Hearing Jiang Changyang say the word “wife,” Mudan glanced at him and said, “Don’t call me that. Who told you to use such terms?”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly. “It’s all the same whether I call you that or not.” He reached out his hand, asking, “Weren’t you going to give me the pouch and socks? Hand them over before you forget again.”
Mudan called for someone to fetch the items and asked, “Surely you’re not planning to wear them tomorrow?”
“Why else would they be made if not to be worn?” Jiang Changyang countered. “Now, tell me more about what that woman wants you to do.”
Mudan knew he was referring to Madam Du. “She still doesn’t quite trust me and won’t give me details. She only said she’s certain you’ll return for the Lantern Festival and wants me to go see the lanterns that day, then follow her instructions. But now that you’ve returned early, her plans might change.” She knew that if someone was determined, news of Jiang Changyang’s return couldn’t be kept secret. Many people probably already knew he was back.
Perhaps they wanted to embarrass him publicly and ruin his reputation, or maybe they aimed to sabotage the marriage Madam Du thought he desired. Ultimately, it all came down to one goal: the hereditary title of the Zhu Duke’s Manor.
Jiang Changyang pondered for a moment before saying, “It doesn’t matter. Let her try whatever she wants. She’s only after one thing. But be careful at tomorrow’s banquet. I’ll send someone to accompany you. If anything seems amiss, leave immediately. Don’t bother with pleasantries!”
Mudan agreed and handed Jiang Changyang the pouch and socks brought by Kuan’er. Madam Cen entered and said, “It’s late, already past the second watch. You should all rest now.”
The two reluctantly bid each other goodnight and returned to their rooms through the snowy night.
Jiang Changyang and his group were staying in a courtyard vacated by He Hong, He Ru, and their brothers. After saying goodbye to He Hong, who had escorted him, Jiang Changyang noticed the light still on next door. He gently knocked and entered, finding only Wu inside. “Where’s Shun Hou’er?” he asked.
Wu smiled and replied, “He’s at it again with his old habit. He won’t sleep soundly until he’s thoroughly familiar with the surroundings.”
Jiang Changyang’s expression turned serious. “This is someone’s private residence. Tell him to stop his nonsense and return immediately. Everyone come to my room. I have instructions to give.”
Wu glanced at the small bundle in Jiang Changyang’s hand and agreed, rising to go find Shun Hou’er. Just as he reached the door, a clear, melodious voice like an oriole’s song rang out: “What do you take Shun Hou’er for, sir? I know my limits. I neither look nor listen where I shouldn’t. I won’t get us thrown out.”
As he spoke, a young man in his twenties entered, smiling. He was short in stature with a fair, beardless face and delicate features that resembled a woman’s. In his hair was pinned a red plum blossom branch still wet with snow. He clasped his hands and bowed to Jiang Changyang.
Jiang Changyang sat on the couch and said, “You rascal, Shun Hou’er. You’ve been stealing flowers again.”
Shun Hou’er covered his mouth and giggled, raising a delicate finger coquettishly. “Seeing how pretty I am, what’s wrong with gifting me a flower to wear?”
Before Jiang Changyang could react, Wu shuddered violently, clutching his chest. “Oh, heavens! Sir, please give your instructions quickly. I can’t take this anymore.”
Jiang Changyang gave Shun Hou’er a cool glance. Shun Hou’er immediately removed the flower and stood at attention, his face suddenly serious. “Please give your orders, sir.”
Jiang Changyang pointed to the crescent-shaped stools opposite him. “Sit down.” Once they were seated, he continued, “Early tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the palace for an audience with the emperor. Wu, you’ll accompany me. Shun Hou’er, stay behind and attend the banquet with Lady He.” He paused briefly. “When you return, you must answer any questions I have.”
Mudan slept well that night. She woke at dawn when the morning drums sounded, noticing a faint light in the room despite no lamps being lit. She got up, pushed aside the screen, and went to the window. The sight that greeted her was beautiful: everything was covered in silver-white snow, and icicles hanging from the eaves reflected the soft red glow of the lanterns in the corridor, casting a warm, gentle light.
Hearing movement, Shu’er, and Kuan’er lit a lamp and brought in hot water. Seeing Mudan leaning on the windowsill looking outside, Shu’er said, “Kuan’er went to fetch hot water earlier and said the snow is about a hand’s width deep. It’s the biggest snowfall this year. We were just saying how fortunate it was that Lord Jiang returned last night. Otherwise, he might have been stuck on the road!”
Mudan responded with a sound of acknowledgment and began washing her face. “Are the ladies up yet?” she asked.
It was clear she was indirectly asking about Jiang Changyang. Shu’er and Kuan’er exchanged knowing smiles. “Yes, they’re up! Lord Jiang rose very early. He had breakfast with Lord Hong, and as soon as the morning drums sounded, he left for the Imperial City.”
So early? Mudan was surprised but then smiled. She wiped her face with a towel and sat at the dressing table. “Help me style my hair in a man’s fashion and bring out the new bean-green round-collared robe with the small floral brocade and narrow sleeves that was recently made.”
A short while later, when she was fully dressed, Shu’er couldn’t help but clap her hands and exclaim, “What a handsome young gentleman! Any unsuspecting girl would surely lose her head over you.”
Mudan also admired herself in the mirror, adjusting her hat. “Shu’er, you should dress up too and come with me.”
