“Go back,” Jiang Changyang said, stopping at the moon gate not far from the study. He turned back with a slight smile, then strode away. Mudan silently watched him leave until his figure disappeared from view.
A gentle breeze rustled through the treetops, creating a pleasant sound. Mudan looked up at the branches, seeing golden, withered, and half-green, half-yellow leaves swirling down, landing on the ground and adding splashes of color to the brown earth. She bent down to pick up a fallen leaf, blew off the dust, and gently traced the raised veins with her fingertip. She was falling in love, Mudan thought, looking up at the azure sky with a curved smile.
He Zhizhong, having bid farewell to Jiang Changyang in the outer courtyard, strolled into the small courtyard. Seeing Mudan standing alone under the tree, lost in thought with a serene expression, he chuckled softly, “Daniang, are you at ease now?”
Mudan turned to He Zhizhong with a bright smile and took his arm, “Father, what did you talk about earlier?”
He Zhizhong feigned surprise, “He didn’t tell you?”
Mudan rested her forehead lightly on his shoulder, coaxing, “No, he just said you wanted to show him something as precious as life itself.”
He Zhizhong stroked his beard and smiled, “Daniang, he told me he knows everything about you.” He looked up at the drifting clouds and continued slowly, “Someone told him you were ill and couldn’t bear children, and that you wouldn’t agree to take a concubine. But he said if it came to that, they could adopt in the future… Although I’m not entirely convinced he’ll keep his word forever, I am more satisfied with him because of this.”
Mudan was stunned. She had guessed and wondered, but never imagined this. Although she had always known about this rumor, she knew the truth and hadn’t taken it seriously. She said softly, “Father, I…”
He Zhizhong said, “Of course, I know you’re not.” He sighed, gently patting Mudan’s shoulder, “Your father was once young too. When you’re young, you act on passion without considering the consequences. But as days pass, people’s thoughts change. For many, when in love, even flaws are seen as merits, but once love fades, even merits become flaws. At that point, a person’s actions are crucial. Following through to the end and becoming enemies are two very different things. I could have told him the truth, but I didn’t because it’s not yet time to discuss this deeply with him. Since he believes this, let him. After all, it won’t be soon that he asks his parents to propose marriage. During this time, he has plenty of room to think carefully. If after this period he still thinks there’s no problem, then he’s the right match for you. We can tell him the truth then.” If he wasn’t truly seeking marriage, revealing the truth would seem more like a joke.
Mudan was silent for a moment, then nodded, “I understand. Father, you value his actions more than his promises.”
“Correct. Good actions are more precious and important than gold and silver. Cherish them well.” He Zhizhong looked at Mudan’s slender figure and thought, Mudan now believes she can bear children, so she doesn’t care and feels at ease. But if she really couldn’t have children, who knows what changes might occur over time? As a father and a man, he knew well what could be trusted and what couldn’t. He naturally hoped his son-in-law would be unconditionally good to his daughter, but if Jiang Changyang wanted his flesh and blood, that was normal. No one could prevent that. But judging from Jiang Changyang’s character and behavior, he knew that no matter what, Jiang Changyang would do his best to take care of Mudan, and that was enough to prevent a situation like Liu’s.
The day of He Zhizhong’s departure soon arrived. As soon as the morning drum sounded, the He family rose and gathered to say goodbye. Although He Zhizhong had already arranged everything at home, he now felt uneasy and repeated the important matters to Mrs. Cen, Erlang, and others, also instructing Liulang on what to do.
Liulang, exasperated but forcing a smile, said, “Father, is your memory failing? You’ve already told us these things several times.” He was about to say more but stopped after receiving a glare from Concubine Yang.
He Zhizhong was stunned, then sighed, “Indeed, I’ve grown old. When I return from this journey, I’ll no longer travel far. I’ll leave that to you young ones.”
Mrs. Cen wanted to persuade him not to go this time, but knowing his personality, she swallowed her words. Seeing it was bright outside, she hurriedly urged, “Quickly get ready to leave. I’m afraid my relatives and friends are already waiting at Baqiao Bridge. It’s not good to keep people waiting long.”
So, in a flurry of activity, a large group escorted He Zhizhong and the other three men out the door. After leaving the city and walking for some time, they reached the vicinity of Baqiao Bridge. From afar, they could see groups of horses, screens extending in a line, and people coming and going. It was a good day for travel, so many had come to see off their loved ones.
Soon after the He family appeared, a servant from the Li family, who had been waiting eagerly, quickly came forward to inform them that Li Yuan and several close friends of both families had set up a farewell feast for He Zhizhong and the others ahead.
