Madam Du suppressed her laughter and furrowed her brow with concern, “Mother, is this appropriate? They’ve just married and are in their honeymoon phase. Perhaps we should wait a few months before bringing this up? After all, this marriage was approved by His Majesty, so it’s justifiable. What do you think?”
The Old Madam’s face darkened as she snorted, “You’re too kind-hearted. An elder’s gift cannot be refused, and His Majesty also values filial piety! Do you want that unfilial son to remain childless?” Madam Du’s few words of caution had touched on the Old Madam’s greatest taboo. She despised women like Wang Ayou who always wanted to have their way, trying to dominate men while bewitching them. Moreover, someone like He Mudan, who only obtained this marriage through sheer luck, should be grateful and submissive. How could she possibly think of throwing her weight around just because of this title? Impossible!
Hearing the Old Madam’s determination to send someone back with Jiang Changyang and Mudan, Madam Du said no more. She helped the Old Madam take her medicine and then withdrew, not inquiring about who would be sent.
After sitting quietly for a while, the Old Madam instructed Hong’er, “Go to Changchun Pavilion and bring Old Tang here.” Old Tang had been her trusted confidante years ago, but due to poor health in recent years, she no longer served in the front. However, at this crucial moment, the Old Madam, who had been depressed for a long time, needed to confide in someone, even if she couldn’t drink with Old Tang.
Soon, Old Tang, with thinning hair and sparse teeth, was escorted by Hong’er. She trembled as she bowed and sat on the brocade stool offered by the Old Madam. She smiled, “Does the Old Madam have something troubling her? Tell this old servant, and I’ll try to ease your worries.”
The Old Madam glanced at Hong’er, who understood that private matters were to be discussed. She hurriedly backed out, closing the door and sending away the other maids. Just as she was about to eavesdrop, the Old Madam called out loudly, “Hong’er, open the door, it’s stuffy in here.” This was clearly to prevent anyone from listening. Hong’er had no choice but to comply, moving to sit at a distance to keep watch for them. She noticed Songxiang, a maid from Madam Du’s quarters, peeking around the corner, obviously sent to gather information. Hong’er gestured with her mouth, signaling Songxiang to watch the room. Songxiang understood and quickly hid, going to report to Madam Du.
Madam Du instructed Baixiang, “I hear Old Tang’s rheumatism has been severe lately. Tonight, take the bottle of medicinal wine from my box and send it to her.” Old Tang had been receiving gifts from her for years, and as the saying goes, ‘soft hands take, soft mouths eat.’ She was confident that Old Tang would reveal every detail of the Old Madam’s words.
In the evening, Baixiang indeed took the medicinal wine and went to Changchun Pavilion alone without a lantern. When she arrived, Old Tang had already retired but hurriedly got up upon hearing of her visit. Wrapping herself in a half-worn plain gauze robe gifted by the Old Madam, she came out supported by a young maid, smiling, “What brings Sister here at this hour?”
Baixiang handed her the wine bottle wrapped in red silk, smiling, “Madam heard that your rheumatism has been severe lately and especially found this medicinal wine for you. It’s said to be prescribed by the imperial physician, with the finest white flower snake inside. We meant to send it during the day, but hearing you were busy, we delayed it until night. I’m sorry for disturbing your rest.”
Although the Old Madam occasionally gave gifts, they couldn’t compare to Madam Du’s generosity, who always gave the best quality items. Old Tang, having navigated the politics of grand households for years, knew well who not to offend and when to be flexible. She immediately expressed tearful gratitude, “This is truly timely rain. How can this old servant deserve such care from Madam?” She was about to bow to the wine bottle when she asked Baixiang, “Please trouble Sister to convey my thanks to Madam.”
Baixiang watched coldly as she bowed to a wine bottle, covering her mouth to laugh, “Mama is truly sincere.”
After bowing, Old Tang sent the young maid to brew tea for Baixiang. She then pulled Baixiang to sit down, smiling as she looked her over, “Sister is quite talented. In this old servant’s opinion, you’d be a match even for a high official.”
Baixiang’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat. She chided, “You old mama, why are you joking about me? I’m just a lowly maid, how could I match a high official?”
Old Tang smiled, “That’s not necessarily true. It depends on one’s fate. Look at that girl Hong’er, isn’t she about to have a stroke of good luck? Freed from servitude, and in a year or two, if her belly is willing and she bears a son or daughter, won’t she be set for life?”
So it was Hong’er! Baixiang felt an indescribable emotion rise in her heart. The future Madam Du had promised her seemed invisible, while this girl had stumbled upon such good fortune. Outwardly serving the Old Madam while secretly loyal to Madam Du, playing both sides – truly skillful. If the Old Madam was sending her to the Duke’s place, she must have told her. Yet she hadn’t come to inform Madam Du. Was she afraid of ruining her prospects?
