Let’s set aside how Madam Cen and Mudan had made their plans, secretly preparing to seize Liulang at the first opportunity and resolve everything cleanly.
Early the next morning, Nianyu brought two boxes of pastries to visit Mudan. As soon as she saw Mudan, she was about to perform a deep bow, but Mudan quickly stopped her. She asked Shuer to bring a stool for Nianyu. Seeing Nianyu’s smiling expression, Mudan knew there must have been some progress with Pan Rong and Madam Bai’s situation. “Has the Madam returned to the mansion?” she asked.
Nianyu smiled and replied, “Not yet. This time, she’ll likely stay at the villa until around the Lantern Festival, returning only when the pregnancy is stable. The young master is staying with her and has forbidden any household matters from disturbing her.” At this point, she stood up and bowed to Mudan again, saying happily, “It’s all thanks to you.”
Mudan held her down, saying, “Stop bowing. Aren’t you tired? I could only do so little. Before I went, I didn’t expect the young master to listen to me. These past two days, I’ve been worried that the Madam might be angry with me for acting on my own without consulting her. Have they reconciled now? Have they talked things through?”
“The Madam has a rather stubborn temperament. I’ve advised her on some matters before, but given my position, no one listens. She’s grateful for your care and concern, how could she blame you?” Nianyu’s expression darkened slightly. “Although they seem better now, deep-seated issues can’t be resolved overnight, especially since his actions this time were particularly excessive. At least they’re talking now, so hopefully things will gradually improve.”
Recalling Madam Bai’s condition at the time, Mudan lowered her voice and asked, “A pregnancy should be a joyous occasion, but your Madam seemed quite unhappy… What exactly did he do?”
Trusting Mudan, Nianyu didn’t hide anything: “They weren’t on good terms before, and things worsened after returning from Young Master Jiang’s estate. They barely spoke until that day when the young master got drunk again and had a big fight with the Madam, chasing us all out…” Nianyu’s face reddened. “He left the next morning as if nothing had happened, going about his usual activities and disappearing without a trace. The Madam, however, was bedridden for two days.”
Mudan frowned. No wonder Madam Bai couldn’t bear it, given how this child was conceived.
Seeing Mudan’s displeased expression, Nianyu hastily explained, her face red, “It wasn’t exactly… When I bathed the Madam, I didn’t see any injuries. It’s just that the Madam was upset, her heart heavy. Then, there was an incident with a concubine, and the old Madam said a few words, which upset her further. So she simply left to clear her mind. It was meant to be a retreat, but she became increasingly unhappy… Yesterday, the young master arrived after dark. His knocking startled us; we thought it might be some villain. We only realized it was him when we heard his voice.”
Pan Rong entered, ignoring everyone else. He asked where Madam Bai was and went straight to her room. Madam Bai was teaching Pan Jing to eat by himself and ignored Pan Rong’s entrance, acting as if he didn’t exist.
On better days in the past, Pan Rong would have approached her with a grin and said a few words, leaving if she didn’t respond. On bad days, he would enter, see Madam Bai’s silence, sit briefly, and then leave. But this day was different. He entered without chattering or making faces, simply finding a corner to sit in, quietly watching the mother and son.
Madam Bai ignored him, but Pan Jing held no grudge and soon reached out to be held. Usually, Pan Rong would use this opportunity to get close to Madam Bai, but today he simply held Pan Jing, letting the child eat messily and get food all over him, speaking softly to Pan Jing without trying to engage Madam Bai.
The couple sat in silence until Pan Jing grew tired. The wet nurse took Pan Jing away, and Madam Bai ordered Nianyu to undo her hair and prepare her for bed. Only then did Pan Rong tentatively call out, “Ah Xin?”
Madam Bai completely ignored him. Pan Rong kept calling, “Ah Xin? Ah Xin? Ah Xin?”
After dozens of calls, Madam Bai couldn’t bear it anymore and turned back, asking, “What do you want?”
Pan Rong forced a smile, “Ah Xin, I know you hate me, and I’m the last person you want to see right now. But for the sake of He Mudan’s efforts on your behalf, could you please listen to me calmly for a moment?”
Madam Bai thought for a moment, then told Nianyu to leave.
“What they said in the room after that, I don’t know,” Nianyu continued. “It wasn’t long before the young master came out of the Madam’s room. He arranged for a doctor to be called early the next morning, went back to the mansion to fetch things and explain to the Marquis and Madam, and specifically asked me to come thank you on his behalf.” Nianyu smiled, “Early in the morning, the Madam slept longer than usual and had a much better appetite. Seeing her in better spirits made me very happy. In the afternoon, I returned to the mansion with the young master. He reported to the old Madam, who was also very pleased and discussed sending away some troublesome concubines… They’re dealing with that now, and it should be mostly settled by the time I return from here.”
