This was Jiang Changyang’s first time stepping into the He family’s home. It was just as he had imagined, and similar to many other homes he liked – as soon as he crossed the threshold, he could feel the warm, comfortable atmosphere of daily life.
The spotlessly clean courtyard, the vibrant plants and flowers despite it being mid-autumn, the pillars polished smooth by children’s hands, the slightly aged furniture, and the sincere, happy smiles on the servants’ faces – everything exuded a genuine sense of comfort and ease. It was completely unlike some of the noble houses he had recently visited, with courtyards ten or twenty times larger, servants in fancy silk clothes, dazzling red lacquer everywhere, and exotic plants and flowers that only gave a cold, hard impression.
Relaxed, joyful, warm, and comfortable – this was more in line with how he imagined a place to live should be. Jiang Changyang liked this feeling.
He Zhizhong observed Jiang Changyang discreetly from the side. He saw happiness and delight in the young man’s eyes. Although he didn’t know why Jiang Changyang was happy, seeing such emotions in a guest’s eyes was a good sign. It meant the upcoming conversation would likely go well.
They entered the main hall and took their seats as hosts and guests. After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Changyang said seriously, “I heard that Uncle He visited my humble home twice. May I ask what it was about?”
Indeed, it was because He Zhizhong had tried to visit him twice. This young man wasn’t arrogant and understood etiquette well. He Zhizhong stroked his beard and smiled, “I’m sorry to have made you come all this way, Young Master Jiang. It was nothing special – I just wanted to personally thank you for the great help you’ve given our family. We haven’t had the chance to repay you for your previous kindness, and now we owe you again. I feel truly uneasy about it. Mudan is my precious treasure, even more valuable than my own eyes. I’ve been thinking hard about how to repay you properly. Please tell me what you’d like – as long as it’s within my ability, I won’t refuse.”
Jiang Changyang was prepared for this. He smiled slightly and said, “Uncle He, there’s no need for such formality. Please just call me by my courtesy name, Chengfeng.” He paused, then continued in a low voice, “I’m not seeking repayment. I’ve already explained the reason to your daughter – it’s simply to feel at ease in my heart. Uncle, you’re a businessman who has seen more of the world than I have, and you have a reputation for benevolence and chivalry in the capital. I imagine quite a few people owe you favors over the years. Do you always seek repayment from them?”
He’s quite guarded, thought He Zhizhong as his eyes darted around. He smiled and said, “To be honest, for some people, I do seek repayment.” As he spoke, he observed Jiang Changyang’s expression but saw that the young man’s face remained unchanged, listening attentively. He Zhizhong sighed inwardly and continued, “I’m a businessman, after all. To make business thrive, besides maintaining credibility as the top priority, one also needs connections. There are some people I deliberately befriend and do favors for because I know that one day I might need to ask for their help or to exchange for something they have.”
Jiang Changyang smiled with a hint of cunning, “I won’t hide it from you, Uncle He – I do such things too. It’s only human nature. But beyond interests, isn’t there also sincerity and righteousness? Otherwise, these relationships couldn’t last long, and in crucial moments, you wouldn’t find anyone truly willing to help.”
He Zhizhong spoke slowly, “You’re right. Associating for profit is a lower form of relationship; true friendship based on sincerity is the highest form. Using emotions versus using interests will lead to completely different results in crucial moments. Remember, you can scheme against others, but others can also scheme against you. You reap what you sow.”
Scheme? Jiang Changyang sighed inwardly. He looked directly at He Zhizhong and said very seriously, “I don’t have many friends, but every one of them says I’m loyal and worth befriending. To this day, I’ve never disappointed my friends in important matters.” Of course, not just anyone could become his friend.
He Zhizhong understood that the conversation could only go this far. He laughed heartily and said, “A young hero indeed! You’re quite impressive, Chengfeng! You’re welcome to visit our home often in the future. I may not have many other skills, but I can hold my own in drinking and playing chess!”
