As Mudan entered the main room, she saw Madam Cui sitting regally beside Madam Qin. Madam Cui’s hair was styled in a foot-high bun, adorned with one large and two small fashionable gold-framed jeweled ivory combs. She wore a primrose-colored wide-sleeved robe over a sapphire blue eight-paneled gold-patterned silk skirt. Her appearance was dignified and luxurious, her fragrance overwhelming—dressed for an important occasion. Mudan had a feeling that Madam Cui wouldn’t have come without good reason, and this visit was unlikely to bring good news.
Seeing Mudan enter, Madam Cui’s lips curved into a smile that seemed friendly but was critical. She examined Mudan, who had her hair loosely tied up and wore a slightly worn honey-colored everyday dress. After a moment, she reached out to pull Mudan to sit beside her, caressing Mudan’s hand as she said, “My, you’re becoming more beautiful, but what’s happened to your hands? Such delicate hands have become like this. For a woman, hands are of utmost importance. Why don’t you stay home and enjoy life instead of riding horses everywhere, exposed to wind and sun? What good does that do? It only makes your family worry. Those who know might say you’re strong-willed, but those who don’t might think your parents and in-laws aren’t treating you well.”
Hearing this, Madam Qin’s already displeased expression darkened further. She restrained herself, lowering her head to look at the Yuezhou porcelain teacup in her hand to avoid losing her temper. While it was true that she worried about Mudan when she was out and felt distressed by her hardships, only she and He Zhizhong had the right to comment on their daughter. Even a few words from outsiders pained her greatly, let alone Madam Cui’s ill-intentioned remarks. She couldn’t help but find them grating.
Mudan felt uncomfortable with Madam Cui’s fake affection masking her clear dislike. She discreetly freed herself from Madam Cui’s grasp, handed her a cup of tea, and smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Aunt. As you said, it’s just that people don’t know the truth. Many in this world spread rumors without knowing the facts. Should everyone who’s talked about have to explain themselves to each gossiper? That would be a waste of energy. In the end, outsiders can only talk. What matters is that our family knows the truth. As long as I’m happy and living well, why care what others say?”
Madam Cui laughed sarcastically, “How can people easily cut off ties with one another? Life isn’t just about closing your door and considering everything settled. For others to truly not pay attention or know about you, I’m afraid only the dead can achieve that.”
Sensing Madam Cui’s unfriendly tone and apparent resentment, Mudan thought further discussion would only lead to conflict. She chose to ignore her, turning to play with He Chun instead, pretending not to have heard.
Madam Qin, however, didn’t mince words with Madam Cui. She frowned and said, “Sister-in-law, that’s not right. Even if you want to lecture our Mudan as an elder, you shouldn’t speak of death so casually. It’s best to avoid such taboos.”
Madam Cui exclaimed, “Oh my!” feigning sudden realization of her inappropriate words and appearing deeply regretful. She said with apparent sincerity, “I’m at fault. I was thinking of something and didn’t realize what I was saying. Please don’t blame me, sister, and Mudan, please forgive me.”
Mudan stood and curtsied to Madam Cui, her expression neutral as she said, “Your niece wouldn’t dare.”
Madam Qin, with a stern face, lifted her teacup and drank deeply to calm her anger, remaining silent.
Seeing that no one asked what was on her mind, Madam Cui hesitated for a moment before smiling and saying, “I’ve come to share the good news. Our Xingzhi will be engaged to the nineteenth daughter of the Qi River Wu family on the sixth day of next month.”
Mudan smiled, “Congratulations in advance. The nineteenth miss is wonderful, a perfect match for cousin.”
Not to be outdone, Madam Qin led her daughters-in-law in congratulating Madam Cui, momentarily filling the room with cheerful noise.
However, Madam Cui’s mood didn’t improve. Instead, she became more agitated. Looking at Mudan with a forced smile, she said, “I heard from Luoshan that your cousin visited your estate again a few days ago?”
Hearing the emphasis on “again” and seeing Madam Cui’s accusatory expression, Mudan felt her temper rise. Struggling to suppress her displeasure and annoyance, she replied, “Yes, the cousin said he was on an errand for Prince Ning, looking for someone near my estate. The person wasn’t there, so he stopped by to rest. He soon found the person, discussed official business and left. Has there been some misunderstanding?”
A flash of resentment crossed Madam Cui’s eyes, but she quickly answered, “No.”
Madam Qin, unaware of Li Xing’s visit to the estate, felt somewhat worried upon hearing this. Mudan gave her a reassuring smile, indicating there was nothing to be concerned about. Madam Qin didn’t inquire further, pretending she already knew about this, and said, “I’ve heard about this from Mudan. Didn’t you know, sister-in-law?”
