Noticing someone at the door, the young girl’s face lit up with a warm smile. She hurriedly rose from the couch, stood properly, and gazed at the visitor with a pleasant expression, displaying good manners and charm.
Mudan’s eyes swept lightly across the room, landing on a plump, fair-skinned woman by the opposite wall. The woman wore an orange-red jacket and skirt, with a golden hairpin in her hair, resembling a large orange. Her features bore some resemblance to the young girl, suggesting they were mother and daughter.
Mudan entered the room with a smile, first paying her respects to the Old Madam. The Old Madam scrutinized her as usual. Today, Mudan wore a delicate and elegant light pink silk robe over a white underdress, with two pairs of crystal parrot hairpins adorning her glossy, full hair. Her appearance was festive and pleasing to the eye. Unable to find fault with Mudan’s attire or demeanor, the Old Madam listlessly told her to rise and introduced the guests: “Come meet your aunt and cousin Dunshu.”
The plump woman stood up, smiling, “So this is the young mistress? She’s truly a celestial beauty.” The pretty cousin Dunshu, somewhat shy, hurried to bow to Mudan first.
Mudan smiled warmly as she helped Dunshu up. Disregarding the plump woman’s protests, she bowed respectfully, addressing her as “Aunt,” then took her place beside the Old Madam. Today, the Old Madam was particularly accommodating, pulling Mudan to sit beside her as she began to explain, “Dunshu’s grandfather was my clan brother. He was brilliant from a young age, talented, and became an official in Liuzhou at a tender age…” The Old Madam squeezed out a few tears, “Who would have thought he’d be buried in Liuzhou…”
The plump woman quickly stood up, smiling, “Old Madam, let’s not dwell on such sad memories. If you upset yourself, wouldn’t that be your niece-in-law’s fault?”
The Old Madam cheered up, “It’s been many years since I’ve seen these relatives. It’s natural to feel both joy and sorrow upon meeting.” She then turned to Mudan: “Your uncle has been promoted to Ritual Department Sacrificial Bureau Lang Zhong. They’ll be residing in the capital from now on. They’ve just arrived, and their quarters aren’t ready yet, so I’ve invited them to stay here for a while, also to keep me company.”
The Old Madam’s tone carried a hint of reproach: “Yesterday, I held a welcoming banquet for them and sent someone to invite you back for a family gathering. It’s a pity you had other engagements and missed this joyous occasion. How disappointing.”
Mudan smiled gently: “We had unavoidable matters at home. I hope Aunt and Cousin can forgive us.” She wondered if the Old Madam was always this enthusiastic about all her maternal relatives, given that this was just a distant cousin she hadn’t seen in years.
The plump woman and Dunshu both smiled, “Elder sister-in-law is too polite.”
The Old Madam continued, “I should be showing them around as a host, but alas, I’m old and sickly…” As if to prove her point, she sighed softly and rubbed her temples. “If Yunqing weren’t ill, she could accompany her cousin, but she’s sick again. So, Danniang, this task falls to you.”
It was clear that the Old Madam intended for Mudan to take the mother and daughter sightseeing. Unable to fathom the Old Madam’s true intentions, Mudan couldn’t refuse. She smiled and agreed, “That’s not difficult. I hope Aunt and Cousin Dunshu won’t find me too dull.”
Dunshu shook her head repeatedly, “Elder sister-in-law looks kind and amiable.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mudan felt it was time to leave. She stood up to take her leave, “We have matters at home today, and my husband’s colleagues are coming over tonight. I need to return home to arrange the meal.”
The Old Madam’s eyes narrowed, “What’s the use of having so many stewards? Can’t they handle guests properly when the mistress is away? Sit down, I have more questions for you.”
Mudan had no choice but to sit down again.
Suddenly, a wailing voice could be heard approaching from outside, “Old Madam, save us… Old Madam, save us…” The voice grew louder as it reached the door. Concubine Xue burst in, falling to her knees and crawling towards the Old Madam. She clung to the Old Madam’s legs, sobbing, “Please, for the sake of family, go see Qingniang. She’s dying.”
Her words made it sound as if the entire family was coldly watching Jiang Yunqing die. It was truly embarrassing in front of her relatives. The Old Madam’s expression changed slightly as she quickly glanced at Dunshu and her mother. She reprimanded Concubine Xue in a low voice, “How improper! Can’t you speak calmly no matter how urgent the matter is? What kind of behavior is this in front of guests? Stand up and explain properly!”
Mudan stepped forward to help Concubine Xue up. As she got closer, she smelled alcohol on Concubine Xue. Wondering why a concubine would be drinking in broad daylight, Mudan met Concubine Xue’s anxious yet determined gaze and understood – that she had been drinking for courage. A mother’s love was truly admirable.
Concubine Xue glanced at Dunshu and her mother, considering making a scene in front of the guests. But she thought better of it, realizing she had already shown the Old Madam her boldness. If she pushed too far, she might face the Old Madam’s wrath. So she held back, standing to the side and quietly sobbing.