Mudan smiled, “It’s not my merit. If your young master truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t have listened to me. Let’s hope they continue to improve.” Although it was only two or three concubines rather than all of them, Pan Rong had at least shown his stance and taken the first step. As for how far they would go in the future, that would depend on them.
In good spirits, Nianyu began to list Pan Rong’s good points to Mudan: “Actually, although our young master can be a bit unreliable, he has one good quality. Despite having so many concubines in the household, none except the Madam has ever been pregnant…”
Mudan was momentarily speechless. Finding a large ear of corn in a barren field could be considered a virtue, she supposed. At least compared to those with a horde of concubines and illegitimate children, Madam Bai wouldn’t have to worry about anyone competing with Pan Jing. She only hoped that Pan Rong would become more restrained in the future and live well with Madam Bai.
Nianyu chatted happily for quite a while before realizing it was getting late. She then hurriedly bid farewell and left.
Mudan sat with Madam Cen, Madam Xue, and others doing needlework for a while. Suddenly, someone from Fangyuan arrived – it was Man Zi. Man Zi gave Mudan a proper bow and said, “Miss, these past few days, as you instructed, we’ve been walking around and keeping an eye on the garden when we’re free. Everything has been fine.
However, in the last couple of days, we’ve noticed a few unfamiliar faces lurking outside, secretly giving money to Uncle Hu and using sweet talk to try to sneak into the garden. Tao stopped them. Then they measured the height of the wall, and when we tried to chase them, they ran away very quickly. Later, Zhou Baniang said people in the village were asking about Fangyuan’s layout. Master Zheng and Xi Lang both think it might be related to the peony show. Sister Yuhe is very worried and asked me to come seek your instructions on what to do.”
The image of Lu Fang’s smiling face immediately came to Mudan’s mind. She said, “Wait a moment. Let me get ready, and I’ll go back with you.”
After informing Madam Cen, Mudan selected a few strong servants in addition to Gui Zi. However, she didn’t let them accompany her directly, instead sending them ahead in small groups to enter Fangyuan separately. She changed into black men’s clothing, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, and left just before the city gates closed at nightfall, quietly returning to Fangyuan.
The countryside was pitch black at night, eerily quiet. Two shadowy figures carrying a ladder stumbled along the path near Fangyuan. After a short distance, one of them started to sway. The shorter one complained in a low voice, “Young master, I don’t mean to nag, but this isn’t right. If we’re caught, we’ll be in big trouble. Oh my, this path is so difficult to walk. Why is the field ridge so narrow?”
Although the taller one was also stumbling, his tone was gentle and even excited: “Kang’er, keep your voice down, or someone might hear us. I’m just going to look, I won’t touch anything. I’ll look and come right back, it won’t take long.” It was Lu Fang.
Kang’er disapprovingly said, “Don’t you know our family’s situation? Such a treasure must be heavily guarded. If you’re not careful and get caught, you’ll deserve the beating you get.”
Lu Fang laughed, “Don’t worry, I’ll be very careful. This isn’t my first time doing something like this, and I’ve never failed before.”
Kang’er sighed, “You’ve always disguised yourself and snuck in during the day before. Climbing walls at night like a thief is a first for you, and you have no experience. The walls of her compound are high, and I’m worried you won’t be able to get down once you’re up there.”
Lu Fang adjusted the ladder on his shoulder and pulled a straw stick from his collar, saying, “I couldn’t get in any other way, could I? The security is too tight. I’ve thought it through. This ladder is bamboo, so it’s not too heavy. You wait outside and hold the ladder for me. Once I’m up, hand me the ladder, and I’ll lower it down the other side. I’ll get down quietly, guaranteed.”
Kang’er frowned, “Let me ask you something, young master. The garden is huge, do you know where this treasure is located? Although we paid for some information, we can’t be sure if it’s true. What if we’ve been deceived, and you wander around inside without finding anything?”
Lu Fang was silent for a moment, then said, “According to my calculations, the location I saw before can’t be wrong. Just look for the highest part of the wall; the treasure must be below it.”
Seeing that Lu Fang was determined, Kang’er thought to himself that the young master had done this sort of thing many times before. This time, to see this brocade, he had even hidden in a farmer’s haystack for an entire day. He wouldn’t leave without seeing it, so Kang’er stopped trying to dissuade him.
The two walked silently to the high walls of Fangyuan and stopped. Lu Fang chose a spot and directed Kang’er to lean the bamboo ladder against the wall. He whispered instructions, “Listen carefully, you’ll need to help me later. If something goes wrong, run back quickly to find the master and apologize, don’t let me get beaten to death.”
