The mere fact that a poor man returned at a coincidental time and suddenly ate meat wasn’t enough to conclude his involvement in the incident. After seeing off Zhou Baniang and instructing Shun’er to investigate the matter, Mudan joined Li the gardener in leading Yuhe and others to continue the cleanup efforts. They would salvage what they could—where there’s life, there’s hope. As long as the foundation wasn’t damaged, there would always be a chance to recover.
Xilang seized an opportunity to approach Mudan and whispered, “Mother, may I say something?”
Mudan paused her work. “Go ahead.”
With a hint of determination, Xilang glanced at Man and the others nearby, then said softly, “Don’t be angry, but I think Master Lü Ten and Kang’er might also be involved in this incident.”
Among so many people, Xilang was the first to dare to mention Lü Fang directly to Mudan’s face. Even Shun and the others only dared to whisper behind her back or in front of Yuhe. Mudan looked at Xilang, noticing how much taller he had grown since his arrival, now nearly half a head taller than her. Well-fed, his frame had filled out. If not for his eyes, one might mistake him for an adult at first glance. What he didn’t know was that he, too, was not above suspicion. Most people here weren’t. Mudan smiled faintly. “I see.”
Encouraged by her lack of reaction, Xilang grew bolder. “It was just the two of them staying in the seedling garden those days, and afterward, Sister Yuhe discovered the diseased flowers. Usually, it’s not easy for anyone to enter the seedling garden, but they have the opportunity! Even if they didn’t do it themselves, they must have known about it and kept quiet, waiting to see Fang Garden’s misfortune.”
Mudan sighed. “I understand. Now, focus on your tasks.” Later, she noticed Man and the others each patting Xilang’s shoulder lightly, showing approval for his bravery. It seemed his words represented the thoughts of most people, and through this act of speaking up, he had gained their recognition. However, Li the gardener, whom he most wanted to impress, merely glanced at him indifferently.
Mudan approached Li and asked quietly, “Master Li, do you think it could be them?”
Li looked at her silently, then shook his head slightly.
Mudan felt a subtle sense of relief. At least one person, like her, didn’t believe Lü Fang capable of such actions. If her friend had stabbed her in the back, taking advantage of her trust to deliver a fatal blow, it would be devastating. But what if Shun’er couldn’t find the person who had climbed over the wall? Then, she would have no choice but to start with Kang’er.
“Mother, Master Lü Ten is here. Will you see him?” Tao rushed in excitedly, her expression mysterious as if something extraordinary had happened.
“Of course! Please show him to the main hall. I’ll be there shortly,” Mudan replied without hesitation, preparing to wash her hands before receiving her guest. Noticing the varied expressions on Man and the others’ faces, she raised her voice to instruct Tao: “Treat him with respect!”
Lü Fang stood at Fang Garden’s entrance, his face filled with worry. Kang’er’s lips were pursed in anger as he made faces at the people nearby who were pointing and staring at them with suspicious eyes. “Master, they’re looking at us like thieves. Do they think we did it?”
Lü Fang frowned. “Don’t be rude! Look at your behavior! Has anyone said anything? Has anyone insulted you?”
Kang’er pouted. “Well, no.” But Tao hadn’t greeted them with a smile, nor had she invited them in immediately. Usually, they would be ushered in, served tea, and then Mudan would be informed. Now they were left standing at the gate. How could this be? He refused to believe that the people of Fang Garden didn’t suspect them. He muttered under his breath, “No good deed goes unpunished. If we had known it would be like this, you should have stayed far away. Then they couldn’t implicate you in any mishap.”
“Shut your mouth!” Lü Fang said sternly, his face dark as he stubbornly stared at the entrance. He couldn’t believe Mudan would treat him this way. Even if he was the most likely suspect, he felt that while anyone else could doubt him, Mudan shouldn’t. They were kindred spirits. Even after Lü Chun had manipulated the guild to do such terrible things, she still trusted him and entrusted him with the care of her flowers. She shouldn’t doubt him now.
When Tao emerged from inside, Lü Fang stepped forward eagerly, looking at her with a mix of hope and worry. He dreaded hearing those terrible words: Mudan wouldn’t see him. If she truly refused to see him, he would have no choice but to force his way in. He absolutely couldn’t bear such an accusation.
“Master Lü Ten, my mistress invites you to have tea in the main hall. She’ll join you after washing up,” Tao said, her face neither welcoming nor contemptuous, her manner as proper as always.
Kang’er immediately made several ugly faces at the onlookers, while Lü Fang sighed in relief. Amid his joy, he felt a surge of excitement. She was willing to see him and treat him with courtesy, which meant she didn’t suspect him.