Jiang Changyang’s eyes lit up, “Chess?”
He Zhizhong smiled, “I’m passable at it. How else could I do business with refined gentlemen? I can’t have them saying, ‘that money-grubbing He fellow’ as soon as they open their mouths. Instead, they should remember, ‘I lost to that He fellow last time; I’m not satisfied. I must find a chance to even the score.’ This way, back and forth, the smell of money fades away! Then, before they know it, their money has found its way into my pocket.”
What a clever old man, thought Jiang Changyang, unable to hold back his laughter. His eyes bright, he said, “In that case, I’ll have to seek your guidance in chess in the future, Uncle.”
To understand a person’s character, you need to understand their chess style. Although it might not reveal everything, it can at least give a general idea. This was He Zhizhong’s experience over many years. His eyes also brightened as he seized the opportunity, “Why wait for another day when today is just as good? Chengfeng, if you’re free, why not play a game now?”
Jiang Changyang hesitated slightly, but also seemed eager to try, “I heard you’re very busy.”
He Zhizhong smiled, “No matter how busy I am, I always have time to entertain guests. The question is whether you’re busy or not.”
Jiang Changyang smiled and said, “I’m not busy.”
He Zhizhong led him to his study. Jiang Changyang discreetly observed the room. He saw bookshelves lining the walls, filled not with new books, but old ones. The books closest to the desk were particularly worn, indicating that the owner frequently read them. These books were not for decoration; they were genuinely read.
He Zhizhong had been quietly observing him. Seeing Jiang Changyang look at the bookshelves, he smiled and said, “We don’t have many books at home, and most of them are miscellaneous topics. Mudan has always liked to sneak in here to read since she was little. Sometimes she wouldn’t tell anyone, causing everyone to search for her everywhere, and she’d often get scolded by her mother for it.”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly and paid special attention to the particularly worn books, which turned out to be travel journals and adventure stories – quite fitting for Mudan’s personality.
He Zhizhong had already brought out a chess set, which was made of black jade and white jade. Jiang Changyang held the pieces in his hand, feeling their smooth and dense texture, and pure color. He couldn’t help but admire them greatly, examining them over and over, not hiding his fondness. “Uncle He, you’re very fortunate. It must have taken a long time to find the materials for this chess set, right?”
He Zhizhong smiled slightly, “Rouge is gifted to beauties, swords to heroes, and chess sets also have their spirit. Since you love chess, why don’t I give this set to you?”
Jiang Changyang was silent for a moment, then surprisingly agreed.
He Zhizhong seemed particularly pleased and said, “Let’s use it one more time first.”
The two played from morning until noon, neither leaving the study once. Mudan came to check on them several times, but only saw them frowning in deep thought. She merely had tea and snacks sent in and instructed the kitchen to prepare food to be served as soon as they finished their game.
Mudan returned to the main chamber, where Madam Cen asked with a smile, “How is it going?”
Mudan shook her head and said, “They’ve been playing chess the whole time and haven’t come out. The snacks I sent weren’t touched. I’ve had the kitchen prepare wonton soup to be served as soon as they finish.”
Madam Cen said, “So they’re evenly matched?” She looked at Mudan and continued, “I didn’t expect him to come personally.”
Mudan lowered her head, “I didn’t expect it either. But it’s also normal.” If he truly considered her a friend, it would be normal and appropriate for him to come and greet her father after the latter had sought him out twice. However, she wondered, was it so easy for men and women to be friends in ancient times?
Madam Cen held Mudan’s hand and said softly, “When do you plan to go stay at the estate? Let Yingniang and Rongniang accompany you. This time, let Mama Lin go with you too. She has complained to me several times that you always leave her at home when you go to the estate. Her health isn’t that poor. Even if she can’t ride a horse, she can still sit in a donkey cart.”