“It’s not a big deal. How could I keep track of everything? It just happened to come up in conversation,” Madam Cui said after a pause. She then composed herself, adopting an air of authority as she said, “Mudan, I have an important matter to discuss with you.” She glanced at Madam Xue, Madam Bai, and the others who were present.
Though Madam Qin disliked Madam Cui’s theatrics, she was curious about the purpose of her visit. She signaled her daughters-in-law with her eyes. Madam Xue immediately led the other sisters-in-law and children out, dismissing the servants. She sat in the corridor, doing needlework while guarding the door to prevent others from approaching.
Madam Cui adjusted her robes and looked sternly at Mudan, “Mudan, what I’m about to ask you is of utmost importance. You must tell me the truth!”
Seeing Madam Cui’s demeanor, Madam Qin was startled, fearing Mudan had done something terrible. She felt a mix of tension, hope that it wasn’t true, anger at Madam Cui for treating Mudan this way, and some annoyance at Mudan for possibly misbehaving. She frowned and said, “Mudan, what have you done to make your aunt so angry? Speak up! If you’re in the right, no one can bully you. But if you’ve done wrong, I’ll beat you myself!”
Mudan, confident in her innocence and hearing the implicit support in Madam Qin’s words, gave her mother a reassuring smile, “Mother, don’t worry. I haven’t done anything I shouldn’t.” Turning to face Madam Cui directly, she said, “Aunt, please ask whatever you wish. I have nothing to hide and will answer truthfully.”
Madam Cui’s lips curved in a slightly mocking smile as she spoke calmly, “I ask you, how did you get involved with Prince Ning? Do you know how much trouble this has caused us? I always thought you were a sensible, well-behaved child. Who knew you’d be just as foolish and troublesome as the others!”
Her tone was accusatory, assuming facts rather than seeking to understand the truth. This greatly displeased Mudan, who found it bewildering. She replied, “Aunt, please be clearer. How have I gotten involved with Prince Ning? What trouble have I caused you? Where have I been foolish and troublesome? You need to explain clearly. I don’t understand, and I won’t admit to anything without explanation!”
Madam Cui said sarcastically, “You don’t even know what you’ve done and you’re asking me? Tell me, have you met Prince Ning? Did you accept the bracelet sent by Concubine Meng?”
Mudan felt relieved and began to explain, “I only saw him from afar once. As for Concubine Meng’s gift, I didn’t want to accept it, but I couldn’t refuse or avoid it. It was because—”
Madam Cui interrupted her, “If it’s true, what more is there to say? Now they’ve come to me asking for you, saying you’ve already agreed. I have no choice but to comply! I didn’t believe it at first, but now it seems to be true. I can’t be blamed for this!”
Mudan naturally recalled the strange circumstances of that day and a terrifying thought occurred to her. Her heart began to race as if it would burst from her chest. With a pale face and a tight throat, she looked at Madam Cui and asked, “Asking for someone? Who? What did I agree to? What’s true? Aunt, please don’t speak in half sentences. Can you explain everything clearly?”
Madam Cui smirked, looking at Mudan askance, “Since you’ve done those things, you should understand. Of course, they’re asking for you—to enter the palace and serve Prince Ning. Even though I felt ashamed when Concubine Meng told me about this, I couldn’t refuse since you had already arranged everything. Well, I won’t ask anything else. I just came to confirm… if it’s true, I’ll go back immediately to reply and make preparations. We’ll choose an auspicious day to send you in.”
Mudan hastily said, “I didn’t…”
But Lady Cui gave her no chance to explain. She quickly continued, “You must understand, it hasn’t been long since the Princess of Prince Ning passed away. Given your situation, your status might be somewhat difficult. There can’t be any grand celebrations with gongs and drums or lanterns and decorations. However, you’ve likely prepared for this, and you have advantages others don’t. Once you’re in, if you’re respectful, gentle, and dutiful, with our support, you might still be able to rise. If you shine, your family will benefit too. Even your nephews could have a bright future. It’s quite an opportunity. Actually…” Lady Cui drawled, “You’ve thought this through quite well. For you, this isn’t a bad path.”
Lady Cui’s words came in rapid succession, assuming that Mudan had orchestrated this whole affair, eagerly volunteering to be someone’s concubine. Mudan listened, seething with rage. Waves of anger surged within her, and she felt deeply humiliated. The person insulting her was even pretending to have her best interests at heart, masquerading as an innocent, well-meaning person. She was furious. She didn’t want to lose her temper, but she couldn’t hold back. If she didn’t shout a few words, she felt she might explode.
Thinking this, Mudan acted. She violently threw the porcelain cup in her hand to the ground, shattering it. With a cold laugh, she said, “How dare you! Aunt, you’re ridiculous! What do you mean I did those things and was prepared? Prince Ning’s household wants to bring me in to serve the Prince. Are you here as a matchmaker for your master or to lecture me? If you’re here as a matchmaker, you should have asked my family’s permission first, then proceeded with the six betrothal gifts and all the proper rituals. If you’re here as an elder to reprimand me for improper behavior, you should hear my explanation before passing judgment! You came here accusing me, eager to fling mud at me. It makes one wonder about your true intentions!”
