The moonlight cast a hazy glow. The birds had long since fallen silent, while the distant, lingering songs of returning women echoed intermittently. The group walked single file along the field ridges, everyone too tired to speak, moving quietly with heads bowed.
Xue Niang felt exhausted and heartbroken. She repeatedly told herself not to look at Jiang Changyang again, yet couldn’t resist stealing glances. Suddenly noticing shadowy figures still at the dance site, she asked, “Why are people still there?”
Mudan looked back, indeed seeing several people moving about the embankment. The dim moonlight and distance made it hard to discern their actions. She remarked, “You’re right. Are they not going home?” She initially thought they might be couples seizing a moment of privacy, but then realized this would draw more attention now that most had left.
Jiang Changyang explained with a smile, “Check if your hairpins are still in place. Those people are there to collect fallen ornaments to sell.”
Everyone immediately felt for their hairpins and checked their accessories. Mudan, having worn simple silver ornaments for convenience and discretion, quickly confirmed, “Mine are all here.”
Xue Niang, who had adorned herself elaborately, discovered she’d lost a red gold hairpin and a pearl flower, unaware of when they’d fallen. Fu Mama urgently said, “Oh no, that gold hairpin was part of the madam’s dowry, with an engraving. We must find it.” She turned back without waiting for Xue Niang’s instruction.
Although doubtful about recovering the items, Mudan couldn’t let Fu Mama search alone. She said, “Let’s all go look.” Realizing they’d delayed Jiang Changyang, she added, “Sir Jiang, it’s late. You should head back. We’re a large group, and my estate isn’t far. We’ll be fine.”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly, “Having come this far, how could I leave now?” He asked Xue Niang to describe the hairpin.
Xue Niang, anxious about losing Lady Dou’s borrowed ornament and already upset, replied tearfully, “It’s a red gold dragonfly hairpin with jade-inlaid wings, engraved with my mother’s name.”
Before she finished speaking, Jiang Changyang had lifted his robe and strode back with Wu. Instead of searching the ground like Fu Mama and the others, he took out a money bag and handed it to Wu. He instructed Wu to announce loudly that whoever knew the hairpin’s whereabouts would receive the money as a reward. He warned that concealing information would lead to official charges of theft, cautioning against trying to keep the item.
As Wu made the announcement, Jiang Changyang stood with his hands behind his back, straight-backed and solemn, exuding authority. Xue Niang whispered, “Will this work? Isn’t a bag of money worth more than the hairpin?”
Mudan, however, thought it might succeed. While finding the item with just two pairs of eyes would be difficult, countless eyes and envious onlookers would make concealment impossible. She believed Jiang Changyang’s reward method could be effective.
Indeed, moments later, a child ran up with the hairpin, looking expectantly at Jiang Changyang. He took the money bag from Wu and gave it to the child, patting his head and praising him. The boy ran off excitedly with the reward.
Grateful and admiring, Xue Niang looked at Jiang Changyang, “Brother Jiang, thank you. I don’t have money with me now, but I’ll repay you at your estate tomorrow.”
Fu Mama sighed, hearing Xue Niang address Jiang Changyang as “Brother Jiang” again.
Jiang Changyang, seemingly ignoring the familiar address, smiled indifferently, “No need to thank me, Miss Huang. It was a small gesture. If you truly wish to express gratitude, thank Miss He. She’s my friend, and you’re her good friend. I couldn’t stand by and watch your search aimlessly.”
Realizing everything was done for Mudan’s sake, Xue Niang stood stunned. After a moment, she said softly, “Of course, I’ll thank Sister He, but I still need to repay your money.”
Jiang Changyang chuckled, “Just repay Miss He. It’s money she lent me before. I was going to return it to her anyway, so you can give it to her instead.”
Mudan was puzzled, not recalling lending him money. She looked at Jiang Changyang questioningly, noticing a pleading expression on his face. Glancing at Xue Niang, she saw the young girl staring at her, face pale in the fading moonlight. Mudan quickly understood: Jiang Changyang had likely discerned the young girl’s feelings but wanted no involvement, aiming to completely dash her hopes. Mudan had inadvertently become the intermediary.