Taking advantage of the darkness, Kang’er rolled his eyes, “If you’re afraid of being beaten, don’t go in. Otherwise, I’ll be the one getting beaten later. Besides, how can you see anything clearly in this darkness?”
Lu Fang smiled, tucked the hem of his robe into his belt, felt the equipment hanging at his waist, and checked the ladder to make sure it was secure. As he climbed, he silently complained that the wall could have been built more beautifully, with flower windows or something to allow people to see the scenery inside from the outside. Instead, it was so high and difficult to climb. However, the more difficult it was to see, the more he anticipated it. Thinking of the beauty that awaited him, his hands and feet moved faster.
Soon, the cold sensation of the wall before him suddenly vanished. Lu Fang was delighted to find he had reached the top. Just as he was about to press down on the wall, he paused, carefully feeling around with his hand. Sure enough, he felt a series of sharp ceramic shards. He smiled smugly, glad he had come prepared, or it would have been a nasty surprise. The more she tried to keep him out, the more determined he was to see.
He took out the equipment from his waist, happily placing it on the wall top as padding. He pressed it down; the thick, wide cotton pad was just enough for him to straddle. Confidently sitting atop the wall, he first tossed down a package of fried chicken laced with a sedative. After waiting a while with no response, he tugged on the ladder, signaling Kang’er to lift it. Kang’er quickly raised the ladder. Lu Fang, having grown up working in the fields, was quite strong and easily turned the ladder around, setting it down inside Fangyuan. After ensuring it was secure, he climbed down, not forgetting to keep his equipment hanging behind him.
Once on solid ground, he didn’t rush forward. Instead, he perked up his ears, listening in all directions. Hearing nothing, he took out a flint from his waist and lit it. He was delighted to find he had indeed not taken a wrong turn – this was Fangyuan’s nursery.
Extinguishing the flint, he excitedly turned in a circle, then calmed himself to think silently. If he were Fangyuan’s owner, where would he put the treasure? He looked up at the row of dark houses, instinctively feeling the treasure must be in front of those houses, but he also knew there would likely be people inside, making it dangerous.
After a moment’s hesitation, he resolutely moved forward. His footsteps were as light as a cat’s, making no sound at all. As he got closer, he smiled smugly – there was a row of sheds ahead. What else could it be but the treasure?
He carefully felt his way to a peony bush and lit his flint, excitedly examining it up and down. Before he could see clearly, he heard a soft sound behind him, followed by a “ha!” and a blow to his behind. Thanks to the thick cotton pad, he didn’t feel much, but a cold sweat immediately broke out.
Lu Fang knew exactly what this was – a silent, biting dog, a “shrinking dog.” If it missed once, there would surely be a second attack. As the dog forcefully tore at his equipment, Lu Fang skillfully pulled out a second oiled paper package from his waist, opened it, and tossed it forward. The aroma of fried chicken wafted out, but the dog only paused briefly before changing position and biting towards his arm.
The pain in his arm was far less than the terror in his heart. Lu Fang smiled bitterly, realizing he had met his match today – a dog that couldn’t be bribed. If he didn’t fight back, he might be bitten to death. He took another piece of equipment from his waist – a small, delicate copper hammer.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from nowhere, snatching the hammer from him. Then, a heavy slap landed on his face, making him see stars and fall face-first into the dirt. As his thigh was exposed, the dog bit him again. Lu Fang knew he was in trouble and quickly covered his vital areas, disregarding everything else. Immediately after, lights came on all around, and several strong men rushed out from the row of houses, shouting “Catch the thief!” and started kicking and beating him without question.
The dog now revealed its true form – a sleek, well-fed black dog. Seeing the men approach, it stopped biting and stood aside, barking loudly. Soon, the entire Fangyuan was filled with a chorus of dog barks.
Lu Fang realized his actions over the past few days had been noticed, and this trap had been set for him. Today, he had fallen for it completely. Knowing that beatings and scoldings were inevitable, he focused on preserving his life and shouted while covering his head, “Stop! I’m on an imperial mission! Whoever kills me will be held responsible and pay with their life!”
The men indeed stopped. Lu Fang was elated, thinking how effective the word “imperial” was in the capital. Just as he was secretly rejoicing, a clear female voice said, “According to the law, those who enter others’ homes at night without reason shall be flogged forty times. If the homeowner kills them on the spot, there’s no punishment. If they know it’s not an invasion but still kill or injure, the punishment is reduced by two degrees from that of fighting and injuring. But you came to intrude, so even if you’re bitten or beaten to death, it’s what you deserve. Isn’t that right?”
