Jiang Changyang looked at Mudan excitedly: “Yes, my mother just had someone do a divination. They said that day is auspicious for all matters. She said since others are in such a hurry, we should be considerate and settle things early to save them from worrying needlessly.”
Mudan said worriedly: “But that’s just from your side. I’m afraid my mother won’t agree. My father said before…”
She recalled that He Zhizhong had stipulated that both sets of parents must agree, a matchmaker must formally visit, and none of the six betrothal gifts could be missing. Otherwise, there was no point in discussing it. Now, with Jiang Chong’s strong reaction, he clearly wouldn’t agree, which would likely lead to chaos later.
Seeing her concern, Jiang Changyang smiled slightly and led her into Chongde Lane: “I remember. Don’t worry, I won’t let you be wronged. The matchmaker will visit in grand style, and he’ll have nothing to say against it. Remember I said before that I wanted to give you a gift? I’ll give it to you tomorrow night.”
Noticing he was leading her to Chongde Lane, Mudan remembered that Chongye Temple was here and asked: “Why are you bringing me here?”
Jiang Changyang led her into a quiet, dim alley: “Isn’t she planning to scheme here tomorrow? I’m bringing you here first to familiarize yourself, so you won’t get lost tomorrow and end up somewhere you shouldn’t be.”
“What place in the temple tomorrow would I not be able to go?” Mudan stopped in the corner, not wanting to walk further. “I don’t want to come tomorrow. I just want to make her wait in vain, anger her, and deny her the chance to carry out whatever devious plan she has.” While she had sought out Madam Du before out of necessity, now she truly didn’t want to get entangled with her anymore. They were not on the same side.
Earlier that morning, Baixiang had come to see her and said some unpleasant things, clearly trying to sow discord and make her believe Jiang Changyang’s mother’s words were untrustworthy. She implied that this round of matchmaking visits wasn’t without Jiang Changyang’s mother’s influence, warning Mudan not to be deceived. In essence, she was telling Mudan that her only path forward was to trust Madam Du and follow her instructions. Otherwise, it would all be a fleeting dream. Baixiang, as Madam Du’s favored maid, was adept at such manipulative talk, speaking eloquently and using examples to make her point. Even Shuer was startled by her words. After Baixiang left, Mama Lin gritted her teeth and sighed: “If the maid is like this, imagine what the mistress must be like. Thankfully, Madam Wang isn’t like her, otherwise, it would be quite troublesome.”
Seeing that Mudan didn’t want to walk further, Jiang Changyang stopped as well. He ruffled her hair and smiled: “When you initially described me in such a detestable way, didn’t you swear to her that you’d follow her arrangements? If you don’t come, aren’t you afraid of breaking your oath?”
Mudan smirked: “Everyone says if I don’t do this or that, heaven will strike me down with five thunderbolts. Especially men when they’re coaxing women – how many oaths have they sworn? Has heaven struck anyone down with five thunderbolts?” Such divine punishment was reserved for cultivators undergoing heavenly tribulation; she, a mere mortal, clearly wouldn’t encounter it. If one truly intended to do something, was there any need for oaths? Rather than believing others’ oaths, it was more practical to focus on eating a few more bites of food.
However Jiang Changyang didn’t share her perspective. He nervously said: “Don’t talk nonsense. The gods are watching over us; we can’t speak carelessly about such things. Since you’ve sworn an oath, you must come tomorrow. It’s just watching a show anyway, there’s no harm in it.”
Seeing his serious expression, Mudan couldn’t help but pinch his cheek, laughing: “I suddenly wonder, if you were the person Madam Du secretly described and speculated about, then tomorrow I’d be used as a pawn by both your families simultaneously. She wouldn’t sincerely help me, but would certainly use me to harm you. You, fearing her harm, would use me to deceive her. In the end, you’d both win, and I’d be the only one to suffer.”
Jiang Changyang found her words amusing: “What are you imagining?”
Mudan also laughed: “Just random thoughts.” In the dim light, her face was as white as jade, her smile sweet and serene, her eyes as bright as stars in a desert night. Jiang Changyang suddenly felt his mind go blank. He cupped Mudan’s face in his hands and said softly: “Danniang, your smile is so beautiful.”
His voice was a bit hoarse, his fingers somewhat rough. Their faces were less than half a foot apart, and his gaze was unusual. Mudan blinked nervously, pretending to be relaxed as she pushed him away: “You’re only now realizing my smile is beautiful? You’re quite slow.”
Jiang Changyang laughed: “I never knew you were so thick-skinned. Who praises themselves like that?”
Mudan pinched the soft flesh under his arm, twisting hard: “You’re the thick-skinned one! Always pretending, making others praise you first.” As she spoke, she adjusted her hair and smoothed her skirt, twirling in front of him and speaking in a gruff voice: “I had this robe made before the New Year. I don’t like this color, but Wu said it was fine. I don’t quite trust his taste, so I wore it today for you all to judge.” She was mimicking Jiang Changyang’s behavior from before they had clarified their feelings, when he had deliberately dressed up to visit her at Fang Garden, putting on a show in front of them.
