After walking quickly for some distance, Mudan initially wanted to hide in her courtyard. However, after some consideration, she changed her mind and headed towards the banquet area. Li Xing and others had already witnessed Liu Chang and Princess Qinghua’s disgraceful behavior. Those two wouldn’t dare confront them, but they might come to take out their frustrations on her. If there was to be a scene, better to make it a big one – what was there to fear?
At this time, some guests were still composing poetry, while others lounged on their mats drinking and chatting, watching musicians and dancers perform. Some sought quiet corners for games of Go, while others gambled with dice. Men and women alike indulged in their pleasures, reveling in the festivities.
As soon as Mudan appeared, a young maid wearing green-threaded shoes and a lake-green half-sleeved garment approached her and curtsied. She had been sent by Madam Bai to find Mudan.
Mudan followed the maid to a grass pavilion behind a lilac thicket. There, she saw Madam Bai sitting with a young woman who had her hair in a Wuman bun adorned with a gold sparrow hairpin. The young woman wore an eight-panel crabapple red silk skirt and a golden gauze shawl. She had an oval face, long eyebrows, bright eyes, a delicate nose, and red lips. Her expression was haughty.
Seeing Mudan enter, Madam Bai rose with a smile, saying, “I turned around earlier and you were gone. I thought you’d left without saying goodbye.”
Mudan explained, “I had some matters to attend to and couldn’t delay. I didn’t want to disturb your enjoyment, so I didn’t inform you. It was rude of me.”
Madam Bai pulled Mudan to sit beside her, laughing, “I’m just teasing you. You’re the host, with many trivial matters to handle. How can that compare to our eating, drinking, and merrymaking?”
After they shared a laugh, Madam Bai introduced the young woman to Mudan: “This is Wu Shilian, the seventeenth daughter of the Wu family from Qinghe. Her courtesy name is Xilian, but we usually call her Alian.”
Wu Xilian barely raised herself, giving Mudan a faint smile without saying much.
Noticing that Madam Bai hadn’t introduced her to Wu Xilian, Mudan realized she must already know who she was. Mudan didn’t take Wu Xilian’s dismissive attitude to heart. The Wu family of Qinghe was one of the country’s famous noble clans, even favored by the royal family for marriages. Over time, they had developed an air of superiority. Even Princess Qinghua might not be considered particularly noble in their eyes.
Madam Bai smiled and said, “For the Dragon Boat Festival in May, which is also the Empress Dowager’s birthday, there will be performances from the Qinqing Palace’s Qinzheng Tower to the east of Jinguang Gate at Chunming Gate, and to the west of Jinguang Gate. A hundred localities will showcase their art. Will you two be going?”
Wu Xilian smiled, “My father mentioned setting up a viewing platform a few days ago. I suppose we’ll go.”
Mudan, unaware of whether the Liu family would set up a viewing platform or if she would even be able to go out at that time, simply said, “I’m not sure.”
Madam Bai said, “No worries. If you want to go, I’ll send a carriage to pick you up then.”
Wu Xilian glanced at Mudan and said bluntly, “Forgive my frankness, but it must be difficult for you to live such a life! If it were me, I would have left my husband long ago.”
Mudan smiled faintly, “If I were Alian, I wouldn’t face such treatment in the first place.”
Wu Xilian paused, then said sharply, “Even if I were you, I wouldn’t live such a stifled life. Living like this is worse than death!”
Madam Bai frowned, “Alian, I’ve told you before, that people have different circumstances, personalities, and ways of dealing with problems. Is your sister living well? Am I living well?”
Wu Xilian stood up, brushing her sleeve, “Axin, you’re my sister’s good friend. When she faced misfortune, not only did you not sympathize with her, but you’re using her pain as a topic of conversation. It’s truly chilling!”
Madam Bai retorted, “I kindly introduced you to a friend, yet you embarrass her in public, which also embarrasses me. I thought you were different and insightful, and with my and your sister’s experiences, you wouldn’t be as shallow and boring as others. It seems I misjudged you!”
“I’m shallow and boring?” Wu Xilian’s nostrils flared, her eyes reddening, “Axin, you’ve just met her, and you’re bullying me for her sake?”
Madam Bai said, “I’m not bullying anyone or protecting anyone. I’m just discussing the matter at hand! You’ll understand many of these things after you’re married.”
Wu Xilian pouted, “I would never marry someone like that!”
Mudan stood up and cried to both of them, “I’ve caused you both to argue because of me. It’s my fault. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.” There was no point in continuing a conversation that wasn’t going anywhere, and why should she cause Madam Bai to offend her close friend for her sake?
Madam Bai tried to keep Mudan, but seeing her calm and expressionless face, she thought that forcing her to stay might only cause more discomfort. She walked Mudan to the pavilion entrance, gently squeezing her hand and saying softly, “We’ll meet again another day.”
Mudan nodded. She had only walked a few steps when she saw Pan Rong and Li Xing hurrying over. Startled, she quickly dodged aside.