This had been arranged beforehand, so He Zhizhong wasn’t surprised. He simply said, “Lead the way.”
Upon arrival, everyone came forward to pay their respects. After all the greetings were exchanged, Li Xing finally stepped forward to greet He Zhizhong. After the pleasantries, he quickly retreated with his eyes half-lowered, not daring to look behind He Zhizhong. He knew Mudan was there, but he had already seen her from afar. Knowing she was well was enough; he dared not and did not wish to meet her gaze at this moment.
Mudan stood behind Mrs. Cen, watching Li Xing. In just over twenty days, he seemed like a different person. Although he was still dressed smartly and neatly, fashionable and fresh, and still smiled and greeted people, he was mostly silent. Anyone could see he was very unhappy. He seemed to sense Mudan’s gaze and shifted uneasily, hiding himself deeper in the crowd.
Mudan withdrew her gaze, no longer looking at him. Although she missed the Li Xing from before when they would attend gatherings together, relaxed and at ease, she knew that Li Xing would never return, and those days would never come again.
The farewell feast didn’t last long. Soon, everyone rose to send off He Zhizhong and the others. Just then, Lu Wulang arrived with two servants to bid farewell. He Zhizhong had to introduce Lu Wulang to everyone. Except for Li Yuan’s father, most had heard of Madam Duan’s reputation and were very polite to Lu Wulang. Lu Wulang was in his element, moving among the crowd, humble and smooth-talking.
Suddenly, laughter rang out from nearby. Seven or eight elegantly dressed women emerged from behind a screen. One woman’s voice was particularly clear and pleasant: “We should give you a willow branch to keep you here, but the willow leaves have all turned yellow and mostly fallen. Surely we can’t give you a bare branch? Do you want it?”
Mudan glanced over casually and was stunned. The woman was stunningly beautiful, with snow-white skin and luxurious, alluring clothes. A five-colored parrot-embroidered bodice peeked out from under a goose-yellow shawl, and a sapphire blue gold-threaded long skirt trailed behind her. The golden hairpins and jade ornaments in her hair swayed gently with her steps, complementing her face that was both bewitching and innocently coquettish, making her unforgettable at first glance.
If not for her maid Ahui following closely behind, Mudan could hardly connect this vivacious, bewitchingly beautiful face with the one in her memory, as pure as a lotus emerging from clear water. This was none other than Qin Niang, whom Lu Wulang had been searching for without a trace.
Qin Niang didn’t look towards Mudan’s group. She accompanied the other women, walking past everyone with a relaxed, joyful, and lively demeanor, leaving behind a waft of fragrance and a captivating silhouette. Ahui, however, glanced at Mudan several times and whispered something in Qin Niang’s ear, but Qin Niang never turned back.
Mudan could tell from Ahui’s behavior that she had recognized her. She didn’t believe Qin Niang hadn’t seen her, but since Qin Niang chose not to acknowledge her, so be it. She wouldn’t be so bored as to go up and greet Qin Niang especially.
Mudan turned to look at Lu Wulang, who had watched the women pass by without any reaction as if they were strangers. She had to go up and quietly remind him, “That was Qin Niang.”
“I’ve never seen her before, so I don’t recognize her,” Lu Wulang was shocked. “Why didn’t she greet Mother?” He was about to go forward, but Mudan quickly said, “Don’t go. She probably can’t right now. I saw her maid seemed to recognize me. If she could, she would have come to greet us. If we go up suddenly, we might cause her trouble.”
Lu Wulang nodded, “Then I’ll approach through the people around her.” He looked around and saw several camel carts ahead, with drivers chatting idly. He stepped forward, casually approached one, bowed in greeting, and tried to extract information. But the driver was tight-lipped, and he couldn’t get any useful information. Lu Wulang had no choice but to wait nearby. Soon, Qin Niang finished seeing off someone and returned hand in hand with several women. She went straight to a camel cart and left. Lu Wulang quietly followed, planning to find a suitable opportunity to approach and reveal himself.
The He family reluctantly bid farewell to He Zhizhong, Dalang, and the others, watching until they disappeared from view before turning back towards the city. The large group of He family members, men and women, old and young, walked extremely slowly. Mrs. Cen, thinking that the others all had matters to attend to and shouldn’t be kept waiting, asked Erlang to tell everyone to go ahead.
Li Yuan glanced at the dispirited Li Xing and promptly agreed, “I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won’t stand on ceremony.” After bidding farewell to everyone, he left first. Throughout the entire time, Mudan and Li Xing hadn’t exchanged a single word.