In the flickering candlelight, the room filled with a warm fragrance as Jiang Changyang ate, occasionally glancing up at Mudan across from him. Mudan kept her eyes lowered, peeking through her lashes at Madam Cen and the others sitting nearby, then stealing glances at Jiang Changyang. When their eyes met, they shared a knowing smile.

Madam Cen, Madam Xue, Mama Lin, and Aunt Feng spoke quietly nearby, secretly observing the couple’s interactions. They pretended not to notice, speaking more loudly and smiling more brightly.

Jiang Changyang quickly finished the remaining crystal rice in his bowl and handed it to Mudan for a refill. Mudan smiled as she took it, filling it generously. “Eat slowly,” she said, passing it back. “It’s not good to eat too quickly.” She wondered how many days it had been since he’d eaten properly – this was already his fourth bowl.

Jiang Changyang shrugged, “It’s fine. In the past, I could swallow a steamed bun in the blink of an eye.”

Mudan didn’t believe him. “Without even chewing? That sounds more like a cat eating fish or a dog eating meat…” As she spoke, she felt his foot brush against her leg. Her face instantly flushed red, her heart skipping a beat. She tried to pull her leg away, but he hooked it, preventing her escape. She glared at him silently.

Jiang Changyang smiled innocently, speaking loudly as if everything was above board. “You don’t believe me? If you had one now, I’d show you.”

Mudan secretly cursed him, whispering, “Don’t go too far, or my mother might chase you out with a stick!”

Jiang Changyang looked at her innocently. “What? What did I do?”

Mudan kicked at him, but he didn’t dodge, taking the hit. His eyes were full of laughter, but he pretended to be nervous, glancing furtively at Madam Cen and the others. He whispered to Mudan, “Don’t be naughty. Be careful, or they’ll hear us. How embarrassing that would be.”

Mudan looked at him with disdain, whispering, “You know about embarrassment? You scoundrel.”

Seeing her flushed face, watery eyes, and petal-like lips, bashful yet smiling with a hint of annoyance, Jiang Changyang felt dizzy with her beauty. He smiled, “How am I a scoundrel? Explain yourself.”

Suddenly, Madam Cen stood up, saying, “I wonder if Wu and the others are eating well outside. I’ll go check.” Madam Xue added, “I’m not sure if Yingniang and Rongniang have prepared the rooms properly. I’ll go look.” They both seriously instructed Mudan, “Take good care of Chengfeng. If there’s not enough food or if he wants anything specific, tell the kitchen immediately. We’ll be back shortly.”

Mudan nodded with lowered eyes, rising to wait for Madam Cen and Madam Xue to leave. Jiang Changyang could barely contain his joy, quickly putting down his bowl and standing to politely say, “Thank you for your trouble, Aunt and Sister-in-law.” He respectfully saw them out, then turned back to see Mudan looking at him askance. “You’re quite the actor,” she said disdainfully.

Jiang Changyang glanced at Mama Lin, who seemed drowsy in the lamplight, and made a gesture to Mudan meaning “owe.”

Mudan scoffed, tossing an orange at him. “You’re the one who deserves a beating!”

Jiang Changyang caught the orange deftly, pretending he would throw it back at Mudan. She tilted her head, challenging him with her gaze. Suddenly, he leaped forward, intercepting the orange mid-air and gripping it tightly. He stared at Mudan, grinding his teeth playfully, “You little tease.”

Mudan looked at him sideways, whispering, “How am I teasing? Explain yourself.”

How was she teasing him? Should he tell her that he couldn’t stop thinking about her whenever he had a moment’s peace? That he wished he could sprout wings and fly back to her? That even when others talked idly about their women or lovers, his mind was full of thoughts of her? Jiang Changyang’s face suddenly reddened. After a long silence, he finally said, “I’ve been so worried about you, afraid I’d come back too late.” He paused, emphasizing, “Really afraid.”

Mudan looked at his dirty clothes, which he hadn’t had time to change, and remembered how ravenously he had eaten earlier. Her heart warmed, and she took a few steps forward, closer to him. “I’m fine,” she said softly.

Jiang Changyang’s eyes lit up. “Gui couldn’t stop praising you to me.” Then his expression darkened slightly. “If it weren’t for me, things wouldn’t have been so complicated. You wouldn’t have had such a hard time.”

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have met so many people, and I wouldn’t have had so much help,” Mudan smiled, bending to pick up the bowl and chopsticks and handing them to him. “Come on, eat up. It’s getting cold. Finish quickly so you can wash up and rest early. You have to go to the palace early tomorrow. Even if you’re made of iron, you can’t keep going for days without proper food and sleep.”

