Zhengde chose his words carefully: “This servant doesn’t know. The news we’ve heard these days only says that he once stood up for this woman… anything beyond that is hard to say.”
The Second Young Master Jiang snatched the dagger from his hand impatiently, “Whether she is or not, she’s certainly not pure. Otherwise, why would he help her specifically and not others?”
Zhengde said, “Young Master if he and she were truly like that, it would only benefit you, not harm you.”
The Second Young Master Jiang said with interest, “Yes, yes, my mother says the same thing. If we truly followed the old man’s arrangements and let him marry a woman from a high-ranking family, where would there be room for us?”
Zhengde’s eyes brightened, “So, Young Master, what you need to do now is not to frighten or torment her. In my humble opinion, you should win her favor, make her obedient, and encourage their relationship.”
The Second Young Master Jiang snorted, “Did I need you to remind me? Of course, I know that. Otherwise, do you think Jingfeng would have just played by putting its paws on her shoulders? Would I have sent tangerines as an apology? I was just testing her courage earlier, seeing what kind of person she is. She’s quite brave, not changing color even in that situation.”
Zhengde said, “This servant just saw Madam Dou and Madam Li ordering someone to carry that half basket of tangerines, leading those two young ladies towards Princess XingKang’s group. Do you want to go and take a look?” Originally, the Duke of Zhu had forbidden the Second Young Master from going out, ordering him to stay at home and reflect. If it weren’t for his mother finding a way to plead for him, he wouldn’t have had the chance to participate in this hunting party. This hunting party, while seemingly ordinary, actually had many military families in attendance, as well as someone his mother had been eyeing for a long time. If the Second Young Master left a bad impression on these people, it would waste all of his mother’s calculations.
The Second Young Master Jiang stood up, “Of course, I have to go. I need to apologize. The more he tries to suppress me, the more I want to show him my good side. Can a commoner compare to me?”
Zhengde flattered, “That’s right. Young Master’s martial skills and gentle demeanor are unmatched by few.”
The Second Young Master Jiang glanced at him sideways, “Zhengde, spare me these flattering words. My mother might enjoy them, but I don’t like hearing them. Instead of saying these flattering things to me, you’d better be more careful and protect me properly.”
Zhengde knew his temperament – he couldn’t take harsh words but pretended not to like compliments either. However, he didn’t expose this and obediently led the way.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Princess XingKang was looking at Mudai with great interest: “Danniang, long time no see. How have you been?”
Mudai smiled, “Thank you for your concern, Princess. I’m doing well.”
Princess XingKang looked her up and down and smiled, “Indeed, you look good. I heard you built a garden, hired Master Fuyuan to design it, bought stones from Yuan Shijiu, and planted many famous peonies. Is that true?”
How did she know so much detail? Mudai was somewhat surprised but still answered, “Yes, that’s correct.”
“Your garden, though not yet open, is already famous. Many people are looking forward to it.” Princess XingKang laughed, “You’re doing better and better, while some others aren’t doing so well. Though their injuries have almost healed, they don’t dare to go out, afraid of embarrassment. It shows that heaven’s justice prevails, good and evil will be rewarded accordingly, it’s just a matter of time.” Although she didn’t directly mention Qinghua’s name, everyone present knew who she was referring to. Most of the people who came with her today were her close friends, and they all showed knowing smiles upon hearing this.
Mudai didn’t want to continue this topic, so she just lowered her head and smiled without speaking.
Princess XingKang didn’t expect her to respond anyway. After laughing for a while, she tossed a tangerine to a girl beside her wearing an orange-red Hu-style dress, with delicate features and a cherry-like small mouth, and said with a smile, “Axi, have a tangerine.” Then she turned to the others and said, “I’ve seen that hunting cheetah raised by Jiang Erlang. It looks decent, but it’s not as good as the one my fourth brother raises. Cheetahs are raised for hunting, and the most important thing is that they obey commands. This one doesn’t listen to the trainer and has a quick temper. I’m afraid it might not even compare to good hunting dogs.”
The girl gently pushed her, and Princess XingKang looked up to see the Second Young Master Jiang leading several well-dressed men, standing outside the crowd with an ambiguous smile, watching her. She waved her hand nonchalantly, “Jiang Erlang, you’ve come at the right time. I was just saying that your cheetah hasn’t been trained well, far inferior to the one my fourth brother raises. It still needs a lot more training.”
By now, many people in the capital knew about the situation in the Duke of Zhu’s household, but the Second Young Master Jiang’s mother still insisted on her position as the legitimate wife. What the Second Young Master hated and feared most was being called Jiang Erlang in public. None of the servants in his household dared to call him Second Young Master; doing so would result in a kick to the chest. Yet this Princess XingKang first criticized his cheetah, then called him Jiang Erlang, which was truly infuriating.
