Suddenly remembering Liu Chang’s actions yesterday, and realizing that Liu Chang probably hated Sixth Brother the most for causing him to lose money last time, so he targeted Sixth Brother first, Mudan was momentarily speechless.
Seeing her downcast gaze, Li Xing comforted her, “Don’t worry too much, we’re still trying to find ways.” They had tried several methods but couldn’t intervene. Liu Chang had invested heavily this time.
Mudan sensitively discerned his intention to comfort her. Thinking about it, she realized that Liu Chang’s brazen approach meant he must be very confident. She lowered her head and smiled, “Thank you for your efforts, cousin. I keep causing you trouble.”
Li Xing also smiled, “I wish I didn’t have to work so hard. I just want things to go smoothly for you.”
Mudan said softly, “I also hope things go smoothly for you.”
Li Xing looked at her with complex emotions, and for a moment, they had nothing more to say to each other. After a while, Zhang Wulang said, “Danni, you should go home. You need to rest well. Don’t worry, I’ve already sent away the people Liu assigned to follow you this morning. Tomorrow, you can go about your business as usual, no one will bother you.”
“I noticed that today,” Mudan responded, standing up and taking Gui and Kuan’er with her. She looked hesitantly at Li Xing, who turned his face slightly away and said, “I still have things to discuss with Brother Zhang Wu.” This meant they should go their separate ways.
Mudan nodded, said her goodbyes, pulled up her hood, and strode out. As Gui escorted her and Kuan’er out, he whispered, “We’ve found Maya. She didn’t say anything, just that she wants to meet you in person. She’s free tomorrow morning and wants you to wait for her outside here. It’s best to bring something very valuable.”
Mudan curled her lip and asked, “Something very valuable? How valuable?”
Gui scratched his head, “I’m not sure, she seemed to be half-joking.”
Mudan was silent for a moment, then said, “Alright, we’ll pass by her door later and leave her a token. How are things on your end? I couldn’t ask you in detail earlier.”
Gui solemnly recounted what had been forced out of Sixth Brother’s mouth last night. Mudan took a deep breath, silently cursing Sixth Brother for being so useless, with a heart smaller than a needle point and greedy for small gains, allowing Liu Chang to exploit. She stopped walking and looked at Gui, “Gui, you’ve been a great help to me. I don’t know how to thank you. If there’s anything you want, just tell me.”
Gui smiled, “Helping my mistress is my duty. There’s no need to speak of thanks.” He lowered his head and smiled, “If I want to ask you for something, I’ll speak up when the time comes.”
She could give him freedom, and a comfortable life – these were things she could offer. Mudan nodded seriously.
As they approached the “Mi Ji” restaurant, they saw Maya’s figure from afar. Gui raised his hand and made a gesture from a distance. Maya glanced over but pretended not to see.
When the mistress and servants returned home, as soon as they stepped through the door, they heard wailing from inside. Concubine Yang’s voice sounded shrill. Zhen Shi lifted her skirt and came out, making a fuss, “Danni! You’re back! Just now, Liu Chang’s servant brought several teeth! Said they were your brothers’!”
Mudan was about to say they weren’t from the others, only from Sixth Brother, when she saw Lady Bai come out with swollen red eyes, holding out a blood-stained tooth wrapped in a handkerchief, “Danni! Your second brother’s leg has been broken. And this tooth…”
Mudan quickly comforted her, “It’s not Second Brother…”
Immediately after, Concubine Yang came rushing out wailing, grabbing Mudan’s skirt and holding up a tooth, “Danni, you’re back? Danni, Danni, save us! Your sixth brother’s leg has also been broken… and a tooth knocked out!”
That damned Liu Chang! That shit-stirring bastard raised on dung! If Li Xing hadn’t told her, she would have been fooled by him. Mudan steeled her heart and said, “I just heard reliable news that all the teeth are from Sixth Brother, and it’s his leg that was broken! Because he was the one who handled the counterfeit goods! He pocketed money he shouldn’t have! If anyone is to be punished, it should be him first and foremost!”