Hearing this, Lady Cui angrily slapped the couch she was sitting on and shouted, “What are you saying? I’m flinging mud at you? Questioning my intentions? You’ve made a mistake, embarrassing your cousin and me, and I can’t even say a few words to you?” She thought to herself, “A mere commoner’s daughter, and a sickly one at that, yet so sharp-tongued. It’s good someone wants her, and she dares to expect Prince Ning’s household to follow proper betrothal procedures. Delusional!”
Mudan ignored Lady Cui’s words and bristled, “Aunt, don’t be so quick to lose your temper. I have more questions for you. What did you say earlier? That you had no choice but to agree? You’re talking about my marriage, right? I have my parents and brothers to make decisions for me, and I can make my own decisions too. If not, there are still people from the He family to decide for me. I dare not trouble you to make such important life decisions on my behalf! Since you won’t listen to the truth, don’t ask me, and don’t try to help me. I don’t deserve such ‘kindness’! The ones losing face aren’t me, but those with ulterior motives who put on a show of righteousness.”
Since Lady Cui had come with ill intentions and wanted to push everything onto her, Mudan saw no need to be polite anymore. If they were going to fall out, so be it. It wasn’t Mudan who had provoked Lady Cui; Lady Cui had forced her to confront her. “My family would gain face if I became someone’s concubine? What kind of talk is that?
Even if you find me an eyesore and want to curry favor with Prince Ning, how can you do such a shameless thing and say such shameless words? And with such righteousness, acting like a high and mighty savior! Is it because the He family has long relied on Li Yuan’s official position that you can use this attitude and tone with me? This is truly too much! No matter how much the Li family has done for the He family in the past, it can’t withstand such treatment!”
Understanding her daughter’s temperament, Madam Cen knew that Mudan was not the type to be tempted by wealth and power, disregarding shame to actively seduce men. Madam Cen stroked her chest, suppressing her overwhelming anger, and reprimanded Mudan, “How improper! No matter how dissatisfied or wronged you feel, you shouldn’t throw things, shout, and yell at your aunt. What kind of behavior is this?”
But she didn’t ask Mudan to apologize. Instead, she glared at Lady Cui and said emphatically, “Sister-in-law, this is not the time for anger, sarcasm, or blaming anyone. To clear things up, you need to explain exactly what happened. It’s not right to just yell and harshly blame the child, telling her to go to Prince Ning’s household as some nameless concubine.
One moment you say she’s made a mistake and embarrassed you, the next you say she’s thought things through well. How is she supposed to understand what’s going on? What exactly are you trying to say? Not just a teenager like her, even I don’t understand your meaning. I only know that anyone with a sense of shame would be furious. How would you feel if it were you? There must be some misunderstanding we don’t know about. Sister-in-law, you’ve said what you wanted to say. Now let’s hear Mudan explain herself clearly before drawing any conclusions.”
Lady Cui had anticipated this reaction from Mudan and the He family. Knowing this would happen, she had chosen to attack and condemn Mudan from the start. Otherwise, she feared she would have been thrown out as soon as she opened her mouth.
Earlier, when Mudan had exposed the truth, Lady Cui’s hatred for her had made her lose composure. Now, she had calmed down again. While observing Mudan’s face, which had paled with anger, she sighed and said, “I knew it would be difficult to do the right thing. Whether you believe it or not, I didn’t want to get involved in this matter. I’m in a very difficult position too.
I thought about not getting involved, but Madam Meng had already asked me on behalf of Prince Ning, saying that Mudan had accepted gifts and agreed. If I refuse to help or ignore it, people will say I don’t know how to accept kindness, that I’m jealous and ruining a good thing. Your cousin works under them, after all. But if I do get involved, people will say that your cousin and I are trying to curry favor with Prince Ning by sending our niece to be his concubine, which is equally shameless. I’m angry and anxious, but I have no choice.
“But what can I do? I’m the child’s aunt, and our two families are so close. I have to endure even the greatest injustice. See, I’ve come here just to be scolded. Being scolded is a small matter, but now I can’t extricate myself from this situation. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s Mudan for needlessly provoking them! Accepting their gifts! It’s not that I’m not on our family’s side, but you must know, that even without a formal betrothal letter, accepting betrothal gifts is still binding. The accusation of breaking off an engagement doesn’t sound good, and Prince Ning’s household is not to be trifled with!
“I’m worried for you too, but looking at it from another perspective, this isn’t necessarily bad for Mudan. There are only benefits. Prince Ning is young and famously handsome, not to mention his noble status and bright future. Few in this world can compare. Mudan wouldn’t be wronged, and who knows, she might even have a golden destiny. When that time comes, your whole family will benefit and enjoy good fortune because of her.”
