Mudan was observing Jiang Changyang. Today, he wore a cyan round-collared robe with narrow sleeves. The jade pendant still hung at his waist. He wasn’t wearing a futou, instead, his glossy black hair was fastened with a high-quality jade hairpin. On his feet, instead of his usual boots, he wore a pair of casual blue cloth shoes. Standing in the shade of a tree, dappled sunlight danced like scattered gold across his head, face, and shoulders, moved by the gentle breeze. When it flashed across his eyes, he would squint slightly, but his gaze never left Mudan as he smiled at her. Mudan thought he looked very approachable and pleasing this way.
After descending the narrow cobblestone path, Mudan and Jiang Changyang walked one behind the other along a clear stream, keeping about two feet apart. Rounding a grey Taihu rock formation over ten feet tall, they were greeted by the cool air from a sparkling pond. Weeping willows and flowers surrounded the water. A winding stone bridge began at their feet, crossed the pond, and extended to the base of a high platform where it became steps. Streams flowed around the platform, gurgling as they cascaded down into the pond. Purple and mottled bamboo grew thickly along the streams up to the top of the platform. Amidst the bamboo grove stood a spacious pavilion enclosed by stone pillars and wooden railings. The pillars were unadorned and the wood unpainted, creating a harmonious and elegant atmosphere.
“It’s beautiful, so comfortable,” Mudan exclaimed in admiration. “Chengfeng, is this the new waterside pavilion you built?”
Jiang Changyang’s dark eyes shone brightly. “I learned this from befriending Monk Fuyuan. How do you think my waterside pavilion compares to his garden designs?”
Mudan was stunned. “You designed this yourself?”
Jiang Changyang laughed joyfully. “Yes, although I borrowed some techniques from him, it’s still my idea.”
“I think if it were Master Fuyuan, he would probably have designed a small, exquisite pavilion up there, not such a spacious one,” Mudan mused. Although she felt it wasn’t as refined as Monk Fuyuan’s work, his design was still beautiful and, most importantly, practical – perfect for a home. She imagined that on sweltering summer nights, placing a gauze screen in this pavilion would make for a delightfully cool resting place.
Jiang Changyang smiled, “That’s right, that’s the biggest difference between me and that monk. He focuses more on aesthetics, while I prioritize practicality. I’ll only escort you this far; you can go up by yourself.” He pointed upwards, where Madam Bai, dressed in crimson, stood at the top of the stairs holding a chubby, beautifully adorned child, smiling warmly at Mudan.
Mudan waved to him and cheerfully led Duan Daniang and Shu’er up the steps. At the top, she crouched in front of the chubby child, meeting his eyes with a smile. “You must be Ajing, am I right?”
Pan Jing looked at Mudan curiously with almond-shaped eyes that closely resembled Madam Bai’s. Suddenly, he stuffed a plump, white little hand into his mouth and gave Mudan a shy smile.
“Don’t suck on your hand,” Madam Bai crouched down and gently removed his hand from his mouth, wiping the saliva with a handkerchief. She said softly, “Ajing, say hello to Aunt Dan.”
Pan Jing shyly glanced at Mudan, then turned and tightly hugged Madam Bai’s neck, rubbing his forehead against her chin. Madam Bai picked him up and walked forward with Mudan. “This child can greet people and say simple things, but he doesn’t often meet strangers, so he’s a bit shy.”
Mudan moved in front of Pan Jing and, as if performing a magic trick, pulled a doll dressed in colorful silk clothes from her sleeve. She made a funny face at Pan Jing, shook the doll in her hand, and then pulled the string behind the doll, making its arms wave.
Pan Jing stared at the doll in surprise, his eyes fixed on Mudan, his little face full of desire. Madam Bai laughed, “If you want it, you need to call her Aunt Dan.”
Pan Jing hesitated for a moment, then called out softly, “Aunt Dan.”
Mudan tilted her ear closer to him and said with exaggerated laughter, “What? I can’t hear you speak louder.”
Pan Jing pursed his lips in a smile and called out loudly, clasping his chubby hands together, “Aunt Dan!”
