Chapter 13: Mother-in-law Vs Daughter-in-law

Tang Wanlan’s mouth was full of bitterness. She was about to collapse, but she could not faint, nor did she dare to. Her legs had long since gone numb, cold sweat ran down and then receded from her back, receding and returning in turns. She did not know how long she had held on before Consort Xin finally arrived.

“Oh? Why are you kneeling here, not knowing how to stand up?”

Consort Xin walked over, supported by Nanny Yuan. She was wearing a pale-gold woven brocade court dress, a jade clasp at her belt, a kingfisher hairpin shaped like a phoenix in her hair. Her waist was straight as a rod, her makeup striking. Beyond mere charm there was an effortless arrogance in her brows and eyes. Truly a royal noble consort, grand and resplendent, all silk and splendor.

Tang Wanlan bit her lower lip, her voice slightly hoarse. “Without Your Highness’s favor, this subject dares not.”

Consort Xin smiled faintly. “What ‘Your Highness’ are you calling me? Just call me ‘Mother Consort’ like Yan’er does, don’t go on about ‘subject’ and such. Now that you’ve married Yan’er, you don’t have to follow so many rules here in my presence.”

Tang Wanlan answered “yes” and stood up.

Consort Xin surveyed her from head to foot. “Palace servants have their rules and won’t casually issue orders for their mistress. If there are people kneeling outside and I forget about them, even if they had the boldness of a hundred people, they wouldn’t dare to get up on their own or tell anyone to. But you are different. You ought to know who you are and have some self-awareness.”

Tang Wanlan’s heart gave a jolt. She couldn’t tell whether these words were meant to soothe or to needle. Did the consort… mean to permit her to rise? This intimacy of ‘no need for rules’ she spoke of… Was it sincere or sarcastic?

She summoned her courage and stole a glance at Consort Xin. Consort Xin’s smile was ambiguous as she leisurely held her tea. It was impossible to read her expression.

Her palms were slick with sweat, her heart trembling. Tang Wanlan suddenly realized she might be far too inexperienced! But since the matter had come this far, she had to force herself and said, “As long as Mo-Mother Consort says so…”

Consort Xin did not acknowledge the ‘mother consort’ at all and went on, “Yan’er has already told me about your matter. Now that things have come to this, whether the Emperor acknowledges it or I do, it must be recognized. Though I occasionally disagree with Princess Ruihua’s ways, she said one thing quite rightly.”

Tang Wanlan felt a chill run through her.

With a pop, the lid of the teacup in Consort Xin’s hand fell back onto the cup. “If you are the Princess Consort of Ping, then straighten your back. Don’t put on that frail, pitiable act. You are the principal consort, the mistress of the Prince Ping’s household. Not some woman casually taken from out there or something privately hired by men.”

Some woman casually taken from out there…or something…privately hired by men…

Tang Wanlan bit her lip until it bled, her voice hoarse and bitter, “…Yes, Mother Consort.”

Consort Xin threw the teacup onto the table, narrowing her eyes. “Speak plainly if you have something to say. List down what you’re unhappy with, I’m not unreasonable. What, when Yan’er came into the inner hall and saw I had a headache, he worried and waited on me with a meal, and momentarily forgot you, so you’re displeased?”

Tang Wanlan dare not accept that line of argument and immediately knelt down again. “I dare not!”

This time Consort Xin did not bid her rise. The cold stone floor bit into her knees, pain flaring, a chill seeping into the marrow. In that instant Tang Wanlan understood: there was no kindness or warmth here. This was a show of force to put her in her place.

A mother is of course gentle to her son, so in the Second Prince’s eyes, his mother was the best in the world. But everyone in and out of court already knew Consort Xin’s temper, what she’d done, how ruthless she could be. How could she take the Second Prince’s words at face value? Consort Xin would not look kindly on Tang Wanlan for being favored by the prince. In fact, she would be more exacting because of Tang Wanlan’s background and because she had become the principal consort by such unclear means… Consort Xin had never held Tang Wannning in esteem, and now she would hold Tang Wanlan in even less.