Jiang Changyang was stunned and then felt embarrassed. He stepped forward, hands on his hips, to scold her: “You little devil! Just you wait! Just you wait!”
“Oh my, you’re embarrassed and angry. How rare,” Mudan hugged herself tightly, crouching in the corner and laughing. When he wasn’t paying attention, she attacked again. Jiang Changyang watched Mudan’s flower-like smile so close to him, the faint fragrance from her body enveloping him, her hair occasionally tickling him. He couldn’t help but stop and gaze at her intently, calling out softly: “Danniang…”
Mudan, not noticing his expression, continued laughing: “I never knew you were this kind of person before. I thought you were very serious.” Suddenly, a dark shadow lunged towards her, cutting off the latter half of her sentence.
Mudan’s heart began to race uncontrollably, her body stiffening. It was a very strange feeling. Perhaps because of the cold weather, Jiang Changyang’s lips were somewhat cool, and the tip of his nose was ice-cold. His slightly hurried breathing tickled her face, carrying the scent of green grass – his unique scent. Mudan’s mind didn’t go blank; she just felt a bit nervous, almost forgetting to breathe. She quietly experienced her first kiss, silently savoring his taste.
Jiang Changyang’s lips pressed against Mudan’s, carefully moving without parting. He wanted to take the next step but hesitated, afraid yet reluctant to stop. He didn’t see any signs of disgust from Mudan, but she also showed no reaction. She just quietly leaned against the wall, crouching with her eyes slightly closed, motionless. He felt a bit worried yet happy. This was something he had imagined countless times, and today he finally had the chance to do it, yet he also felt a sense of loss. She didn’t seem to like it… but she hadn’t slapped him or jumped away screaming, which seemed quite good. He became happy again, holding Mudan’s shoulders and carefully nibbling on her lips.
He was testing her – this was Mudan’s first thought after being bitten. Well, since she didn’t dislike this feeling, and she wanted to try it too – she had heard that when kissed by someone you love, your back foot would lift, just like she had seen countless times in movies. Why shouldn’t she try? Although they weren’t in a garden or under the hazy moonlight, without a gorgeous romantic backdrop, just crouching in a dark, cold corner in an awkward position. But they were kissing after all.
Mudan carefully extended the tip of her tongue, lightly licking his now-warm lips once, then boldly touching his teeth. She felt Jiang Changyang’s body stiffen, and then there was about one to two seconds of blankness, even his breathing becoming hot. Mudan felt like laughing, a sweet laugh. She gently bit his lip in return.
So this was the so-called “breath like orchids” and “sweet as honey”? Jiang Changyang also felt like he might stop breathing. Under his palms were Mudan’s round, delicate shoulders; he wanted to squeeze them to pieces. Her lovely, fragrant, petal-like lips were the world’s sweetest, most delicious food. He had an urge to chew up and swallow these lips along with the person before him, starting with these flower petals. He told himself that she would be frightened and run away, so he had to eat slowly, gently, carefully.
Mudan felt a little uncomfortable, a bit unaccustomed to this feeling. But… how to put it? It was quite novel, quite good, and quite sweet. She was a bit confused, not knowing how to describe this feeling. But what she liked most was Jiang Changyang’s gentleness and consideration. He hadn’t hurt her at all, nor had he groped her. He was just squeezing her shoulders quite painfully.
Mudan slowly began to respond, occasionally playfully darting away like a small fish, enticing him to chase her. Until Jiang Changyang suddenly pushed her away, breathing rapidly, turning to face the wall, not daring to look back or move.
Looking at Jiang Changyang’s frustrated, stiff back, Mudan clearly understood what had happened. What else could make this thick-skinned fellow unable to turn away from the wall? She felt a bit embarrassed, also lowering her head and drawing circles on the ground without speaking. Suddenly, she felt like laughing again. She tried to hold it in but couldn’t, so she covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Jiang Changyang angrily threw a small stone at her: “What are you laughing at? Stop laughing.”
Mudan couldn’t help it and laughed even louder.
Jiang Changyang was helpless, gritting his teeth, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. But being laughed at like this was too much to bear. He thought for a moment, then bluffed with a laugh: “Danniang, tell me honestly, did you eat some candy earlier? I had some tea leaves. Can you guess what kind of tea it was?”
Mudan was stunned, then clenched her fist and pummeled his broad shoulders: “I’ll beat you to death, you scoundrel! How disgusting!”
Jiang Changyang hunched his shoulders, letting her hit him. When she stopped, he stood up and took her hand, saying contentedly: “Let’s go. Let’s quickly take a look around.”