In a dimly lit, small private room of a tea house, with low seating and old furnishings, even the teacups showed signs of age. Only the copper brazier in the center gleamed brightly, its coals burning white-hot.
Across a low tea table, Liu Chang and Mudan sat in silence. At this point, they had become enemies, with nothing left to say.
After a long while, someone gently knocked on the partition door from outside. The distinctive voice of a eunuch called, “Miss He?”
“Coming!” Mudan quickly responded, rising to leave. Unexpectedly, Liu Chang grabbed her sleeve. She paused, looking at him. She was about to make a sarcastic remark but, seeing his pale face marked with deep, bloody scratches, his bloodless lips, and his increasingly sharp eyebrows, she dared not provoke him further. She silently pulled her sleeve free but didn’t immediately leave. “You should understand my resolve,” she said. “I hope you’ll keep your promise and stop bothering me and my people. This commotion is pointless and benefits no one.”
Liu Chang’s hand fell limply as he gazed at Mudan, her face still bearing traces of yellow powder. He stared at her thick, curled eyelashes, her small, straight nose, and her delicate lips. Slowly turning to face the flickering coals, he whispered, “You may go.”
Mudan paused briefly before saying, “I hope you’ll handle the agreed-upon matters quickly. I’m not a patient person.”
Liu Chang remained silent. As her footsteps faded, he suddenly turned back, only to see the doors closing. He breathed deeply, trying to catch a hint of her once-familiar fragrance, but smelled nothing. He raised the hand that had just grasped her sleeve, imagining he could still feel the cool, slightly rough texture sliding through his fingers. But it was just an illusion, and he clenched his empty hand in frustration.
After a while, shouts came from outside: “It’s snowing! It’s snowing heavily!” He got up and walked to the window, watching the falling snow and the empty, cold street. He stood rigidly, becoming stiffer by the moment. He opened the window fully, allowing the north wind to blow snowflakes inside, covering his head and face, melting into icy water. He closed his eyes briefly and called out loudly, “Qiushi!”
Qiushi entered dejectedly, softly responding, “My lord?”
Liu Chang grabbed a nearby cloak and strode out like a gust of wind. “Bring the horses. Let’s go!”
Qiushi hurried after him, asking, “Where are you going in this heavy snow, my lord? Home?”
Liu Chang replied flatly, “Where? Naturally, to seek connections.” Although Mudan had ultimately chosen a compromise, he understood that to free the He family and smooth over the agarwood incident, he needed support. Besides compensating the He family, he would face retribution later, possibly sudden disgrace… while the other two would wash their hands clean, claiming they were only trying to help him. If they looked down on him, he would seek his patron.
Qiushi, unaware of his thoughts, knew only that his master was in trouble and focused on keeping his position and avoiding punishment. He grinned and asked, “So we’re not attending tomorrow’s banquet?”
How could he let Xiao Yuexi have his way? Liu Chang gritted his teeth and said without hesitation, “We’re going! We’ve come this far; what’s a little more? Tell them if there’s another mistake, I’ll destroy them!” With that, he pulled up his hood and plunged into the snowstorm.
By evening, exhausted from his journey, he stopped before a residence in Fengle Ward. After circling several times, he finally knocked on the side door, his hood pulled tightly over half his face.
Mudan left the private room, quickly traversing the narrow passage to a larger room across the way. She knocked gently on the door, which soon opened as the Fenwang Consort stepped out. Without a word, the Consort extended her hand to Mudan, who hesitated briefly before taking it to help her down the stairs.
At the bottom, the Consort gestured for Mudan to join her in the carriage. Mudan glanced at her coarse clothing and smiled, “In this attire…”
The Consort remained silent, merely tilting her head. Yinger laughed, “Why hesitate?” and gently pushed Mudan forward. As Mudan bent to enter the carriage, she felt something cool on her forehead. She touched it, finding a clear droplet of water. Looking up, she saw salt-like snowflakes falling from the sky, gradually becoming denser.
Yinger exclaimed joyfully, “It’s snowing! It’s snowing, Your Highness!”
The Consort, observing Mudan standing dazed outside the carriage, said, “Do you plan to stand there all day? I need to speak with you before entering the palace. Unless you don’t want to free your brothers quickly.”
Mudan broke into a genuinely radiant smile and nimbly entered the carriage. The Consort’s carriage was comfortably furnished and warm. The Consort pulled Mudan to sit by a small brazier and, after studying her for a moment, asked, “What are your plans now?”
Mudan smiled, “First, I’ll inform my family, then prepare to bring my brothers home. I’ll visit everyone to express our gratitude, choose an auspicious day, and prepare to reopen our business.”
The Consort smiled slightly, “And what about Jiang Changyang?”
