Chapter 17: A Stunning Face

Not far off a wheelchair was parked, positioned at such a subtle angle that unless someone paid particular attention, it was invisible.

Eunuch Tian had many flattering words for Tang Wanning’s performance, “Rumormongers only need to open their mouths, while those who dispel rumors run themselves into the ground. People who spread such talk are malicious. Miss Tang is right to expose it plainly in front of everyone, without hiding anything, which makes people more likely to believe her!”

While he spoke he sneaked a glance at his master. Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t come to this banquet? Yet here he was. Having served in the palace his whole life, there were no types of masters Eunuch Tian hadn’t seen. Even though he couldn’t fall in love himself, but he knew all about what those in love were like. Perhaps His Highness really had no feelings for Miss Tang at first, but bumping into her again and again… Wasn’t that fate? Miss Tang had been proving herself: more striking each time, more beautiful each time. Exactly how it should be! Better that she charm his master into losing his wits!

“Miss Tang is far too clever, how can she have so much quick wit? She leaves those she rebukes speechless. Among girls of about the same age, when Miss Tang stands there, everyone else seems invisible!”

Eunuch Tian folded his hands inside his sleeves, his eyes squinting with a smile. “But Miss Tang was so clever that night… she probably guessed as much, she must have known that courtyard was unusual. Not stepping forward, not telling others, that’s because she’s prudent, she knows what’s the right thing to do and doesn’t want to cause trouble for His Highness. If someone really intended to intimidate her, couldn’t she have just exposed Your Highness?”

Zhao Cong’s brows were calm. “Maybe she was just avoiding trouble.”

Eunuch Tian froze for a moment. “My lord, if he were truly afraid of trouble, Miss Tang wouldn’t have even called for that late-night meal!”

You can be reserved, but not like this! The old servant only meant to praise, don’t read it another way! She’s so good, so straightforward a girl. Wouldn’t it be a pity for you to miss her?

“At least she lived in that courtyard for a time, that’s some kind of connection. Shall this old servant go help…”

Zhao Cong said, “Don’t.”

Eunuch Tian was surprised. “Ah?”

Zhao Cong said flatly, “She doesn’t need you.”

Eunuch Tian looked around the scene, feeling rueful. Miss Tang was indeed formidable, and truly beautiful, but she was so capable she could handle everything herself, leaving no room for his master to shine!

Tang Wanning’s bold maneuver struck like a tiger. Not only did the young ladies suddenly fall silent in fear, but the group of married women were stunned as well, intimidated by the heroine’s presence and taking a long time to recover.

Not servile nor arrogant, not evasive nor yielding, neither overly meek nor excessively sharp. At a time like this she stayed composed and rebutted with reason. Those outside rumors that she was weak, timid, unfit as a wife? The orphan of the Tang family’s eldest son was clearly an excellent candidate to be a matron!

When a great family chooses a wife for the future head of the family, temperament mattered. She must be rational, not stir up trouble easily, but not be afraid of it either. A balance of firmness and gentleness, combining reward and punishment, able to shoulder affairs, establish rules, yet leave room… Tang Wanning ticked every box!

Since she knew so much and faced matters without fear, if she were petty and wanted revenge, wouldn’t covert schemes be more effective? But she didn’t go for that. She was open and straightforward instead. If she berated you, she did so openly. Her strategy was being above board, laying everything bare for all to see. The youngsters, ignorant, only felt ashamed and furious. But how could the elders not understand?

You provoke me, don’t blame me for making you lose face. If you go too far, I won’t stop at mere slaps to the face… It’s leaving a margin in how one behaves, leaving space both for the other and for oneself.

This girl was really something…

Those who were distantly related and hadn’t seen Tang Wanning’s face before immediately asked those beside them who she was. Learning she was the orphaned daughter of the Earl Xuanning’s household who was recently usurped of the Princess Consort of Ping’s position by a sister standing in her place, they secretly sighed with regret.

They didn’t sigh because they thought it a pity that the girl lost a good match, but that the man had lost such a fine woman. With such a capable wife beside him, any endeavor would have better chances.

“Pity my youngest is only thirteen, truly not a match.”

“I do have a nephew who is not bad, studies well, very talented, only the family lacks means. I wonder if people would look down on that…”

“My elder sister-in-law’s family has a young man who’s truly good: good lineage, striking looks, considerate and filial, just missing a virtuous wife!”

A group of wealthy people exchanged whispers and meaningful glances. Not only Madam Zhou sitting nearby but Tang Wanlan herself grew anxious. How did this strategy fall flat too? What were all these young women doing? They were normally very talkative and able to bully others, so why weren’t they lending their support now?

But no one dared now. Even those who had enjoyed benefits before wouldn’t risk speaking up. Whose family hasn’t a shameful thing they’d rather not spread? What if Tang Wanning exposed it all! Was this woman sick? How did she manage to do it? How did she know other people’s business so clearly? Indeed, some things weren’t real secrets and would be seen or heard, but Tang Wanning gathered everything so completely and remembered it so clearly that each sharp remark pierced to the heart. Now that was skill…

Some were driven to tears, some covered their faces and retreated. They’d already lost face enough but had to hold on. The young ladies dared not speak but none left, feeling that leaving would be even more embarrassing. As everyone stalled, unsure how to let the tension pass, suddenly a little girl ran over.

The little girl wore a pale crimson-trimmed dress and twin spiral buns. She seemed to have come running, not watching her step, wobbling and stumbling right up beside Tang Wanning.

Tang Wanning’s eyes quick and hands swift, she steadied her. “Be careful.”

The girl looked thirteen or fourteen, not yet fully grown, with a baby-faced look and a sweet dimple when she smiled. “Thank you, sister.”