Mudan felt conflicted. Xue Niang’s admiration for Jiang Changyang stemmed from his impressive horseback display, largely idealized in her mind. Logically, it might be best to end such unfounded passion early. Emotionally, however, Mudan disliked seeing Xue Niang look at her that way. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to publicly contradict Jiang Changyang, which would embarrass both him and Xue Niang, possibly intensifying the latter’s shame and anger.
Thus, Mudan carefully said, “It’s just a bag of money. Compared to saving my life, it’s insignificant. I’ve already forgotten about it.”
Seeing her agreement, Jiang Changyang exhaled softly. Without looking at Xue Niang, he smiled at Mudan, “What life-saving deed? I’ve forgotten too, only remembering you lent me money. Please, Miss He, don’t mention life-saving again. It might make it awkward for me to ask for help from your household in the future.”
Mudan smiled slightly and agreed.
Xue Niang’s shoulders trembled as she bit her lip hard, quickly turning away and walking ahead. Fu Mama hurried to shield her, preventing others from seeing her tears. She turned to Mudan, smiling, “In that case, we’ll repay Miss He. Regardless, we must thank Sir Jiang for his efforts.”
Glancing at Xue Niang’s expression, Mudan said, “Alright, it’s late. We can express thanks tomorrow. Let’s hurry back.”
Everyone agreed and quickened their pace. They reached Fang Garden’s gate in just over a quarter-hour. Hearing footsteps, Hu Da Lang’s watchdogs barked fiercely, then whimpered and circled the group affectionately upon recognizing Mudan’s scent. Hu Da Lang, who had been waiting, opened the door and came out with a lantern to greet them.
Mudan’s group bid farewell to Jiang Changyang and entered. As Jiang Changyang and Wu turned to leave, Hu Da Lang rushed out with a lantern, saying, “Sir, my mistress said the moon has set and it’s getting dark. She instructed me to give you this lantern for the difficult path through the fields.”
As Jiang Changyang was about to decline, Wu accepted it, saying, “Please thank your mistress for our master. We’ll return it tomorrow.”
Jiang Changyang remained silent, letting Wu lead with the lantern. Once far from Fang Garden, Wu asked confusedly, “Master, was that the same money bag you gave the child earlier? It seemed different.”
Jiang Changyang replied coolly, “So you’ve marked every money bag and can distinguish them by touch. Tell me, did it smell good or bad?”
Wu rolled his eyes, “The pouch patterns were different.”
After a moment of silence, Jiang Changyang said irritably, “I don’t have your free time or inclination to remember such things.”
Wu replied, “Oh. Shall I return the lantern tomorrow, master? Why not invite them to dance again? We haven’t seen you dance since coming to the capital. Miss He’s smile in the moonlight was truly beautiful, and her temperament and manners are admirable.”
Jiang Changyang walked on in silence.
Wu continued, “You were right to help Miss Huang. If not for her…” Before he could finish, Jiang Changyang swiftly grabbed Wu’s waist pouch and threw it into the vast rice field. He then snatched the lantern, saying, “You find it. I’m heading back.”
As Jiang Changyang walked away with the lantern, Wu stood dejected. That pouch was made by his wife, a fierce woman who might “eat him alive” for losing it.
Meanwhile, as Mudan’s group entered the house, A Tao led several maids to bring hot water and asked if they wanted a late-night snack. Noticing Xue Niang’s tightly pressed lips and silence, Mudan asked, “Xue Niang, are you hungry? I’m quite famished.”
Xue Niang looked up at Mudan without speaking. Fu Mama quickly intervened, “Xue Niang, you should eat something. We might not sleep until noon tomorrow.”
Xue Niang gently pushed Fu Mama aside, saying, “I’ll eat. You all go. I need to speak with Sister He.”
Yu He, concerned, looked at Mudan, reluctant to leave. After a moment, Mudan said, “You may all go. Prepare the snack and bring it later.” Then she smiled at Xue Niang, “What did you want to tell me, Xue Niang?”
Xue Niang’s face crumpled as she began to cry, “Sister He, you must look down on me now. I’m such a fool, an idiot. I can’t read people’s intentions. I didn’t know!”