Chapter 9: I’m The Principal, Lan The Secondary

Those words were so overbearing and fierce, coming from the usually meek and timid Tang Wanning, it was simply unbelievable.

The Second Prince was so stunned, he didn’t even manage a reply, let alone a reaction. Tang Wanlan sobbed uncontrollably, “No… Sister, don’t be like this…”

This time Madam Zhou no longer only scolded her own daughter. She turned kindly to Tang Wanning but sternly admonished, “In front of His Highness, Prince Ping, how dare you be so insolent and disrespectful!”

Tang Wanning shrugged, looking very innocent. “It was Prince Ping who said that if I had any thoughts, I could voice them.”

But that didn’t mean she could be so bold!

Madam Zhou narrowed her eyes, grasped Tang Wanning’s hand again, and spoke earnestly, “We all know you’ve been wronged, and the family will surely make amends. Prince Ping values righteousness and will not mistreat you. How can your thinking be so extreme? Is there something in your heart you won’t even tell your aunt?”

As she spoke, Madam Zhou sighed, her expression slightly bitter, “Your father died young, and on her deathbed your mother entrusted you to me, asking me to look after you well. Over these years I’ve managed the household, exhausted myself. I didn’t even have time for your sister and left her to her wet nurse. I’ve poured my heart into you, fearing you’d be cold or hungry, that your emotions might harm your health… When you two sisters fell ill, I stayed by your side; when good things arrived at the mansion, I first let you choose, gave you the best fabrics and the best upbringing, yet your younger sister, an official’s daughter, was allowed to grow up like a wild child… She’s young and always clings to you, and you never minded, often taking the initiative to look after her. You’ve never been distant with me, never kept things in your heart. What happened this time? Where has your aunt failed?”

“Do you still remember what your mother said to you before she left?” Madam Zhou asked lovingly, stroking Tang Wanning’s ear. “You can’t write two ‘Tang’ characters with one stroke. You sisters should be of one spirit, supporting and helping each other.”

Those words were spoken quickly and steadily, sounding gentle but actually ringing with force. Tang Wanning almost wanted to applaud her. Madam Zhou’s self-criticism of not doing enough was, in every word, a display of how well she had done, thereby portraying the other as an ungrateful ingrate, raised to become a traitor!

And those words carried many hidden meanings others might not understand, but she understood them all too well. Her mother had indeed said that before dying, that ‘one stroke cannot write two Tang characters; a family should be of one spirit’, but that was said after her mother handed over all the family’s property to the uncle and aunt to manage! Her mother’s words weren’t for the two young women of the family, but the couple: a little greed was nothing, family shouldn’t be too calculating, but precisely because you’re family you must have conscience. I’ve left wealth to you, and you must help me. Those things are merely held in custody, not entirely yours. When Tang Wanning marries in the future, everything must be converted back as her dowry!

Madam Zhou deliberately brought this up now to use it as a threat: if Tang Wanning obeyed and resolved this matter properly, everyone would save face and future matters would be easier to negotiate. If she refused and kept making trouble, she couldn’t blame her aunt for being heartless. The things that were entrusted to them were not just money, but also items left behind by her parents. Or did Tang Wanning no longer care for them?

And what did it mean to obey and resolve the matter properly? Simple: forgive your sister and enter Prince Ping’s household together with her.

Madam Zhou appeared not to commit to any stance. Though she threatened to beat Tang Wanlan, in truth she was considering her own daughter at every turn. Even the matter of entering the prince’s household was something she would not raise herself nor let her daughter say. She wanted the wronged party to beg for it.

Tang Wanning had long known this aunt’s sweet face hid a bitter heart. That little sweetness was only showed in front of outsiders, like today’s ‘earnest advice’ and ‘Aunt is so good to you.’ At other times there was none of that heartfelt concern. The household was not short of money, there were cooks and maids, so she wouldn’t starve. But if Madam Zhou merely asked a servant a question it counted as ‘showing concern for her niece.’ If she came by once when they were ill, it was called staying by their side. When Tang Wanning and Tang Wanlan fell ill together, Madam Zhou at most found time to glance at her, while Tang Wanlan would be carried to the main hall’s green silk couch where Madam Zhou could always see her. As for always letting her pick first… Would she dare pick the best? Tang Wanlan herself had said, ‘My sister always gives in to me and leaves all the good things to me’…

The original owner of this body had been so obedient, causing no trouble, never snatching or being pushy, humble to the point of dust, and yet still faced this cold violence and suppression. How could she not be humble and timid, cowering and shrinking away?

“Don’t be anxious, Aunt,” Tang Wanning said slowly. “I have no intention of bullying my sister. I love her most, dote on her most, and have always wanted to be of one spirit with her. And I have done so, haven’t I? For this matter, like you, I certainly want everything to end well. If you think my words are excessive, then what should be done? Why don’t you point a direction?”

You want me to beg? I deliberately won’t say it! I’ll not say it, just to vex you!

Sure enough, Madam Zhou’s eyes tightened. “You were the one to arrange the match, you affixed the betrothal notes, so the principal wife of Prince Ping should naturally be you. Your uncle and I have no objections. What about Prince Ping?”

Zhao Yan bowed his head. “I am willing to welcome Ning’er into the residence.”

