The camp was set up in a flat, open area upwind. At a glance, more than twenty blue felt tents were lined up, with horses neighing and people coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere.
Besides Madam Huang and others who had joined the previous outing, Mudai also spotted the Princess of Xingkang, who had caused the Princess of Qinghua to fall from her horse. The Princess of Xingkang was sitting in front of a felt tent with several richly dressed young men and women, laughing and joking without restraint. Her complexion was excellent, and her demeanor relaxed and at ease, indicating that the incident with Qinghua’s fall from the horse had ultimately had little impact on her.
Xueniang returned from wandering around and noticed Mudai looking towards Xingkang’s group. Assuming Mudai disliked these royal nobles, she explained, “We hadn’t planned to invite her, but because we invited many people with various connections this time, word got around. When she heard that Madam Li was organizing it, she insisted on coming. Madam Li had no choice but to agree, and then she invited many more people. Don’t worry, I’ve interacted with her a few times since then. She’s not like Qinghua and isn’t difficult to deal with. She won’t cause us trouble for no reason.”
“I’m not worried,” Mudai said. She knew that since Madam Li had saved the Princess of Xingkang’s cousin, Xingkang’s people had been in intermittent contact with Madam Li. The Princess of Xingkang’s presence here was understandable. Mudai wasn’t concerned about Xingkang causing trouble for anyone. Firstly, she had no conflict with the Princess of Xingkang, and secondly, since Madam Li was hosting, Xingkang would have to show respect to Madam Li and wouldn’t cause trouble for them.
Seeing Mudai’s serene expression, Xueniang realized she indeed wasn’t worried and smiled, “That’s good. Let’s not fret over these trivial matters. We’ll share a felt tent at night. For now, let’s have it set up, and I’ll take you to see the hunting falcons, cheetahs, and lynxes. There’s one cheetah, I’m not sure whose it is, but it’s truly magnificent.”
The two went to another camp built downwind, which housed the servants and was used for cooking, tethering horses, keeping falcons, and housing cheetahs, lynxes, and hunting dogs.
Xueniang, familiar with the place, scattered a couple of handfuls of coins, and a young servant came to lead them to a felt tent. Inside, a yellow-haired, yellow-bearded Hu people cheetah trainer rose to greet them, looking curiously at Mudai and Xueniang. The young servant explained with a smile, “These two young ladies want to see our Jingfeng.”
The Hu man smiled friendly, stepped aside, and made a welcoming gesture. Mudai peered inside and saw a large cage in the corner where a yellow-skinned, black-spotted cheetah was lazily sprawled. Seeing strangers approach, it immediately stood up with a “whoosh,” eyeing Mudai and Xueniang warily and baring its teeth with a low, threatening growl.
Xueniang playfully made faces at the cheetah, circling the cage: “Oh my, aren’t you fierce? Come and bite me if you can. Come on, come on.”
The cheetah, displeased, snarled at her and paced in circles. Mudai laughed, “Xueniang, stop teasing it. You’re agitating it. Its temper doesn’t seem very good.”
Xueniang laughed heartily, “Cheetahs naturally don’t have good tempers, but an agitated cheetah can’t hunt well. I’m helping it train patience.”
Suddenly, a voice at the tent entrance laughed, “Is that so? My Jingfeng can’t hunt well? Why don’t I let it out and we can test that?” Immediately after, a man wearing a sky-blue round-collared robe with side slits, a black rhinoceros leather belt, and high-topped boots, with jade-like skin and a smiling face, strode in holding a gold-inlaid jade-studded horsewhip. His gaze fixed intensely on Mudai and Xueniang. It was none other than the Second Young Master Jiang.
The cheetah trainer and the young servant both bowed to him, “Greetings, Young Master.”
The Second Young Master Jiang ignored them, arrogantly raising his eyes to look at Mudai and Xueniang: “You two seem to know a lot about cheetahs. So you think my Jingfeng isn’t good?”
Mudai, knowing something of his temperament and not wishing to provoke him, smiled and said, “Of course it’s good, that’s why we came specially to see it. What we said earlier was just playful banter between us women. Please don’t take it seriously, Young Master.”
