Chapter 207: Chapter 206: Making a Fuss Over Musical Instruments

Tang Shunyan saw the return of the Young Master Tang, who had left the day before. With him, the carriages brought back some musical instruments.

The Junior Housekeeper reported that the factory had just completed a batch of instruments, which were initially intended for shipment to other cities by water. However, it became apparent that storms were frequent during the season, and a storm was expected in a few days. Consequently, it was not safe to set sail during this period.

Each year, sailors knew that typhoons at sea could be fatal; they normally sailed during spring or autumn. It was just that the orders were placed during this time of the year. Facing a typhoon, they had no choice. Despite the penalty for breaching the contract, they could not risk lives to deliver this batch of goods.

Since the goods from the order could not be dispatched, the factory was looking for buyers to take on this batch. If the inventory remained unsold, the factory could not start production.

If land transport were chosen, it would incur additional costs for the factory, and it was not as fast as water transport.

It just so happened that the Tang Mansion needed some goods, which conveniently solved the factory’s issue. They supplied the items needed by the head family and were also producing another batch of instruments.

The Junior Housekeeper had brought back the musical instruments, without having asked the head family what specific instruments their children needed.

Madam came up with a solution. Since a teacher was instructing on the instruments, there must be a classroom. They would divide it into male and female student instrument classrooms, then split the instruments in two sets for the two classrooms.

As for the Ye family’s instruments, of course, they would be distributed according to this ratio as well.

As long as the children were keen to learn, they could choose any instrument they liked, as the factory produced a full range of instruments.

The Tang Family’s instrument production base used top-quality materials. Although it couldn’t be said to be the best instrument factory worldwide, the instruments produced were quite high-end in Nanyue Country.

Young Master Tang had people move the instruments just delivered to two rooms for storage.

The remaining instruments were planned to be delivered to the Ye family the next day.

The Tang Family had already heard the news. They had initially thought that each child would have their own instruments, and there would be more than one type of instrument.

However, to their surprise, those instruments were merely taken to a room in the mansion for storage. It seemed apparent that there was no intention of distributing them to the children at all.

Moreover, hearing that the Young Master Tang still had some instruments not moved to storage, many approached him, requesting the instruments for their own children.

Some masters from the Tang Family started setting their sights on Young Master Tang.

The female masters approached him, domineeringly demanding to take instruments for their children, asserting that they wanted to take all varieties since their children needed to learn each type.

The male masters simply instructed their servants to move the instruments without discussion. Young Master Tang refused to allow it, and they threatened to expel her from the Tang Family if she did not comply.

Young Master Tang’s refusal meant he knew it would upset some masters. The Tang Family was thriving; besides a legal wife, a master would have concubines, and their children would have children of their own, leading to a great number of masters.

Offending any of them was a mistake, and each young master owned many kinds of instruments. Despite the factory being a production base, the cost of organizing these instruments for the Tang Family was not insignificant.

It was true that the Tang Family was large and wealthy and appeared opulent to others. However, they supported many people, and every expense had to be planned.

The scene at Young Master Tang’s was quite lively. There were some matters he could not decide on his own, so he asked the masters to wait. He could only report the situation and let Madam make the final decision.

Madam had not anticipated that the family, which normally appeared harmonious, would make things so difficult for Young Master Tang over some musical instruments.

“Let them come to me. If they are willing to have their annual dividends decreased to fulfill their requests, they can come to me with such thoughts,” she said.

The Junior Housekeeper received Madam’s order and conveyed her intentions to the masters. As he spoke, silence fell upon them all.

The heads of the households said that their annual dividends would be reduced, for nothing is closer to their hearts than money.

They were just being difficult, seeking whatever small advantage they could; the children didn’t need to learn every instrument. If they took to one in particular during lessons, buying just that one wouldn’t cost much.

But to bring home every instrument when the children didn’t intend to learn would be a true waste.

Thinking this over, they decided it was best not to offend Madam. Although they didn’t know where these musical instruments would be sent, they dared not make another peep.

Just as the Tang Family had quelled this disturbance, new guests arrived at their door.

Upon inquiring, it turned out to be Mr. Instrument, exactly as the rumors had suggested.

After a long journey, the housekeeper’s legs were nearly failing him as he dismounted, but he stomped his feet to regain strength and signaled to the guards at the gate to help carry in the guests’ luggage.

Mr. and Mrs. Mo sat in the carriage; they could only sit, accompanied by a maid and with their luggage also onboard.

During that day’s travel, they were reluctant to sleep; the couple sat close together, their gaze traveling through the carriage windows to the landscapes beyond.

Mrs. Mo, rarely stepping outside, was extremely curious about the world beyond; indeed, the outside world seemed fascinating.

Once outside of the Capital City, the scenery was beautiful. She felt that this journey afar was the right decision.

How else could she witness such an array of vistas without leaving the Capital City?

She saw it as a way to clear her mind, hoping that living in a different environment might bring greater happiness and ease.

Scholar Mo, being from a small rural town, was accustomed to the beauty of the countryside. As they passed through some major cities, his gaze was tightly fixed on their sights.

Here in the Southern region, the climate was warmer than his Northern homeland, even somewhat cozy in winter.

He missed his family back North but could only hold them in his heart. To ensure a livelihood and a future, he had to strive. To provide for his small home and make his wife happy, he was willing to work even harder to earn money.

The couple alighted from the carriage and stood at the gate of the Tang Mansion, which in this small county town, looked like a rich and opulent household.

Indeed, as rumors had it, the Tang Family, as Imperial Merchants, was one of the wealthiest in Nanyue Country.

Many wondered why the Tang Family chose to live in this small town instead of a big city.

But for thousands of years, the Tang Family had resided here. Even though they had properties across the country, including residences and businesses in the Imperial City, they chose not to live there.

The Tang Family opted to stay in this place of scenic beauty, perhaps due to the auspicious feng shui site they didn’t want to abandon.

Someone reported to Madam that the invited teacher had arrived. Madam ordered a welcoming party and arranged for the couple to stay in a courtyard.

They were also provided with facilities to freshen up before being invited to dine with Madam in her courtyard that evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Mo were settled into a courtyard. Before they had the chance to properly look around, maids brought water for their bath, and they hurried to refresh themselves.