The doorman had been instructed and knew that although this girl entered through the main gate, she wasn’t someone to be trifled with. He smiled sheepishly, “I don’t know either. The masters’ affairs aren’t shared with us.”
Baixiang immediately untied a purse and slipped it into his hand, smiling, “I often trouble you, brother, and feel quite guilty. This is a small token of appreciation, please have a drink on me.”
“Thank you, miss. It’s nothing worth mentioning.” The doorman was clever, refusing to speak or accept the gift. This left Baixiang quite frustrated and even more curious about Madam Wang’s identity. Seeing Shu’er come out to receive her, she tried to probe indirectly. Shu’er just smiled and deflected, “She’s just a relative of the family.”
Seeing that everyone’s lips were tightly sealed, Baixiang changed the subject, chatting idly with Shu’er. After meeting Mudan and paying her respects, she anxiously relayed Madam Du’s message: “This matter must be settled within ten days. Who knows what the Duke is thinking, treating such a significant matter so hastily, like child’s play… Madam is very worried but can’t go against the Duke’s wishes.”
Mudan’s expression indeed changed, her lips pressed tight in silence. Within ten days – it was truly urgent. This haste was likely related to Madam Wang’s sudden return, a move to gain the upper hand. Although Jiang Changyang and Madam Wang certainly wouldn’t let Duke Zhu make decisions for them, it would still be troublesome without a countermeasure. She signaled to Shu’er, who immediately slipped out to find Guibao and have him send a message urgently.
Baixiang probed, “I heard the eldest young master has returned. Have you seen him?”
Mudan blew on her tea and replied coolly, “Yes, I have.”
Seeing her brief responses, so different from before, Baixiang was quite displeased. She forced a smile and said, “The young masters of the household will be returning home tomorrow. I’m sure the ladies of the house must be very happy?”
Mudan knew this was a reminder not to forget how she had once begged Madam Du for help and what she had promised in return. She smiled slightly, “I always remember the great help Madam provided and what I promised her. I’m just a bit worried hearing about this, that’s all. Don’t mind me.”
Having received a clear response, Baixiang felt her mission was accomplished. She comforted Mudan, “Don’t worry, our Madam is most trustworthy. She’ll do her best to fulfill her promises. Will you still go to see the lanterns at the Lantern Festival?”
Mudan nodded, “Of course.”
” Madam means that you don’t necessarily have to wait until the Lantern Festival. The eldest young master may seem rigid, but he’s quite soft-hearted. If you don’t speak to him now, you might not get another chance later. To be honest, someone like him is hard to find, even with a lantern.” Baixiang enthusiastically advised Mudan, hinting that she should interact more with Jiang Changyang in the coming days, even if she couldn’t be the main wife, she should at least secure a position. Seeing Mudan nod, she left satisfied to report back.
Calculating that Madam Du would usually be attending to the Old Madam at this time, Baixiang went directly to the Old Madam’s quarters. She found the Old Madam with a stern face, clearly annoyed. Although Madam Du appeared calm, she seemed uneasy. Baixiang wondered what had happened in such a short time. She beckoned Hong’er over to ask, “What’s going on?”
Hong’er looked around and whispered, “The Duke left early this morning without saying where he was going. The Old Madam wanted to ask him about the young master’s affairs but couldn’t find him. She asked the servant who accompanied the Duke last night and learned that ‘she’ had returned. She arrived in the city yesterday and met with the Duke at the Qujiang Pool villa, talking for a long time before the Duke returned to the mansion.”
No wonder. Madam Du must be even angrier now, her calmness just a facade. She’s likely to seek trouble and vent her anger as soon as she leaves here. Baixiang carefully reorganized her report in her mind, waiting silently for Hong’er to call Madam Du out. A moment later, Madam Du indeed found an excuse to come out, her face stern as she asked in a low voice, “How did it go?”
Baixiang first recounted the events, then said, “I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but I felt that Miss He seemed distracted this time. She doesn’t seem as enthusiastic as before and expressed worry. Could it be that she met with the eldest young master yesterday and said something?”
Madam Du snorted, “She no longer needs my help to get someone out of jail, and she thinks Xiao Xuexi is no longer a threat. Being deceived again, she believes someone will truly be good to her and not let her down, so of course she’s not as concerned.”
Baixiang pretended to be enlightened, “Madam, you’re so perceptive. I couldn’t understand why her attitude had changed so much. Could it be that she no longer wants to be with the eldest young master? After hearing your explanation, I finally understand.” Seeing Madam Du’s expression soften, she carefully added, “By the way, there’s something strange. When I arrived at the He residence, I saw a beautiful madam at their door, very friendly with the He family. She didn’t seem like an ordinary person, but I’m somewhat familiar with the madams in the capital, and she looked very unfamiliar. I was just curious, but when I asked their servants, their mouths were sealed tight, not a word could be gotten out of them even with money.”
