“Serving the emperor is like accompanying a tiger,” Mudan thought, recalling Li Xing’s visit to Jiang Changyang, the appearance of Prince Min at the Nameless Tavern yesterday, and Prince Jing whom Jiang Changyang insisted was not his friend. She understood the situation and solemnly advised, “Be careful. I believe nothing is more precious than your safety and health.”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly and pinched her cheek. “I know. Trust me and don’t worry. While I appreciate your concern, I don’t want you to fret over me.”
Mudan pinched him back. “Just be careful. I’m leaving now; I need to visit the East Market.”
Jiang Changyang saw her off at the door, turning back only after she was out of sight.
At the East Market, Mudan headed straight for He’s Spice Shop. The sharp-eyed assistant spotted her immediately, greeting her with a broad smile. “Young Mistress, what brings you here today?”
Mudan replied, “I’m looking for Sixth Brother. Is he inside?”
The assistant hesitated before shaking his head. “He’s not here. Master Lu came earlier to discuss business, and they went to a tavern. He said we should close up and go home directly as it was getting late. He won’t be coming back.”
“How long ago did they leave?” Mudan asked, noting it was only early afternoon. She knew He’s father would entertain important clients even earlier, but for someone like Lu Wulang, he’d usually bring them home instead of going to a tavern. Perhaps the younger generation enjoyed watching courtesans perform. Still, since when had Lu Wulang and Sixth Brother become so close?
The assistant answered evasively, “We’ve been busy today, so I didn’t note the time. It doesn’t seem like it’s been long?”
Seeing his discomfort, Mudan smiled and didn’t press further. She didn’t even ask which tavern they went to. Instead, she turned to the shopkeeper, “Uncle Dong, how’s business lately?”
The trusted old employee of the He family replied with a smile, “It’s mostly our regular customers.”
Mudan’s heart sank. This meant that while business was steady, it wasn’t as good as before. When Fourth Brother managed the shop, they not only retained old customers but also attracted many new ones daily, resulting in excellent profits that supported the family’s luxurious lifestyle. With only regular customers remaining, it was clear that other spice shops had lured away potential new business. After a moment’s thought, she thanked the shopkeeper and assistants for their hard work, asked about the location of the cockfighting arena in the East Market, and then left with Gui and Shu’er. They stopped at a neighboring shop to buy some fine fabrics suitable for elderly women and young girls before heading to the arena.
The cockfighting arena was near the animal release pool. Even before they arrived, Mudan could hear the deafening cheers and strange cries. As they approached, she saw that the arena was divided into VIP seats and general seating. The VIP area consisted of rooms with open front panels, furnished with chairs, tables, and tea sets, offering the best views from an elevated position. Many richly dressed patrons sat there, sipping hot tea while watching the fights.
The common folk formed a disorderly circle, pushing and shoving to get a better view of the two roosters in the center. The birds fought fiercely, flapping their wings, ramming, biting, and striking each other with their spurs. Their faces and necks were red, and blood flowed as they struggled. Whenever one gained the upper hand, the crowd would roar, slapping their thighs and waving their arms. Everyone was fully engrossed, their eyes bulging, faces, ears, and necks flushed red, with neck veins as thick as chopsticks.
Mudan first observed the two fighting roosters. The one currently dominating had iridescent green feathers with white down underneath. The slightly weaker one had a red neck and back, grayish-brown wing edges, and a black tail.
Gui, noticing Mudan’s interest, explained, “Seventh Young Master, the color of fighting cocks is very important. Green, red, purple, and black are considered superior. The green one with white down is called ‘Black Cloud Covering Snow,’ while the red one is called ‘Bai Down.’ Do you see the spurs? They’re fitted with sharp points, and the wings are dusted with mustard powder. Every peck, flap, and strike can cause damage.”
Mudan asked curiously, “Why is the red one called ‘Bai Down’?”
Gui replied, “Red fighting cocks have white down when they first hatch.”
Mudan smiled, “You know quite a lot about this.”
Gui gave a slight smile, “Living in the marketplace, one naturally learns about various trades.”
Shu’er, greatly interested, exclaimed, “Gui, Gui, which one do you think will win? I want to place a bet. Will you join? I can lend you money.”
“You can’t place bets now; you’ll have to wait for the next fight,” Gui calmly shook his head. “Thank you for the offer, Shu’er, but I never gamble.”
Mudan observed Gui’s composed demeanor, reminded of Yuhe.
As the roosters began to tire, a man in hemp clothing came with a bucket of cold water, spraying it on their heads and faces. This immediately reinvigorated them, and they resumed fighting with renewed vigor.