“Your older sister…” Consort Xin, as if unaware of Tang Wanlan’s fear, said, “I quite like her, it’s a pity she and Yan’er are not fated. We no longer have the chance to be mother and daughter-in-law. In any case, she has been wronged. Tell me, what does she like? What would be appropriate for me to gift her?”

Tang Wanlan bit her lip. “My sister likes… likes…” She thought for a long time and still couldn’t recall what Tang Wannning truly liked. In all these years, she had never paid attention. Relying on impressions from recent days, she forced out an answer, “Peonies. My sister likes fabrics embroidered with peonies.”

Consort Xin squinted. “Fabrics with peonies? Are you sure you remembered correctly?”

Tang Wanlan’s mind went blank. This answer displeased Her Highness!

But why did Her Highness ask that question? If she truly wanted to know what Tang Wannning liked, she could have checked with someone who would definitely know. Why ask her here, at this time? Was it just because she suddenly thought of it?

No, something wasn’t right. Consort Xin saying she ‘liked’ Tang Wannning was impossible. When had she ever liked her? Never. So the meaning here… was not about apologizing or compensating, but about feeling slighted. Tang Wanning’s behavior had displeased her and her son had been wronged, so she wanted to do something about it.

This wasn’t about giving a gift, it was about making things difficult!

Once Tang Wanlan figured it out, she let out a small sigh of relief.

“Replying to Your Highness,” Tang Wanlan spoke much more calmly this time, her pace no longer weak or stammering. “Yes, my sister very much likes peony-patterned fabric, the best being bright red. My sister’s age cannot wait much longer, a match should be arranged immediately. Red is festive and suits her complexion, so she would certainly be very happy to receive it.”

Consort Xin smiled now. “Didn’t I just say so? Call me ‘Mother Consort.’ There aren’t many rules here with me, don’t keep kneeling and kneeling.”

This time Tang Wanlan stood up without feeling so guilty. “Thank you, Mother Consort, for your consideration. I was thoughtless.”

Consort Xin continued, “You’re a sharp child. You know Yan’er still has feelings for your sister. If you marry her off quickly, Yan’er can put it behind him, and wouldn’t that be to your advantage as the principal consort?”

Tang Wanlan smiled shyly. “I never thought so much. It’s just deep sisterly affection, concern for my sister.”

“Loyal and dutiful, not bad,” Consort Xin smiled and nodded. “There was quite a commotion at Chaoyang Hall just now, it seems someone angered the Emperor. Yan’er was anxious and left without telling you, leaving through a side door. I don’t know how long he’ll be. Later you may have to return to the residence alone.”

Tang Wanlan bowed. “Yes, Mother Consort.”

Consort Xin continued, “You needn’t concern yourself with a man’s affairs outside. Just remember to be a proper mistress: hold your head up, dress and groom yourself suitably. The Prince Ping household is not poor, so do not be stingy and small-minded. If the household is well managed and business done well, I will naturally favor you. If not, you’ll be no help to Yan’er and will hold him back and cause him worry. Then don’t blame me for being unforgiving.”

Tang Wanlan felt a chill in her heart and knelt, kowtowing as she said, “Yes, Mother Consort.”

With a few words back and forth they struck a bargain: Consort Xin disliked the new daughter-in-law and disliked Tang Wanning even more. For her son’s sake and to vent her anger she wanted to deal with Tang Wanning, but it would be beneath her to do it herself as a noble consort, so she hinted for Tang Wanlan to do it. Tang Wanlan, having understood that, agreed and even thought of a way in an instant. Consort Xin neither cared nor wanted to hear the details. This matter was handed to her. If she handled it well, her future life would be easier. If she did not… The next time it would not be only a show of force. She still had a score to settle with Tang Wanlan.

Leaving the main hall, Tang Wanlan felt as if she had died and been reborn. Her heart felt colder than the biting late-autumn wind. Being someone else’s daughter-in-law and being a mother’s child were indeed completely different.