Mudan smiled, “There’s not much time left suitable for grafting peony buds, so I have to leave tomorrow. I’ll be staying longer this time, and I’d be glad to have more company to keep me from getting lonely. I’m also taking Shuaishui with me.” She understood that Madam Cen was still worried and hoped that when she interacted with Jiang Changyang, she would at least have family members with her.
Madam Cen sighed, “Remember, on the 26th, your father and brothers are leaving for a long journey, first to Guangzhou and then out to sea. Who knows when they’ll be back? Make sure to come back a couple of days early to spend time with them.”
Seeing her worried expression, Mudan comforted her, “Don’t worry, Mother. Father and my brothers have been to sea so many times, and each time they’ve returned safely. This time will surely be the same.”
Madam Cen smiled bitterly, “May the Bodhisattva protect them. That’s certain. Don’t worry about me. Every time your father goes to sea, I always worry for a long time. It’s become a habit.”
Mudan obediently leaned against her and changed the subject, even telling a few jokes. Soon, she had Madam Cen laughing. As mother and daughter were enjoying themselves, He Zhizhong walked in, smiling, “What are you laughing about? You seem so happy.”
Mudan quickly stood up and asked, “Father, has the guest left?”
He Zhizhong deliberately said, “If he doesn’t leave, is he going to stay for dinner? The chess game is over, the wonton soup has been eaten, shouldn’t he go?”
Mudan stamped her foot, “Oh no, I still had something to tell him.” She hurriedly ran out.
He Zhizhong glanced at her retreating figure and said softly to Madam Cen, “His chess style is quite good – steady, composed, and persistent until the very end. He has perseverance and patience and seems to be an upright person. I feel reassured.”
Madam Cen sighed deeply, “But what does that matter? The gap is still too wide.”
He Zhizhong was silent for a moment, then said, “That’s not necessarily true. Let’s wait and see.”
Mudan ran to the main gate and saw that Jiang Changyang was about to mount his horse. She called out, “Master Jiang, please wait a moment.”
Jiang Changyang didn’t expect to see Mudan again. Hearing her voice, he quickly turned back, smiling happily at her and showing two rows of snow-white, even teeth. “Miss He.”
Mudan’s gaze met his, and she felt a bit uncomfortable. She looked away slightly and smiled, “I’m going to the estate tomorrow. If you’re free, you can come over to select the peony varieties.”
Jiang Changyang smiled happily, “Certainly.”
After bidding farewell to Mudan, Wu, who was holding the precious chess set, asked puzzledly, “Young Master, why did you accept such an expensive gift from them? Aren’t you afraid they’ll think you’re greedy?”
Jiang Changyang said softly, “Do you think Old Master He only has this one chess set? He brought it out specifically to give to me. If I accept it, both he and Miss He will feel more at ease and be more open in their dealings with me. So why shouldn’t I accept it? A man like him won’t think I’m greedy.”
Wu pursed his lips. The fox’s tail is showing, he thought.
—*— Note about Duke Zhu having two wives of equal status —*—
This phenomenon was not common, but there were indeed real examples, and it wasn’t an isolated case.
The system was originally one wife with multiple concubines. According to Tang Dynasty law, a man who took another wife while already having one would be sentenced to one year in prison. If the woman was aware of the situation, she would also be punished. If a man with a wife claimed to be unmarried and deceitfully married another, he would be sentenced to one and a half years in prison; the woman’s family would not be punished, but the marriage would have to be dissolved.
However, there were instances of men having two wives of equal status, usually involving the emperor. For example, the Korean Wang Maozong already had a wife, but Emperor Xuanzong gave him another wife, both with equal status. “His wife was already titled Duchess, and the newly bestowed wife Li was also made Duchess. Whenever they entered the palace for an audience, both duchesses received gifts together.” Another example is when Emperor Taizong planned to marry his daughter to Wei Zheng, but Wei Zheng refused. An Lushan also had two main wives, Kang and Duan, both titled Duchess.