Mudan’s mind was elsewhere. She quietly instructed Gui, “Go find out where Zhang Wulang is. If he’s free, ask him to come over for a chat. If not, I’ll wait. Shu’er and I will wait over there, away from any potential trouble.” Gui left without asking who Zhang Wulang was, showing no interest in the intense fight.
Mudan chose a relatively quiet spot under a tree to wait and look around. She felt she might spot Sixth Brother here, though she knew that if he had come, he would deliberately hide to avoid being seen. Despite knowing it was unlikely, she couldn’t help but scan the area, but as expected, she couldn’t find him.
Soon, Gui returned with Zhang Wulang, who wore a green brocade vest over a white narrow-sleeved robe with rolled-up sleeves. Upon seeing Mudan, he chuckled, “He… Seventh Young Master, what a rare visitor you are.”
Mudan suppressed a smile and bowed, “Greetings, Fifth Brother. I have a favor to ask. Are you free now? If not, I can wait.”
Zhang Wulang glanced back at the frenzied crowd and said, “After this match, there’s one more. The next pair of fighting cocks have been chosen, and others will handle the arrangements. I’m free now. This isn’t a good place to talk. I have a place nearby – if you don’t mind the dirt and smell, you can come with me.”
Mudan smiled, “How could I mind?”
Zhang Wulang grinned at her and led the way.
They walked past the excited crowd, taking a small path beside the VIP seats. There were several small courtyards with closed gates, from which erupted cheers and anxious shouts as loud as those outside. Mudan thought that while the outer arena was for public viewing, these inner courtyards might be private rooms for distinguished guests who were passionate about cockfighting but didn’t want to be seen by others.
As if reading her thoughts, Zhang Wulang explained, “These are for wealthy patrons who bet generously but don’t want to mingle with the common folk outside who haggle over every coin.”
Mudan smiled slightly. While cockfighting was the main attraction, she knew other activities took place inside. She had heard from Jiang Changyang that the princes loved to gather in their residences for cockfights, which the emperor had explicitly forbidden upon learning of it. In reality, the fear was of princes forming private alliances, and these places were perfect for underground activities.
Soon, Zhang Wulang stopped in front of a noisy small courtyard and said, “Wait here.” Shortly after he entered, the noise inside ceased. A pretty young girl came out yawning, “He Qilang, please come in.”
Mudan recognized her as the quick-witted girl she had seen at Zhang Wulang’s house. Curious about her relationship with Zhang Wulang, who seemed to indulge her despite his fierce nature, she smiled and asked, “Oh, it’s you. What’s your name?”
The girl smiled, revealing two prominent front teeth, “My name is…”
Zhang Wulang interrupted, coming out and grumbling, “She’s called ‘Freeloader,’ just call her ‘Rice Grain.'”
The girl’s eyes widened, and she put her hands on her hips, scolding, “How am I freeloading? I do the laundry and cooking at home, warm my mother’s feet and massage her back at night, bring you meals during the day, and even help with your accounts. I…”
Everyone couldn’t help but smile at the little girl repeatedly referring to herself as “this old woman.” Rice Grain’s eyes suddenly reddened, and she glared fiercely at Zhang Wulang.
Ignoring her, Zhang Wulang invited Mudan inside, “I’ve cleared out the riffraff. Come in and we can talk.”
Mudan gently stroked Rice Grain’s soft hair and smiled, “Rice Grain, did you do your hair yourself? It’s very well done.”
Rice Grain looked at her with red eyes and suddenly blurted out, “If I don’t do it myself, who will? I’m not some rich young mistress who can afford servants to wait on me.”
Children at this age could be prickly. Mudan was taken aback but smiled slightly before entering the central room, which had a blue and white floral curtain. Inside was a small couch covered with a blue and white floral quilt, a few crescent-shaped stools, a low table scattered with papers, a worn brush, and an old abacus.
Zhang Wulang grimaced, “Rice Grain set this up. That demon girl has a sharp tongue and isn’t likable at all. Fortunately, she knows a few characters. Don’t mind her, Mudan. She’s just troublesome. Last time your Sixth Brother came, he teased her a bit, and she poured a cup of hot tea right into his lap…” He suddenly stopped, looking at Mudan awkwardly.
Shu’er stared at Zhang Wulang with astonishment, then glanced at Gui and Mudan. Gui remained expressionless as if he hadn’t heard anything. Mudan, however, maintained her composure and smiled slightly. “His temper isn’t great, but my sixth brother probably deserved it. Fortunately, it was just him. If it had been one of those distinguished guests in your courtyard, it wouldn’t have been so easy to deal with. They wouldn’t have cared if she was young or not.”
Was saying “crotch” really worth such a fuss?