The more Mudan listened, the colder her heart became. Lady Cui, true to her years of experience navigating the commercial and official worlds, remained as comfortable as a fish in water. She was indeed silver-tongued, capable of telling blatant lies, turning black into white and red into green without batting an eye. From the start, she had accused Mudan of misconduct, saying things like “even without a formal betrothal letter, accepting betrothal gifts is still binding.” Then she listed all the benefits of becoming Prince Ning’s concubine, promising a beautiful, illusory future. This was a combination of threats and enticements, essentially demanding that Mudan obey and follow their arrangements while bearing all the negative reputation alone. Everyone else would remain noble, pure, and righteous, while she would be the one with ulterior motives, willing to seduce men everywhere to gain status.
But Mudan was not a child to be frightened into submission, nor one to be dazzled by a sweet treat or empty promises. She had experienced life and death, and while she believed that most people would show their kind side in most situations, she also knew that human nature could be unpredictable. In the face of personal interests, humanity could be twisted and feelings could change. She had just escaped one cage and breathed freely for a few days, and now they wanted to lock her up in another cage with no hope of ever getting out. Keep dreaming! Go to hell!
But what use was there in arguing endlessly with Lady Cui? It would only waste energy. Mudan closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, they were clear. Though her voice was still trembling, her emotions were now under control. “Aunt, listen carefully. This is what happened that day…” After describing the events, she concluded, “Whether you believe it or not, from beginning to end, I never provoked anyone, never said anything I shouldn’t have said, never did anything I shouldn’t have done. Mother, do you believe me? I don’t care how others see me. I’m mainly saying this for you to hear.”
Madam Cen’s expression was grave as she said, “I believe you. I know best the daughter I’ve raised. Don’t be afraid. We’ll face this as we should. No one can bully you.”
Mudan gratefully squeezed Madam Cen’s hand, then looked up at Lady Cui with a smile. “I didn’t know that a string of wooden beads, forcibly put on as a border ornament, could be considered betrothal gifts. If that’s the case, not only do I have a share, but Xueniang does too. Entering Prince Ning’s household as a nameless concubine, what a noble and wonderful thing! It’s truly an opportunity one couldn’t find even with a lantern. I should hurry to General Huang’s house to share the good news! Just wait, I’ll go find Xueniang right away and we’ll thank Prince Ning together for favoring us both!” With that, she started to walk out.
Seeing Mudan’s unusual expression, Madam Cen quickly called out, “Mudan, what are you going to do?”
Lady Cui hadn’t expected Mudan to be so unyielding in the face of both threats and enticements. How could this stubborn girl be the same timid, soft-spoken little girl from before? Seeing that Mudan said she was going to find General Huang, she hurriedly said, “Mudan, what nonsense are you up to? What does this have to do with General Huang’s family?”
Mudan turned back to Lady Cui with a cold smile. “How can it not concern his family? His daughter has been unknowingly betrothed with a cheap string of wooden beads. How can it not be their business? Don’t worry, Aunt. This time, I definitely won’t embarrass you and Uncle or cause you any trouble. No matter what the Huang family does, I’ll wear a sign and parade through the streets.
It will say: ‘I, He Weifang, have no family relationship with Li Yuan, the Chief Steward of Prince Ning’s household. All my actions, whether life or death, are of my own will. No one has forced me. Don’t blame Li Yuan.’ Then I’ll bash my head and die in front of Prince Ning’s mansion, giving an explanation to the whole capital and leaving you with a clean reputation. This way, you won’t have to worry, and I’ll have done right by you.”
Mudan clenched her jaw and walked out resolutely. If asked whether she would dare to make a scene in front of Prince Ning’s mansion, she would. In this world, she had nothing but a group of family members who cared for her wholeheartedly, always fearing she might be wronged. She hadn’t been able to repay them and only caused them trouble. This time, it was the Li family helping others to scheme against her. What else could she do? Didn’t the Li family want to use this opportunity to curry favor with Prince Ning? Fine. When this matter not only fails but becomes a stain on both Prince Ning and Li Yuan, who would dare to continue? If she had no regard for face or life, what could they do to her?
Xue Shi, who had been listening outside, heard the voices inside rising higher and higher and had understood seven or eight-tenths of what had happened. When she heard Mudan say she would parade with a sign, she found it both childish and alarming. Seeing Mudan step out of the room, she threw down her sewing basket and rushed forward, grabbing Mudan around the waist, crying out, “Mudan, you’ve lost your mind! Do you want to worry your parents about death? Your brothers are still here. If anyone dares to force you to die, your brothers and I, and even your nephews, will fight them to the death!”
Looking at the genuine anxiety and anger on Xue Shi’s face, large tears suddenly fell from Mudan’s eyes.