As the mistress and servant returned to their courtyard, Yuhe whispered, “Young Mistress, I feel Nianer is a good person. She used to help you out of difficult situations, and now she’s the first to comfort you when trouble arises. If only the Mistress had gifted her to you instead of Lanzhi.”
Mudan smiled, “She might be the only person in the Liu family with a conscience. Don’t be disappointed though. It’s better that the Mistress didn’t give her to me. Think about it – if she were with me, she could no longer help me out of difficult situations, and she’d be in trouble herself.”
Hearing Mudan speak so calmly about such a bitter situation, Yuhe felt a twinge of sadness. She glanced at Mudan and saw her smiling serenely in the slanting sunlight. The wind blew through the wisteria trellis behind her, scattering petals on the ground. Against her clothes, Mudan looked as beautiful as jade, ethereal as an immortal – truly a talented beauty. Yet such a person was being trampled upon like grass, without any regard.
Yuhe felt a hot surge rise from her throat to her nose and eyes, bitter and burning. She almost couldn’t hold back her tears. Finally composing herself, she forced a smile and said, “Young Mistress, don’t be sad. This is all temporary. One day, you’ll surely have a good life.”
Mudan smiled, “With your help, I’m sure I will.” Seeing Yuhe’s eyes uncontrollably reddening, she chuckled and grasped her hand, “Why are you crying? If I’m not upset, why should you be? Come on, let’s go back. We’ll have dinner and rest early. We need to wake up early tomorrow.”
Yuhe asked worriedly, “Are you going to let the imperial physician examine you?” If she consummated the marriage and had a son, how could she leave?
Mudan laughed heartily, “You silly girl, why are you suddenly more anxious than me?” This was indeed an urgent problem. Given Madam Qi’s personality – quick to act on rumors and implement decisions swiftly – she might soon force Liu Chang into Mudan’s room. Liu Chang had already hinted at such intentions that day, and his attitude today was somewhat strange. She needed to plan carefully.
Yuhe sighed, “In any case, I’ll follow you wherever you go.” What she didn’t say was that if she encountered such a man, she would surely kill both the adulterer and the mistress.
When they returned to the courtyard, Mama Lin was already waiting anxiously. Seeing them return chatting and laughing, she felt greatly relieved. She went to greet them, asking, “Young Mistress, what did the Mistress want? Was it about your cousin hitting the young master? Did she scold you?”
Fearing Mama Lin would worry, Mudan downplayed it, “She was certainly angry. But she didn’t say much, just that an imperial physician would be coming tomorrow. She told me to rest early and go see him in the morning. Also, I’m not to go out anymore, but to stay home and take care of my health.”
Hearing this, Mama Lin thought that the Liu family was indeed treading carefully due to the scandal. Looking around and not seeing Mama Li or Lanzhi, she said bitterly in a low voice, “Since they’re calling for an imperial physician, they should treat all your other ailments as well! This time, we must insist that the Master and Mistress come to apologize to you in person!”
Mudan understood that Mama Lin was suggesting she feign illness to force her parents to come and demand justice, teaching Liu Chang a lesson. In reality, Liu Chang was not the type to apologize easily – he was an incorrigible scoundrel. Moreover, Mudan didn’t care for his apology. Although she didn’t agree with the plan, she thought it might be a good idea to use this opportunity to pretend to be ill and legitimately avoid people for a while. Perhaps by the time her “illness” was over, the situation would have resolved itself. So she said, “You’re right, Mama. I’ll do as you say.”
Seeing her compliance, Mama Lin brightened up, “Good, when the time comes, let me arrange everything for you. You just need to rest comfortably.”
Mudan agreed. Seeing that Shuangshuang had finished eating and was happily flapping its wings at her, calling “Mudan, Dan-niang!”, she smiled and handed it a fresh twig, saying, “Here you go.”
Shuangshuang, its beak itching, happily stretched its neck to take the twig and began to chew on it. Mudan stood in the corridor playing with it for a while, her worries and frustrations mostly dissipating.
Suddenly, they heard the courtyard gate open. It was Shuer, who had gone to fetch dinner, returning angrily. Seeing her fury, Mudan smiled and asked, “Who’s upset you now?”
