As Jiang Changyang approached his residence after parting ways, he spotted a man in a brown robe crouching by the door, looking around anxiously. Upon seeing Jiang, the man immediately stood up, smiling as he hurried over. He bowed in front of Jiang’s horse and said, “Young Master, my name is Zhengde. I used to serve Young Master Er. We’ve met a few times before. Do you remember me?”
Jiang Changyang shifted his gaze from the man’s missing ear and asked coolly, “What brings you here?”
Zhengde humbly presented a letter, “This is a letter dictated by the Old Madam and written by the Madam. Please take a look.”
Jiang Changyang tilted his head slightly, and Wu immediately stepped forward to receive it. However, Jiang didn’t look at it and said dismissively, “I understand. You may go.”
Zhengde had been waiting at the door for several days, finally managing to catch Jiang. He was eager for a response to report back, so he persisted with a flattering smile, “My Lord, the Old Madam has been extremely anxious about the recent incident, unable to eat or sleep well. The Madam also feels that you’ve been wronged and fears that such trivial matters might cause estrangement in the family. Therefore, both ladies have specially arranged a family banquet, inviting several respected elders from the clan and some close friends of the Duke to attend. The purpose is to clear up any misunderstandings… Everyone else has already agreed, and they’re just waiting for you to set a convenient date.”
This was a forceful move, arranging everything beforehand and only informing him now, implying that he could choose any time that suited him, but not attending would be seen as disrespectful. Jiang Changyang opened the letter and glanced at it; the content was similar to what Zhengde had said, only more tactfully phrased. Without raising his eyes, he said, “I’m very busy. There’s no need to choose a specific day. Let’s make it tomorrow.”
Zhengde beamed with joy and bowed deeply. Not daring to wait for a reward, he stood in place, respectfully seeing Jiang Changyang enter before turning to leave and report the good news.
Upon hearing this, Madam Du inwardly sneered. Did he think setting it for tomorrow would leave her unprepared? When she set her mind to something, there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish. She glanced at the sky, then turned to instruct Baixiang, “Baixiang, relay my message. Send out invitations immediately. Everyone else must finish their tasks tonight, even if it means not sleeping.”
Shortly after, Baixiang returned, “Madam, everything has been arranged.”
Madam Du sat at her desk, toying with a small, plain silver box with a cloud-shaped lid. She smiled, “Baixiang, come and take a look.”
Baixiang hurried over, “Madam, what is this?”
Madam Du remained silent, merely handing the box to her. Baixiang carefully opened the lid to find half a box of white powder inside. She leaned in to smell it but detected no odor. Unexpectedly, a strange feeling welled up inside her. She forced a smile and asked, “Madam, is this a new powder from the palace?”
Madam Du replied languidly, “Why don’t you tell me what kind of powder it is?”
Baixiang felt her mouth go dry, “This servant’s knowledge is limited. I can’t tell.”
Madam Du cast a sharp glance at her, her eyes as piercing as knives, “Of course, you can’t tell. This isn’t powder at all. It’s medicine, medicine that can trigger an illness in a patient.”
In this household, only one person suffered from heart palpitations. Baixiang’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the box. She quickly steadied herself but stared at Madam Du in a daze, her legs shaking uncontrollably beneath her skirt.
Madam Du looked at her steadily and spoke slowly, “Baixiang, some time ago, you told me you wanted to stay with me for life. I know you’re loyal, but I can’t bear to let you waste your entire life with me. I promised that once this matter was settled, I would free you from servitude and find you a good family. Do you remember?”
Baixiang lowered her head, “This servant remembers.”
Madam Du enunciated each word clearly, “Tomorrow, you will take an amount about the size of a fingernail and put it in the ginseng tea. Do you understand? Just one simple task – a light pinch, a quick shake, and everything will be fine. From then on, neither you nor your children will ever have to serve others again. Wealth and status may not be out of reach.”
The silver box in her hand felt scorching hot. Baixiang wanted nothing more than to throw it as far away as possible, but she knew she couldn’t. Her entire family was in Madam Du’s grasp. She tried her best to appear calm, but when she opened her mouth, she found her teeth and lips trembling uncontrollably, unable to speak.
Madam Du watched Baixiang calmly. When she finally caught her breath, Madam Du said softly, “Don’t worry. As long as you get the amount right, nothing serious will happen. At most, she’ll have an attack. After two days of rest and two doses of medicine, she’ll naturally recover.”
Baixiang stammered, “It really won’t cause any harm?”
Madam Du’s beautiful eyes filled with a smile as she spoke kindly, “Silly child, do you think I’m that kind of person? I even give her meat to eat, how could I do something so cruel? I just need her to be slightly ill for a few days. In the future, Zhong’er will still need his grandmother’s support in many ways.”
Baixiang might not have believed the first part of Madam Du’s words, but she believed the latter. Young Master Er indeed needed the Old Madam’s support in many ways, so Madam Du probably wouldn’t do anything too drastic. Baixiang’s trembling legs gradually steadied. She clutched the silver box tightly and said in a low voice, “Madam, please rest assured. This servant will do it well.”