Zhang Wulang’s face reddened slightly as he turned away. “That’s true. I’ve warned her not to wander around. She usually stays in this room. If you hadn’t come today, I wouldn’t have called her out.”
Mudan nodded. “Speaking of my sixth brother, I came from the spice shop earlier and didn’t see him. I heard he went to a tavern with a friend. I was worried he might have invited you along, and I’d come here for nothing.”
Zhang Wulang smiled faintly. “He did invite me several times, but how could I find time to drink with him? He hasn’t come by since. One day when I was free, feeling guilty for declining his invitations, I went to treat him to a drink, but he wasn’t there. He’d gone to the tavern.”
Mudan understood Zhang Wulang’s meaning. The sixth brother likely had some issues, but he wasn’t hanging around Zhang Wulang. There might have even been a disagreement between them, leading to an unhappy parting. For this, he had received a cup of hot tea from Fanli’er, but the sixth brother hadn’t mentioned it when he returned. It wasn’t right to trouble others with family matters. Knowing the general situation was enough; the rest could be discussed with the family at home.
With this in mind, Mudan changed the subject to the main purpose of her visit. “Fifth Brother, I came today because I have a favor to ask. I’ve heard that there might be a peony flower festival next spring.” She recounted her encounter with Cao Wanrong and continued, “I’d like to ask you to arrange for two brothers to investigate the background of the Lü family from Luoyang and Cao Wanrong’s intentions. According to customs, this is a deposit. Money is inconvenient to carry, so please accept this instead.”
Shu’er respectfully placed a silver bowl on the table.
Zhang Wulang frowned. “What’s this? It’s just a small matter. Last time, for just a few words, you gave each brother a bolt of silk. They all said you were too generous. This time…”
Mudan smiled. “Fifth Brother, I understand the customs. If it were just you, I wouldn’t stand in ceremony, but the other brothers have families to support. This isn’t much, just a token of appreciation. Besides, if the peony flower festival does happen, I’ll have many more favors to ask of you. We can’t always expect people to run errands for free, can we?”
Zhang Wulang pondered for a moment before replying, “All right, I’ll convey your intentions to the brothers and make sure they handle the matter properly.”
Mudan sighed in relief, thanked him with a smile, and asked Gui to bring over the fabric she had bought earlier. “Last time I visited your home, your mother was so hospitable. I wanted to invite her over, but I’m often not at home. This is a small token of appreciation. It’s enough to make some winter clothes for your mother and Fanli’er.”
There were four pieces of fabric: one sky blue, one dark red, one light green, and one peach red, all high-quality brocade. Zhang Wulang was silent for a moment, then suddenly took a deep breath and shouted, “You freeloader, come thank your Seventh Brother He!”
As soon as he called out, Fanli’er’s head poked through the curtain. She opened her clear eyes wide and said disdainfully, “I’m not deaf. What’s all this bellowing about?”
Zhang Wulang was exasperated by her response. She ignored him and went to examine the fabric, then turned to Mudan with a very satisfied expression. She curtsied and smiled, “Sister He, these are beautiful, much prettier than what certain people buy. I’m grateful to you, and I’ll thank you on behalf of my mother as well. I was scolded earlier and felt upset, so I took it out on you. Please forgive me. I just want to be a rich mother someday, with servants to wait on me.”
Mudan couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s quite ambitious. I’m sure you’ll be wealthy one day.” In truth, even her own money now wasn’t hers, but was given by He Zhizhong and Madam Cen. Money that truly belonged to her would only come next spring. It would come. She clenched her fist gently.
Zhang Wulang deliberately ignored Fanli’er’s comment about “certain people” and, seeing that she had thanked Mudan, stood up to escort Mudan out. “It’s getting late. I’ll see you out. Otherwise, when everyone disperses and heads home, it’ll be dirty and chaotic, with all sorts of people around.”
Mudan looked back at Fanli’er, who was intently holding up a piece of fabric to the light and gently rubbing it against her cheek, a sweet, happy smile on her face. What an adorable young girl.
Zhang Wulang glanced at her indifferently and gritted his teeth, “That irritating little girl.”
Mudan smiled, “She’s quite an interesting young lady. Is she a relative of yours?”
Zhang Wulang sighed, “No. Well, sort of. My mother brought her from somewhere, and she’s completely at home here. I heard she’s the daughter of a poor scholar, and both her parents have passed away. She knows a few words and thinks she’s something special. If she annoys me enough one day, I’ll grab her by the collar and throw her out.