Mudan laughed heartily and handed the doll to him, patting his rosy cheek. “Ajing is such a good boy.”
Madam Bai watched affectionately as Pan Jing became completely absorbed by the doll. She smiled, “This is a puppet for puppet shows, isn’t it? How thoughtful of you to remember to bring him a gift. Thank you. He’s never seen this kind of doll before.”
Mudan was somewhat surprised that puppet shows were so popular, yet the eldest grandson of the Hou family had never seen one.
Madam Bai said lightly, “His grandmother thinks he’s too young, and that the noise from these things would frighten him.”
This was probably also why Pan Jing rarely met strangers. Mudan felt a surge of sympathy for Madam Bai but dared not show it.
Madam Bai continued with a hint of disgust and sarcasm, “I wonder how that could be? A young master of the Hou family, what could frighten him? For instance, his father…” She paused and smiled apologetically at Mudan. “I hope he can be happier than I am.”
Looking at the carefree Pan Jing, Mudan said softly, “He certainly will be.”
Wu Xilian, wearing a jade-colored cloak and a pink eight-panel silk skirt, walked over gracefully with an ivory silk fan. She looked Mudan up and down and smiled politely, “Sister Dan, you look even more spirited. Your outfit today is very nice.”
“Sister Seventeen, you look well too,” Mudan noticed that Wu Xilian’s ivory silk fan was identical to the one Wu Nineteenth Sister had carried at Li Manniang’s housewarming banquet. The fan reminded Mudan of Wu Nineteenth Sister, Madam Cui, and some very unpleasant events that had occurred not long ago.
Wu Xilian noticed Mudan looking at the fan and said, “It looks familiar, doesn’t it? These fans are a pair. The former Princess of Xining gave one to me and one to my Nineteenth Sister. I heard from my Nineteenth Sister that she met you at Madam Li’s moving day and you had a delightful conversation.”
Mudan replied calmly, “We discussed fragrances that day.”
Wu Xilian slowly fanned herself and said, “Next month, she’ll be engaged to your cousin, you know? The one who fought with Liu Chang at the Liu family’s flower banquet and gave him a black eye. My Nineteenth Sister once asked me about your cousin, and I told her he was quite good – a man who dares to hit that kind of man surely won’t be that kind of man himself. That’s why she agreed. I say you should thank me for putting in a good word for your cousin.”
Why bring up such sensitive topics? Was this deliberate boasting or an indirect warning? Duan Daniang and Shu’er frowned in displeasure, while Madam Bai looked worriedly at Mudan, trying to change the subject. But Wu Xilian wasn’t interested in listening and waited for Mudan’s response.
What irony, Mudan thought to herself. Wu Xilian wasn’t doing this intentionally. This had nothing to do with Wu Xilian or Wu Nineteenth Sister; the Wu family probably knew nothing about the situation. So she agreed, “I’ve already congratulated my cousin. Nineteenth Sister is quite good. As for thanking you on my cousin’s behalf, I’m afraid I can’t. Perhaps on their wedding day, you can ask him for a proper thank you.” Wu Nineteenth Sister was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law the Li family needed and desired most – of noble birth, elegant, graceful, and pretty. Most importantly, she could greatly elevate Li Xing’s status. The Li family should indeed thank Wu Xilian properly for her matchmaking, especially Madam Cui, who should kowtow to her twice.
Wu Xilian, completely oblivious to the others’ discomfort with the topic, continued, “Of course, when it’s time for the bride price, you’ll see how I tease him. You’ll attend, won’t you?”
Mudan found it difficult to answer Wu Xilian’s question. She would send a gift, but she certainly wouldn’t attend in person – there was no need to make everyone uncomfortable. But if she said she wouldn’t go, Wu Xilian would surely press for a reason. Although Mudan despised Madam Cui, she didn’t want to ruin this marriage because of it. What better match could Li Xing find?
