Lady Du meticulously applied her evening makeup before the mirror, a habit cultivated over the years. She maintained separate routines for morning and night, always striving to present herself flawlessly to others, including her husband and son. Without makeup, she felt as exposed and uncomfortable as if she were undressed, unable to face anyone. As she aged, this concern intensified. She insisted on using only the finest products, dreading the sight of fine lines around her eyes and spots on her skin.
She layered herself with the palace’s exclusive sweat-resistant red powder fragrance. Donning a lotus-colored sheer nightgown accentuated her voluptuous figure, reminiscent of a ripe, juicy peach. Peach blossom pearl powder concealed many of the fine lines around her eyes, while green-dyed, hollowed ivory tubes of lip rouge restored fullness and luster to her pale, thin lips. The mirror reflected an elegant, noble beauty, much to her satisfaction. Yet, noticing a slight paleness, she decided to add some rouge for a healthier glow, gesturing to Bai Xiang to bring the jade box containing the blush.
From outside, Song Xiang’s startled voice announced, “This servant pays respects to the Duke.” Bai Xiang paused, glancing towards the entrance. Seeing Jiang Zhong’s tall silhouette cast on the screen, obscuring half of it, she whispered, “My lady, the Duke has arrived.” It was unusual for the Duke to visit his wife’s chambers unexpectedly at night, apart from their regular schedule.
Lady Du remained motionless, not turning her head. She snatched the rouge box from Bai Xiang’s hand and carefully applied it while facing the mirror. Jiang Zhong entered, circling the screen. Observing his wife’s focused attention on her makeup, he understood her habit of not turning until she deemed herself impeccable. He sat nearby, silently watching her.
After applying the rouge, Lady Du scrutinized her reflection once more. She delicately touched up her eyebrows with Persian kohl before instructing Bai Xiang to put away the cosmetics and mirror. Rising from her seat, she accepted a cup of tea from Song Xiang and offered it to Jiang Zhong, smiling as she asked, “What brings you here at this hour?”
Jiang Zhong pushed the cup away. “I won’t drink. It’ll keep me awake at night.”
Lady Du thought to herself, “Can’t sleep at night? Hmph… whose fault is that? What’s on his mind?” She smiled faintly, returning the cup to Song Xiang. Sitting beside Jiang Zhong, she discreetly assessed his expression. His eyes were dark, lips tightly pressed, and fists clenched on his knees. She knew from experience that he was angry.
“What could be angering him?” she wondered. “What brings him to my chambers at this hour? Surely not to pour out his heart.” Lady Du casually smoothed her hair, sighing wearily. “Oh, I forgot to mention something. This afternoon, our eldest son and Madam He came to visit Mother. She was in a foul mood and refused to see them. I had no choice but to ask Yun Qing to invite them to wait elsewhere, but they had other engagements and left. I meant to tell you when you returned, but it slipped my mind.”
She massaged her temples, complaining softly, “I’ve been so forgetful lately. The other day, I even forgot to distribute the monthly wages. Mother’s temper is worsening. Today, she berated Yun Qing to tears over opening a window, and I couldn’t calm her down. Her illness flares up often, making her increasingly irritable. Should we consult a different doctor?”
Jiang Zhong silently observed Lady Du. She was conveying a message: she was busy and exhausted, and her forgetfulness was understandable. The dowager was strong-willed and temperamental, impossible to defy. Jiang Chang Yang’s early departure wasn’t her fault; it was Jiang Yun Qing who relayed the message. She claimed ignorance of the siblings’ interaction, insisting she had done her best. In essence, she absolved herself of any blame, attributing fault to others. How did she manage to appear so natural, so blameless, leaving no trace of deceit?
Noticing Jiang Zhong’s continued silence and steady gaze, Lady Du grew uneasy. She laughed nervously, touching her face. “Is something amiss?” She called to Bai Xiang, “Bring me a mirror.”
Jiang Zhong spoke softly, “No need. It’s perfect, flawless.” Yet his gaze remained fixed on her.
This wasn’t the look of a man admiring her beauty, desiring her, or feeling compassion. Lady Du paused before asking, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Zhong spoke as if discussing a matter unrelated to either of them: “Today, when I went to request leave, I heard something. Yun Xiao is causing a commotion, intending to impeach our eldest son for unfilial conduct, claiming he angered his grandmother to the point of illness. This is one of the Ten Abominations; a man of poor moral character is unfit for office.” For reasons unknown, he instinctively omitted Jiang Chang Yi from the discussion.