Tang Wanning let go, unobtrusively smoothing the girl’s skirt hem and plucking a blade of grass from it. “You’re welcome.”

But the girl didn’t leave. She suddenly cupped her face shyly and said, “Sister, you’re so pretty. Will you eat something with Jiajia?”

Tang Wanning smiled. “You’re called Jiajia? I’m Tang Wanning. Of course we can eat together, but where are your family? Make sure to tell them.”

“My sister-in-law is over there!” the girl said, pointing with a soft, pale finger. “There are only fruits there and the pastries are a bit hard, so I said I’d come over here to take a look. My sister-in-law agreed!”

Tang Wanning glanced at the maid and elderly servant not far behind the girl and nodded. “Then let’s go.”

After all, so many people were in attendance at the Wang family’s banquet, plus the girl wasn’t acting alone. Attendants followed her.

When they left, the circle of young ladies drew in a breath. That was County Mistress Guan Jia, the daughter from Princess Ruihua’s household!

They had heard the county mistress suffered poor health as a child and went through much hardship. The princess and the prince consort guarded her like their own eyes, keeping her closely protected and seldom brought her out. Everyone wanted to get close but had no chance. Somehow, she’d struck up a bond with Tang Wanning!

But… now that the pair had left, there was no need to put on airs here any longer. They’d better disperse.

From a hidden angle no one noticed, County Mistress Guan made a secret gesture toward the wheelchair and tossed a mischievous look, as if reminding the other to honor some promise.

The young ladies weren’t entirely wrong to think the way they did. Tang Wanning and Guan Jia were genuinely compatible.

“Ah, this is so glutinous! And it doesn’t stick to the teeth!” Guan Jia was delighted as she tasted a pastry.

“There’s a special fragrance…jasmine!” Tang Wanning was equally pleased.

“But it’s not cloying at all!”

“Fresh with an aftertaste!”

As soon as the two sat at the table, any awkwardness faded. They could talk animatedly about the food alone, the mood light and pleasant… this, perhaps, was the spirit of food lovers.

Zhao Cong wheeled the chair away. “Let’s go.”

Eunuch Tian hesitated. “Your Highness, are you really… acting alone?”

Zhao Cong said, “Look at today’s occasion. Would calling Fang Jiwu be appropriate?”

Eunuch Tian could only step aside. “Then this old servant will wait at a distance. If Your Highness has any orders, just raise your voice.”

After the two had eaten a while, Guan Jia left her seat to head to the bathroom. Tang Wanning stood to move around a bit as well and soon heard others talking about Li Hongsu, the former Minister of Revenue recently dealt with by Prince Xiangyang Zhao Cong as if slicing fruit.

Perhaps because someone had died, people spoke of him as pitiable, musing on life’s uncertainties.

But Tang Wanning thought that if the evidence was solid, those harmed by Li Hongsu were the truly pitiable ones. If Li Hongsu dared to flout the law, he should have known this day would come.

Someone noticing her expression asked, “Why, Miss Tang, don’t you find Lord Li pitiable?”

Tang Wanning’s brows were even. “He got what he deserved. What’s pitiable about that?”

The truly pitiable were his family. They were just trying to live their lives normally, yet they were dragged down by such a scoundrel.

The banquet hall was large, people came and went. Some heard the conversation, some didn’t. Some cared, some didn’t. Tang Wanning didn’t mind.

When Guan Jia didn’t return after a long time Tang Wanning grew worried and walked toward the bathroom, when she suddenly spotted a burly man in russet servant’s clothes. Servants moving about at the Wang family’s banquet was normal, but what wasn’t were this man’s physique, the medicine bottle in his hand, his sinister expression, and his muttering to himself.

“What a fine medicine, able to turn a chaste, virtuous woman into a whore? I’d like to see that with my own eyes right away…”

Tang Wanning’s heart suddenly tightened. Not far ahead was the bathroom, and nearby seemed to be an unoccupied side room…

She couldn’t bear to imagine if this scheme was aimed at Guan Jia, a girl so young, so adorable… Even if directed at another woman, she couldn’t pretend not to have seen anything. In this era women were already treated harshly, she couldn’t allow such a thing to occur under her nose. No woman should be treated like that!

Tang Wanning knew she was acting on impulse, but there was no time. This place was secluded. If she turned back to call for help it would surely be too late, and a kind attempt might only attract more “witnesses.” Gritting her teeth, she picked up some twigs and fashioned a small trap on the ground, then made a noise to lure the man over…

The villain, guilty at heart, of course had to check the noise. The little trap couldn’t stop him, but it revealed that someone else knew of his plan. He would have to be wary now, abandon his original scheme, or think of another method.

But someone intent on doing bad would certainly pursue it further!

Tang Wanning watched in all directions, listening on all sides, running quietly and carefully, her heart racing. Amid the tension she noticed something different: besides the burly man there was also a tall, thin figure in black. They were not accomplices, but the man in black was clearly coming for her!

If she hadn’t interfered, she wouldn’t have realized she herself was in danger!

No, quick, run! She must get away!

A bad premonition gripped her. In her frantic flight she brushed aside a flowering branch and saw a person… with sword-like brows and starry eyes, irises dark as ink, long knuckles, a gentlemanly grace. Even seated in a wheelchair his back refused to slouch an inch.

It seemed as if the daylight itself brightened because of him.

This sudden, stunning blow of beauty was more than Tang Wanning could bear. She missed a step, twisted her ankle, couldn’t stop herself, and stumbled unsteadily right up to the man’s wheelchair.

“You—” the man began. His voice was pleasant too, the deep bass she liked.

But she had no mind for appreciation now. She clamped a hand over his mouth. “Shh! Don’t make a sound!”