Concubine Yang was shocked and then turned pale. She let go of Mudan’s skirt and leaned against a pillar, swaying. Feeling both ashamed and guilty, she wailed, “What sin have I committed? To raise such a wicked child… bringing disaster upon the whole family…”
Sun Shi stood by expressionlessly, neither consoling Concubine Yang nor approaching Mudan. She returned to her room, having made up her mind to divorce Sixth Brother as soon as this matter was resolved.
Mudan walked straight inside and saw Li Manniang standing to one side, looking at her with a bitter smile. Lady Zhang was also standing there holding little He Chun’s hand. Mudan stopped to greet Li Manniang and then called out, “Fifth Sister-in-law, were you frightened?”
Lady Zhang looked at her with a smile, “I’m fine. I just heard you were back and came to see if you were alright.” Then she squeezed Mudan’s hand, “Danni, don’t be upset. This has nothing to do with you.”
Then she saw Ying Niang and the others coming to greet her, all asking, “Aunt, are you hungry? Thirsty? We’ve made some delicious food for you.” As they spoke, they stuffed hot water bottles into her arms. Mudan couldn’t help but smile. The pressure was great, but so was the motivation.
In the evening, Madam Cen, Xue Shi, He Hong, He Ru, and the others returned with tired faces, saying, “Some made excuses, some promised to help, but we don’t know how much help they can provide.”
Mudan quickly asked, “What about that relative Father mentioned who works as a Remonstrance Official in the Censorate?”
Madam Cen replied, “We didn’t see him. They said he went to visit relatives.”
Mudan frowned, suspecting that he believed the He family had indeed committed a crime and was deliberately avoiding them to escape having to grant a favor. She spoke firmly to He Hong, “Give me his name card.” He Hong dared not refuse. Mudan took it and put it in her bosom, planning to find this Remonstrance Official He no matter what the next day.
Early the next morning, everyone went about their business as usual. Mudan dressed in a moon-white round-collared narrow-sleeved robe wore a headscarf, made her eyebrows thicker, and attached a small mustache, carefully disguising herself as a man. She headed straight for the East Market. After sitting in a tea house for a long time, she finally saw Maya arrive wearing a black hooded cloak. Maya smiled and bowed, saying, “Seventh Young Master, I know quite a few things. It just depends on whether what you’ve brought is valuable enough.”
Mudan took out a pair of jade pieces weighing about two liang from her pouch and placed them in front of Maya, “How about these? If it’s not enough, there’s also this.” She then produced a black pearl the size of a longan fruit, shimmering with peacock green, “This one is truly unique.”
Maya played with them for a moment, then said, “I don’t want these. Give me a place to settle down. Then I’ll do as you wish.” As a popular singer, she had considerable wealth, but it wasn’t easy to shed her status as a courtesan. It would be simple enough for someone to redeem her, but it depended on who did it, whether she was satisfied or not, and what kind of life she would lead afterward.
Mudan understood that someone of her family’s status might find it difficult to smoothly redeem Maya, who was accustomed to entertaining distinguished guests. Even if they managed to get her out, it would lead to endless troubles. So she asked, “Why have you taken an interest in me?”
Maya smiled slightly, “Actually, I want to ask you a favor. Please ask Jiang Dalang to redeem me.” Seeing Mudan’s expression suddenly change, she giggled and said, “I only intend to be his concubine, not asking for anything else. I’ll respect you as the senior. Can you accept that?”
Mudan felt a bitterness in her mouth and said, “I want to save my family, but I don’t want to deceive you. I can’t accept that. Do you know him?”
“How could I not know him? He comes to me once or twice to inquire about news.” Maya’s eyes darkened as she smiled, “I was just joking with you. I just want you to tell him that I’m tired, I don’t want to do this anymore, I want to go back to my hometown. If you agree, we can talk further. If not, then forget it.”