Lady Du gasped, “How could this happen? How did he learn of it? Though our eldest son’s temper has made him enemies, surely this person wouldn’t be so familiar with our family affairs?” Without waiting for Jiang Zhong’s response, she continued urgently, “This man is an ingrate! My father treated him so well, yet he showed no loyalty! He’s the type who’d do anything to advance himself. We must help our eldest son! Not just for him, but for our family. Mother won’t listen to me. You should persuade her. If she speaks up, this storm will pass!” Of course, the dowager’s feigned illness was becoming real, and she was unlikely to rise again.
Jiang Zhong found himself oddly amused rather than angry. His wife was so clever, so articulate. First, she pointed out the suspicious nature of the situation—outsiders shouldn’t know, implying there must be a reason they did. Second, she hinted at Jiang Chang Yang’s many enemies, indirectly answering the previous question. Third, without prompting, she declared Yun Xiao an ingrate, ungrateful even to her father, his benefactor, clearing herself and the Du family of suspicion. Finally, she proposed an effective solution, appearing zealous and righteous while implying that the dowager’s dismissal of Jiang Chang Yang and subsequent illness were her own doing. As a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t control her mother-in-law. She had done her best.
Lady Du received no response from Jiang Zhong, not even a glance or a word of affirmation. He simply stared at her as if she were a stranger, silent. Her anxiety gradually gave way to calm, and she met his gaze unflinchingly. What did she have to fear? He had wronged her and their son. Everything she did was to protect herself and her child, which was justified. Moreover, what could he do even if he knew? He had no evidence. He was weak-willed, swaying with the wind, cowering at the slightest pressure from above.
After a long silence, Jiang Zhong softly said, “You’ve changed.” It was a declaration of her guilt, requiring no further explanation or evidence. Or perhaps it was a test. More likely a test, given their twenty years together. Even though he had become suspicious of her after the incident at the Jie Festival, he hadn’t acted on it. Then, he had been angry. Tonight, however, he showed no anger, marking a significant difference.
“I’ve changed?” Lady Du wanted to laugh, yet felt like crying. She raised her hand before Jiang Zhong’s face, speaking softly, “Of course I’ve changed. From a young maiden in her prime to a gradually aging woman. Look at these hands. When I first married you, you praised them as the most beautiful in the world—perfectly proportioned, crystal clear, soft, and delicate as orchids. But now? Despite all my care, they’re aging, no longer as clear, smooth, and tender as before, becoming yellow and coarse!”
She abruptly pulled out her crystal hairpin, letting her black hair cascade over her shoulders. Almost frantically, she thrust her head towards Jiang Zhong. “Do you see? Here, here are white hairs! I’m not even forty! For whom have these appeared?”
Laughing bitterly, she grabbed Jiang Zhong’s hand and placed it on her face, guiding it to her eye corner. “Do you know there are wrinkles here too? No amount of concealer can hide them! Do you want to see? I’ll wash my face and show you! Ah You, Ah You, you only see her youthful beauty. How can you not see that I’ve spent my youth and heart’s blood for you? You can’t sleep at night? Do you think I can? While you shine in public, who fulfills your filial duties to your mother? While you stand tall in the world, who manages your household, children, and all affairs cleanly and efficiently?”
Decades of grievances surged forth. Unknowingly, Lady Du’s face was streaked with tears. She pushed away Jiang Zhong’s hand, pointing at him accusingly. “Jiang Zhong, you’ve wronged me! Do you think I don’t know why you’ve come here tonight? To interrogate me, isn’t it? To blame me for not properly attending to your son and mother, right? I’ve changed? I’ve changed? It’s not me who’s changed, but you! Since he returned, you’ve looked at us mother and son with disdain. How can you treat me like this?!” As she spoke, she almost convinced herself of her innocence, that she was the victim of a frame-up, the most misunderstood and wronged person. Her cries grew more heartbroken, more desperate, more innocent.
Jiang Zhong stared at Lady Du, who was sobbing uncontrollably, disregarding her usual composure. He felt at a loss. To be fair, she had indeed been very busy over the years and had managed things well, allowing him to focus on his work without worrying about family matters. So, had she changed, or had he?
Lady Du’s heartbreaking sobs and accusations filled his ears, but his mind replayed the recent chain of events. Feeling exhausted, Jiang Zhong rubbed his forehead and sighed heavily. He wanted to warn or comfort Lady Du, but found himself unable to speak. He could only turn to leave, saying, “Get some rest.”