After breakfast, Gui brought Shun Hou’er to meet Mudan. Shun Hou’er was dressed as a pageboy, but his mannerisms and speech were as coy and charming as a woman’s. His skin was fair as snow, and his voice clear as an oriole’s. He looked even more like a woman in disguise than Shu’er did. Mudan, who hadn’t met Shun Hou’er before, stared at his Adam’s apple in bewilderment. “What’s your name?” she asked.
Shun Hou’er tugged his collar up slightly and smiled. “This humble servant is called Shun.”
Seeing him adjust his collar, Mudan quickly averted her gaze and changed the subject. When she heard that Lü Fang had arrived to escort them, she said, “Let’s go.” Shun Hou’er stood with his hands at his sides and said, “After you, my lady.” As Mudan passed by him, she caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance, quite unlike typical male scents. She couldn’t help but glance at Shun Hou’er again. He gave her a coquettish smile, startling Mudan into a nervous laugh as she hurried out.
“I heard your family matters were nearly resolved. I thought you might not come,” Lü Fang said, pleasantly surprised to see Mudan dressed as a man and accompanied by several attendants.
Mudan replied seriously, “While that may be true, some relationships still need to be managed carefully. People can’t be released immediately. It’s best to balance all parties and settle matters cleanly as soon as possible. Besides, I’d like to see the winter peonies from Jiangnan.”
Noticing Lü Fang looking at her differently, she smiled and asked, “What are you staring at?”
Lü Fang spoke earnestly, “I heard you went to beat the drum of justice. I never expected that. Fortunately, someone intervened on your behalf. Otherwise, you would have had to see it through to the end. Forgive me for saying this, but I think your family’s situation must have been truly desperate for you to take such a step. You acted rashly out of urgency. Having accepted my invitation, it would have been better to wait and see. Had I known, I would have stopped you.”
As an outsider, how could Lü Fang understand the complexities involved? Even Mudan herself was just a pawn in others’ eyes. She smiled sadly and said, “I was indeed hasty because my family received my brothers’ teeth.”
“Your brothers’ teeth?” Lü Fang felt a chill run down his spine. His gaze fell on Shun Hou’er, and he was startled again, assuming Shun Hou’er was a maid dressed as a pageboy like Shu’er. He found it strange that Mudan would bring such a coquettish maid disguised as a man, thinking it would only invite trouble at this kind of banquet. He advised gently, “There will be many men there. It might be better to bring a couple of real pageboys for convenience.”
Real pageboys… Mudan glanced at Shun Hou’er, who was smiling without a care in the world. “We have enough. Let’s go.”
Lü Fang didn’t press the matter further, resolving to keep a closer eye on them at the banquet.
The gathering hosted by Xiao Yuexi’s friend was held at a residence in Jude Ward. A servant led Mudan and Lü Fang along a recently swept bluestone path directly to a heated pavilion in the garden. Inside, they found only Xiao Xuexi, also dressed as a man. She was intently painting a blossoming red plum branch on Shu paper, her gaze fixed outside. Without turning around, she said, “My brother and the others have gone to admire the snow scenery. Please wait a moment.”
Lü Fang went over to look and smiled. “An ink plum, with snow-defying bones. How spirited!” Xiao Xuexi, though proud of what she considered her best painting yet, offered a few humble words. She shifted slightly, deliberately allowing Mudan a clear view. This painting was meant to end up in Jiang Changyang’s possession.
What an accomplished young lady, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting! Mudan smiled and found a place to sit. She then noticed that Shun Hou’er had disappeared. Knowing he was Jiang Changyang’s man, she understood his comings and goings must have a purpose, but she couldn’t help feeling anxious, fearing he might be discovered.
Soon, someone came to inform them, “The young gentlemen are enjoying the snow by Spring Dawn Lake and have decided to set up the banquet there. I’ve been sent to escort you all to join them for the scenery.”
Xiao Xuexi hurriedly added the final touches to her painting and wrote a poem in flowing calligraphy:
“Ten thousand trees seem frozen to breaking,
A lone root warms and returns alone.
In the deep snow of the village ahead,
Last night, a single branch bloomed.
The wind carries its subtle fragrance,
Birds peer at its pure and elegant beauty.
Next year, as the seasons dictate,
It shall be the first to greet spring from its terrace.”
She then signed it and stamped it with a small seal she carried in her pouch. Mudan noticed the seal read “Master of Plucking Fragrance” in the seal script.
After Mudan and the others left, Cai’er, Xiao Xuexi’s servant, sat down carefully next to the painting, waiting for it to dry. Suddenly, there was a noise outside, followed by someone cursing, “Inviting guests without properly clearing the garden paths? What nonsense!”
Another voice gently admonished, “Xiao Ba, mind your manners.”
Xiao Ba responded plaintively, “My lord, you’ve fallen and soiled your clothes. What are we to do?”
The lord spoke calmly, “It’s no matter. We brought a spare set of clothes, didn’t we? There’s a heated pavilion ahead. Let’s go there to change. Go and ask if anyone’s inside and if it’s convenient for us to enter.”
Hearing that a guest had fallen, Cai’er didn’t dare dawdle. He quickly lifted the curtain and went out to greet them. Learning it was the lord from the Zhu Duke’s Manor, he eagerly ushered them in. “There’s no one inside, just this humble servant.”
Jiang Changyi was crestfallen upon hearing this. Wasn’t Xiao Xuexi supposed to be alone here? Why had she left? His eyes fell on the ink plum painting on the table, and seeing the “Master of Plucking Fragrance” seal, his spirits instantly lifted.