“The old Liu scoundrel is cunning and shameless. I fear that even financial compensation won’t end our troubles. There may be more problems ahead. If possible, could I ask the young masters to leave the capital temporarily to avoid attention? We can arrange for their return once things settle here.” After explaining the situation, He Zhizhong stood up and bowed deeply to Li Manniang and Li Xing. The others quickly followed suit, expressing both gratitude and apologies.
Li Xing stepped aside to avoid the bow, exclaiming, “Uncle, you’re embarrassing me!” He then scolded Dalong, “Brother, why didn’t you stop him? Joining in like this makes me feel so distant from you all.”
Li Manniang frowned, “Although this affair started because of your Danniang, isn’t mutual support what family is for? Would you stand idly by if our family were in trouble, just to avoid inconvenience? Why all this fuss? How could the brothers watch Xingzhi be schemed against and bullied? If they dared to do so, I’d skin them alive.”
Why did everyone like having many children? Why did they strive to expand family influence and power? It was for moments of crisis when a helping hand could lift you, rather than leave you isolated and helpless. Since arriving here, Mudan had deeply felt the immense power of family in this society ruled by personal connections.
With the Li family’s easy-going and generous attitude, the He family ceased their expressions of gratitude. He Zhizhong silently calculated bringing Li Xing along on the October sea voyage for jewels and spices, allowing him to make some profit. He Dalong asked, “Where are the young masters now?”
“They spend most of their time in Youzhou. Once they got here, how could they sit still? After bringing Xingzhi back last night, they went out again. They haven’t returned yet—who knows where they’ve gone.”
He Zhizhong said, “It’s better if they go sightseeing for the next few days. Better than running into that old scoundrel’s blade.”
Li Manniang laughed carelessly, “What’s there to fear? At worst, they’ll get a beating. They’re not so foolish—it was an accident! Who would have expected a high official to set a trap and bring people to the streets for such embarrassing acts as catching adulterers or forcing his niece into marriage? He wasn’t wearing his official robes, and his casual clothes weren’t purple. Who could tell if he was genuine? Besides, they didn’t hit him. It’s his fault for being cowardly.”
Everyone laughed at this. After this interruption, Mudan found herself conflicted about Li Xing. She stole a glance at him, only to meet his gaze, causing her to blush and lower her head.
Li Xing couldn’t help but smile, then suddenly remembered, “Why hasn’t my mother come yet?”
Li Manniang replied, “Your mother was with the doctor earlier. She must be held up with something now.”
Mudan felt uneasy. Instinctively, she wondered if Li Xing’s mother was unhappy about her causing trouble for Li Xing and therefore unwilling to receive them. She glanced at Xue, who was looking back at her, apparently sharing the same thoughts.
After another round of tea, Li Xing’s mother, Madam Cui, hurriedly arrived with two maids. She was plump and fair-skinned, and in the peak of summer heat, she was quite flushed by the time she reached the tea pavilion. She greeted everyone, “Please forgive me. After seeing the doctor, I was arranging the meal. Let’s all move to the front for dinner.” Spotting Li Xing, her face immediately darkened, “Do my words mean nothing to you? I told you to rest in bed, yet here you are sitting in the breeze. Are you deliberately opposing me?”
Li Xing, unafraid, smiled, “Uncle and the others rarely visit. My room reeks of medicine—I couldn’t let them sit there inhaling that stench, could I?”
Madam Cui scolded with a smile, “You’re too particular. Now, go back to bed! You nearly broke your ribs—don’t you know how to take care of yourself?” Her eyes reddened slightly as she spoke.
He Zhizhong was alarmed, “What do you mean?”
Li Xing, unable to stop her, gave Madam Cui a reproachful look, “It’s nothing, don’t listen to her exaggerations. If it were that serious, how could I be up and about? It’s just some surface wounds. Blame my cousins for being rough, treating me like a sack of hemp.”
Mudan knew it must have been Liu Chang who struck with the scabbard and wondered how much force he had used. It was clear he harbored a deep hatred for Li Xing. She felt immensely guilty and grateful, unsure how to repay Li Xing’s kindness. She couldn’t bring herself to speak of it.
Dalong frowned, “If it’s just a surface wound, I have a bottle of medicinal oil sent by the Hu people at home. It’s excellent for treating external injuries. I’ll go get it now.” He stood up, ready to leave.
Li Manniang held him back, looking dismissively at Madam Cui, “For young men, what’s a little physical pain? What matters is having ambition and capability! If you want to send medicine, have someone bring it later. Why the rush? It’s not like it’s life-saving!”
Seeing her son’s reproachful look and her sister-in-law’s dismissive attitude, and noticing the He family’s guilty expressions, Madam Cui could only sigh. She changed the subject, warmly taking Mudan’s hand, “Danniang, I’ve been meaning to visit you, but I’ve been caught up in trivial matters. How are you? Is everything going smoothly? How could they be so heartless to such a good girl?”
“Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Everything is going well, thanks to Uncle, Aunt, and my cousins’ efforts,” Mudan looked up, observing Madam Cui’s elaborate hairstyle adorned with an exquisite gold-framed jeweled comb. She wore a casual crimson single-layer silk short jacket with narrow sleeves and a pine-green eight-panel long skirt with auspicious flower patterns. Her face was round, fair, and clean, with eyes curved like crescent moons, appearing quite amiable. Mudan thought to herself that it was natural for a mother to worry about her child and harbor some resentment. Overall, this aunt seemed quite nice.
He Zhizhong sighed inwardly and turned to ask Li Xing, “There’s an event in a few days. Would you like to go?”
Li Xing’s eyes lit up, “Of course I want to go.”
Madam Cui scolded, “You should be resting, not gallivanting about!”
He Zhizhong sighed again, “If you’ve recovered by then, I’ll send someone to fetch you. If not, we can always go another time. There will be plenty of opportunities.”
Li Manniang interjected, “I’d like to go and broaden my horizons. Brother-in-law, please send someone to call on me when it’s time.”
Everyone ate their meal in silence. Madam Cui forbade Li Xing from seeing the guests out, accompanying Li Manniang herself to escort the He family to the gate, warmly inviting them to visit more often. He Zhizhong found a moment to speak privately with Li Manniang, “If there’s any news, please send someone to inform me. I worry about this matter.” No matter the cost, he was willing to pay to settle this issue.
Li Manniang waved her hand lazily, “I understand. Don’t worry.” She then smiled at Mudan, “We’re going horseback riding outside the city in a few days. Would you like to join?”
Mudan nodded eagerly, “Yes, I’d love to.”
Li Manniang laughed, “I’ll send someone to fetch you then. Practice riding these next few days so you don’t fall off the horse when the time comes.”
As the He family returned home, their mood was not as joyful as when they had arrived. Madam Cui’s attitude was clear—she still harbored some resentment towards Li Xing for causing so much trouble for Mudan. Yet, they couldn’t blame her. Although the two families usually got along well, they were quite distant, and while small troubles were manageable, this level of difficulty was different.
He Zhizhong glanced secretly at the pensive Mudan and couldn’t help but sigh again.
The He household was in high spirits. The two thousand strings of cash and twenty bolts of silk reclaimed from the Liu family were displayed in the center of Madam Cen’s room, not yet put away. Because of Sun’s previous indiscretion that caused trouble, no one dared to ask about Mudan’s dowry money this time, though many guessed silently.
Xue, who had received instructions earlier, volunteered, “The money from the Liu family isn’t convenient to use at the moment. This is just a portion of what’s been returned; the rest will be sent in a few days.” Her words were met with silence.
Given the shameless nature of the Liu family, if they couldn’t retrieve it today, how could they possibly get it back later? It was He Zhizhong and Madam Cen showing favoritism towards the eldest branch and Mudan, using this opportunity to openly subsidize them. Yang smirked slightly, Zhang lowered her head, while Sun and Li remained expressionless. Bai and Zeng exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief in each other’s eyes, but said nothing.
Only Concubine Zhu smiled, “Danniang is blessed. Even Lady Bai and the Princess are good people, so naturally, good fortune follows her.” As expected, her words earned her another glare from Zeng.
Madam Cen couldn’t be bothered with all this and simply said, “While it’s still early, let’s send Danniang’s things to her storeroom for safekeeping. You should have arranged this properly earlier and sent them directly, saving us an extra trip.”
Everyone thought to themselves, if the items weren’t brought back to show off, how would anyone know that her daughter had “rightfully” reclaimed her dowry? However, under such pressure, no matter how many thoughts they had, no one dared to speak up.
Suddenly, Mudan said, “Wait, I have something to say.”
Everyone looked up at her.
Mudan walked to the center of the room and performed a deep bow to her parents elder brother and sister-in-law. With genuine emotion, she said, “I’ve been sickly since childhood and have never been able to fulfill my responsibilities to the family. I’ve only caused countless troubles, big and small. Before my marriage, I worried about my parents elder brother, and sister-in-law. After marriage, I’ve continued to cause them trouble and expense, let alone being able to show filial piety. I’m deeply ashamed. Yet, my parents love me dearly, and my brother and sister-in-law disregard personal gain or loss, treating me like a precious jewel. I’m eternally grateful. I wish to repay my parents elder brother and sister-in-law for their kindness, but every thread on my body was bought with their blood and sweat. The only thing I can do is to be filial to my parents, respect my elder brother and sister-in-law, and cherish my nieces and nephews. These past days, the family has spent a considerable amount because of me. Regardless of how much money the Liu family returned, I don’t want any of it. Please, Mother, put it into the family fund.”
Madam Cen was shocked by this and glared darkly at her daughter-in-law. Xue hurriedly said, “Danniang! Why are you thinking so much? Your dowry is yours, just like any other daughter’s. It’s only right for you to return home and be cared for all your life. Don’t say such foolish things.” She glanced at her sisters-in-law, “Don’t you all agree?”
The others had no choice but to concur. Some believed Mudan was sincere, while others secretly thought she was just putting on an act to please her parents and win people’s hearts. They wondered if she would be so generous when faced with such a large sum of money.