pillar of support. Previously, he aligned himself with the wrong political faction. Though not guilty of any major wrongdoing, he fell out of favor with the new emperor, and just two months ago, he was demoted two ranks. Now, he holds the relatively modest position of a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.

For an official to rise to the fourth rank requires significant achievements and intricate political maneuvering. Many spend their entire careers stuck at the fifth rank or lower, living a mediocre life while relying solely on their salaries.

Tang Mingzhong was a fourth-rank official just two months ago. However, with the emperor’s disapproval, he was demoted to fifth rank over a minor issue. People often favor the strong and scorn the weak—following his demotion, many who were once close to the Tang family found excuses to distance themselves. Today, the Tang family’s standing in the capital is nothing like when Tang Mingzhong was a fourth-rank official. Even Tang Mingzhong himself has been keeping a low profile.

Precisely because of this, Tang Mingzhong arranged a marriage for his nephew with the daughter of an assistant director of salt transportation in Dingzhou, hoping to use the connection to regain his standing. After all, a fifth-rank position in the Ministry of Rites holds little power.

Thus, Tang Mingzhong has been exceedingly cautious, avoiding any missteps that might provoke the censors, who are ever eager to seize on trivial matters to launch formal accusations. Another demotion would mean it’d be nearly impossible for him to make a comeback.

This is widely understood among the Tang family. Old Madam Tang has strictly controlled the family and its servants for the past two months, ensuring no major mistakes are made.

But now, Grandma Wang had brought up this incident involving Tang Xiuping. How could this not make her heart skip a beat?

A seemingly ordinary rural woman was unexpectedly knowledgeable. Regardless of the truth behind the incident, this would be a difficult matter to handle. Such was Old Madam Tang’s thought.

Little did she know, it wasn’t Grandma Wang herself who came up with this strategy—it was her eldest granddaughter who advised her.

Even though Wang Yuan’er wasn’t privy to the Tang family’s recent situation, she understood the principle that “those who go barefoot aren’t afraid of those wearing shoes.” The Tang family still had officials serving in the court, and government officials were often most fearful of accusations from the censors. Her plan was a mix of bluff and gamble—betting that the Tang family wouldn’t dare escalate the matter.

Old Madam Tang changed her approach, putting on a warmer smile and saying, “Sister Wang, you see, I’m not clear on this matter either. I need to ask my Ping’er about it to understand the whole story, don’t you think? We can’t make any conclusions based solely on what you’ve said.”

“Mother…” Third Madam Tang tried to speak up, but Old Madam Tang shot her a sharp look, forcing her to hold her tongue unwillingly. She glared furiously at the plain-dressed Grandma Wang.

Seeing Old Madam Tang shift her tone, Madam Zhang took the opportunity to wail, “Oh, my poor child! To be tricked so easily and lose everything! How could she be so naive? What are we going to do now? The doctor even said it’s likely to be a grandson!”

Crying loudly, she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, sneaking glances at Old Madam Tang as she spoke.

Sure enough, at the mention of “grandson,” Old Madam Tang’s brow twitched. Madam Zhang cried even harder, putting on an even greater show.

Grandma Wang glanced at her daughter-in-law but didn’t stop her. Once the performance seemed sufficient, she cleared her throat and said, “Pull yourself together! Have some dignity. With the Old Madam here, we will surely get an explanation.”

Madam Zhang begrudgingly quieted down, though she continued to sob softly, her shoulders shaking.

“Old Madam, I’m not here to make accusations or create trouble. But as a mother, who wouldn’t be worried about their children? My second granddaughter may be simple and naive, but if it weren’t for her recent pregnancy symptoms, we wouldn’t have discovered the truth. After much questioning and even scolding, she finally admitted that she had pledged herself to your grandson, with this token as proof.”

“She’s foolish—too quick to trust and give herself fully. And now, she’s left in such a state.” Grandma Wang wiped her eyes with her sleeve, her sadness palpable. “No parent can bear to watch their child die in despair. That’s why I’ve come to you for an explanation. You’re a grandmother too—you must understand the pain of loving your grandchildren.”

“Sister Wang, don’t cry. I’ll look into this matter carefully and make sure you receive an explanation,” Old Madam Tang said, softening her tone at the mention of familial bonds.

Seeing her goal achieved, Grandma Wang helped Madam Zhang to her feet, and they took their leave.

Once the two women were gone, Old Madam Tang collapsed into her chair, gasping for breath.

“Old Madam!”

“Mother!”

Old Madam Tang weakly gestured toward the teacup. Her maid handed it to her, helping her drink a few sips until she calmed down. “Go… go and call Ping’er for me,” she finally instructed.

“Mother, surely you don’t believe those two women? Given their circumstances, how good could their daughter really be? Do you think Ping’er would have any interest in someone like that?” Third Madam Tang protested.

“Silence! Call Ping’er!” Old Madam Tang commanded, trembling with anger.

Just as he was about to settle down and marry, such a disgraceful scandal had emerged. Ping’er, how foolish!