The Second Young Master Jiang raised an eyebrow, a flash of anger in his eyes, which he quickly suppressed. He smiled and said, “The Princess is right, my Jingfeng indeed hasn’t been trained well. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have frightened the two young ladies.” He then approached Mudai and Xueniang with a face full of smiles, apologizing publicly with a deep bow: “It was all my fault. Please don’t hold it against me. After we hunt deer tomorrow, I’ll send some to you two as an apology.”
Mudai and Xueniang exchanged a glance. Although they didn’t understand what he was up to, they still stood up and returned the courtesy: “You’re too kind, Young Master. It was just a small misunderstanding.”
The Second Young Master Jiang continued to look sincere and regretful: “Are you two unwilling to accept my apology? I wanted to immediately offer something nice to show my sincerity, but being away from home, I don’t have anything else good with me. Only this basket of tangerines was presentable, so…” He deliberately paused, then continued, “Anyway, today was entirely my fault. If you’re not satisfied, just say what you want. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it…”
He acted so convincingly that others began to persuade them: “It’s not a big deal. Your cheetah was wearing a muzzle, wasn’t it? These two young ladies aren’t petty people. You’re a grown man, don’t keep dwelling on it.”
If Mudai didn’t know his temperament, she might have thought he was truly very apologetic. But anything out of the ordinary must be suspicious, so she remained on high alert. She smiled and said, “Please don’t worry about it, Young Master Jiang. I haven’t taken it to heart.” Xueniang also echoed similar words.
Princess XingKang raised an eyebrow and said, “Jiang Erlang, your temper has improved a lot. We didn’t play with you much before because the Duke of Zhu was strict, and your temper was a bit…” She smiled slightly and continued, “But now you seem different. We come out to play for fun, unlike some people who always like to cause trouble for no reason. It’s good that the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”
“Princess, my father is strict. You might not know the whole story, but I’ve never actually been one to cause trouble,” the Second Young Master Jiang said with a smile as he sat down, listening to everyone talk and occasionally adding a word or two. He kept stealing glances at the girl in the orange-red Hu-style dress called Axi beside Princess XingKang. The girl noticed but didn’t seem displeased; instead, she slightly raised her chin. Not only was the Second Young Master Jiang constantly looking at her and praising her in his words, but several other royal clan members also showed her much courtesy. She enjoyed the attention.
Mudai quietly asked Madam Li, “Who is that girl in the orange-red Hu-style dress? Do you know her, Aunt?”
Madam Li replied softly, “I’ve heard she’s the eldest granddaughter of the Xiao clan leader from Zhao County, named Xiao Xuexi. Her father was just promoted to Minister of Personnel, and she has just come of age. She’s currently the most sought-after marriage prospect in the capital.”
Soon, night fell completely, and bonfires were lit everywhere. People gathered around the bonfires for dinner and then found familiar companions to drink and chat with. Mudai, already feeling tired from the day, took Shuer with her to rest in the felt tent. Halfway there, she suddenly heard someone laugh, “Oh, isn’t this Miss He? What a coincidence.”
It was the Second Young Master Jiang, standing under a tree with the man with the missing ear, smiling at her with great enthusiasm. Mudai was startled and looked around. Everyone nearby was busy with their amusements, and no one was paying attention to them. After a moment’s thought, figuring he wouldn’t dare do anything to her, she smiled and curtsied, “Oh, it’s Young Master Jiang.”
Hearing her address him this way, the Second Young Master Jiang raised an eyebrow with interest. He circled her and Shuer, smiling, “Actually, I’m second in birth order. Jiang Changyang is my elder brother.”
What is he trying to do? Mudai frowned slightly and said with some confusion, “Is that so? Please forgive my ignorance, I didn’t recognize my benefactor’s brother. Your elder brother saved my life, and I went to thank him, but I never met you. Thank you for telling me, otherwise I would have been remiss.”
The Second Young Master Jiang chuckled, “I don’t live with my brother, so it’s normal that you don’t know me. Not just you, many people in the capital don’t know about this.” He frowned and sighed deeply, “It’s truly regrettable. My brother and I should be the closest people in this world, yet he never mentions me to others and even sees me as an enemy. It’s particularly painful to think about.”
Mudai cautiously didn’t respond.
However, the Second Young Master Jiang didn’t intend to let her off so easily. He looked at her intently and said, “Miss He, hasn’t my brother ever mentioned to you about me and my father?”
Mudai smiled, “I only know that he came from the Anxi Protectorate, I don’t know anything else.” She added somewhat embarrassedly, “Young Master Jiang, such matters… your brother would probably only discuss with his closest friends.” The implication was that she and Jiang Changyang were not close friends, and the Second Young Master Jiang had approached the wrong person.
The Second Young Master Jiang laughed heartily, then suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t harm you, I’ll only help you. In some ways, our goals are aligned.”
Mudai looked up at him, “I don’t understand what you mean, Young Master Jiang.”
The Second Young Master Jiang smiled confidently, “Did you see that girl next to Princess AnKang? That’s the candidate for my future sister-in-law.”