Honger, quick-witted as ever, smiled and said, “Some early chrysanthemums are blooming in the back garden. Each flower is as big as a bowl, like lion heads. This morning, Grandmother even said she wanted to send a few over to put in a vase…”
Before she could finish, Dunshu, sensing the situation, said, “Really? We must go see them.” She and her mother politely excused themselves from the Old Madam and Mudan, following Honger out. Throughout the process, Dunshu kept her eyes straight ahead, showing no interest in Concubine Xue. Her mother, however, stole several glances at Concubine Xue, unable to hide her curiosity and surprise.
Once the mother and daughter had left, the Old Madam’s face darkened. “What’s wrong with Qingniang? Who told you to come make a scene here?”
Concubine Xue fell to her knees again, kowtowing desperately, “She’s fainted and might not make it. Please, Old Madam, have mercy…”
The Old Madam sneered, her plump, ruddy face glinting coldly, “What more do you want? Haven’t we called for doctors? Haven’t we given her medicine? If she’s determined to die, who can we blame? I haven’t even addressed her grave filial misconduct. If I let this slide, everyone will follow her example, threatening suicide whenever things don’t go their way. How can we run the household like this? It would be a laughingstock if word got out about the Guo family.”
The mention of this matter angered the Old Madam. She had originally thought that after her careful grooming and dressing, Jiang Yunqing would have been the most suitable candidate for that banquet. Moreover, both the Princess Consort of Fenzhou and Madam Chen had shown interest in Jiang Yunqing that day, so the matter seemed promising. Who would have thought that after so much time, there hadn’t been a whisper of news? A few days ago, she even heard that the Princess Consort of Fenzhou was hosting another small banquet for young ladies, including the girl who had competed with Jiang Yunqing for Madam Chen’s attention last time. The Guo family, however, received no invitation.
What did this mean?
It meant that Jiang Yunqing had been rejected, failing to catch their eye for unknown reasons. They couldn’t shamelessly pursue the matter further. The Old Madam was still fuming about this when Concubine Xue and Jiang Yunqing started causing trouble. And now they were even threatening suicide! How dare they! Did they all learn this trick from Madam Du? Like mother, like daughter – if she showed any weakness now, she wouldn’t be human! She wanted to see if this mother and daughter pair truly had the guts to die!
Concubine Xue’s heart sank as she realized she couldn’t move the Old Madam’s stone heart. She could die, but right now, the crucial thing was that Jiang Yunqing must not die. However, having caused such a scene, it would be pointless to end it abruptly. As she was desperately thinking of a way out, she suddenly heard the Old Madam lose her temper again: “How dare they bring such matters to me, an elder? Where is her stepmother? When the elders misbehave, the young follow suit. I dare not speak of our family’s reputation anymore. Let her deal with the consequences of her actions.”
With those few words, all responsibility was pushed onto Madam Du’s shoulders. How could Madam Du handle this in her current state? How could she manage anything? This was all the old witch’s doing. Concubine Xue clutched her handkerchief and wailed. There was nothing else she could do but cry in front of the Old Madam.
The Old Madam, already in a foul mood, became even more irritated by the crying. She scolded, “Is this a funeral? You have no manners or etiquette at all. Take her away and teach her proper behavior from the beginning.” Concubine Xue was immediately dragged away by two old women. She began to cry and shout, “My poor Qingniang, driven to this state! If anything happens to you, I’ll join you in the underworld…”
“This is utterly disgraceful!” The Old Madam was furious, pounding on the bed, “Gag her mouth with horse dung! Go call Du Shi here, let’s see how she’s performing her duties as the mistress of the house. Is she trying to anger me to death?”
Concubine Xue struggled briefly before being gagged and dragged away.
Mudan gently advised, “Grandmother, Concubine Xue is just worried. Given the current situation in the household, we should offer comfort rather than force in such matters.”
“I know what I’m doing,” the Old Madam glared at her. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something but ultimately didn’t. She simply said coolly, “I heard the palace summoned your husband overnight. Has he started working again?”
Mudan stopped trying to persuade her, “Yes, that’s correct.”
The Emperor truly treated her husband differently. The Old Madam thought about how all her recent efforts had been fruitless, with many people becoming even more distant from her and Jiang Zhong. She felt a pang of sourness in her heart and even began to envy Jiang Changyang. She said acidly, “Let him work hard, but don’t forget for whom your father incurred his guilt. If your father could regain the Emperor’s favor, it would only benefit you all.”
Mudan couldn’t be bothered to argue with her, no matter what she said, and simply agreed to everything. The Old Madam knew that although Mudan said yes, she wouldn’t take any of this to heart. They were all just keeping up appearances. So she fell silent as well. After a moment, she suddenly shouted, “I told you to invite the Madam here, why hasn’t she come yet?”
Lüjiao nervously poked her head in from outside the door and said softly, “Jinzhu from the Madam’s quarters came by earlier. She said the Madam ate something bad at noon and has fallen ill with vomiting and diarrhea.”