Smiling at Lady Nineteen as she curtsied, Mudan noticed that, unlike Wu Xilian, Lady Nineteen lacked arrogance. Though not as beautiful as Wu Xilian, she exuded a palpable confidence. This was characteristic of well-born, well-educated women of the era who held themselves in high regard.
Lady Nineteen discreetly assessed Mudan. While unfamiliar with the phrase “beauty that topples cities and kingdoms,” she recognized that Mudan’s allure was rare among the women she had encountered. Youth and beauty fade quickly, so what Lady Nineteen admired most was Mudan’s dignified and composed demeanor.
Unlike Lady Seventeen, who was born to a primary wife in a prominent family, Lady Nineteen was the daughter of a concubine. Her father, though diligent, couldn’t escape his lower status. From a young age, before her father’s success, when they relied on family connections for survival, she learned to read people’s expressions and intentions. Her father always taught her that the truly pitiful were not those of lower status, but those who believed themselves inferior and dared not strive or compete.
When Lady Nineteen heard about Mudan, she instinctively associated her with this attitude. Meeting her today, Mudan didn’t disappoint—she was indeed brave, graceful, and unrestrained. Lady Nineteen glanced at Qi Yuzhu, who was upset but feigning gentleness and decorum, even wearing the newly popular “teardrop makeup” from the palace. She found Mudan far more likable than Qi Yuzhu.
Xue Niang warmly held Mudan’s hand and said, “Sister He, the lotus fragrance you sent me last time was exquisite. It can’t be bought anywhere else. Earlier, when Mother and I were chatting with the ladies outside, these sisters caught the scent and wanted to learn from you. Madam Cui mentioned you were here and asked me to bring them in. I hope we haven’t disturbed your peace.”
So it was Madam Cui who sent them to find her. Though unsure of Madam Cui’s intentions—surely she didn’t genuinely want these noble daughters to befriend her—Mudan saw an opportunity. With these women before her, she could at least become familiar with and promote her peony garden. Moreover, Xue Niang was a kind girl.
With this in mind, Mudan grew more at ease and replied, “I’ve been so busy lately, or I would have visited you sooner. I didn’t know you were coming today, otherwise I would have sent for you to chat. How could I mind you disturbing my peace? Come, let’s sit in that pavilion over there. My sisters and niece are there as well.”
Qi Yuzhu glanced at the crowded pavilion, displeased, and hesitated. Only Xue Niang, fond of crowds and less particular, was about to agree when Rong Niang and Ying Niang, being very considerate, led their younger sisters over and said, “Aunt, we’d like to explore the garden. We heard there’s a waterside pavilion and want to go there to see it and feed the fish.” They were making room for Mudan and her guests.
Touched by her family’s thoughtfulness, Mudan straightened the clothes and hair of the youngest, Rui Niang, and Han Niang, and instructed, “Yang Da, try to play in the shade and be careful not to get heatstroke. Be cautious near the water, don’t fall in.”
Rong Niang and Ying Niang each took a younger sister’s hand and assured her, “Don’t worry, Aunt. We’ll take good care of our little sisters.”
As Rong Niang, Ying Niang, and the others left, Xue Niang’s face showed envy. “Your family is so big! Your nieces aren’t much younger than you. It must be very lively at your home.”
Qi Yuzhu covered half her face with a fan and giggled, “If Sister Xue likes it so much, why don’t you ask Sister He to invite you to their home?” She had always admired Li Xing and subconsciously viewed these girls as potential rivals, especially Mudan, whom Li Xing was closest to, Lady Seventeen with the best background, and Xue Niang, whose father held the highest official position.
Xue Niang clapped her hands and laughed, “What a great idea! I’ve always wanted to visit Sister He’s perfume and jewelry shops.” She suddenly paused and asked Mudan seriously, “I heard from Madam Li that you’ve built an estate by the Yellow Canal. Is that what you’ve been busy with lately?”
Seeing Xue Niang’s interest, Mudan eagerly replied, “Yes, indeed. Besides that, I’ve been busy buying peonies and other famous flowers everywhere. I haven’t had time to make perfumes.”
Lady Nineteen thought for a moment, then exclaimed, “I see! I’ve heard you have many precious peonies and are especially skilled at growing them. Are you building a peony garden? Who helped you design it? How big is it?”
Impressed by their insight, Mudan smiled, “Yes, I’m building a peony garden. I asked Master Fuyuan from Fashou Temple to design it. It’s about one mu, not very large, but it’s keeping me quite busy.”
