While various people harbored their thoughts and pursued their own goals, the guest house of the Marquis of Chuzhou’s residence was peaceful and serene. Mudan reclined comfortably against a warming stove, her eyes slightly narrowed in contentment as she watched Lady Bai across from her and Pan Jing playing with an old cat nearby. She allowed the warm fragrance from the stove to rise slowly, permeating her sleeves and hair.
Lady Bai carefully applied the pork trotter beauty cream to the back of her hand, bringing it to her nose to smell. She smiled, “It smells quite nice and feels quite moisturizing. Danniang, you have time on your hands.”
Mudan replied, “The weather is getting colder. My mother is getting older and worries about my father and brothers. She spends her days praying to Buddha and chanting sutras, hiding by the warming stove for warmth. She’s losing her spirit, so I have to engage her in other activities to distract her.”
Lady Bai lay back on the couch, instructing Nianyu to apply the beauty cream all over her face. With her eyes closed, she said, “I truly envy your freedom, being able to do serious work when you want and leisurely activities when you desire. For me, even to get some peace, I have to feign illness and hide here. I wanted to talk to you but was afraid you were busy. Thankfully, Nianyu went back to fetch something and happened to meet Shu’er, who knew you were free these days. That’s why we invited you over. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have found anyone to talk to right now.”
Mudan said, “If you have something to discuss, you should just send someone to tell me. Why so many considerations? No matter how busy I am, I always have time to chat with you. How long have you been staying here?”
She had sent Lin Mama to deliver the beauty cream to Li Manniang and Madam Dou, but she hadn’t seen Lady Bai for a long time. That’s why she asked Shu’er to make this trip, also intending to inquire if Lady Bai had time to visit Fang Garden in the coming days so they could meet and talk. She didn’t know that Lady Bai had already brought Pan Jing to the guest house alone to “recuperate.” If she had known, she would have come earlier.
Lady Bai’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, “Not long, about half a month or so.”
Recalling the strange behavior of this couple during their last gathering at Fang Garden, Mudan secretly wondered if they had quarreled again. She asked, “So how long do you plan to stay here?”
Lady Bai was silent for a moment before replying, “I haven’t planned. We’ll see. It’s rare to have such peace, so I might as well enjoy it.” Nianyu’s hand paused, her face showing concern. She seemed about to speak but ultimately lowered her eyes and continued applying the cream to Lady Bai’s face and neck.
Mudan noticed this and realized that the couple must be having serious problems. Just as she was wondering how to comfort Lady Bai, an old servant woman entered carrying a large gold-rimmed bowl of dumplings. She smiled, “These are the dumplings the young master asked for earlier.”
Lady Bai said, “Bring them here for me to see.”
As she lay still, the servant quickly stepped forward to present the bowl. Lady Bai glanced at it and said, “They look well-cooked, but don’t let him eat too many.” As she spoke, she suddenly covered her mouth, sat up, and began to retch. Nianyu, quick to react, immediately brought over a basin. Lady Bai’s eyes watered, but she only brought up a few mouthfuls of clear liquid.
The servant was frightened and quickly retreated several steps with the bowl, asking anxiously, “Madam, do you dislike the smell?”
Nianyu said, “Put down the bowl and leave.”
The servant bowed and silently withdrew. Pan Jing clamored for food, but his wet nurse dared not feed him, looking questioningly at Lady Bai instead. Lady Bai rinsed her mouth and weakly waved her hand, “Take him out to eat, but only half. Don’t let him eat too much.”
After the wet nurse left with Pan Jing, Mudan asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
Lady Bai, ignoring the beauty cream still on her hands, gently placed them on her lower abdomen. Frowning, she remained silent for a long while before sighing softly, “I think I might be pregnant again.”
Nianyu immediately exchanged a glance with Mudan, clearly having suspected this already.
Mudan smiled, “That’s good news, isn’t it? Erjing will have a sibling to play with and won’t be lonely. Have you seen a doctor?”
Lady Bai took a while to respond in a low voice, “No, it’s just a guess for now.”
Mudan could see that Lady Bai was in a very bad mood. This child, it seemed, was not particularly welcome. She remained silent for a moment before saying gently, “You should see a doctor. If you are pregnant, you need to take care of yourself to avoid any harm to the baby. If you’re not, any illness should be treated early.”
Lady Bai took the handkerchief Nianyu offered and slowly wiped the beauty cream from her face. When she reached the last bit, she suddenly covered her face with the handkerchief, remaining motionless except for her slightly trembling shoulders.
Seeing this, Nianyu looked at Mudan in panic. Having grown up with Lady Bai, this was only the second time she had seen her mistress in such a state…
Mudan quickly moved forward to embrace Lady Bai’s shoulders. She didn’t speak, only gently rubbing Lady Bai’s back. As she did so, she realized that Lady Bai’s back was all bones, even thinner than her own.
After about half an incense stick’s time, Lady Bai’s trembling gradually subsided. She kept her face covered with the handkerchief and spoke in a muffled voice, “Danniang, while it’s still early, you should hurry back. I’m in a very bad mood and want to be alone for a while. I can’t entertain you today, please understand.”