Madam Du turned back to open her mirror case, taking out a purple bamboo comb to carefully arrange her glossy black hair. “Do it cleanly. Just before the banquet starts.”
“Yes,” Baixiang closed the box tightly and carefully tucked it into her bosom.
“Besides this, you also need to do the following…” Madam Du whispered a few more instructions to Baixiang. After finishing her hair and touching up her makeup, she looked at herself in the mirror from different angles. Standing up with a smile, she said, “Let’s go. It’s time to serve the Old Madam her evening meal.”
When the Old Madam heard that Jiang Changyang had agreed to come, she sternly instructed Madam Du, “You must arrange everything properly. Think carefully about what to say. Don’t let others laugh at our family.”
Madam Du chuckled softly, “Mother, please don’t worry. Your daughter-in-law will certainly not ruin this important matter.” She then began serving food to the Old Madam, “You shouldn’t eat too many greasy things. The doctor said you should eat lighter meals.”
The Old Madam protested, “I don’t like eating this!”
Madam Du firmly stood her ground, “Even if you scold me to death, I still can’t let you have your way. Zhong’er and Yi’er haven’t married yet, and you haven’t seen your great-grandchildren.”
The Old Madam sighed, “Ah… alright, you’re always so controlling.”
Hong’er chimed in with a smile, “Old Madam, you have to admit, if it weren’t for the Madam’s constant care and instructions over the years, how could your health be so good?”
Madam Du quickly said, “Don’t say that. It’s all because of the Old Madam’s deep blessings and virtues, and the protection of the Bodhisattva. I’m just doing my filial duty.”
The Old Madam smiled and patted Madam Du’s hand, “Don’t be so modest. The Buddha’s blessings are important, but it’s also your merit.”
Madam Du smiled faintly and began telling jokes, making the Old Madam laugh heartily. To anyone watching, they appeared as close as a mother and daughter. Baixiang observed from the side, feeling more reassured. Perhaps the Madam was telling the truth after all. But whenever her hand touched the box, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it might bite.
The next evening, Madam Du stood at the entrance welcoming guests. She greeted them with pearls of laughter, maintaining a humble demeanor as she ushered them into the flower hall. Suddenly, a servant announced, “Minister Xiao has arrived.”
Madam Du smiled slightly. She had specifically invited Minister Xiao; once today was over, this marriage arrangement would be settled. As she exchanged pleasantries with Minister Xiao, she secretly glanced at the delicate and graceful servant boy beside him. The boy wore a plain gray-white round-collared robe and was rather thin and small, but his face was pleasing to look at, with gentle features. Though he kept his head down, there was something distinctly different about him. Noticing Madam Du’s gaze, he instinctively moved closer to Minister Xiao, hiding his face behind him.
Madam Du shifted her attention away and had someone escort Minister Xiao inside. The servant boy followed Minister Xiao for a few steps, then looked around carefully before gently tugging on Minister Xiao’s sleeve. Madam Du smiled with certainty. Who else could this be but Xiao Xuexi in disguise? She had fallen for him, finding such an opportunity to see her beloved. Little girl, prepare for heartbreak.
Jiang Changyang arrived at just the right time when about two-thirds of the guests had already come. This timing allowed him to avoid direct interaction with the Zhu Duke’s family alone while also not keeping others waiting impolitely. Unlike his first high-profile visit, this time he dressed modestly in a blue round-collared narrow-sleeved robe. His smile was humble and gentle, and although not particularly warm towards Madam Du, his behavior was impeccable. When he saw the Old Madam, he was even more exemplary, promptly giving her a deep bow in front of everyone and saying, “Grandson acted impulsively and caused Grandmother to worry. It was all my fault. Please don’t hold it against me, Grandmother.”
The Old Madam had been angry at the sight of Jiang Changyang, but she hadn’t expected him to show her such respect. Caught off guard, she felt immensely pleased. Whether Jiang Changyang’s intentions were sincere or not, it was beneficial for the Duke’s family, and she saw no reason to remain at odds with him. She smiled benevolently, “Good child, stand up. Let’s put the past behind us and not mention it again. Come, let me introduce you to your elders.”
To her surprise, most of the people present already knew Jiang Changyang. As they smiled and chatted with him, some even patted his shoulder encouragingly. The Xiao family’s young girl stared at Jiang Changyang intently, her face brimming with joy. Minister Xiao was particularly enthusiastic, holding onto Jiang Changyang and not letting go. Madam Du felt quite displeased. She glanced at Baixiang standing in the corner, who nodded nervously, indicating that she had completed the task.
Madam Du turned her attention back to the Old Madam, who, having spoken until her mouth was dry, drank the entire bowl of ginseng tea in front of her. Madam Du smiled slightly with relief, then looked at the crowd and coughed lightly twice. As everyone quieted down, she raised her cup, “For the first toast, I’d like to thank you all on behalf of Houde for taking time out of your busy schedules to grace our humble home.” She elegantly dipped her finger in the cup and flicked a few drops of wine towards the sky as a sign of respect.
After everyone drank the first cup, Madam Du stepped towards Jiang Changyang, “For the second toast, I must apologize to Da Lang.”