Madam Du suddenly became animated, “What did she look like?”
Baixiang hurriedly described in detail: “She looked to be in her early thirties, tall, voluptuous, dressed elegantly. Her skin wasn’t particularly fair but was very fine. She had large eyes, a straight, high nose bridge, loved to smile, and had a slightly high voice. Overall, she was a beauty.”
She was very similar to someone Madam Du remembered, but in terms of age, she should be older than Madam Du herself. How could she look so young? Madam Du’s heart tightened, and she asked sternly, “Tell me the key points! For example, did she have any moles on her face?”
Baixiang quickly replied, “Yes, yes, now that you mention it, I remember. She had a rouge-red mole about the size of a grain of rice on her chin, visible at a glance.”
It was her. Did she truly look as young as someone in her early thirties? No wonder she had Jiang Zhong so enchanted. He had eagerly waited at Qujiang Pool to meet her for the first time, and early this morning, he had disappeared again. Wanting to settle Jiang Changyang’s marriage within ten days – could it be this woman’s idea? Perhaps she feared Jiang Changyang might be momentarily bewitched by lust, following in Jiang Changyi’s footsteps and ruining the grand plan. Still not at ease, she had gone to the He residence early in the morning, attempting to reassure He Mudan. He Mudan had indeed been won over by her, otherwise, why would she appear so indifferent?
Hmpf, after all these years, her tactics have indeed improved. Returning to make a comeback, ready for another round? She wasn’t afraid! Madam Du suddenly looked up, her sharp eyes catching sight of a foxtail grass mostly buried in snow but still swaying in the wind on a distant wall. Unexpectedly, it reminded her of Jiang Zhong, and she said angrily, “Who’s in charge of this garden? How can weeds grow on the walls?” Without waiting for an answer, she directly ordered, “Have him clean all the walls immediately, then receive twenty strokes and have two months’ wages deducted!”
Baixiang quickly relayed the order, secretly relieved to have escaped another crisis.
The more Madam Du thought about it, the angrier she became. She ordered a carriage prepared immediately, saying she would inform the Old Madam that she was going out to look for a match for Jiang Changyang. Didn’t Jiang Zhong treat her like a workhorse? Didn’t He Mudan harbor fantasies? Very well, she would fulfill their wishes, making a grand show of searching everywhere, letting everyone know she was looking for a match for Jiang Changyang. She’d see how anxious He Mudan would become!
Hearing that Jiang Zhong wanted her to find a match for Jiang Changyang within half a month, and seeing her aggrieved appearance, the Old Madam said, “Absurd! He must be bewitched!” She glanced at Madam Du but didn’t finish her thought, only saying, “Don’t pay him any mind. I’ll talk to him when he returns.”
Madam Du’s eyes reddened slightly as she said softly, “The eldest young master has been back in the capital for so long, and at his age still without a suitable match. The Xiao family affair has also turned out this way. It’s all because I haven’t done well enough. Since he’s given the order, I should at least go out and try.” With that, she stubbornly left, wiping her tears.
She first went to her maiden family, asking her sister-in-law to help spread the news that she was looking for a match for Jiang Changyang. After having tea, she returned home. Hearing that Jiang Zhong had just returned and was talking with the Old Madam, she deliberately had someone announce her arrival and went to eavesdrop on their conversation.
She heard the Old Madam say, “You’re being too foolish! Do you think you can force her to change her mind and come back by using the eldest young master’s marriage? Let me tell you, that’s impossible! If she wanted to come back, she would have done so long ago. Why wait until today? She hates us thoroughly and has returned to find ways to humiliate us. You’re not being careful enough, still having the leisure to scheme against her. I’m speechless!”
So there was such a matter. He had caused all this commotion just to force that woman to return? He was helping wholeheartedly, thinking he had succeeded. Madam Du was so angry her liver ached. That woman’s tactics had indeed improved greatly, incomparable to before.
She then heard Jiang Zhong say, “Mother, it’s not like that. Ayou, ah, Ayou insisted on arranging a marriage for the eldest young master, a marriage that would be detrimental to his future. I couldn’t stand by and watch his promising future be ruined. That’s why I…”
Still, saying it’s not like that? If not this, then what? Ayou, Ayou, how intimately he calls her name. What is Jiang Changyang’s promising future if not this Duke’s mansion? Jiang Zhong, Jiang Zhong, how could you do this to me? Madam Du couldn’t bear to listen anymore. She pressed her hand tightly to her chest and turned away with difficulty. Baixiang looked at her, noticing she seemed to have aged considerably in an instant.
Madam Du returned to her room and collapsed onto the couch, closing her eyes without a word. After a long while, she sat up, slowly applied her makeup in front of the mirror, then steadily made her way to the Old Madam’s room, still smiling and speaking with gentle care as always. She absolutely would not let them have their way. All of this was hers, and no one would take it away!