Mudan arrived quickly, wearing a plain, slightly worn blue jacket and skirt. Her hair was tightly bound and covered with a floral silk scarf, clearly showing she had been tending to the flowers. She smiled at Lü Fang, trying to maintain her usual demeanor. “Lü Fang, how is your father’s illness?”
“His illness is nothing, merely a matter of the heart,” Lü Fang blurted out, warmed by her smile. “Mudan, you don’t blame me?”
Mudan was surprised by his question. “Blame you?”
“Oh, no…” Lü Fang stumbled over his words, unsure where to begin. He composed himself and clarified, “I mean, you don’t suspect me?”
Mudan remained silent, looking up at Lü Fang. He stood there, his posture stiff as he stared at her, his eyes dark, his expression a mix of worry, grievance, and fear. He was afraid she would say she suspected him. Mudan responded naturally, “Why would I suspect you? You’re my friend.”
Lü Fang’s mouth slowly spread into a smile. He impulsively stepped forward, then retreated as if burned. “I’m finally at ease.” But immediately, he looked at Mudan suspiciously, carefully studying her expression and recalling her tone. Could she be placating him while harboring doubts?
So he declared loudly, “I rushed here to help and prove my innocence! I would never do such a despicable thing!” After saying this, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was as if he and Mudan had returned to how they were before.
Mudan smiled. “I believe you.” The moment she saw Lü Fang, any lingering doubts in her heart vanished. A voice in her mind firmly told her that Lü Fang would never do such a thing.
Lü Fang, almost bouncing with energy, rolled up his sleeves. “Then give me a task. What can I do now?”
Mudan said, “Since you’ve volunteered, I have a favor to ask. Can you find Jin Buyan? If you can, please tell him that I can’t fulfill our agreement. I’ll return his money and compensate him. Ask him to use the money to order goods elsewhere so his important matters aren’t delayed.”
Lü Fang was taken aback. “Has it come to this?”
Mudan sighed. “It’s almost destroyed. I can’t fulfill the contract no matter what.” She had wanted to test Lü Fang, to ask if Lü Chun had prepared a large number of grafted seedlings in advance. But as the words reached her lips, she felt it would be dishonest to test him after saying she trusted him.
“Don’t be sad. This too shall pass,” Lü Fang said, his expression even more sorrowful than hers. He had heard terrible rumors outside but thought they might be exaggerated. Now, hearing Mudan confirm it herself, he finally believed it was true.
Yuhe entered, giving Lü Fang a complex look before quietly informing Mudan, “Master Li is outside. He wants to see Master Lü Ten.”
Hearing this, Lü Fang quickly went out to support Li the gardener, showing utmost respect. “Master Li, how is your illness?”
Li waved off his support and stood there like a weather-beaten wooden stake, thin yet unyielding. He made several hand gestures to Lü Fang, suggesting that if he truly wanted to help Mudan, he should use Jin Buyan’s desire to invite him to manage gardens in Hangzhou. He should tell Jin Buyan to order peonies from the Lü family or the Cao family garden. Perhaps if Jin Buyan found a new source, he wouldn’t blame Mudan as much. This could calm the situation and prevent it from escalating.
“That’s easy enough,” Lü Fang replied promptly. But his expression gradually froze. Such a large number of peonies, especially with specific requirements, couldn’t be produced without preparation. Anyone who could provide them now must be involved in this incident. He remained silent for a moment, looking at Mudan and then at Li, a bitter smile forming on his face. “I understand. I’ll give you an explanation.” He then quickly left with his head down. Kang’er, not understanding what had happened, hurried after him. “Master, Master, why are you leaving again?”
Lü Fang didn’t even have the strength to shake his head. He couldn’t forgive Lü Chun. Although there was no concrete evidence linking Lü Chun to this incident, his behavior was suspicious—feigning illness, keeping Lü Fang at home, suddenly changing his attitude towards Mudan’s people, and immediately agreeing to let Lü Fang help at Fang Garden when he mentioned it.
He felt like crying but had no tears. After leaving Fang Garden, he called Kang’er over to a secluded spot. “Come here.”
Kang’er approached, panting. “Master?” Before he could finish, Lü Fang slapped him hard across the face. Kang’er felt the world spin and fell to the ground, crying in anguish. “Why did you hit me?” In all his years of service, he had never been treated like this.
Lü Fang’s hand stung from the blow. Seeing Kang’er’s face quickly swelling, he felt a pang of regret but steeled himself. Pointing at Kang’er, he demanded harshly, “Tell me, was it you?”