Mudan said seriously, “I can try my best to do that, but I don’t know how he will respond. You need to be prepared and think it through first. If he doesn’t agree to redeem you, I’ll find another way to help you. Where is your home?” Inwardly, she couldn’t help but wonder, what did this mean? Why was she only approaching Jiang Dalang?
Unexpectedly, Maya leaned forward and wiped Mudan’s face, laughing, “Look at your serious little face! Can’t you just agree to everything, and then figure it out after I’ve helped you? But I do like your serious little face! Alright! Listen carefully, my home is in Kucha…”
After parting with Maya, Mudan went to Remonstrance Official He’s house. She dealt with the doorkeeper, handed over the name card, and then sat down without moving. The doorkeeper went inside to deliver the card, came out, and said the master had gone out early to visit friends. Mudan smiled and said, “That’s alright, I have nothing else to do, so I’ll wait here.”
She waited until noon, smilingly asking Gui to go out and buy some hu bing (flatbread) to eat, even sharing some with the doorkeepers. The doorkeepers were at a loss, finding an excuse to go to the back again, still being refused, and quietly coming back to watch Mudan. As the sky began to darken and the evening drum sounded, the doorkeeper started to urge her to leave, “Young master, the ward gates are about to close. You should hurry home, we need to close our doors.”
Mudan just smiled and refused to leave. Gui took a blanket from the horse’s back and spread it on the long bench. The doorkeeper panicked but couldn’t bring himself to be rude. After trying to persuade her again, he went to the back once more. Shortly after, he returned with a look of joy, saying, “It turns out the master has returned home. Because he didn’t come through this door, we didn’t know. He invites you to come in for a talk.”
Mudan calmly followed him to the back, not looking around much as they went. Soon, they arrived outside a pavilion open on all sides. The doorkeeper bowed to the person inside and left.
The man inside looked at Mudan with a cold face, “You’re the seventh child of the He family? How come you haven’t been arrested?”
It was indeed Remonstrance Official He.
Mudan had seen countless people with higher official positions, colder faces, and more disagreeable attitudes than him. How could she be afraid? She smiled and said, “I’m a woman.”
Remonstrance Official He was startled, regretting letting her in. What if she refused to leave?
Mudan spoke slowly, “Remonstrance Official He, you don’t need to be afraid. I’m not here to trouble you. I just initially heard my father say that you’re an upright person who doesn’t fear power, so I wanted to ask for your guidance. Please listen to what I have to say. If you think my family deserves punishment, I’ll leave immediately. But if you think there’s something suspicious about this situation, please give me some advice. Once I leave through that door, it will have nothing to do with you.”
Magistrate He’s expression showed no improvement, but he said, “Speak quickly. The ward gates will close soon. If you don’t finish, I’ll have you thrown out, regardless of whether you’re a man or woman.”
Mudan briefly explained the case, omitting mention of Liu Chang and Xiao Yuexi. Hearing this, Magistrate He sensed something was amiss. His expression softened slightly as he replied, “If you have evidence, present it. Otherwise, this will be difficult to pursue. It’s not that I’m unwilling to speak up for justice, but I fear harming an innocent person.”
Disregarding his thoughts, Mudan thanked him and swiftly departed. She rushed to Prince Fen’s residence, finding lodging at an inn within the ward. She hoped to catch the Princess Consort’s return and perhaps glean some information.
While Mudan’s plans progressed smoothly, Liu Chang suffered. After knocking out the Sixth Young Master’s teeth, breaking his leg, and sending him to the He family to intimidate them, Liu Chang worried about Xiao Yuexi’s interference. He had people closely monitor the Xiao household. Fearing Mudan might seek him out, Liu Chang returned home as night fell. He first quarreled with Qinghua before retiring to his comfortable bed in Yongyang Ward, expecting Mudan to come begging for his help. He bathed and waited, growing drowsy. To his surprise, no one came. Upon inquiry, he learned that even his men following Mudan had lost track of her, unaware of her daytime whereabouts.