Seeing Mudai’s polite words, the Second Young Master Jiang felt somewhat appeased. He turned to Xueniang: “You know how to train cheetahs? Why don’t I hire you to train mine?”
Xueniang pouted, “You’re so petty. Didn’t we just say it was a joke? If I thought it wasn’t good, why would I have come all this way to see it?”
Seeing Xueniang’s adorable expression, full of girlish innocence and charm, and Mudai’s beauty and gentleness, along with her considerate words, the Second Young Master Jiang smiled, “I was joking too. Don’t take it seriously, ladies.”
Seeing his mood improve, Xueniang boldly tilted her head and asked him, “Can you let it out so I can pet it?”
The Second Young Master Jiang smiled slightly, “Why not?” He immediately ordered the cheetah trainer, “Ake, release Jingfeng.”
As he turned his face, Mudai noticed several faint red scars on the left side of his face, stretching from the corner of his eye to his chin. She guessed this must be where he had been scratched by tree branches while riding the purple horse. As for the Second Young Master Jiang’s appearance, he did indeed resemble Jiang Changyang somewhat. Their eyebrows, noses, and the upper half of their face contours were very similar, but while Jiang Changyang had a square chin, his was somewhat pointed. Combined with his jade-like complexion, he gave a completely different impression from Jiang Changyang.
“It has a volatile temper, so don’t reach out your hands. Only touch it when I tell you to,” the Second Young Master Jiang turned back to caution them. He noticed Mudai seemed to be looking at his face and immediately became uncomfortable, a flash of anger in his eyes. He moved to the side, changing his angle to show his good side to Mudai and Xueniang.
Mudai quickly averted her gaze, pretending she hadn’t noticed anything, and nodded naturally, “We won’t reach out carelessly.”
The cheetah trainer opened the cage slightly, slipped inside, and put all the leather muzzles on Jingfeng before instructing the young servant to open the cage door. As soon as the door opened, the cheetah lunged out with a “boom,” nearly pulling the trainer head over heels. The trainer let out a sharp yell, and the cheetah shrank its neck, seeming somewhat afraid. However, the Second Young Master Jiang’s subsequent attitude greatly boosted its confidence.
The Second Young Master Jiang laughed heartily, “What a majestic Jingfeng! Come here, good child.” The cheetah no longer paid attention to the trainer, forcibly dragging him to the Second Young Master Jiang’s feet, affectionately rubbing its head against Jiang’s boot and circling him.
The Second Young Master Jiang turned back to Mudai and Xueniang, saying with a hint of smugness, “I’m different from others. They demand absolute obedience from their cheetahs, but I believe a cheetah should retain its wild nature.”
Out of politeness, Mudai and Xueniang both nodded in agreement. Just then, the cheetah accidentally brushed against the Second Young Master Jiang’s robe. Jiang’s expression suddenly changed, and he kicked the cheetah, cursing, “Blind beast, you’ve gotten your mangy fur all over your young master again.” The cheetah immediately cowered in fear, showing submission.
Seeing this, Xueniang let out a surprised “Ah!” and said, “Oh my, it listens to you so well! You’re amazing. I’ve often heard that cheetahs listen more to their trainers, but they listen more to you. How did you manage that?”
The Second Young Master Jiang laughed, gently grabbing the cheetah’s scalp and boasting, “No special method, I just have this talent.” It seemed his so-called “wild nature” was meant for others, not for him. He demanded that the cheetah only obey him while maintaining its “wild nature” towards others.
Looking at the self-satisfied expression on the Second Young Master Jiang’s face, Mudai thought to herself that his kick just now was meant to show off to them, just to earn this praise. This man’s personality was truly…
Xueniang also felt that the Second Young Master Jiang was arrogant. She secretly pouted, stepped forward to pat the cheetah’s head a couple of times, and seeing the cheetah prostrate at Jiang’s feet, not daring to move, she suddenly lost all interest. She perfunctorily said a few words and then called for Mudai to leave, “We’ve been out for a while, I’m afraid my mother and the others might be looking for us.”