Seeing Baixiang’s expression, Old Tang guessed she was jealous and said, “This old servant also suggested that the sisters in Madam’s service are talented too. Whether it’s one sheep or two, they could be sent. It would be good to have a companion. But the Old Madam said…” She paused and laughed softly, “The Old Madam said she feared Madam wouldn’t bear to part with you. Speaking of which, it’s rare to find a mother-in-law as considerate of her daughter-in-law as the Old Madam. Baixiang, it’s truly a pity. Such opportunities are rare, and one can’t bear children.”
Baixiang sensed something different in these words. In essence, Old Tang was telling her that the Old Madam no longer trusted Madam Du. She hurriedly bid farewell to Old Tang and left, walking with her head down.
As she walked through the garden, she suddenly collided with something. Unable to avoid it, she tripped on her skirt and fell forward. Expecting a hard fall, she was surprised when the object also grunted and fell, with her landing on top of it. Immediately, she felt a sharp pain in her ankle.
Ignoring the pain, Baixiang reached out to feel what she had bumped into. It was a person, but in the darkness, she couldn’t make out who it was. Assuming it was a maid or servant, she struggled to get up while cursing loudly, “Damn it! What are you doing crouching here in the dark? Are you trying to get killed?” She vented all her frustration about Hong’er’s bright future and her dim prospects onto this person.
The person silently helped her up and said softly, “Sister Baixiang, I apologize.” It was Jiang Changyi.
“…” Baixiang was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly bowed, “My Lord, this slave was blind and offended you. Please forgive this lowly one and don’t hold it against me.”
Jiang Changyi spoke gently, “It’s all my fault for being in the way.” He then considerately asked Baixiang, “Sister, are you hurt anywhere?” Seeing her furrowed brow, he immediately said, “You must be injured. There’s a pavilion ahead. Let me help you there, and we’ll get a lantern to take a look.”
Baixiang had never thought much of this timid, unremarkable lord, even after he secured that good marriage with the Xiao family. She had only thought he was lucky. But now, she felt Jiang Changyi’s good nature was truly rare. If it had been any other master in this household, she wouldn’t have been so fortunate. Feeling somewhat grateful, she said, “This slave has already offended you, My Lord, and deserves death. How could I trouble you further? I’ll sit here, and please, My Lord, go back and ask someone to find Songxiang to come for me. I’m deeply grateful.”
Jiang Changyi nodded and turned to leave.
Baixiang thought for a moment and called out to him, “My Lord, what were you looking for earlier?” She was clever, realizing that Jiang Changyi must have been bent over searching for something. She just didn’t understand why he didn’t have a lantern.
Jiang Changyi hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “The Duke gave me a jade pendant, and I lost it. I didn’t want to alarm anyone else…”
Life wasn’t easy for the young lords. Even if the Duke gave him something, he might fear Madam’s displeasure if she found out. Naturally, he had to search secretly for such a lost item. Baixiang thought for a moment and asked, “What does it look like?”
Jiang Changyi smiled, “It’s a white jade with cloud patterns, about this big.” He said no more and left.
Baixiang waited only for the time it took to drink a cup of tea before she saw lanterns approaching in the distance. It was Songxiang coming with people to fetch her. Lifting her skirt and removing her shoes and socks, they saw a large bruise on her left ankle. It didn’t look like a sprain, more like it had been hit by a stone or something had fallen on it. They searched the area with lanterns but found it immaculately clean, not even a twig in sight, let alone a stone. They found it strange but didn’t dwell on it, thinking perhaps she had just hit Jiang Changyi’s bone when they collided.
Thinking of this, Baixiang guessed that Jiang Changyi must have been hurt by their collision too. She indirectly inquired and found that even Songxiang didn’t know it was Jiang Changyi who had sent for help, only that a garden keeper had called for them. This made Baixiang think that Jiang Changyi was truly kind-hearted and considerate. If it became known that she had this encounter with Jiang Changyi, Madam Du’s suspicious nature might not let her off easily. She secretly instructed someone to search for Jiang Changyi’s lost jade pendant, pretending it was her lost item.
Upon returning to her quarters, Baixiang, despite her sore foot, went to see Madam Du first. She exaggerated the story, saying that Hong’er had known about this all along but deliberately kept it from them, implying that Hong’er had other intentions now that she saw a chance for advancement. She also expressed resentment that the Old Madam wouldn’t let someone from Madam Du’s side go, saying that given Madam Du’s trust in her, it should have been her. She then repeated Old Tang’s words to provoke Madam Du, adding her embellishment that the Old Madam thought Hong’er’s status was too low and was considering selecting a noble concubine from her own family in the future. This left Madam Du’s face as dark as water, and she remained silent even until bedtime, repeatedly reading the letter of complaint sent by Jiang Changzhong’s people.