Regardless of Jiang Zhong’s thoughts, the betrothal to Jiang Changyang proceeded smoothly, with the proposal, name-matching, and auspicious date selection all going well. True to his word, Jiang Changyang handled everything. Only on the day before the bride price presentation did he visit the Duke of Zhu’s mansion to request the marriage letter.
Jiang Zhong asked with a stern face, “Who are your chosen messengers and deputy messengers?”
Jiang Changyang smiled, “My second uncle’s two elder brothers.”
Both men held official positions and had impressive bearing, making them ideal choices for messengers and deputy messengers. These were the only suitable candidates Jiang Zhong could think of. Learning that Jiang Changyang had already invited them without consulting him first, Jiang Zhong was angry but had no grounds to object. He suppressed his anger and handed over the pre-written letter, saying, “Do as you see fit.”
Seeing the prepared marriage letter, Jiang Changyang’s mood lifted. He carefully took it and went to pay respects to the Old Madam, only to find she was still too upset to see him. Jiang Changyang smiled and left. He had intended to greet her out of courtesy and for Mudan’s sake, to avoid gossip. Since she refused to see him, he decided to leave it be.
As he reached the courtyard, a figure emerged from behind a blooming peach tree, bowing and smiling, “Eldest Brother.” It was Jiang Changyi, who had recently passed the imperial examinations. Despite ranking fifth in the Mingjiang examination and having the Xiao family’s support, which practically guaranteed a future official position, he dressed modestly in a slightly worn gray robe. His smile was humble, and his demeanor impeccable.
Jiang Changyang observed him with interest, “Congratulations. I heard about your success but have been too busy to offer my regards.” He took a fine mutton-fat jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Changyi. “This is my gift. Congratulations on your double happiness.”
Jiang Changyang rarely wore such accessories, so carrying them meant he had prepared them in advance. Jiang Changyi was momentarily stunned, his eyes reddening slightly. He said softly, “Brother, I came to give you a congratulatory gift, but now I’m receiving one from you. I don’t have anything special, just a jade pendant I won in a bet with friends recently. It’s from the previous dynasty, of excellent quality. Please wear it to ward off evil.” He pressed a small brocade box into Jiang Changyang’s hand and hurried away before Jiang Changyang could respond, appearing cautious and deferential.
This brother was truly difficult to read, Jiang Changyang thought, shaking his head slightly as he strode out of the Duke of Zhu’s mansion. Upon returning home, he found Madam Wang inspecting items for tomorrow’s bride price presentation. She showed him each item: the nanmu wood gift box, one foot and two inches long to represent the twelve months; one inch and two fen wide to represent the twelve hours; the wooden board two fen thick to represent the two principles; the lid one fen thick to represent talent; the box’s interior eight fen wide to represent the eight solar terms. There were also five-colored threads for tying the gift box and a seal.
Seeing Jiang Changyang smile, Madam Wang said proudly, “Let me tell you, tomorrow’s presentation of the bride price has its rules. First come two fine horses leading the procession, then the gift carriage, followed by five-colored silks, bolts of silk, money, pigs and sheep, wheat flour, game meat, fruits, butter and salt, soy sauce and vinegar, pepper, ginger, green onions, and garlic. The order must be precise, and everything must be placed in the carriage, not exposed.”
Jiang Changyang just smiled, gently caressing the gift box in his hands. After tomorrow, once the He family returned the marriage acceptance letter, Mudan would be his, and no one could take her away. Seeing his expression, Madam Wang felt a twinge of jealousy and couldn’t help but playfully slap his head, “You rascal, marrying a wife and forgetting your mother.”
Jiang Changyang put down the gift box and held her hand, saying softly, “Mother, we’ll take care of you together in the future.”
Madam Wang sighed and smiled, “Your adoptive father will arrive in a few days. As for me, after tomorrow’s bride price presentation, I’ll have someone divine an auspicious date for your wedding. Only then will I feel at ease.” Her wedding was set for the fourth month, after which she would move to her new husband’s home. Jiang Changyang fell silent, unable to express his feelings.
Pretending not to notice his sadness, Madam Wang teased, “Oh my, are you afraid of living alone? To ensure you’re not lonely, I’ll consult with the diviner and pick an earlier good date to bring your wife home. What do you think? Would May be good, or June?”
Jiang Changyang laughed, amused by her jest, “How could it be so soon? Danniang said she wants to prepare everything properly and wait for her father and brothers to return. She’s thinking the best time would be August or September, depending on which date is auspicious.”
Madam Wang looked worried, “If that’s what she says, does it mean if her father and brothers return late, you won’t marry?”
Before she could finish, Jiang Changyang stuffed a chestnut in her mouth, saying, “Don’t say such things.”
Madam Wang laughed mischievously, “I’m not making official proclamations. It’s not like my words will make it so. You’re already betrothed, why are you panicking?”
Jiang Changyang blushed slightly and buried himself in inspecting the bride price gifts, successfully diverting Madam Wang’s attention.