Caught off guard by the mention of Jiang Changyang, Mudan lowered her eyes and said, “I’ll thank him again when he returns.” She had heard from Yinger that Jiang Changyang had sent a message from afar, asking the Consort to return and help her. He was on his way back and would arrive in the capital either tonight or tomorrow morning. Although Yinger had hinted that even if the Consort had refused her yesterday, she would have eventually helped. But Mudan understood clearly what the Consort’s initial refusal meant – disapproval and distrust.
The Consort’s sharp gaze pierced Mudan as she said coolly, “I suspect thanks are unnecessary between you two?”
“I…” Mudan began, but the Consort waved her hand. “I admire people who are ambitious, daring, loyal, and self-respecting. I wish you both the best.”
Yinger winked at Mudan and nudged her. Mudan quickly said, “Thank you for your blessing, Your Highness.”
The Consort laughed, “Why thank me? I’m not his elder. At most, I could be your matchmaker.”
Mudan couldn’t help but smile, knowing such a matchmaker was hard to come by.
Seeing Mudan’s smile, the Consort’s face lit up with a childish, mischievous grin. “This was also Jiang Changyang’s request. Your Aqin came to plead with me as soon as she heard of my arrival yesterday. It shows she cares for you as much as you care for her.” She paused, adding proudly, “I’ve arranged over a dozen marriages, and none have turned out poorly. When I agree to be a matchmaker, I first observe and approve before consenting. I can’t tarnish my golden reputation.” This was her way of expressing approval of Mudan.
The clever Yinger immediately prompted Mudan again: “Quickly thank Her Highness for her auspicious words. You and General Jiang will surely have a wonderful life together.”
Blushing, Mudan rose to express her gratitude. The Consort, seeing her red face but unabashed manner, laughed heartily. “One day, I’ll have to drink your wedding wine.”
They soon arrived at the He family’s gate in Xuanping Ward, not far from the palace. The He family, having received early news from Zhang Wulang and others, was eagerly waiting. Madam Cen led a group to greet them, bowing in gratitude and warmly inviting the Consort in for tea and food.
The Consort smiled, “This case will soon be resolved. The unjust accusations against your family will be cleared, and those responsible will eventually face punishment. You can prepare a celebratory feast.” She then took Mudan’s hand and gave it to Madam Cen, saying, “You’ve raised a fine daughter. You’re truly blessed.”
Madam Cen held Mudan’s hand tightly, beaming with joy. Mudan returned the gesture, and the mother and daughter embraced, smiling sweetly.
Watching them, the Consort exclaimed dramatically, “Oh my, I can’t bear to watch anymore! I have no daughter; you’re making me envious on purpose. Let’s go, let’s go to the palace!” She took the list of the He family’s losses and departed in her carriage to tie up the loose ends of this affair in the palace.
Meanwhile, the He family busily cleaned rooms, preparing to welcome the second, fifth, and sixth young masters home. They also prepared a fine feast to thank their relatives and friends, gathering in celebration.
As dusk fell, a rider on a swift horse raced through the city gates just before they closed, galloping through the vast snow towards Yongshan Ward. As soon as this rider entered the city, people set off separately towards Duke Zhu’s mansion and the Xiao residence.
After bidding farewell to Zhang Wulang, Li Manniang, Li Xing, and other relatives and friends, Mudan and Madam Cen returned to their rooms. Mudan collapsed onto her bed, closing her eyes to plan for tomorrow. Madam Du wanted to use her, and she was uncertain of Xiao Yuexi’s intentions. Then there was Jiang Changyang, who would soon return… Mudan covered her slightly warm face, rolling over to bury her face in the brocade quilt, giggling like a silly girl.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside. Yingniang and Rongniang burst in, almost screaming, “Auntie, Auntie! Come quickly! Uncle Jiang is here!”
Zhangzhang, who had been drowsy in the warm room after a full meal, jerked awake at the scream as if shocked. He squawked, “Uncle Jiang! Uncle Jiang!”
Mudan abruptly sat up, her heart pounding so hard it almost burst from her chest. She covered it with one hand as she rose to go outside, then turned back to sit at her mirror, hastily combing her hair and checking her clothes. Yingniang and Rongniang entered, pulling her towards the door: “You look fine, you look fine! Hurry, hurry!”
In her rush, Mudan dabbed some water on her hair, muttering, “You silly girls, what’s the hurry?” Yingniang and Rongniang just laughed, pulling her to the main hall’s entrance. They announced loudly, “Auntie is here!”
Mudan immediately saw Jiang Changyang stand up, staring intently at her. Her heart raced, but she pretended to be calm as she smiled at him, “You’re back?”
Jiang Changyang gazed at her with tender concern: “I’m back!”