Pan Rong called out loudly, “Sister-in-law, don’t run! Let me say a few words. This isn’t a big deal…” His voice was so loud that it drew everyone’s attention.
Seeing this, Mudan retreated even further.
Li Xing frowned and grabbed Pan Rong, “Are you here to help or to make things worse? Are you doing this on purpose? If you keep causing trouble, our previous agreement is off.”
Pan Rong blinked, “Don’t try to back out! It isn’t a big deal. If she doesn’t get used to it soon, won’t she suffer for nothing?” Despite his words, he reached out to call Madam Bai over.
After hearing their brief explanation, Madam Bai said curiously, “She didn’t seem particularly upset to me just now.”
Pan Rong exclaimed, “This is bad! There’s no greater sorrow than a dead heart. Not only did she return here, but she could even chat and laugh with you. She must be harboring thoughts of death! Quick, go tell her not to do anything rash!”
Before he finished speaking, Li Xing scoffed at him. Madam Bai gave him a cool glance, not bothering to say more. Without even bidding farewell to Wu Xilian in the pavilion, she went to find Mudan.
Having avoided Pan Rong and the others, Mudan encountered Yuer playing dice with a young woman. Yuer, having lost quite a bit, eagerly invited Mudan to join. Mudan smiled, “I don’t know how to play.”
Yuer laughed, “It’s very simple. Young Madam will learn after playing once.” She began to explain, “Rolling all five dice black is called ‘Lu’, worth 16 points…” Before she could finish, someone nearby continued, “Two pheasants and three black are ‘Zhi’, worth 14 points; two calves and three white is ‘Du’, worth 10 points; all five white is ‘Bai’, worth 8 points. These four combinations are called valuable points.”
The one who spoke was none other than Liu Chang.
Yuer, frightened, quickly stood up to curtsy. Liu Chang naturally sat down next to Mudan. Mudan caught the scent of expensive perfume on him and, remembering the earlier scene felt nauseated. It wasn’t that she had any particular feelings for him, but sitting so close to what she considered a public toilet was truly disgusting.
Seeing Mudan silent, eyes lowered to the game board, Liu Chang condescendingly said, “I’ll teach you how to play.” His tone was assertive rather than inquiring.
How strange, Mudan thought. She raised her eyes, looking at him suspiciously. What was this scoundrel up to? Telling her not to make a scene? Not to cry and make a fuss? Did she look like she was about to do any of that? He’d be better off talking to his good-for-nothing friend Pan Rong. Why wasn’t he confronting her? And where was Princess Qinghua?
When Madam Bai approached, she saw Liu Chang and Mudan sitting face to face at the dice board. Liu Chang had a serious expression, tossing the five dice back and forth, while Mudan sat stiff as a board, her face devoid of emotion, lost in thought. After a moment’s consideration, Madam Bai greeted Liu Chang and turned to Mudan, “Sister-in-law, I need to speak with you about something.”
Mudan responded with an “Oh,” then stood up, saying, “Yuer, keep the young master company.”
Yuer, sensing the awkward atmosphere, dared neither agree nor disagree, only forcing a smile and standing beside Liu Chang without speaking. Seeing Mudan walk away with Madam Bai, Liu Chang tossed aside the dice and joined a group of men gambling enthusiastically. Soon, he was laughing and shouting joyfully.
Madam Bai led Mudan to a quiet spot and dismissed their attendants. She looked at Mudan seriously and asked, “What are you thinking?”
Knowing that Madam Bai must have heard about the earlier incident, Mudan smiled faintly, “I’m not thinking anything in particular.”
Madam Bai said sternly, “Is it that you have no solution, so you’ve given up thinking? Or have you become so desperate that you’ve thought of everything? Let me tell you, this isn’t such a big deal!” She grabbed Mudan’s wrist tightly, causing pain. “It’s not worth dying for someone like that! The worse they treat you, the more you should live well!”
Realizing that Madam Bai feared she might commit suicide, Mudan smiled, “I wouldn’t kill myself. The reason I’m not thinking much about it is simply because I don’t care. It’s like I’m comfortably sunbathing right now, and someone tells me it’s raining elsewhere. What does that have to do with me?”
Madam Bai was silent for a moment, seemingly believing Mudan’s explanation. She then said, “That’s for the best. Still, be careful. Watch out in case she fails with one plan and comes up with another. The face is a small matter, but life is important.”
Mudan tensed, quickly bowing in gratitude.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the distance, with people surging towards some location. Madam Bai called over the maid with green-threaded shoes, “Go see what’s happening.”
Shortly after, the maid returned, glancing at Mudan before reporting, “The Fenyi Lang Liu and Young Master Li are quarreling over some trivial matter. They’ve come to blows.”
Madam Bai and Mudan understood that it must be about the earlier incident. Such a scandal couldn’t be kept secret for long, and soon it would spread throughout the capital through the guests present. Madam Bai frowned, “You can’t help either side. You’d better go home now.”