Mudai quickly agreed, “Then let’s head back.” The two were about to bid farewell to the Second Young Master Jiang when he looked at Mudai with dissatisfaction, “Didn’t you want to put it? I let Jingfeng out, and now you’re not going to pet it? Could it be that you find my Jingfeng not to your liking?”
Mudai was taken aback. It was Xueniang who wanted to pet it, wasn’t it? Would she offend him by not petting it? Well, never mind, why provoke him? It’s just petting a cheetah once. So she stepped forward and stroked the cheetah’s back, “Young Master, you misunderstand. It’s just that I’m timid…”
Before she could finish speaking, the Second Young Master Jiang suddenly let go of the leather leash. The cheetah abruptly twisted and lunged up. In the blink of an eye, its two paws were on Mudai’s shoulders, its fierce eyes staring at her. The cheetah’s mouth was muzzled, but its claws were still sharp. Even through her padded jacket, Mudai felt a sharp pain where they rested on her shoulders. A rank odor assailed her nostrils, almost suffocating her. Mudai heard Xueniang let out an ear-splitting scream. She wanted to cry out but couldn’t. She stared dumbly at the cheetah, her legs forgetting even to tremble.
Xueniang lunged forward, grabbing the Second Young Master Jiang’s arm and shaking it vigorously, “Don’t scare my sister He. She’s not in good health. Please, I beg you.”
Seeing that Mudai’s face had turned pale but she remained motionless and unshaken, the Second Young Master Jiang also felt it wasn’t very interesting. He whistled, and the cheetah lightly jumped down from Mudai, turning as if to pounce on Xueniang’s shoulders next. Frightened, Xueniang cried out in panic, letting go of Jiang’s arm and running to Mudai, hugging her shoulders and burying her head there, clearly terrified. The Second Young Master Jiang quickly cracked his whip, and the cheetah retreated, lying down obediently at his feet.
Mudai steadied Xueniang and said softly, “Don’t be afraid. He wouldn’t dare do anything to us.” Only then did Xueniang come to her senses, looking Mudai over and asking, “Sister He, are you alright?”
It was only then that Mudai felt her legs shaking. She forced a smile and said, “I’m fine.” She questioned herself, wondering if she had done anything to offend the Second Young Master Jiang since entering. Could it be that just because she hadn’t shown great interest in the cheetah, he wanted to frighten her like this? But judging from the cheetah’s actions and expressions, it seemed well-practiced, suggesting this wasn’t the first or second time such a thing had happened.
The Second Young Master Jiang pretended to ask if Mudai was hurt, then said, “This damned beast, its wild nature is hard to change. You scared it. Fortunately, no harm was done. Young lady, don’t take offense at this animal.”
Mudai turned to look at him and said quietly, “Of course, I won’t take offense at an animal.”
The Second Young Master Jiang’s expression changed slightly, and then he turned his face away and barked, “Zhengde! Come escort these two ladies back. Also, send some of the tangerines we brought as an apology to calm their nerves.”
“Yes, sir,” a fat figure flashed in from outside the tent and cupped his hands towards Mudai and Xueniang. “This way, please, young ladies.”
Mudai looked closely and realized it was the man with the missing ear who had stared at her rudely and questioned her outside Jiang Changyang’s estate that day. The man with the missing ear recognized her too, but unlike last time, he only glanced at her once before lowering his eyes.
Mudai’s mind raced. She quickly turned back and saw the Second Young Master Jiang standing in the shadows, looking at her sideways with an inscrutable expression and an ambiguous gaze. She suddenly understood that while encountering the Second Young Master Jiang might have been a coincidence, the cheetah pouncing on her shoulders certainly was not. The fact that only she was frightened, not Xueniang, indicated that he knew she was easier to bully.
Although she hadn’t seen Jiang Changyang since they last parted, and he had only sent small gifts and messages through Wu a few times, anyone who cared to inquire about her previous interactions with Jiang Changyang would surely find out. After all, Jiang Changyang saving her during the festival was witnessed by countless people and couldn’t be hidden. The Second Young Master Jiang probably guessed something but wasn’t sure of the details. Otherwise, given his hatred for Jiang Changyang, he might have done more than just frighten her.