Lu Fang looked up to see Mudan wearing a green round-necked, narrow-sleeved shirt, her hair tied up in a simple bun without a headpiece, secured with a white jade hairpin. She held a lantern and stood not far away, looking at him calmly.
“But I’m on an imperial mission. Even if my behavior was improper, I’ve already been punished,” Lu Fang said. Seeing that everyone had stopped when Mudan appeared, he knew she wouldn’t take his life. He struggled to his feet, preparing to dust himself off and smile at Mudan, but someone kicked him behind the knee, making him stumble and fall again. The pain in his bitten arm and thigh was excruciating. He grimaced and struggled to show Mudan his bloodied arm and thigh. “Look, look, a large chunk of flesh is gone. You can almost see the bone.”
He noticed Mudan’s maid frowning and looking away, but Mudan didn’t even blink as she said, “Young Master Lu, so your imperial mission was to sneak into someone’s home at night to steal and do indecent things? Forgive my ignorance, but I’ve never heard of such a thing. Today, it would be justified if I beat you to death, but I don’t want to take a life needlessly. You say you’re on an imperial mission – do you have proof? If you can’t produce any, I’ll have to hand you over to the authorities. With multiple charges against you, you won’t get off lightly.”
A hard-hearted, evil woman, Lu Fang concluded about Mudan. He wasn’t afraid of being handed over to the authorities, but he would lose the chance to see the flower. He decided to try to stay here, hoping for an opportunity to see it. He quickly apologized with a smile, “I was wrong. It was only because of my excessive love for flowers that I had such thoughts. Please, Miss He, be magnanimous and forgive me this time. You and I are both flower lovers and growers, surely you can understand my feelings. I truly had no ill intentions, I just wanted to look. If I’m lying, may heaven strike me down with five thunderbolts, and may my entire family die horribly.”
This oath was quite severe. Though he looked refined, his ability to endure pain was first-rate. Even in this situation, he could still manage to smile… Mudan looked at Lu Fang, pondering silently.
Lu Fang knew she probably believed him now. He had a clear conscience, as he truly had only come to look. He straightened up and said, “If you don’t believe me, lock me up first and ask around. Over the years, although I’ve seen many others’ flowers, I’ve never done anything unethical.”
Suddenly, a thin, dark old man next to them made a few “ah ah” sounds and took the copper hammer, making gestures toward the big black dog’s head. Mudan’s expression immediately changed, and she looked coldly at Lu Fang. Realizing the danger, Lu Fang quickly said, “This… it’s my first time using it. I only wanted to knock it unconscious. Surely you can’t expect me to let it bite me to death…” Seeing Mudan’s expression change again, he hastily added, “It’s my fault. I’m making excuses. I broke into your home at night, so I deserve whatever happens. How about this – hit me once to vent your anger? To avenge the big black dog?” He stretched his head towards the thin old man.
Mudan should have found him extremely annoying, but seeing him like this, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. She remained silent, only looking at Gardener Li. After a moment of silence, Gardener Li raised the hammer high.
Lu Fang shuddered in fear and quickly shouted, “Wait! The one who owes the debt should pay it. Let the big black dog hit me.”
Gardener Li paused, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He then tossed the hammer to a young man nearby and made two gestures to Mudan. Mudan glanced at Lu Fang and said, “Treat his wounds, then lock him in the woodshed. We’ll hand him over to the authorities tomorrow.”
Lu Fang cried out, “No! I’ve already been beaten for being a thief. I made a gesture at your dog and was about to be hit back. But have you considered what should be done about it biting me? Locking me in the woodshed is fine, for as long as you want, but please don’t hand me over to the authorities, okay?”
Mudan turned back and said, “The one who owes the debt should pay it. Or would you like to bite it back?” She called out, “Da Hei!”
The fat, dumb-looking black dog immediately trotted over, placing its ear against her thigh and wagging its tail as it nuzzled Mudan. Mudan patted its head and pointed at Lu Fang. The dog immediately pricked up its ears, staring fiercely at Lu Fang, with clear, long strands of drool dripping from its mouth.
Bite a dog back? Lu Fang shuddered and quickly said, “No, I won’t seek revenge. I deserve this.”
Mudan smiled, “You deserve it? Well, if you don’t want to be handed over to the authorities…”
Lu Fang hastily asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Mudan glanced at his dog-bitten wounds and slowly said, “Write me a life-and-death document stating that if anything happens to you after you leave my gate, it’s not my responsibility. You couldn’t blame me anyway, but I’m worried someone might come and cause trouble.”
Lu Fang nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken, “Of course, naturally.”
Only then did Mudan order people to carry him out. She instructed them to wash his wounds with clean water, again and again, then with alcohol, but not to bandage them. Lu Fang was in excruciating pain but felt it beneath his dignity to cry out, so he endured in silence.