The Fen Wang Fei’s intentions weren’t obvious. There were no talent shows or performances, just a group of people eating, drinking, watching plays, listening to songs, watching dances, enjoying military skits, and taking boat rides. The older and middle-aged women sat chatting, watching the young girls make friends and play. Everything seemed relaxed and natural.
However, if one paid attention, they would notice the Fen Wang Manor’s maids standing guard nearby, their sharp gazes assessing the young girls. It seemed that if Fen Wang Fei truly wanted to choose a suitable daughter-in-law, this method was more appropriate. Given the groom’s circumstances, they didn’t need a bride with outstanding beauty or talents. The most important factors were temperament and character, which were best revealed through unconscious behavior.
The Old Madam, seeing that the matchmaking event had officially begun and Hong’er had not yet returned, grew anxious. She turned to Mudan and whispered, “Is Yunqing staying very far? Why hasn’t Hong’er returned yet?”
Mudan replied curiously, “It’s not far at all. Don’t worry, shall I send someone else to look for her? Do you need Hong’er for something, Grandmother? My maid Yuhe is also very capable if you need assistance.”
This stubborn girl was deliberately playing dumb. Did she think the Old Madam only had one maid at her disposal? Without Hong’er, there was still Lüjiao, and she could also use her maids. The Old Madam glared at Mudan hatefully. “Tell her to come back and see me immediately! This disobedient girl treats my words like the wind in her ears. She needs to be disciplined.”
Mudan pretended not to understand the Old Madam’s indirect criticism. She smiled brightly as she sent someone to find Hong’er, occasionally offering water and a handkerchief to the Old Madam, and politely answering questions from those around her, appearing quite at ease. The Old Madam grew increasingly frustrated and was about to resort to her old trick of complaining about the heat and making Mudan fan her. However, she saw Madam Yuchi leading Xiao Xuexi over to pay their respects. Forgetting about tormenting Mudan, she smiled warmly and engaged in conversation with Madam Yuchi, publicly gifting Xiao Xuexi a red jade armlet as a greeting gift. She lavishly praised Xiao Xuexi for being virtuous, gentle, graceful, and dignified, then pulled her to sit by her side.
Xiao Xuexi thanked her politely, then nodded to Mudan, softly saying, “Greetings, Madam He.” She then shyly sat next to the Old Madam, smiling innocently and naively like an adorable white rabbit, as if she had completely forgotten about past events.
Madam Yuchi discreetly sized up Mudan from head to toe, speaking to her very amiably. She continuously praised the beauty of Fang Garden and mentioned that she had seen the peonies Mudan cultivated, describing them as truly deserving of the title “national beauty and heavenly fragrance.” She also complimented the Old Madam’s eye for choosing a daughter-in-law, indirectly praising her daughter as well.
The Old Madam smiled like a chrysanthemum, but her mind was unsettled as she kept glancing into the distance. As soon as she saw Hong’er approaching, she immediately stood up and excused herself to Madam Yuchi, saying she needed to use the facilities. Mudan thoughtfully offered to accompany her, but she shook her head firmly. “You stay here. You’re the hostess of Fang Garden. It’ll be convenient if the Wang Fei needs you.”
Mudan knew she was trying to prevent her from overhearing Hong’er’s report and the subsequent planning. She complied with the Old Madam’s wishes, only instructing her maids to take good care of her. Sure enough, as soon as the Old Madam left the banquet area, Hong’er quickly followed her, while Kuan’er hurried towards Mudan.
Mudan nodded to Madam Yuchi and Xiao Xuexi before walking aside to hear what Kuan’er had to say. Kuan’er whispered, “This Hong’er is not one to mind her own business. She was looking around everywhere, asking about this and that, inquiring about where the calamus was growing, and how you and Madam Wang get along. When she reached Miss Jiang’s door, she was followed, and they whispered for a long time inside. We tried but couldn’t hear what they were saying. However, Shu’er said that as long as we keep Miss Jiang secure, nothing will happen.”
This was indeed true. As long as Jiang Yunqing was kept under watch, what harm could Mama Wu, Hong’er, or Lü’er do by running around? Mudan calmly walked over to Bai Furen, who was quietly laughing and chatting with Qin Alan and Qiu Manniang. Seeing Mudan approach, Bai Furen quickly made room for her and said with a smile, “Manniang was just saying she wanted me to join them on a boat ride to pick peaches and plums in the orchard. I said, how could I dare with my condition? What if something went wrong with all that rocking about?”
Mudan smiled and said, “Riding on a large boat would be fine, but we only have small boats here. It’s best not to risk it. I’ll accompany you for a walk along the shore instead.”
Qiu Manniang tilted her head, staring at Mudan, then covered her mouth and laughed, “Sister He, I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet. Last time on my birthday, you gave me a fan pendant. I’ll have to send you a gift to congratulate you on your joyous occasion soon.”
Mudan smiled and said, “There’s no need to be so formal. I didn’t send you anything when you got married either.”
Qiu Manniang laughed, “Oh, forget about me. We’re practically an old married couple now, not as fresh and exciting as you newlyweds.” She then gave Qin Alan a playful push. “As for Alan, she should prepare a grand gift for you.”
Qin Alan’s face reddened slightly, and she glanced at Mudan before softly chiding, “Manniang, you’re talking nonsense again.”
Qiu Manniang said, “You’re just being too cautious. It’s a sure thing, no chance of it falling through.”