Mudai was silent for a moment, then a smile spread across her face as she looked at the Second Young Master Jiang and said, “There’s no need. It’s my fault. A cheetah’s wild nature is hard to tame, and I shouldn’t have reached out rashly. Your cheetah is well-trained. Although it was startled by me, it only put its paws on my shoulders and didn’t hurt anyone. You don’t need to send tangerines or have someone escort us. I’m fine and can walk back on my own.”
The Second Young Master Jiang tilted the corner of his mouth and smiled faintly, “It’s no trouble. Escorting you back is the right thing to do. Consider it my apology. Please don’t refuse.”
Seeing his insistence, Mudai said no more, just nodded, and took Xueniang’s hand to leave.
As they exited the tent, they encountered a servant from Madam Li’s household. Noticing Mudai and Xueniang’s unusual demeanor and the man with the missing ear behind them, he asked in surprise, “What happened to you two, young ladies?”
Xueniang pouted in displeasure and was about to complain when Mudai quickly interjected, “We came to see the lynx my aunt is raising and heard there was a cheetah here, so we stopped by to look. Where is the lynx?”
Hearing they wanted to see the lynx, the servant smiled and said, “It’s this way. Please follow me, young ladies.”
Mudai looked at the man with the missing ear and said, “I’m sorry, we’re going to see the lynx and falcons. You must be busy, there’s no need to look after us.”
However, the man with the missing ear raised his eyebrows and smiled grotesquely, “No need for formalities, young lady. Since I’ve been ordered by my master, I naturally have to escort you two all the way. Just go about your business and don’t mind me.”
Well, if he wants to follow, let him follow, Mudai thought. She nodded and ignored him, following Madam Li’s servant to another felt tent. It was Mudai’s first time seeing a lynx. She learned that lynxes look very much like cats, only much larger, about four feet long, with short ears. Its two large ears stood straight up, with long tufts of fur at the tips, and a beautiful mane of long fur around its cheeks. Its eyes were especially beautiful, like golden-set emeralds. It lay majestically on the ground, watching Mudai and Xueniang alertly, but otherwise showed no extra expression or movement, remaining very quiet.
With the lynx keeper’s permission, Xueniang and Mudai both petted its head. It did not react, lazily glancing at them with an indifferent expression. Mudai felt it had even more of a regal air than the Second Young Master Jiang’s cheetah. It seemed that people kept animals that matched their personalities.
As they left the tent, Xueniang saw the man with the missing ear still waiting outside and became a bit impatient. She forced herself to ask him, “We’ve been looking at animals all day, but we still don’t know your master’s surname.”
The man with the missing ear replied flatly, “My master’s surname is Jiang. He is the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Zhu’s household.”
Both Xueniang and Mudai were stunned. Xueniang hadn’t expected that the unpleasant person from earlier was the eldest son of the famous Duke of Zhu, and her expression became complex. Mudai, on the other hand, was surprised that this was how they introduced the Second Young Master Jiang to others. It was interesting, this method of introduction. What truly legitimate eldest son would specially introduce himself as such to others? She inwardly smiled, hiding her expression, and lowered her head to follow Xueniang to see other hunting falcons, eagles, hawks, and hunting dogs until the man with the missing ear became somewhat impatient. Only then did they return to the camp.
Upon reaching the camp, Madam Li and Madam Dou came to greet them, asking, “Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Xueniang replied, “I took Sister He to see the cheetah and lynx.”
Madam Li cautioned, “Don’t wander around. Animals can be unpredictable.” The crowd today was somewhat complex, so it was better to be careful.
Hearing this, Xueniang almost blurted out that it wasn’t the animals that were unpredictable, but the people. Then, remembering the man with the missing ear was still behind them, she turned to look, only to find he had already disappeared. She then complained, “The young master from the Duke of Zhu’s family is here too. He’s so detestable, actually letting his cheetah loose to frighten us.”
Madam Dou frowned, “Were you hurt anywhere?”