Jiang Changyang glanced at Mama Lin, who seemed to be even more drowsy now, slumped motionless on the table. He took the bowl and chopsticks, set them down, and boldly took Mudan’s hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. He whispered, “Dan’niang…”

Remembering the worry, fear, and dread she had experienced over the past few days, Mudan’s eyes suddenly welled up. She allowed him to hold her hand, lowering her lashes and softly asking, “What is it?”

Jiang Changyang said nothing, just reverently kissed her hand several more times. Mudan’s eyes grew moist. She twisted her hand, saying, “What are you doing?”

Jiang Changyang looked up at Mudan, feeling a thousand words crowding in his heart, unable to utter a single one. He managed only, “I…” before lowering his head to kiss her fingertips once more.

Their hearts were filled with softness, a bittersweet warmth. Suddenly, they heard a faint sound from Mama Lin’s direction. Both startled, they quickly let go of each other’s hands and stood stiffly, not daring to look back at Mama Lin, their faces flushed red. After a moment, when Mama Lin made no further movement, Jiang Changyang cautiously glanced over, and then gave Mudan a relieved look. They couldn’t help but laugh, sitting back down at the table.

Jiang Changyang ate contentedly, smiling at Mudan and calling out, “Dan’niang…”

Mudan responded, picking out the best bits from the dishes for him. He called out again, “Dan’niang…”

Mudan answered once more, but he said nothing further. After this happened twice, Mudan secretly pinched his arm. “What do you want?”

Jiang Changyang smiled, whispering, “Nothing. I just want to call your name and hear your answer.”

Mudan couldn’t help but smile. “I made something for you. My needlework isn’t very good, just a pouch and two pairs of socks. Don’t complain.”

“Even if it were just a piece of old hemp cloth, I’d treasure it,” Jiang Changyang’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “I have something for you too.”

Mudan looked at him expectantly. “What is it?”

Jiang Changyang teased her, refusing to tell. “Guess.”

Men like to give gifts to women, often thinking women prefer things like jewelry, fabric, perfumes, or rare trinkets – like how her father and brothers often gave such gifts to the women in their family. But Mudan felt that Jiang Changyang’s gift wouldn’t be any of these. “I can’t guess,” she said.

Jiang Changyang smiled mysteriously. “You’ll know in a few days.”

Mudan, unable to contain her curiosity, whined playfully, “Tell me, come on…”

Jiang Changyang gazed at her with bright eyes, suddenly whispering, “I’ve noticed you’ve become even more beautiful. Is it my imagination, or are you getting more beautiful every day?”

“Stop it, you flatterer,” Mudan’s heart soared, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve noticed you’ve gotten older.”

Jiang Changyang stiffened slightly at her words, then laughed. “I haven’t washed my face for days, so of course I look older. After a good sleep and a thorough wash with scented soap, I won’t look old anymore.”

Mudan laughed loudly, startling Mama Lin, who sat up straight and asked, “What’s going on?”

Jiang Changyang shot Mudan a slightly displeased look and quickly said, “Nothing, I was just telling Dan’niang a joke.”

Mama Lin suppressed a smile and said seriously, “It’s better to finish eating before chatting.” She then sat up straight, watching the couple and fulfilling her duty as a chaperone.

The couple responded glumly, with Jiang Changyang secretly blaming Mudan, “It’s your fault for laughing so loudly.”

Mudan smiled, “I’m happy. Can’t I laugh? Or would you prefer I didn’t?”

Jiang Changyang sighed, “Alright, I can’t win against you.” He couldn’t help but laugh again, secretly kicking Mudan under the table. “You’re getting more fierce.”

They quickly finished eating, and Mama Lin called for someone to clear the dishes. Mudan then began to tell Jiang Changyang about the next day’s rewards and the events of the past few days, starting with Maya’s situation, and watching his reaction closely.

Jiang Changyang showed no discomfort, nodding seriously. “In that case, we owe her a great deal of help. Once things settle down, I’ll have someone redeem her. When someone goes to the Anxi Protectorate, we can send her there.”

Mudan felt somewhat relieved, but also a bit jealous. “She said she wanted to be your concubine.”

Jiang Changyang looked surprised. “Really? Is that possible?”

Mudan kicked him lightly, annoyed. “You seem excited.”

Jiang Changyang wanted to laugh but knew he couldn’t at this crucial moment. He moved slightly and pleaded, “A beautiful woman’s kindness is the hardest to bear. She’s trying to harm me. You’re so clever, don’t fall for it.”

Mudan rolled her eyes at him. “Tomorrow I have to attend a banquet to see what scheme your father’s chosen bride for you has come up with.”

Jiang Changyang said seriously, “Don’t associate her with me. I can’t handle it.” Then he lowered his voice and smiled, “You’re the only one worthy of being my wife. As soon as things settle down on my end, I’ll come for you.”