Suspecting Mudan had sought out Xiao Yuexi, Liu Chang grew resentful. He thought, “This heartless creature! I’ve spared the Second and Fifth Young Masters, hoping for future reconciliation. Since she’s so unfeeling, I’ll have to exert some force to make her fear me.” As for Xiao Yuexi, Liu Chang pondered how to deal with him. “Doesn’t he consider himself a genius? Looking down on me? Wanting to marry his sister to Jiang Changyang? Well, she’ll be a Jiang family daughter-in-law either way. Jiang Er is too distant to rely on, so why not benefit Jiang? Surely with Xiao Xuexi, Jiang will be like a tiger with wings. Let him become a duke, leaving Jiang Changyang with nothing! As for Xiao Yuexi, I must thoroughly humiliate him, ensuring he can never hold his head high again.”
Contemplating their fates improved Liu Chang’s mood. He rolled over on the bed, noticing the bedcurtain’s color and style were unsatisfactory in the lamplight. Frowning, he called out, “Someone! Bring the finest bedcurtains!”
The steward, dragged from his warm bed by a maid, entered yawning. “Young Master, these are already the best.”
Liu Chang berated him, “Best? You ignorant fool! Do you know what fine curtains are? Seven-treasure curtains, purple gauze curtains, nine-flowered curtains, tortoiseshell curtains, pearl-strung curtains – have you heard of these? Whichever it is, go to the Western Market tomorrow and have a merchant buy it for me! And this screen! I once saw someone with a silver-inlaid bird-feather screen depicting beautifully dressed ladies. Get me one of those! Spare no expense!”
The steward hurriedly agreed and withdrew. Liu Chang stared at the swaying crystal curtains, his thoughts drifting to that afternoon. He had watched Mudan through crystal curtains then, wearing a short green jacket and a pomegranate-red silk skirt, lounging beautifully on a soft couch by the window. A white fan covered her face, with deep purple tassels cascading down her porcelain neck. The golden flower stamens embroidered on her chest reflected the sunlight dazzlingly. He felt he couldn’t look enough, but she was so unlovable and irritating that he lost his temper…
But… if he hadn’t been with Qinghua then, if she hadn’t seen, would everything have been different? For the first time, he considered this question. His heart softened and chilled simultaneously. Sleep eluded him. In a frenzy, he summoned the steward again, personally inspecting the courtyard by candlelight like a wandering spirit. He ordered everything unsatisfactory to be replaced with the finest… After half the night of fuss, he finally fell asleep under the influence of grape wine as the rooster crowed.
Early the next morning, Liu Chang awoke from a nightmare. He first sent someone to follow Mudan and bring her to the Metropolitan Court to watch the proceedings. He then met with Jiang Changyi before heading to the Court himself, pondering whether to start with the Second or Fifth Young Master or continue tormenting the Sixth. Indecisive, he waited half a day. When no one arrived, he was told they couldn’t be found.
Anger rose in Liu Chang’s heart. He ordered the weak Sixth Young Master to be severely whipped, then considered having the Second and Fifth Young Masters beaten as well. Not wanting to cripple them, he thought a taste of suffering would suffice. After all, it wasn’t him doing the beating, he was merely not interfering. It was all Mudan’s fault for forcing his hand.
Just as he was about to act, Pan Rong latched onto him, insisting on treating him to a drink. Liu Chang, aware of his intentions but not exposing them, allowed his orders to be carried out while accompanying Pan Rong.
As soon as Liu Chang left, someone arrived with a calling card from Duke Zhu’s mansion, informing the steward that the He family were relatives of the Jiang family, and requesting leniency until the case was clarified.
