Early the next morning, Sixth Brother indeed accompanied Fourth Brother and Mudan to visit Zhang Wulang. Zhang was still asleep, and only his elderly mother was awake. Hearing of visitors, she brought out a young girl of about ten with her hair in pigtails to greet them. Recognizing Fourth Brother, she was delighted and invited them inside. She sent the girl to wake Zhang and wash teacups while she carefully unlocked a cabinet to fetch good tea.
Mudan took in Zhang’s home – a two-courtyard house with bluestone brick floors. An old jujube tree stood in the center, with white, yellow, and orange chrysanthemums along the whitewashed walls. The furniture in the main hall was new, though mismatched, but pleasant to look at.
Noticing Mudan’s gaze, Zhang’s mother smiled, “Miss, these are all new things my son recently bought with his earnings. Come sit on this crescent-shaped stool covered with Shu brocade. Only a pretty young lady like you is fit to sit there.”
Sixth Brother nearly laughed out loud. Mudan glanced at him before thanking Zhang’s mother and sitting as directed, praising the new furnishings. Fourth Brother also complimented Zhang’s success, making his mother beam with joy. She brought out a plate of sour jujubes, proudly showing off the gold-plated silver dish inlaid with turquoise, another of Zhang’s purchases.
Before the water had even boiled, Zhang Wulang stumbled in, clothes half-open and yawning. “Brother He, why are you here so early? No business today?” Spotting Mudan sitting next to Sixth Brother, he was startled and hurried back out to fix his clothes under the eaves. He smacked the young girl on the head, scolding in a low voice, “You stupid girl! Why didn’t you tell me there was a female guest?”
The girl retorted cheekily, “You didn’t ask. Who told you to come out without dressing properly?”
The exchange was audible inside. Zhang’s face reddened with anger as he hissed, “You ungrateful brat! How dare you talk back! I’ll beat you!”
The girl stuck out her tongue and made a face before running off. Left with no choice, Zhang put on a brave face and entered to greet everyone. He barely dared look at Mudan, giving her a perfunctory bow before hiding behind Fourth Brother. Estimating that Mudan couldn’t see him well, he smiled and said, “What wind blows you all to my humble abode today? I was up late last night, so please forgive my poor hospitality.”
“No worries,” Fourth Brother laughed. “You call this a dog’s den? If we’re sitting in a dog’s den, what does that make us?”
Zhang blushed slightly, “That’s not what I meant.”
Sixth Brother chimed in, “No need to be modest, Brother Zhang. You seem to be doing quite well. Has your luck been good lately?”
Zhang smiled, “Not bad. I got a good fighting cock recently that won seven matches in a row. Won 500,000 cash and a gold-plated silver platter.”
Sixth Brother’s eyes widened, “Isn’t that worth more than Dan Niang’s peonies?”
“Her profits are steady; mine fluctuate,” Zhang laughed heartily. “Besides, mine are common things, hers are refined. They can’t be compared. Anyway, what brings you here today? I know you’re all busy, unlike this idler.”
Fourth Brother quickly explained, “We have two requests. First, I’m going on a long journey, so the East Market spice shop will be temporarily managed by Sixth Brother. He’d like to treat your friends to a meal to get acquainted. Second, Dan Niang needs your help.”
“The first matter is simple. Sixth Brother can just pick a date and time and let me know,” Zhang said, turning his gaze to Mudan. She quickly explained her request, adding with a smile, “I’ll be sure to properly thank all the brothers afterward.”
Zhang waved his hand magnanimously, “These are small matters. Don’t worry, Dan Niang, I’ll take care of everything. But you should still ask around and make some visits for appearances’ sake, to avoid raising suspicions.”
Mudan smiled, “I’ve already planned to do that. I’ll go right after leaving here.”
Fourth Brother stood to leave, “There’s much to prepare for the long journey. We’ll take our leave now. Come drink at my place tonight.”
Zhang yawned as he saw them out, “You’re busy, I won’t add to the crowd. When you return, I’ll host a feast to welcome you back. Then you can drink as much as you want for as long as you like.”
Fourth Brother paused and lowered his voice, “We can take a few more people on the ship.”
Zhang was silent for a moment before replying, “I’m not cut out for that. I can only do small errands. Besides, I have my old mother and that freeloader to look after. What would they do if I left? Thanks, but no thanks.” He pushed Fourth Brother out and shut the door firmly.
Fourth Brother sighed. Sixth Brother remarked dismissively, “Fourth Brother, you worry too much. Fate decides one’s path in life. I’d say he’s not worse off than us now. At least he doesn’t have to risk going to sea. He can have fun and make money – what’s not to like?”