After a moment of silence, Qin Alan looked at Mudan with a slight smile. “I remember Madam He is related to Li Changshi of the Ning Wang Manor? I met with Madam Wu Shijiu not long ago.”
Mudan nodded, “Li Changshi is my uncle.”
Qin Alan then said, “In the future, you’re welcome to visit me often with Madam Wu. And you too, Madam Bai,” she added, smiling at Bai Furen. “I’m unfamiliar with this place and hope to make more friends like you.” She didn’t specify where exactly, but everyone understood what she meant.
Mudan concluded that the future Princess Ning was a woman with her ideas, who knew what she wanted. Though not overbearing, she was not low-key either.
Regardless of their true thoughts, no one would refuse Qin Alan’s invitation to her face. Bai Furen and Mudan both smiled and agreed. Suddenly, Qiu Manniang pointed to the distance and exclaimed softly, “Oh? Why is she here too?”
Mudan and Bai Furen looked in the direction she was pointing. They saw a beautiful young woman dressed in a powder blue gauze jacket with a pink shawl, wearing a jade green eight-panel gauze skirt, her hair in a reversed bun. She was standing beside the Fen Wang Fei, adorably tilting her head as she listened to the Fen Wang Fei and several princesses talking. Mudan recognized this young woman as Liu Chang’s cousin, Qi Yuzhu, who had once been determined to marry Li Xing. She felt conflicted – had the Qi and Liu families been searching for so long without finding a match for Qi Yuzhu? Or was she also aiming to become the Fen Wang Fei’s granddaughter-in-law?
It turned out Mudan was mistaken. Qiu Manniang slowly said, “She’s just one of the six concubines, one out of ten. Is there a need to show off like that? If I were her, I’d quietly stay at home.” Her words implied that Qi Yuzhu was also going to marry into the Ning Wang Manor as a concubine.
Qin Alan said coolly, “Manniang, you’re talking too much.” The Empress had made it clear earlier that Prince Ning’s lack of heirs was largely due to his previous devotion to her sister, and she didn’t want Qin Alan to be similarly inconsiderate. That’s why they were selecting daughters from official families to enter the Ning Wang Manor, hoping for Prince Ning to have many heirs. Women could be jealous themselves but wouldn’t allow their daughters-in-law or granddaughters-in-law to be jealous. She had to constantly keep this in mind.
Qiu Manniang closed her mouth indifferently and smiled at Bai Furen and Mudan, “We’re all our people here. What is there to fear?”
The definition of “our people” was hard to determine, especially now that one of them was the future Princess Ning. How could they easily claim to be “our people” with anyone? Bai Furen and Mudan both felt uncomfortable and began to look around, changing the subject. “Your Old Madam is coming. You should be careful,” Bai Furen gently pulled Mudan, gesturing for her to look ahead. They saw the Old Madam approaching quickly with a dark face, accompanied by a pitiful-looking Mama Wu.
There was no need to ask – Shu’er must have done her job well in keeping watch, thwarting the Old Madam’s plans, so Mama Wu had come to complain, and successfully so. Mudan took the opportunity to bid farewell to Qiu Manniang and Qin Alan: “I need to go attend to my Old Madam now. We’ll chat again another time.” Bai Furen also said she was heavily pregnant and needed to use the restroom. Qin Alan was very understanding and smiled as she said goodbye to them.
Mudan quickly asked Bai Furen, “I remember there were rumors last year about the Emperor wanting to appoint Prince Ning as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Is that true?”
Bai Furen whispered, “Yes, it’s true, but the official decree wasn’t issued until early this year. Why are you suddenly interested in this?”
Mudan replied somewhat glumly, “It’s not that I’m interested in this specifically. I just feel like I don’t want to be ignorant about everything.” She didn’t want to be completely unaware of Jiang Changyang’s other world.
Bai Furen noticed her mood seemed off and frowned slightly, “What’s wrong? Did someone say something to you?”
Mudan smiled and shook her head lightly, “No. I just want to integrate as soon as possible. Even if I can’t be of much help to him, I at least don’t want to cause him trouble.” At this moment, she felt unhappy. Jiang Changyang’s other world seemed so distant from her.
“Young Madam, the Old Madam requests your presence!” Mama Wu came over and curtsied to Mudan, her face showing the smug expression of someone who had just succeeded in their schemes.
Mudan made a helpless face at Bai Furen and slowly walked towards the Old Madam. She had already made up her mind that she wouldn’t be used as anyone’s pawn, no matter what.
The Old Madam glared at Mudan, while Mudan looked at her with a gentle smile, appearing thick-skinned and unmovable.
Fine, you stubborn girl, you win this round! The Old Madam had no choice but to approach the Fen Wang Fei with a forced smile. The Fen Wang Fei still gave her face, concernedly asking why Madam Du wasn’t present. The Old Madam smiled and said, “She’s not feeling well. She was very disappointed to miss such a grand occasion when she saw me off this morning.” She then began praising the beauty and loveliness of the young girls around them, casually mentioning Jiang Yunqing, saying that she happened to be staying at Fang Garden. She added that Jiang Yunqing wasn’t very attractive and only loved horseback riding and archery, unable to compare with these delicate young ladies in any other aspect.
Hearing her relentlessly disparage Jiang Yunqing, even Mudan found it strange. What was she trying to accomplish?