While Liu Chang was in a drunken haze, Qiushi sneaked in and whispered something in his ear. Liu Chang’s spirits lifted, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “That stubborn woman, she won’t learn until it’s too late.” Noticing it was nearly dark and the ward gates would soon close, he realized neither he nor Mudan could seek each other out. He staggered to his feet, intending to leave, but Pan Rong and Maya clung to him, giggling and refusing to let go. Frustrated to the point of despair, he finally broke free, only to find the ward gates already closed. Reluctantly, he returned. Maya pretended to be upset, hiding her face behind her sleeve and ignoring him. Liu Chang settled in for the night, his dreams filled with Mudan.
Early the next morning, despite the brilliant sunshine, Princess Qinghua’s face was far from radiant. Since their marriage, Liu Chang had been distant. Though he still visited her chambers, he refused intimacy. When pressured, he would leave regardless of the hour. After one incident involving drugged wine, he took away her most favored new maid, accusing the girl of being seductive and improper, and had her sent away. This infuriated Qinghua. Whether she threw tantrums or cried, Liu Chang remained calm and immediately called for a doctor to check her pulse or sent for someone from Prince Wei’s mansion to see her.
Initially, her sister-in-law would come to advise her, saying that since all the concubines had been dismissed and Liu Chang often stayed in her room, immediately calling for a doctor when she felt unwell, what more could she want? Qinghua’s pride wouldn’t allow her to admit that Liu Chang was treating her the same way he had treated He Mudan. She could only endure. If she made more fuss, the family would claim to be busy and stop coming. Now, with Liu Chang absent for two consecutive nights during an important festival, how was she being treated?
Thinking of this, Princess Qinghua first went to the main hall to pick a fight with Lady Qi, smashing Lady Qi’s favorite gilt-decorated glass teacup. Lady Qi, already in a foul mood and greatly displeased with her, couldn’t tolerate this unprovoked anger. Unable to confront Qinghua directly, she turned on Liu Chengcai, tugging at his beard and crying that she wanted to cut her hair and become a nun. This raised Liu Chengcai’s ire as well, and he repeatedly ordered people to find Liu Chang and bring him home, demanding to know where he had gone.
This suited Qinghua’s purposes, so she stopped her antics and waited with a smile, drinking wine. Though Liu Chang had been secretive, someone deliberately leaked information about a grand mansion he had set up in Yongyang Ward, with pearl-strung curtains, feather screens, gold and silver bowls, and silk hangings – all incredibly luxurious. It was said to house several beautiful young women, likely his secret lovers. Further inquiry revealed he had spent one night in Yongyang Ward and another with Maya, and there were rumors of someone wanting to buy Maya’s freedom. This news shattered Qinghua’s composure. Hearing that Liu Chang refused to return home, her pent-up anger of many days exploded. She furiously ordered a carriage prepared, determined to burn down Liu Chang’s love nest for her satisfaction.
Seeing Qinghua’s twisted expression as she prepared to leave, Liu Chengcai feared a scandal. He hurried to stop her, trying to persuade her, but she spat back, “Bah! The old one keeps a mistress, so the young one follows suit! When the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will be askew. How dare you stop me?”
Publicly humiliated, Liu Chengcai stormed off to the back courtyard, swearing never to meddle in their affairs again. There, he encountered Lady Qi, who clung to him crying. Enraged, he pounded his chest and stomped his feet, cursing, “This house is unbearable!” He then asserted his authority, pushing Lady Qi to the ground before striding out, unwilling to return home even at night.
Early the next morning, Liu Chang sent someone to notify Mudan at the He residence to come directly to Yongyang Ward. He rushed there, pondering how to coax Mudan and how long to keep the Second and Fifth Young Masters confined. Yongyang Ward was far, taking considerable time even on horseback. As he approached his mansion, he heard a commotion of angry voices and saw a crowd gathered, with smoke rising. Sensing trouble, he hurried forward to investigate.