Shuer quickly put on a smile and replied, “It’s nothing. The kitchen was just too busy today and couldn’t prepare the dishes. I was afraid you’d be impatient, so I left Kuaner waiting there and came back to let you know.”
Mudan casually said, “It’s understandable with so many guests today. They don’t need to prepare anything special. Just bring me a portion from the banquet dishes.”
Knowing Mudan wasn’t particular about such things, Shuer didn’t elaborate. She agreed and then quietly discussed with Yuhe: “They’re going too far! The news spread so quickly! As soon as you left the Mistress’s courtyard, word that the Young Mistress had displeased the Mistress and young master reached the kitchen. We waited there for ages, and everyone just smiled at us but wouldn’t give us any food! I didn’t dare tell the Young Mistress, fearing it would upset her.”
In the past, after conflicts between the Young Mistress and the young master, they’d sometimes have to endure cold meals for a day or two before things improved. This time, it might not get better until after the Young Mistress saw the imperial physician. Yuhe pondered for a moment and said, “Have Lanzhi go with you. She was given by the Mistress; she’s done nothing else since coming here. Surely she can handle this small task?”
Shuer agreed, “Good idea! I’ll go get her now.” But as she turned, she saw Mudan standing nearby, saying, “There’s no need. Even if Lanzhi goes, the result will be the same. She wouldn’t dare oppose the young master. Be careful not to give them ammunition against you. It’s fine, I ate too much rich food at noon and don’t have much appetite. Whatever they give later is fine. Don’t make a fuss or argue. Just bring back whatever they give. If I don’t eat it, you all can. It’s still better than your usual food.”
The more complications, the better, Mudan thought. Encountering her husband’s affair during the day, being scolded by her mother-in-law in the evening, and now being mistreated by servants and denied dinner – surely she had reason enough to fall ill?
Shuer was furious inside. The Young Mistress was too kind-hearted, which was why people were walking all over her. Such bullying was truly infuriating!
Yuhe pushed her, “Hurry up and go!”
Shuer left reluctantly, pouting.
Mudan smiled, “This girl has such a fiery temper. Kuaner is too dull. If only they could balance each other out, wouldn’t that be perfect?”
Yuhe sighed, “My mother often says that Shuer’s temper is more like hers. She doesn’t know where I came from, not resembling her at all.”
As darkness fell, Kuaner and Shuer finally returned. They brought only a few cold dishes left over from lunch, with the lamb fat congealed white on the flatbread. Only a dish of cherry dumplings was still warm. Mudan ate a few dumplings casually before setting them aside, letting the others share the remaining food.
That night, not only was the food service poor, but even the hot water was delayed. Mudan waited until late in the evening before hot water was brought. She had just let down her hair and changed clothes, with one foot in the bathtub, when suddenly someone pounded on the door: “Open up! The young master is here!”
Coming at this hour, it couldn’t be for anything good! Yuhe trembled in fear, her face pale as she looked at Mudan, who had also turned pale. Mudan hurriedly withdrew her foot and quickly put on a red silk padded robe.
Mama Lin was also a bit nervous, wondering if Liu Chang had come to take out his anger on Mudan for being beaten by Li Xing. But remembering Madam Qi’s attitude earlier in the day, she mustered her courage and instructed Mudan: “Lie down. I’ll handle this!” She had decided that if Liu Chang’s attitude was good, she’d let it be, but if he tried to bully Mudan, she’d risk her old life to make a scene that would disturb the entire household!
Before she finished speaking, they heard Mama Li outside saying, “Is the Young Mistress asleep? The young master is here.” They hadn’t waited for a response and had already opened the door to welcome him in.
Seeing Mudan’s pale face as she trembled and tried to retreat to the inner room, Mama Lin had to stifle her anger and go to the door to receive Liu Chang. She saw him reeking of alcohol, half-leaning on Lanzhi for support. His eyes were swollen and bruised like a rooster’s, but his expression was as domineering and tyrannical as ever. He shouted, “Where’s your Young Mistress! She’s gone too far! How dare she let that dog come and hit me!”