Mudan ate contentedly, savoring the food Lin Mama had prepared using ingredients from her own home. She happily bobbed her head occasionally and gently nudged Jiang Changyang, who lay motionless beside her, deep in thought. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat a little more with me?”
Jiang Changyang affectionately patted her back. “No, you go ahead and finish.”
Mudan put down her chopsticks and snuggled close to him, whispering, “Is everything you said true? You’ll be able to come home on time from now on? You won’t be involved in any more dangerous business, right?” More than Jiang Changyang’s new position as Lang Zhong in the Ministry of War’s Bureau of Operations, she cared about whether he could return home safely and on time.
Jiang Changyang chuckled. “What dangerous business? Don’t be silly. But yes, in most cases, I should be able to come home on time now.” He looked into Mudan’s eyes. “Danniang, you’ve suffered a lot these past days.”
Mudan shook her head with a light laugh. “Not at all.” She rolled over to lie beside Jiang Changyang and began to hum softly, “Today the weather is so bright and clear…”
Jiang Changyang couldn’t make out what she was singing. Curious, he asked, “What are you singing? I can’t hear it.”
Mudan shook her head playfully, feigning pride. “I’m not telling you. Listen for yourself.” She couldn’t possibly tell him; she was just in a very good mood.
Jiang Changyang sat up and reached out to tickle her ribs. “Oh ho, getting cheeky with me after three days of peace?”
Mudan laughed breathlessly, kicking at his backside. “I think you’re the one asking for trouble…”
“My lady?” Lin Mama coughed outside. The couple immediately stopped, sat up, and straightened their clothes. Once they were presentable, Jiang Changyang put on a serious face and said, “Come in.”
Lin Mama entered, keeping her eyes straight ahead. “Bai Xiang from Madam Du’s household has brought some items.”
Mudan replied, “Accept them and give her some reward money.”
Lin Mama lowered her voice. “Bai Xiang wishes to see you.”
Mudan hesitated for a moment, then quickly said, “I won’t see her. Tell her I’m tired and have already retired.”
Lin Mama, unsure of Bai Xiang’s intentions but knowing she was one of Madam Du’s top confidantes, nodded in agreement. She left to refuse Bai Xiang’s request.
Bai Xiang waited anxiously in the nearby tea room. When Lin Mama appeared, she stood up hopefully. “Mama?”
Lin Mama smiled and handed her a small pouch. “Thank you for your trouble, sister. This is a reward from the young madam.”
Bai Xiang understood immediately that Mudan wouldn’t see her. Otherwise, Mudan would have given the reward in person. Bai Xiang’s face showed a pleading expression. “Mama, please help me. I have something important to tell the young madam.”
Lin Mama’s smile remained, but her tone was unyielding. “The young madam has already gone to bed. The young master is with her… If you have anything to say to the young madam, you can tell me, and I’ll pass it on faithfully.”
Bai Xiang knew she couldn’t let anyone else hear her message. It was too significant for even one more person to know. She took a deep breath, desperation in her voice. “It’s fine if the young master hears it too.”
Lin Mama gave her a knowing look, enunciating each word. “The young master has also retired. He had an audience with the emperor today and is quite tired.”
Bai Xiang, not comprehending the meaning behind Lin Mama’s eyes, wandered out of Yingxue Hall in a daze. She extinguished her lantern and walked like a lost soul to an empty part of the garden. Climbing the highest rockery, she gazed at the red lanterns hanging in Jiang Changyi’s courtyard in the distance, tears blurring her vision.
After the family dinner that day, Madam Du had indeed given Song Xiang to Jiang Changyi. Though she claimed it was because Jiang Changyi’s household was short-staffed and needed someone capable of assisting the new bride, everyone knew this was just a polite excuse. Song Xiang now belonged to Jiang Changyi, and Bai Xiang would likely never have that chance. Even if the new bride could tolerate two maids from her mother-in-law, Madam Du wouldn’t allow it.
Bai Xiang squeezed into a crevice between rocks and sobbed quietly. She recalled Jiang Changyi’s stiff smile and the helpless, sorrowful look he’d given her. She thought of Song Xiang’s barely concealed joy disguised as trepidation, and she hated Madam Du more than ever before. She had slaved for Madam Du, only to end up with nothing. True, Madam Du had “kindly” asked if she wanted to go with Jiang Changyi, but Bai Xiang knew she couldn’t say yes. If Madam Du truly intended for her to go, she would have simply assigned her as she did with Song Xiang.