Madam Zhou looked at Tang Wanlan, hesitating. “My daughter is not fortunate, she should have been taken home to live out her remaining years in quiet devotion. But just now His Highness said…” She sighed lightly. “As her mother, I’m not in a position to decide. I beg Your Highness to give a word.”

Zhao Yan looked at the tearful, pitiable young girl. “I never casually mistreat women. The Prince Ping’s household is certainly more than able to afford to feed one more person.”

Madam Zhou closed her eyes and sighed helplessly. “Though I don’t wish it either, things have come to this and there’s no other way. Sisters sharing one husband is not unknown in the past…”

Tang Wanning challenged her, “So we enter the residence together, I as the principal, she as the secondary?”

Madam Zhou’s gaze instantly sharpened. Tang Wanlan too, where others couldn’t see, glared at her cousin in indignation. Why did this woman have to spell it out so plainly! She could just keep her thoughts to herself!

Tang Wanning didn’t stop there. She stepped forward and looked straight at Tang Wanlan. “Then I’ll ask you: do you know the saying ‘in the family obey your parents; after marriage obey your husband’?”

Tang Wanlan, having just received the Second Prince’s acknowledgment, shyly glanced at him and replied sweetly and softly, “I know.”

“In that case, I am the wife,” Tang Wanning said, pointing to herself and then to the other, “you are the concubine.”

Tang Wanlan dug her nails into her palm. “Yes.”

Tang Wanning went on, “My younger sister, do you know the rules between a wife and a concubine?”

“I know,” Tang Wanlan said, tears falling again, fragile and carrying a faint humiliation. “If my sister sits, I can only stand; if my sister is thirsty, I must bring tea; if my sister is tired, I must attend to her bathing and dressing…”

Tang Wanning shook a finger. “Wrong. The principal wife sits, the concubine can only stand; if the principal wife is thirsty, the concubine brings tea; if the principal wife is tired, the concubine must wash her feet—”

Before she finished the sentence, Tang Wanlan cried even harder.

Madam Zhou couldn’t bear it and was about to speak, but Tang Wanning cut in, “Aunt, you see, usually I’m the elder sister and she’s the younger, so I let her have tasty food, give her the fun things, when good fabrics arrive I let her pick first. I constantly think of her, dote on her, and this is how things should be. But if she becomes a concubine, all of that is forbidden. I do want to be kind and pity my sister, but without rules there is no order. The Second Prince’s residence is not a place where our Tang family can just do what they like. If I favor her, what will others think? If matters are handled unfairly and rules unjust, how can I fulfill my role as the mistress of the house? If I don’t favor her and don’t show love, how can I behave be considered a good elder sister? Aunt, is this really for the good of us sisters, or are you intentionally sowing discord between us so we’ll resent each other? Do us sisters really have to become enemies?”

“I harbor no resentment toward Prince Ping. He is the favored son of heaven, so noble. Any woman in the world would feel honored if His Highness desired her, but not us sisters!” Tang Wanning’s gaze was firm and her words rang out. “The saying goes: cultivate oneself and regulate the family, governance over the state will be peaceful. Self-cultivation is one thing, Prince Ping’s good name is known throughout the capital. But if the household cannot be orderly and rules aren’t upheld, disputes will arise and it will be a tangled mess. If we can’t even handle this small matter, how can Prince Ping go forward?”

“My father was loyal to the sovereign and died for his beliefs, wrapped in his saddlecloth as is known throughout the land. I, Tang Wanning, lack my father’s capabilities, but I dare not dishonor his name. Today, even if I have to bear the charge of great disrespect, risk my family’s hatred, my sister’s hatred, or even my life, I must make this clear: this matter cannot be allowed!”

She stood upright, her red skirt fluttering, dignified and brilliantly beautiful, a flame seeming to burn in her eyes, so stunning that not only the Second Prince but every gaze was drawn to her!

From afar Eunuch Tian said, “The Second Prince’s eyes have glazed over, he must regret it! He surely wants to marry Miss Tang! And Miss Tang doesn’t seem particularly averse to marrying…”

He hinted wildly again: Master, please have mercy, give some reaction! If you don’t make a move now, that beautiful and spirited young lady will truly belong to someone else!

Zhao Cong, however, only said one word, “Noisy.”

The young lady deliberately raised her stance so high, unafraid of any threats from aunt or sister… the moment of revelation was about to arrive.

Sure enough, Tang Wanning continued, “Fate determines marriage. Since I’m not the one who went through the wedding, this match was never meant for me.”

Madam Zhou was slightly surprised. “You mean…”

Tang Wanlan’s expression turned wildly joyful, with astonishment hardly believable.

Tang Wanning casually tossed the next phrase, “Since my sister and the Prince already have had marital relations, I am willing to give them my blessing.”

Eunuch Tian sighed with relief. “That’s good… Miss Tang is someone who understands the situation.”

Zhao Cong remained expressionless. “Zhao Yan will not agree.”

Sure enough, Zhao Yan spoke, “The one I wished to marry from the start has always been you. How could I so easily replace you with someone else!”

Tang Wanlan was more surprised than anyone, looking at the Second Prince in greater shock. Didn’t he say he would never casually mistreat a lady and would take responsibility? Was the tenderness and intimacy of last night all a lie? Those sweet words, those caresses…

Had she… misjudged the man?