“Oh, you’re talking so happily, but by then you’ll probably have already married and gone to Taiyuan Prefecture. Whether you’ll be here or not is another matter,” Madam Bai couldn’t bear to listen anymore and had to interrupt Wu Xilian. Wu Xilian had always been like this, never considering others’ feelings when she spoke, saying whatever came to mind regardless of whether it pleased or displeased others, or why they might be displeased. Madam Bai somewhat regretted bringing her along, but without her, it would have just been the couple, and Jiang Changyang and Mudan wouldn’t have been able to visit so conveniently. It was a double-edged sword. She hoped Mudan wouldn’t take offense.
Wu Xilian became upset. “Aixin, how many times have I told you, I’m not satisfied with this marriage? I came out with you to cheer up, why do you always dampen my spirits?”
Because you’re dampening everyone else’s, Madam Bai thought. She said mildly, “You were the one who brought up Nineteenth Sister’s marriage first. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have thought of your situation. No matter how dissatisfied you are, what can you do? You can’t break off the engagement, can you?”
It was precisely because she was dissatisfied with her marriage that she kept talking about what she believed to be good marriages. Why couldn’t Aixin understand her feelings? Wu Xilian angrily threw her ivory silk fan onto the stone table and stood up from the grass cushion, gritting her teeth, “Then I’ll marry him and get a divorce, just like Sister Dan. If Sister Dan could do it, so can I!”
“You and I both know very well. You’d be better off facing reality sooner rather than later. He’s not as bad as you imagine,” Madam Bai looked at Wu Xilian with pity. Mudan lowered her eyes and remained silent. They both knew very well that Wu Xilian was no match for her in this regard. In aristocratic marriages, divorce wasn’t so easy to obtain. Even if it were possible, it would take several years at the very least.
Wu Xilian’s mask of nobility and elegance suddenly crumbled. She looked pitifully at Mudan and said, “Sister Dan, you don’t know, he’s just a dissolute man, no different from Pan Rong or Liu Chang… Such men aren’t even worthy to tie my shoes.” This criticism extended to Madam Bai as well, but she remained calm, showing no reaction.
Duan Daniang coughed softly. Mudan looked up and saw three men standing not far away: Jiang Changyang with a calm expression, Pan Rong grinning, and Liu Chang with a face like black iron. They had heard everything Wu Xilian had just said.
How did he end up here? It was truly unfortunate. She hadn’t seen this unpleasant person for a long time, and now he appeared on what should have been a joyous occasion, ruining her mood. Mudan looked at Jiang Changyang, who gave her an apologetic glance, indicating with his eyes that Liu Chang had come uninvited with Pan Rong.
Pan Rong acted as if nothing was amiss, seemingly unconcerned by Wu Xilian’s disdain for him and his friend, or by the awkwardness he caused Jiang Changyang, the host, by bringing Liu Chang without notice. He appeared indifferent; at least Mudan couldn’t detect any concern on his face. He first winked at Madam Bai, then called out dramatically to Pan Jing, who was tugging and biting at the puppet: “Oh my, son, come here and let daddy give you a horseback ride!”
“Daddy!” Pan Jing raised the wooden puppet high and rushed towards Pan Rong. Pan Rong charged forward, intercepting Pan Jing midway and lifting the small boy high above his head. He placed him on his shoulders and began running around the pavilion like a madman, shouting, “Charge! Ajing is riding a big horse!” Pan Jing burst into a series of joyful laughs.
Undeniably, Pan Rong’s seemingly reckless action effectively dissipated the awkward atmosphere, giving everyone time to adjust their expressions. Wu Xilian instantly regained her noble and aloof demeanor. She picked up her fan to cover half her face, cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Chang, then smiled slightly at Jiang Changyang: “Young Master Jiang, this place of yours is very elegant and comfortable.”
Jiang Changyang nodded slightly: “You flatter me, Lady Wu.”
Madam Bai quietly watched the father and son, her face devoid of any excess expression. Mudan, however, found herself disliking Pan Rong a little less because of his impulsive action. If he didn’t usually enjoy playing with Pan Jing, the child wouldn’t be so close to him. Perhaps he wasn’t a good husband, and one could hardly call him a great father, but at least he could play with his child.