Nianyu looked anxiously at Mudan, shaking her head slightly, hoping Mudan would stay. Mudan paused briefly, then patted Lady Bai’s shoulder gently and said softly, “Alright, you rest. I’ll head back. Remember to think of Erjing, yourself, Nianyu, and the others in everything you do. If you need anything, I’m just a call away.”
Mudan knew that someone like Lady Bai was extremely proud, both inside and out. She always strived to appear perfect in front of others and rarely showed vulnerability or helplessness. Even if she wanted to, her upbringing wouldn’t allow her to freely express her emotions in front of others. She had her pride and dignity. Although she liked to confide in Mudan, she had only briefly mentioned matters concerning her and Pan Rong, never going into detail about what exactly had happened. Out of respect, Mudan didn’t pry into things Lady Bai was unwilling to discuss. Although she knew this must be Lady Bai’s most painful moment, she also understood that what Lady Bai needed most right now was not comfort, but solitude – a chance to express her emotions freely on her own.
Lady Bai indeed nodded vigorously, “Mm, alright.” She then urged Nianyu, “Nianyu, please see Madam He out for me.”
“Yes,” Nianyu replied, but she remained motionless, looking worriedly at Lady Bai. Mudan gently pulled her, “Let’s go.”
Nianyu followed Mudan out, constantly looking back. She called a young maid to summon Shu’er and Kuan’er from the nearby tea room and ordered someone to fetch Mudan’s horse and call Gui. Mudan hurriedly said, “Don’t bother with all that. Quickly go back and keep watch for your mistress…” If she wasn’t mistaken, Lady Bai must be crying heavily right now. Mudan paused, then said in a low voice, “If she remains unhappy for a long time, let Erjing go call her… I’ll be in the city for the next few days. If anything happens, send someone to tell me immediately, and I’ll come right away.”
Nianyu hurriedly bowed to Mudan and rushed back inside. When she reached Lady Bai’s quarters, she found the doors and windows tightly shut, with silence inside. Feeling anxious, she instinctively pushed the door gently, but it was bolted from the inside and didn’t budge. Nianyu became frightened and wanted to call out, but remembering Mudan’s words, she pressed her ear tightly against the door crack and listened intently… From inside came the sound of low, suppressed sobbing.
Tears streamed down Nianyu’s face uncontrollably. Poor mistress, she couldn’t even cry loudly. She calculated the time, planning to bring Pan Jing to call for his mother if Lady Bai didn’t call for anyone after half an hour, as Mudan had instructed. However, Lady Bai’s sobbing gradually subsided, and the sound of water could be heard. About half an incense stick’s time later, the door opened slightly, and Lady Bai stood in the doorway, saying, “Go bring Erjing here. And tell the kitchen to make me a bowl of bird’s nest porridge.” Although her complexion was poor and her eyes were still red, her hair was neatly arranged.
Nianyu breathed a huge sigh of relief and happily complied.
As Mudan rode back, her mind was preoccupied with Lady Bai’s situation. She allowed her horse to walk slowly, lost in thought about how to help Lady Bai. Her desire to assist Lady Bai was stronger than ever before. To help her, she needed to understand what had happened in their past, and Jiang Changyang knew about it. She glanced at the sky, estimating that Jiang Changyang should be back in the city by the time she returned. She turned to look at Gui, who was following closely behind her, “Gui, when you went to Furong Garden to deliver the message last time, did you find out if Master Jiang is busy with official duties these days? Is he in the city?”
The last time she had Gui tell Jiang Changyang about Lu Wulang’s visit, Jiang Changyang had only verbally replied that he knew and told her not to worry, without saying anything more. Later, when Madam Du came to visit, although she hadn’t specifically told him about it, she knew he was aware of the matter. Yet he still hadn’t sent any message, and it had been several days. She hadn’t encountered him when she went out either. Thinking of this, Mudan couldn’t help but pout slightly.
Gui made an “ah” sound, his gaze somewhat evasive as he looked around before saying, “He should be there, I suppose?”
Mudan said, “In that case, go ahead to Furong Garden and see if Master Jiang is there. If he is, tell him to come in this direction. I have something to discuss with him.”
Gui scratched his head and ear, “Madam, we’re still quite a distance from the city. It’s not good to leave you here with Kuan’er and Shu’er. Why don’t we wait until we’re closer before deciding? How about that?”
Mudan frowned, “You don’t want to go?”
Gui laughed dryly, “How could that be?” He craned his neck to look ahead, his eyes suddenly lighting up, “Madam, speak of the devil! Look who’s there?”
Since he said it like that, who else could it be? Mudan looked up and indeed saw two riders approaching from a distance. Although their faces weren’t clear yet, she could see that the person in front was wearing a sapphire blue round-collared robe. She remembered this robe clearly; it was the same one Jiang Changyang wore the first time they rode back to the city together. Her heart began to race, and she happily raised her riding crop, giving her horse a light tap as she rode towards the approaching figures.
Halfway there, she could finally make out the person’s face. It wasn’t Jiang Changyang, but the other person had also seen her approaching with a broad smile. Mudan felt extremely embarrassed. She reined in her horse and turned back to glare at Gui, “Why did you give me false information?”
Gui shrunk his neck, “Well, it looked like him, didn’t it? You thought so too.”