He found the courtyard gates wide open, with several of Qinghua’s fierce-looking maids guarding the entrance. The beautiful maids he had bought to serve Mudan knelt in a line inside the courtyard, their long hair half-shaved, their flower-like faces covered in red handprints, nearly beaten to a pulp, lying on the ground sobbing. The steward lay on the ground, repeatedly crying out in pain. Qinghua stood coldly atop the steps, glaring at him, her feet trampling the torn pearl-strung curtains and crushed feather screen. Behind her, the red-lacquered partition doors were completely smashed. In the back courtyard, a foul stench and rising smoke indicated what had transpired.
Seeing the cowering Qiushi, Qinghua ordered him tied up and punished for being a short-sighted servant who led his master astray. Terrified, Qiushi clung to Liu Chang’s leg, wailing for help. Ignoring this, Qinghua personally approached to slap Qiushi, berating him while indirectly insulting Liu Chang and cursing “low-class vixens.”
Liu Chang’s anger surged, his heart aching. Old and new grievances flooded his mind as he cursed, “Poisonous woman! If I swallow this bitter pill today, I’m not worthy of the Liu name!” He raised his whip to strike Qinghua, who screamed and lunged at him, limping, her long nails clawing at his fair, handsome face. “You dare hit me after your shameful acts?” Liu Chang refused to let her scratch him, grabbing her and kicking. They grappled, slapping each other’s faces, biting and kicking, neither yielding.
The maids quickly closed the gates and rushed to separate them. When they finally managed to pull them apart, Qinghua sported a black eye, disheveled hair, askew hairpins, a swollen cheek, and a bleeding lip. She lay on the ground, unable to rise from pain, clutching a handful of Liu Chang’s hair. She didn’t cry but glared at him with hatred, panting heavily.
Liu Chang’s headpiece lay discarded, his hair in disarray, his sash torn, and his collar ripped and hanging loosely at his waist. He was covered in dust, with several deep scratches on his face and a large bite mark on his neck. He glared back at Qinghua with equal ferocity.
The maids, realizing the blood on Qinghua’s lip was from biting Liu Chang and that he seemed to have suffered more, relaxed. They offered words of comfort, some supporting Liu Chang, others helping Qinghua. Qinghua, stubborn, refused to admit Liu Chang had kicked her stomach several times, causing her intense pain. She forced herself to stand, glaring at Liu Chang and declaring, “This isn’t over!”
Liu Chang, covering the wound on his neck, tilted his head defiantly and shouted, “Go ahead! Marrying you, this venomous woman has ended my lineage. The whole family suffers your foul temper daily. I can’t even have a quiet garden to myself. Burning, beating, killing – come, let’s go see your father the Prince together! What wifely virtue do you uphold? What filial piety do you practice? Beat me or kill me as you please!” Inwardly, he worried that if things escalated, the He family matter might be exposed. He decided to intimidate her first and settle things later.
Qinghua, suppressing her anger, retorted, “Who’s afraid of you? You keep a mistress, the fault is yours first!”
Liu Chang sneered, “To catch a thief, you need evidence. Where is she?”
Qinghua pointed at the line of disfigured beauties below, saying, “Aren’t these them?”
Liu Chang’s smile grew more sinister. “Yes, yes, indeed. I haven’t even had the chance to use them yet. Why don’t I send a few to serve you?” He looked Qinghua up and down, coldly laughing, “They can stew and roast lamb legs for you daily, to nourish you well.” He then grabbed Qinghua, smearing his blood on her face. “Come, come, let everyone see your ugly, poisonous face!”
Seeing his brazen behavior, Qinghua realized she couldn’t find his weakness. Thinking of how her miserable state would appear to her former friends, leaving her unable to face anyone, she couldn’t hold back and burst into tears, refusing to leave despite Liu Chang’s attempts to drag her. Exhausted from pulling her, Liu Chang threw her to the ground, panting, “Tell me! Who incited you to come here? Brainless, stupid woman!” As he spoke, he signaled to Qiushi with his eyes, telling him to intercept Mudan, fearing she might arrive and witness the scene.