Liu Chang hadn’t expected to encounter Mudan here either. He had come along with Pan Rong to Young Master Jiang’s estate by the Yellow Canal simply because his days had become too boring, frustrating, and maddening. He wanted to avoid Lady Qi, who cried and scolded incessantly upon discovering that Liu Chengcai dared to keep a mistress, as well as Qinghua, who was increasingly jealous and temperamental, and Biwu, whose scarred face was often tear-stained as she clung to their son.
Of course, he had also fantasized about possibly encountering Mudan, knowing her estate was nearby. As they traveled, he looked around hopefully, disappointed when he didn’t see her. But when he finally did spot Mudan as he had wished, he suddenly felt resentful towards her.
She was dressed so beautifully and charmingly, sitting leisurely in such a quiet and beautiful place, chatting casually with her female companions, drinking fine tea, with men paying court to her (don’t ask why he assumed this, he just knew that if Jiang Changyang hadn’t been courting Mudan, how could she be sitting here?). She should be living more miserably than him, why was she so carefree and at ease? While he was as exhausted as a dog, why should she live so comfortably?
The only reason she could live well and enjoy herself here was because of him, and the reason he had fallen to this state was also because of her. He hated her. Thinking of this, Liu Chang wanted to glare at Mudan, but seeing her apparent indifference towards him, he became even more enraged. Did she look down on him? He looked down on her even more! So he too pretended not to see Mudan, coldly gazing at the pond below the platform. But the sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface was a blinding white, hurting his eyes. His mood grew increasingly irritable.
Madam Bai glanced at the gloomy-faced Liu Chang, who seemed to be plotting something sinister, and quietly squeezed Mudan’s hand, whispering, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
Wu Xilian leaned in and said, “I’m here too.”
Mudan smiled slightly: “I’m not afraid.”
This is his territory, who would dare to cause trouble without considering whether he would allow it? Jiang Changyang overheard the conversation among the women in the pavilion and smiled indifferently: “It’s already late autumn, and in a few hours the weather will turn cool. Since everyone is here, why don’t I have food and wine brought up? We can eat and chat, how about that?”
Hearing this, Mudan raised her eyes to look at Jiang Changyang, meeting his gaze. For some reason, upon making eye contact with him, Mudan’s unease and displeasure at encountering Liu Chang faded considerably. She nodded gently.
Jiang Changyang smiled at Mudan and lightly flicked several copper bells hanging above the pavilion. The bells produced a clear, pleasant sound that attracted everyone’s attention. Wu Xilian asked curiously, “What’s this for? I thought it was just a wind chime earlier.”
Jiang Changyang explained with a smile, “The main kitchen is far from here. If we let them bring dishes from there, many would be cold by the time they arrive, which wouldn’t be very pleasant. So, I built a small kitchen behind the waterside pavilion, deep in the bamboo grove. When the bells ring, it’s time to bring up the food and wine.”
Wu Xilian noticed that the pavilion had no name plaque hanging, so she thought to name it herself. She praised, “How lovely! This is even more time-saving than sending someone to call. Listening to the wind, the water, the bells, and the bamboo – if one were to play a tune here, it would be even more wonderful. Young Master Jiang, does your pavilion have a name? How about calling it the Pavilion of Listening Sounds?”
Before Jiang Changyang could answer, Liu Chang walked over and sat down in front of Mudan, staring at her shamelessly while saying coolly, “What Pavilion of Listening Sounds? How vulgar. I see this water is meant for growing lotus flowers. Summer breeze carrying lotus fragrance, enchanting the people here – why not call it the Cherishing Lotus Platform?”
Wu Xilian had always been beautiful and proud of her status. Although she was reserved and arrogant, she had always been popular among the young men of the upper class in the capital. She had never encountered someone who dared to call her vulgar so directly. Her face flushed pink with a mix of embarrassment and anger as she glared at Liu Chang. “Liu Zishu, you are so impolite! You can name it whatever you want, why drag me into it?”