We’ll see if she doesn’t cry for her parents then!” His eyes were a bit red as he spoke in an irritated yet somewhat affectionate tone, “An old woman and a little girl, two burdens. They keep me from going anywhere. Your Fourth Brother asked me to go to sea with them, and your eldest brother wanted me to join the army… I told them I was just making a living in the city. Even running a business led to bankruptcy. This is the only thing that still makes money…”
This was the first time Mudan had heard him speak about these things. After a moment of silence, she smiled and said, “Actually, Zhang Fifth Brother, I think you’re quite content now. At least you haven’t gotten lost in it all. And it truly is lively here.”
Zhang Wulang smirked and leaned against the wall like an iron tower, looking up at the bright blue sky. “Life here is even more interesting than the theater. You often see people’s joys and sorrows, and families falling apart… But this business isn’t really about accumulating good karma. Taking care of Fanli’er, I’ll consider that my good deed. By the way, your Sixth Brother likes to go to the largest Hu tavern.”
Mudan remembered that tavern. It was when she had just left the Liu family and went with Madam Zhang and Madam Sun to see the peonies by the release pool. There, she saw the beautiful Maya and witnessed Pan Rong being teased… Even then, Madam Zhang had mentioned that the Sixth Brother loved going there. She thanked Zhang Wulang and turned to leave.
Zhang Wulang stood in place, making sure she safely left the area before turning back. As soon as he turned, Fanli’er stomped on his foot, rolled up her sleeves, put her hands on her hips, and frowned, “What are you looking at? Where are you looking? I’m the daughter of a poor scholar? I only know a few scrawled words. So you’re raising me to accumulate good karma? You want to grab me by the collar and make me cry for my parents?! Mother said that when I come of age, we’ll have a wedding ceremony! When I grow up, we’ll see who cries for their parents!”
How old was she? Ten. And he was almost thirty. Zhang Wulang looked helplessly at the small figure before him, barely reaching his armpit, and sighed. He grabbed her by the collar, walked back, and gently tossed her into the room, saying, “We’ll talk about it when you’re older, freeloader.”
“I’m not a freeloader!” Fanli’er cried, her eyes red.
“Your mother named you Fanli’er, hoping you could eat white rice, whole grains of white rice. Fanli’er means rice-eater, so you’re a freeloader,” Zhang Wulang retorted. He then called out to a nearby room, “Someone come here and get to work!”
An ink-stained inkstone flew through the blue and white floral curtain, hitting Zhang Wulang squarely on the back. A black stain immediately bloomed on his new green brocade arm guard. Peals of laughter erupted from the surrounding rooms that had been quiet moments before. Zhang Wulang’s face grew increasingly dark as he stormed in, only to see Fanli’er standing high on the couch, draped in the new fabric Mudan had bought, her eyes red as she said, “I won’t wear it. I’ll make a good dress for Mother. When you have a new bride in the future, this can be left for her. I’ll make it for her. My needlework is very good. Don’t send me away.”
Zhang Wulang let out a sigh, covering his head as he walked out. “Wear it yourself then.”
Mudan and her servants hadn’t gone far when they heard a commotion behind them. The last cockfight had ended, and someone who had gambled away all his possessions was being stripped on the spot and taken away to settle his debts. The man wailed and cried, half-naked, banging his head against a nearby tree, shouting that he’d rather die. He hit his head until it was bloody and mangled before being dragged away without mercy. A large crowd of onlookers followed, stirring up dust and leaving behind an unpleasant smell of rancid sweat. In the distance, they could still hear the man’s mournful cries: “Lan’niang, I’ve failed you… Let me die… I was bewitched…”
Mudan shuddered and unconsciously took a few steps following the crowd. Gui coughed lightly, “Mother? It’s getting late.”
Mudan snapped out of her daze and turned to Gui and Shu’er, saying, “When we get back, make it clear that no one in Fang Garden is allowed to gamble.”
On their way home, as they passed by the largest Hu tavern, Mudan looked up. A woman wearing a jade-green gauze dress with a matching gauze robe leaned against a second-floor window, swinging a leg clad in scarlet lantern pants. Her feet, white as jade, were bare, with a delicate string of golden bells around her slim ankle. She turned to smile at Mudan, raising her snow-white, slender fingers to tuck a loose curl of brown hair behind her ear. She gently plucked at the hu xianzi in her hands and winked at Mudan, her jade-green eyes bewitchingly beautiful.
It was Maya. Mudan looked up at her. She was truly beautiful.
Shu’er, still remembering to look for the Sixth Brother, nudged Mudan. “Mother, shall we go in? Look, that Hu courtesan is mistaking you for a handsome young man.”
Mudan turned back and said seriously, “We’re not going in. How do you know she mistook me for a young man? These people have the keenest eyes. She might have spotted Gui.”
Shu’er was stunned for a moment before covering her mouth to stifle a laugh.
Gui blushed deeply and didn’t speak to Mudan for several days.