Most of the ladies had heard of Master Fuyuan; some even had family villas designed by him. Several began to ask Mudan about her garden’s main features.
Mudan naturally praised it, but to avoid seeming boastful, she focused on Master Fuyuan’s brilliant ideas rather than her garden, using his reputation to attract their interest.
Xue Niang was particularly enthusiastic, tugging at Mudan’s sleeve and pleading, “Sister He, you must invite me to visit when the garden is finished.”
Lady Nineteen mused, “With water as the main theme, sailing through your peach and plum forest in spring to visit the flowers must be beautiful. Do let me know when it’s ready; I’d love to join the fun.”
Qi Yuzhu suddenly interjected, “Sister He is so capable. Is this garden meant to be like the Cao family’s flower garden? I imagine the future income will be substantial.” With one sentence, she reduced Mudan’s refined endeavor to its crude commercial essence—a businessperson doing business, tainted by the stench of copper.
The other girls fanned themselves, waiting to see how Mudan would respond. Mudan smiled slightly, “I love peonies. My greatest wish is to collect all the famous varieties in the world, to plant, observe, and appreciate flowers every day, to sail on the lake with like-minded people, to watch flowers in spring, play in the water in summer, admire the moon in autumn, and listen to snow in winter.
That would fulfill my life. But such a large garden with so many flowers requires a lot of money for annual maintenance. I’m just a woman with no special skills, and I don’t want to rely on my father and brothers for life. So, apart from entertaining close friends and family, whether I like it or not, I have no choice but to make it a business. I can’t let the flowers and trees go untended; that would be a great sin.”
Xue Niang, who didn’t distinguish between refined and unrefined pursuits, only right and wrong, proper and improper, looked at Mudan with shining eyes, “Sister He, you’re so capable! My mother often scolds me, saying I only know how to waste the family’s good things and food, and I’m useless otherwise. If I were half as resourceful as you, she wouldn’t say that about me.”
Qi Yuzhu suggested helpfully, “Since Sister He’s garden is designed by a famous master and filled with precious peonies, it’s sure to attract many visitors. You could charge more than the Cao family’s flower garden, and all your problems would be solved.”
Recognizing Qi Yuzhu’s seemingly kind but targeted intent, Mudan wasn’t bothered by such tactics. She simply laughed and said, “Sister Yuzhu, you’re mistaken!”
Qi Yuzhu frowned, “How am I mistaken?” She was wearing the fashionable teardrop makeup, which involved applying white powder all over the face, forgoing rouge, to appear as if she had just been crying and had no energy for makeup. Though trendy, Mudan couldn’t appreciate it—it lacked any spirit. When smiling, it was tolerable, but when displeased, Qi Yuzhu truly looked on the verge of tears.
Xue Niang shared Mudan’s opinion and, being frank, quickly grabbed Qi Yuzhu’s hand to console her, “Pearl, don’t cry. Sister He was just speaking casually. I’m sure she has her reasons. Why don’t we listen to her explain?”
Those who knew Xue Niang’s personality would find her naive and adorable, speaking without filters. Those who didn’t might think she was deliberately teasing Qi Yuzhu. Everyone, despite their private thoughts, couldn’t help but laugh. A girl named Cheng Mei Niang teased, “You silly child, Pearl isn’t about to cry. This teardrop makeup is supposed to look like this. Your words make Pearl seem petty as if she’d cry over a single comment.”
Unable to lash out, Qi Yuzhu forced a smile uglier than crying, “Exactly, I’m not that trivial. Sister He, you said I was mistaken. Where did I err? Isn’t this garden built for profit? If your product is superior to others, what’s wrong with charging more?”
Mudan responded seriously, “My primary motivation is interest. I often think I’m fortunate to have the love of my father and brothers and a wealthy background to indulge in this hobby. But in this world, there are countless peony lovers. A single precious variety can cost more than ten middle-class families’ annual taxes. How many can afford that? So, besides charging to maintain the garden and support me, I want those who can’t afford to buy flowers or build gardens to be able to enjoy the flowers they love and spend a joyful day in the garden for a small fee. As a woman, there’s not much I can do, but I can try to do this little bit for flower lovers who share my passion. I hope that one day, all flower lovers will be able to grow peonies. So no, I won’t charge more.”
Even though her primary goal was to earn money, be self-reliant, and live better, these words weren’t empty rhetoric. She truly hoped for such a day when peonies would no longer be just for the rich, but could be cherished guests in ordinary homes as well. Only when more people could afford and appreciate them would she be able to earn more?