Reluctantly, Third Madam Tang left to summon him.

“Sister Qiu, I recall hearing that the niece of Zhou Dapeng often visits her,” Old Madam Tang said, addressing her trusted maid.

The maid thought for a moment before replying, “Now that you mention it, Old Madam, I do remember that. I’ve seen her a couple of times myself.”

“Oh? What does she look like?” Old Madam Tang asked, sitting up slightly straighter.

“She’s groomed in a way that doesn’t seem typical of rural girls. She has delicate and refined features, but from her behavior, I’d say she’s rather bold,” the maid recalled.

Old Madam Tang snorted. “Look at her mother—her eyes were darting all over the place from the moment she entered, surveying everything. Does that seem like someone who’s honest and proper? With a mother like that, how good could the daughter possibly be?” She clutched the prayer beads in her hand tightly, her heart filled with anger. How could her most cherished grandson commit the same foolish mistake as his second uncle?

Taking a concubine before officially marrying a wife wasn’t unheard of, but this marriage was one she and the second master had personally arranged and sought out. Naturally, they intended to welcome the new bride with dignity. But now, hadn’t this child just embarrassed her?

What would the Rong family do if they found out? Break off the engagement?

Old Madam Tang didn’t dare to think further, feeling a splitting headache. As she waited, Tang Xiuping entered with a cheerful grin, followed by the Third daughter-in-law. “Grandmother, you called for me?”

Old Madam Tang’s anger flared the moment she saw his carefree, grinning face. She grabbed the teacup beside her and hurled it at him. “You disgraceful child, kneel before me!”

Tang Xiuping was momentarily stunned, but seeing that his grandmother was genuinely furious and receiving his mother’s glare, he lifted his robe and knelt down. “Grandmother, if I’ve done something wrong, you can beat me or scold me, but please don’t harm your health. Otherwise, I’d be guilty of a thousand deaths!”

On any other day, Old Madam Tang might have softened at his ingratiating and playful demeanor. But now was no time for jokes.

“Stop playing games with me! Let me ask you—what’s going on between you and your nanny’s niece? Did you—did you do something foolish?” Old Madam Tang couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.

Tang Xiuping was genuinely dumbfounded this time.

“Speak up!” Third Madam Tang, growing anxious, gave her son a shove. “The Wang family came to our door, saying that Wang—what’s her name again? Oh, Wang Min’er! They said she’s pregnant!”

“What? She’s pregnant?” Tang Xiuping’s eyes widened. “I… I only had one encounter with her, and she’s already pregnant?”

As soon as he said this, Old Madam Tang, who had been holding onto a sliver of hope, felt her head spin and slumped back into her grand chair in despair.

The Third Madam staggered a step before smacking her son on the shoulder. “You… how could you be so reckless and foolish? Bringing all sorts of random people into your arms—do you realize the disaster you’ve caused?”

Tang Xiuping’s head buzzed—Min’er was pregnant? So, he was going to be a father?

“This… I’m going to be a father?” He stared blankly at the Third Madam Tang, surprisingly a little happy.

For a man, becoming a father for the first time always brings excitement. Besides, he had only been with Wang Min’er once, and she was already pregnant—proof of his virility!

Old Madam Tang and Third Madam were so exasperated by his silly grin that they were at a loss for words. The Third Madam furiously slapped his shoulder, frustrated that he still didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation.

Old Madam Tang, who doted on her grandson the most, felt sympathy when her daughter-in-law hit him so hard. “Enough, what’s the use of hitting him? Now, we need to think about how to resolve this mess. Ping’er, get up and speak!”

Third Madam Tang, exhausted, pointed at him and asked, “Let me ask you, did you give that little wench your jade pendant and promise to marry her for life?”

“I did say that, but men say all sorts of things in the heat of the moment. Besides, Mother, Min’er is quite good, and now that she’s carrying your grandson, you shouldn’t speak ill of her!” Tang Xiuping frowned and retorted in dissatisfaction.

Listen to that! If Wang Yuan’er and the others heard these words, they might feel somewhat comforted—especially Wang Min’er. But now, he was saying this in front of the Third Madam and the others!

Third Madam Tang was unable to contain her anger and hit him again. “Bah! What grandson? That’s a bastard! My daughter-in-law hasn’t even entered the house yet!”

“Enough with the ‘bastard’ talk!” Old Madam Tang shouted. Her daughter-in-law was blinded by anger—how could she say such a thing? Wasn’t she also insulting their son and the entire Tang family?

Third Madam Tang pursed her lips in frustration. “You’re so muddle-headed! Tell me, what are you going to do now? The other family is demanding an explanation!”

“What’s the big deal? Just marry her!” Tang Xiuping sat on a chair, grabbed some grapes, and ate them naturally. “Since she’s carrying my child, I’ll marry her. The Tang family can afford it.”

“You… marry her? Have you forgotten that you’re already engaged to the Rong family?” Third Madam Tang was so furious that she lost her balance and fainted on the spot.