Now, Bai Xiang was involved in fewer and fewer important matters, indicating that Madam Du was becoming wary of her. She couldn’t sit idly by. If only the eldest young master knew about those things… Ha! He wouldn’t tolerate Madam Du then. Bai Xiang wiped her tears forcefully. So the young madam wouldn’t see her? No matter. The young madam wasn’t going anywhere. There was always tomorrow, or the day after. She’d find an opportunity eventually. With this thought, Bai Xiang felt reinvigorated. She gently caressed the small safety lock hidden in her bosom, her heart filled with sweetness.
Lost in her fantasies, she heard someone call from the base of the rockery, “Is that Sister Bai Xiang? What are you doing up there?”
It was Jin Zhu’s voice. Bai Xiang broke into a cold sweat, her first instinct to remain silent and still. But then she saw her lantern relit and raised towards her face. Behind it was Jin Zhu’s innocent, charming smile. “Sister Bai Xiang, Madam sent me to look for you. Why haven’t you returned? She’s waiting for you to help with her night skincare. I thought perhaps the young madam had kept you at Yingxue Hall. Who knew you’d be here crying? What’s wrong?”
Bai Xiang couldn’t recall any grudge against Jin Zhu, who had never shown such aggression before. She quickly countered, “I wasn’t crying. I just remembered hearing a cleaning lady mention the great view from up here. On a whim, I came to see for myself.” She lifted her skirt, preparing to descend.
Jin Zhu glanced around and covered her mouth, giggling. “Indeed, what a view! From here, you can see right into the Third Young Master’s courtyard. All that red looks so festive.” Her innocent face gleamed with malice.
Bai Xiang felt her hair stand on end. “Is that so? I hadn’t noticed.”
“The Third Young Madam truly comes from a noble family. I saw the items prepared for her chambers today—so luxurious!” Jin Zhu smiled. “When I was looking for you earlier, I heard something. I’m not sure if it’s true. It’s about you, Sister Bai Xiang. Would you like to hear it?”
Being threatened was unpleasant, especially when unsure of how much the other person knew. Bai Xiang forced a dry laugh. “Go ahead. Who would say anything about me?”
Jin Zhu leaned in close, her breath fragrant. “Someone said you hate Madam and want to betray her, to side with the Eldest Young Master and his wife.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Bai Xiang’s heart raced, her toes nearly tearing through her shoes. Her voice took on an uncharacteristic coldness. “Young lady, mind your words. Be careful not to bite your tongue in this wind.” She glared at Jin Zhu. “I’ve served Madam since childhood. She knows my loyalty best. I know you’re eager to take my position, but there’s no need to rush. Haste makes waste.”
Jin Zhu’s pupils constricted. “There’s no wind tonight; I’m not worried about biting my tongue. Sister Bai Xiang, do you remember Nanny Wei who was beaten to death last year?”
That was the scapegoat found after the Old Madam had discarded the imperial gift Jiang Changyang brought home. Madam Du had personally ordered her beaten to death, then had prayers said for her soul and found jobs for her family members. But they were all insignificant positions, far from the Duke’s mansion. The masters weren’t foolish enough to keep those who bore grudges close. Where did this Jin Zhu come from? Bai Xiang frowned. “What relation are you to her? That matter had nothing to do with me.”
“Who I am to her doesn’t matter,” Jin Zhu shook her head. “What matters is that you arranged those jobs yourself. Today, you’ll taste the same fate. Guess what Madam will do when she learns of your actions tonight?”
This girl was likely bluffing. Bai Xiang straightened her back and sneered, “What did I do? Go ahead and tell her. Let’s go see Madam together.”
Jin Zhu’s eyes suddenly filled with terror as she looked behind Bai Xiang. “Madam! Why are you here?”
Bai Xiang turned back in panic but saw no sign of Madam Du. Then she was airborne, watching the cold, dark pond at the base of the rockery draw nearer. It looked like a monster’s maw, its icy mist-like tentacles wrapping around her, leaving no room for struggle. The moment before her head hit the water, she twisted to see Jin Zhu standing atop the rockery with the lantern, watching her coldly and emotionlessly.
She didn’t want to die. Bai Xiang let out a scream: “Help!” Then she choked on a mouthful of frigid water. She struggled desperately, crying out with all her might, but who could hear her cries for help on such a cold night in this deserted garden? As she sank, her muddled mind thought: Jin Zhu, your day will come too.
Jin Zhu carelessly tossed the lantern onto the rockery, leaving it to burn out. She turned away calmly, walking with determined steps back to Madam Du’s courtyard, concealed by the shadows of the trees.