…

At Chaoyang Hall, Emperor Yuan was throwing a tantrum. “You arrested Li Gui last night, and this morning, while I was still in bed, a document had already reached my desk? And then before noon, the Magistrate Fang Jiwu just rudely and simply searched Li Hongsu’s home? The man is the Minister of Revenue! I did not approve this!”

Zhao Cong, seated in a wheelchair, looked calm. “Your son does not believe he erred. Li Hongsu’s crimes are evident, his death would not be regrettable. Who would dare object?”

The Emperor’s temple veins throbbed as he slammed the table hard. “Even so, you must act cautiously! No imperial edict, no instruction, no process followed. If you rashly search a minister’s house, what will other ministers think? What if it provokes chaos? A stream too clear yields no fish, a ruler too severe has no followers. How many times have I taught you this and yet you forget?”

“A stream too clear yields no fish? Yet Li Hongsu has appeared as a fish,” Zhao Cong’s gaze was cool. “I do not like this state of things.”

The Emperor squinted: “You don’t like it, so you had to kill him? Such wanton lawlessness, not following imperial orders, disregarding governance. Do you truly think I dare not kill you?”

Zhao Cong lowered his gaze. “Killing me would be fine, I would be reunited with the Empress, out of sight out of mind. All the past would be forgotten, all pain would vanish, and Father would no longer be tormented by nightly nightmares.”

“You! Unfilial child! Get out of my sight! You are exiled for a year! Seal the doors, no one is to visit!” The Emperor, enraged, coughed violently.

Zhao Cong bowed his head and cupped his hands. “Take care, Father. Your son takes his leave.”

The Emperor casually hurled an inkstone. It missed, smashing into fragments two inches behind the wheelchair.

It was at this moment the Second Prince arrived. Zhao Cong had just left and the Emperor’s anger still smoldered, so palace attendants didn’t dare to come forward to clean up.

“Father, what is the matter? Who was bold enough to anger you?” Zhao Yan stepped over the inkstone fragments with a smile and bowed. “I come at an opportune time. Why not punish me a little to ease your mind?”

The Emperor closed his eyes and reopened them, his gaze calm and even smiling, warm. Pointing at the Second Prince, he started, “Hmph, I haven’t had the chance to scold you yet. Coming at this hour, are you here to ask for punishment? What on earth is this matter with your principal consort?”

Zhao Yan rubbed his nose and fell to the ground. “I acted poorly, please punish your son, Father!”

…

By dusk the news had already spread through the palace. The Second Prince’s principal consort had changed, the older sister replaced by the younger, and despite such an embarrassing affair there was no punishment in the palace. The Second Prince went into court anxious but came out beaming, bearing a pile of gifts from his mother. The deposed Crown Prince’s case was different: arrests were made, corrupt officials dealt with. Beyond rooting out parasites it triggered a tsunami of vested interests, entangling countless people. His methods were too radical and rough, and the Emperor scolded him and docked his salary, forbidding him from associating with officials.

The Second Prince was all smiles and praise followed him everywhere. Wherever he went, people heaped praise upon him like they were fueled by fire, but that was not surprising. What was strange was that the deposed Crown Prince had fallen so low and yet no one decried him, no one dared step forward to mock him. People were instead more afraid and more wary.

Throughout history many heirs failed to ascend the throne and became stepping stones for others. Many were deposed, leading only to dead ends. Who was like this one? When serving as Crown Prince he was restrained and moderate. After being deposed he seemed like a beast let loose, wildly unrestrained and terrifying, so imposing that everyone was angry but dared not speak.

Tang Wannning had heard about all these things, but what did they have to do with her? She was only a pitiful, delicate orphan who had been bullied and did not know how to resist.

A pear-blossom pastry entered her mouth and Tang Wannning’s eyes curved like crescent moons. “Delicious! This is the flavor I like. Xiaoman, quickly make another plate for me!”