Xueniang pouted, “I’m fine, but Sister He had the cheetah’s paws on her shoulders. Amazingly, she didn’t cry out or tremble. She’s so brave.”
“Are you alright?” Madam Li hurriedly pulled Mudai over to check, puzzled, “He came with Princess Xingkang and the others. I saw him earlier and he seemed fine and quite polite to us. How did you end up provoking him, Danniag?”
Unable to explain, Mudai just touched her face and joked, “Perhaps it’s because I have a face that invites trouble.” If she hadn’t guessed wrong and the Second Young Master Jiang indeed knew who she was, then regardless of whether Xueniang had taken her to see the cheetah or not, he would likely have found a way to tease or provoke her anyway.
Madam Dou laughed, “You’re quite optimistic. This must have been caused by Xueniang again. Not bothering to find out whose animal it was before barging in to look. Your recklessness will get you into big trouble one day.”
Xueniang said aggrievedly, “I had seen it once before and nothing happened, so I took Sister He to look. Who knew he would suddenly run over there? And be so petty? It was just looking, how could that cause trouble? You might as well lock me up. I looked at others’ animals too, why didn’t that cause trouble? It’s not our problem.”
Madam Li sighed and was about to speak when suddenly the man with the missing ear appeared, carrying half a basket of golden tangerines. He bowed properly to Madam Dou and Madam Li, smiling, “Earlier, my master’s cheetah misbehaved and frightened the two young ladies. He sent me to bring these to calm their nerves. He’s occupied at the moment but will come to apologize in person later.”
Madam Li thought for a moment, then ordered someone to take the tangerines and politely said, “It was just a misunderstanding. Please tell your master not to worry about it.”
The man with the missing ear smiled, said nothing more, glanced at Mudai once more, cupped his hands in farewell, and left.
Madam Li turned back to Mudai and Xueniang, saying, “Since it’s already happened, let’s go greet Princess Xingkang and the others. Take this basket of tangerines with you.”
Mudai immediately understood Madam Li’s intention. By taking the tangerines over for Princess Xingkang and the others to see, they were indirectly informing Princess Xingkang of the incident. Since the Second Young Master Jiang had come with Princess Xingkang, she would naturally know what to do. Without hesitation, Mudai took Xueniang’s hand and followed Madam Li and Madam Dou towards Princess Xingkang’s group.
Meanwhile, the man with the missing ear watched from a distance as Madam Li ordered someone to carry the half basket of tangerines and led Mudai and Xueniang toward Princess Xingkang’s group. After observing for a while, he turned and walked towards another felt tent. He spoke quietly with a well-dressed man guarding the tent entrance, then announced loudly, “This servant Zhengde pays respects to the Young Master.”
Inside the tent, the Second Young Master Jiang was sitting on a couch with one leg crossed, polishing a gold-inlaid jade dagger in the light. Hearing Zhengde’s voice, he drawled lazily, “Come in!”
As soon as Zhengde lifted the curtain to enter, he heard a whoosh by his ear. Instinctively, he tilted his head and saw a bejeweled dagger embedded in the tent’s door frame. If he had been a bit slower, he might have been hit. He looked at the Second Young Master Jiang with a grim face. Jiang sat upright on the couch, laughing carelessly, “Well, Zhengde, how was that? I’m getting better and better, aren’t I? Even you, my teacher, almost couldn’t dodge it.”
Zhengde silently moved to the side, pulled out the dagger, wiped it with his sleeve, and presented it back with both hands, saying, “The Young Master’s skills are excellent. This servant admits defeat.”
The Second Young Master Jiang snorted, not taking the dagger, and lightly stroked the scars on his face, “If you hadn’t been so careless and arrived so late, I wouldn’t have ended up like this. Not only was my face ruined, but I was also being laughed at.”
Zhengde hurriedly said, “It was this servant’s failure.”
The Second Young Master Jiang said acidly, “I know, you think you’re ugly enough yourself, so you’d be happy if I were the same as you, right?”
Zhengde dared not speak, only lowering his head in silence.
The Second Young Master Jiang suddenly changed the subject, “Tell me, is that woman surnamed He his lover?”