Liu Chang feigned surprise, curling his lip as he shifted his gaze from Mudan to Wu Xilian. “Seventeenth Miss, how have I dragged you into this? If you want to accuse me of being impolite, you should at least explain why. Brother Jiang, isn’t this place meant for growing lotus flowers? I heard Second Young Master Pan say that white lotuses and multi-layered lotuses have already been planted here. Isn’t this high platform built for enjoying the cool breeze and viewing lotuses in summer? Cherishing Lotus Platform, one must cherish her – what’s wrong with that?”
Wu Xilian despised him and replied with a cold laugh, ” Minister Liu has taught his son well, casually making such jokes with a lady’s name. It’s truly contemptible. I refuse to sit with someone like you. Move away!”
Liu Chang acted shocked, stood up, and bowed deeply to Wu Xilian, saying with utmost sincerity, “Seventeenth Miss, please forgive me. I’ve only ever known you as Seventeenth Miss and didn’t know your name. Please forgive my rudeness and offense. Surely someone of your high moral character wouldn’t hold it against someone like me?”
Mudan curved her lips in disdain. Liu Chang was becoming increasingly accomplished, using Wu Xilian’s name to christen the waterside pavilion in Jiang Changyang’s home. He knew how to arrange things.
Liu Chang’s gaze had never left Mudan’s face. He keenly caught the mockery and contempt at the corner of her lips, which caused both old and new resentments to surge in his heart. He thought bitterly, “He Mudan, the worst is yet to come. Go ahead and laugh, laugh while you can. I’ll make sure you won’t be able to laugh soon enough.”
Seeing that Liu Chang had mocked her and refused to admit it, Wu Xilian was so angry that the veins on her forehead began to throb. Madam Bai gently pulled her and said softly, “Let’s all say a bit less. The host hasn’t even spoken yet, and the guests are already quarreling.”
Jiang Changyang had been busy pouring tea. He now handed Yuezhou porcelain teacups to Wu Xilian and Liu Chang, laughing as he spoke, “They’re all good names, but this water platform already has a name. It’s called Xianghe.”
Pan Rong, while holding Pan Jing and playing with the copper bells, casually teased, “Xianghe? Young Master Jiang, who do you want to be in harmony with?”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly, “Whoever I want to be in harmony with.”
Pan Rong laughed strangely, “Oh my, it’s rare for you to be so direct. Now I’m curious, who could it be?”
Jiang Changyang replied calmly, “I’ve always been this direct. Don’t you know?”
Pan Rong hurried over, holding Pan Jing, and sat down next to Jiang Changyang, his eyes darting around, “Is that person here?”
Jiang Changyang simply ignored him.
Liu Chang sensitively scrutinized Jiang Changyang and Mudan’s faces, hoping to detect some clues. Jiang Changyang kept his head down, fiddling with the tea, while Mudan and Madam Bai were quietly comforting the still-angry Wu Xilian, who kept fanning herself. On the surface, there seemed to be nothing particularly different about them, but he felt something was off. He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and smiled at Mudan, intentionally speaking softly, “Sister Dan, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”
What is he up to now? Mudan looked at him in surprise, then smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Gentleman Liu. I’m doing well.”
Wu Xilian said coolly from the side, “Sister Dan, you’ve made a mistake. He should now be addressed as Assistant Director Liu.”
Mudan complied graciously, “Ah, I didn’t know you had been promoted. Please forgive me, Assistant Director Liu.”
“Sister Dan, how could Assistant Director Liu blame you? You have so many important matters to attend to each day, how could you keep track of such trivial affairs? Assistant Director Liu is quite busy too. I wonder, is Princess Qinghua able to get out of bed and walk now? I heard you visit and attend to her every day, which is very filial… oh, I mean very considerate. Assistant Director Liu, I misspoke. Please don’t take offense at my words; I’m just a simple woman.”
Wu Xilian had rather unkindly jabbed at Liu Chang’s sore spot, then smiled triumphantly. She thought, “You little man, you dare to provoke me? I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”