While mother and son were busy preparing for the next day, the He family was equally occupied. They were readying the bed, tables, incense burners, water bowls, and silver knives for the next day’s ceremony, as well as preparing food and drink for the messengers and gifts of clothing and silk fabrics for them.
With all preparations in order, Mudan nervously paced around her small courtyard, fussing over her peony plants. Madam Chen, displeased with her behavior, said, “Why are you so anxious? It’s not time to be nervous yet.”
Mudan just smiled. How could they understand her feelings? Recently, everything felt like a dream, progressing smoothly and sweetly beyond imagination. After tomorrow, she and he would be as good as registered, with legal protection. How could she not be nervous about her future being so closely tied to his?
Seeing her smile, Madam Chen sighed softly and embraced her, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. We’ve all been through this. Since he’s willing to give up so much grandeur, he’ll surely treat you well in the future.”
Mudan felt a warmth in her heart. Although Jiang Changyang hadn’t told her how the Emperor had agreed to their marriage, she knew from Gui that Jiang Changyang had rendered great service on his recent mission. By custom, he should have received rewards, but he got nothing. Afterward, the Emperor had treated him coolly for a long time. She could imagine how much he had sacrificed for their union.
Seeing Mudan lost in thought, Madam Chen exchanged knowing smiles with Madam Xue and the others before leaving her in the courtyard. Mudan stared at the peach blossoms in the corner for a while until Shu’er came and whispered in her ear, “Mother, the weather is so nice today. Why don’t you go for a walk?”
It was already late in the day – what walk? Seeing Shu’er’s mischievous smile, Mudan understood. She gave Shu’er a playful flick on the forehead, then returned to her room to fetch a small package. After tidying her clothes, she followed Shu’er to the side gate.
From a distance, she saw Jiang Changyang peeking around, looking impatient. She approached with a smile, saying softly, “Why are you here again? If my mother sees you, she’ll scold us both.”
He had become increasingly clingy, either rushing here or waiting for her at Fang Garden. He even tried to persuade her to stay overnight at Fang Garden so they could talk as long as they wanted. But Madam Chen and Nanny Lin were keeping a close eye on them, not allowing them to be alone for more than half an hour, let alone let her stay at Fang Garden overnight. They preferred her to commute daily rather than stay there.
Seeing Mudan’s smiling eyes and rosy lips, Jiang Changyang longed to kiss her thoroughly. But the time and place were inappropriate, making him restless and frustrated. He pulled Mudan closer, complaining, “What do you mean by ‘again’? Are you tired of me visiting?”
Mudan quickly smiled, “What do you mean ‘why are you here’? I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”
Jiang Changyang laughed, “That’s more like it!” He then just stared at Mudan, smiling. In the sunset light, Mudan’s skin was flawless like jade, her black hair luxuriant, her smile sweet. The more he looked, the more he loved her. After glancing around, he gently touched Mudan’s lips, then kissed his fingers, saying with a smile, “I want to see you every day. I wish it were August already.”
Touched by his childlike gesture, Mudan’s heart melted. She took out the small package hidden behind her back and handed it to him, “Here, as I promised to make for you.”
Jiang Changyang opened the package to find two pairs of socks, a large red tiger-embroidered dudou, and a set of undergarments. Imagining Mudan sitting by the lamp, sewing each stitch for him, his heart filled with sweetness. He smiled and said softly, “You’ve worked hard. I told you not to do too much. Aren’t you tired?”
Suddenly, he noticed the pomegranate-red, colorful parrot-embroidered silk dudou peeking out from Mudan’s light blue spring outfit, her snow-white skin glowing with a jade-like luster. Holding the undergarments in his hands, he was momentarily stunned.
Mudan said seriously, “It wasn’t tiring. My needlework isn’t good, I hope you don’t mind.” Then she noticed Jiang Changyang looking at the undergarments and then at her, his gaze repeatedly darting to her neckline, his eyes dark and unreadable. She blushed and cursed, “Keep staring and I’ll gouge out your eyes.” She tried to snatch back the undergarments, “Shameless! Don’t wear them! Give them back!”
Jiang Changyang held on tightly, refusing to let go. Mudan had no choice but to cover his eyes, “You’re becoming more and more shameless.”
Intoxicated by her scent and warmth, Jiang Changyang’s heart raced. He dropped the package and tightly grasped Mudan’s hands, his tone half-pleading, half-commanding, “Danniang, I’ve checked, and June 26th is the best date this year. How about we set our wedding for that day?”
Mudan was taken aback and laughed, “The bride price hasn’t even been presented, and you’re already rushing to set a date? We agreed to wait for my father and brothers to return.”
Jiang Changyang was displeased, “They’ll surely return by then.”
Noticing his change in mood, Mudan frowned slightly, “My mother says that in previous years, they returned after seven or eight months at the earliest, sometimes over a year. It’s already April, and we still haven’t received any news from them, which means it might take even longer for them to return. Besides, I’m about to participate in the Mudan Festival, which will take up a lot of time. Wouldn’t August or September be better?”