Fourth Brother frowned, “You haven’t taken Father’s words to heart. Didn’t you hear what he said? There are wins and losses. He often wins because he sets up the games and usually doesn’t participate. How many people win when gambling? Moreover, money from gambling is always…”
Sixth Brother was less patient with him than with He Zhizhong, “Money is money, no matter where it comes from. You two go on, I’m heading to the shop.” With that, he left Mudan and Fourth Brother, heading straight for the East Market.
Fourth Brother sighed, “Your Sixth Brother never changes his ways. Don’t count on him for anything important in the future, Dan Niang. Discuss matters with Second and Fifth Brother instead. Keep some things from him; he’s unreliable. Father originally wanted to take him on this trip, but considering he still doesn’t have a child, another delay of a year or two would make Concubine Yang cry again.”
Mudan was momentarily speechless. She followed Fourth Brother to visit several Taoist and Buddhist temples for show. As noon approached, they returned home. Approaching their gate, Mudan noticed two horses tied outside. “It seems we have guests?” She entered quickly and saw Wu San chatting quietly with the gatekeeper in the gatehouse. Mudan’s heart began to race – Jiang Changyang had come. He had arrived quite quickly.
Seeing Mudan, Wu San quickly stood to greet her, smiling, “Our young master heard that Mr. He and the others are going to sea. He should have set up a farewell banquet at Baqiao on the 26th to present willow branches. But he has important matters that day and can’t get away, so he came to your home early to say goodbye.”
So he had come on his initiative. Mudan smiled, “That’s very kind of him. Doesn’t your household have guests?”
Wu San replied, “The guests left this morning. We came to the city to see them off.”
Mudan thought to herself that Jiang Changyang personally escorting Duke Zhu into the city likely meant their relationship had improved. Was it because of the inheritance issue that the second young master of the Zhu family had become so agitated, riding frantically and abusing Jiang Changyang’s beloved horse? The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Noticing that the purple horse wasn’t among the two outside, she asked, “Why didn’t the purple horse come today?”
Wu San replied nonchalantly, “The purple horse is slightly injured. It probably won’t be able to travel for a month or two and needs to rest well.” He didn’t mention anything about the second young master Zhu. Seeing she couldn’t get more information, Mudan instructed someone to take good care of Wu San before heading to the inner courtyard.
Anxious about the outcome of Jiang Changyang and He Zhizhong’s conversation, Mudan washed her face and changed her clothes uneasily. She tried reading a book but found herself too distracted to focus. She ended up lounging by the window, playing with Shuaishuai to pass the time.
After what seemed like an eternity with no news from the front, Mudan could no longer stay still. She got up, smoothed her hair in the mirror, and after some thought, applied a light touch of the pink lip rouge Madam Bai had given her. After checking her reflection several times, she finally headed towards Madam Cen’s room, accompanied by Kuan’er.
As she approached, she heard laughter from inside. Lifting the curtain to enter, she saw Mama Lin, Madam Feng, Concubine Yang, and others sitting with Madam Cen, all smiling happily. “I could hear your laughter from afar. What’s so amusing?” Mudan asked.
Mama Lin smiled, “Concubine Yang was telling Madam about Yangzhou customs, like beating drums on boats and pouring wine to pray for safety.”
Mudan smiled, “Why the sudden talk about Yangzhou?”
Mama Lin gave her a meaningful look, “Weren’t we just talking about Lu Wulang? We remembered he’s from the same place as Concubine Yang, so the topic came up. They say Yangzhou’s environment nurtures people well and it’s prosperous. It’s a pity we haven’t had the chance to see it. Concubine Yang was feeling quite nostalgic.”
At this moment, Mudan had no interest in Yangzhou, her mind was entirely focused on what was happening at the front of the house. She forced a smile and sat down next to Madam Cen, fiddling with her sash while casually asking, “Is Father not home today? I haven’t seen him.”
Madam Cen, who had been informed of the situation by He Zhizhong the night before, didn’t expose Mudan’s pretense. She gently pulled her sash away from Mudan’s hand and provided a legitimate reason, “Your father is playing chess with the guest in the study. It’s that Mr. Jiang. I was about to send someone to check if they need anything to eat, so the kitchen can prepare. Since you’re free, why don’t you go take a look?”
Mudan agreed and set off. As she approached the study, she began to feel increasingly uneasy. This task had been her responsibility when Jiang Changyang last visited, and she had carried it out effortlessly then. But now, that sense of ease and naturalness seemed to have completely abandoned her.