Seeing Mudan reject his proposal without hesitation, Jiang Changyang felt frustrated but managed to contain his displeasure. He pleaded softly, “They must have reached Guangzhou by now. They’ll surely be back by June.”
Mudan just smiled without speaking. In this life, she was determined to have both her parents attend her wedding and witness her happiness. Not a single person from her family could be missing.
Realizing she wouldn’t budge, Jiang Changyang resorted to begging, “Danniang, my mother is getting married in April, leaving me all alone. Don’t you want to be with me sooner?”
Mudan suppressed a laugh, “You, all alone?” But she saw Jiang Changyang’s expression turn serious as he spoke in a low voice, “Yes. Before, when my mother wasn’t married, wherever she was, was my home. Even though we were thousands of miles apart, I felt secure knowing she was waiting for me at home. But now that she’s married, I’m left alone, without a home. Only with you there will that house become a home…”
He was a man without a home. Though Mudan knew he was playing the sympathy card, she couldn’t bring herself to smile. Her heart softened, and she held his hand, saying gently, “It’s just a matter of waiting an extra month or two, less than 60 days. It’ll pass in the blink of an eye.”
How could she understand his feelings? Ever since Madam Wang’s casual remark, he had felt uneasy, but he could only express his urgency and vulnerability, not his actual worries. After a moment’s thought, Jiang Changyang proposed a compromise, “How about this: I’ll inquire about people who set sail around the same time as your father last autumn, and see if any have returned. I’ll also send someone to gather information in Guangzhou. Then we can decide. After all, your father did leave some instructions.”
He Zhizhong had indeed said that if Jiang Changyang could have both sets of parents formally propose marriage, he would let Madam Chen agree to the union. But he never said they could proceed with the wedding in his absence. At least Jiang Changyang was willing to compromise. Since they hadn’t officially set a date yet, arguing over this would only make everyone unhappy. Mudan thought she could discuss it with Madam Chen later and let her refuse him. With this in mind, Mudan nodded, “Alright.”
Jiang Changyang secretly sighed in relief. As long as she was willing to consider, he could find a way to persuade Madam Chen. June 26th was a good date, and he was determined to make it happen. Thinking that in less than three months, Mudan would be with him day and night, doing whatever they pleased, he could barely contain his desire to laugh out loud with joy.
Both harboring their thoughts, they parted sweetly, each returning home. Mudan went straight to Madam Chen’s room and pestered her for a while until Madam Chen, exasperated, scolded, “Haven’t we given you enough freedom? You’ve already seen him. Why are you still pestering me?”
Realizing her meeting with Jiang Changyang couldn’t be hidden, Mudan blushed. She hugged Madam Chen’s shoulders and pressed her head against her waist, whispering, “Speaking of him, he’s already talking about setting a date before the bride price has even been presented.”
“Slow down, you’ll hurt my back,” Madam Chen said, patting Mudan’s hand. She turned to look at her, “What did he say?” She wondered if the young couple was impatient and wanted to marry earlier, sending Mudan to test her reaction.
Mudan helped her sit down and said seriously, “He says June 26th is the best date this year, but I want to wait for Father and my brothers to return. How can we proceed with such a big event without them? What do you think, Mother?”
Naturally, it would be better if He Zhizhong were present for such an important event. Since this was Mudan’s wish, Madam Chen agreed, “Of course, it’s better if your father is here for this. Don’t worry about it now. I’ll discuss it with Madam Wang after the bride price presentation. We’ll take it step by step. Although next year is a leap year and the twelfth month isn’t suitable for weddings, you’ll marry sooner or later, so there’s no need to rush. June seems a bit hasty, and it’s not ideal for hosting a banquet.” She was speaking truthfully – June was the hottest month, and food could easily spoil. Unless there were special circumstances, people generally avoided marrying.
“Exactly,” Mudan felt relieved seeing Madam Chen agree with her and didn’t pursue the topic further.
The next day, the Jiang family presented the bride price as scheduled. Mudan, pulled by Yingniang and Rongniang, watched from behind a screen. The messenger, following protocol, took the gift box from the table prepared by the He family, used a silver knife to open the seal and read the marriage letter aloud. Er Lang, the eldest male in the family, accepted it along with the betrothal gifts from the Jiang family. He then presented an equally formal reply letter in a nanmu wood gift box. The messengers were invited for a meal and given fine clothes and silk fabrics as thank-you gifts. With this, Mudan and Jiang Changyang’s engagement was officially established and protected by law, with neither party able to easily back out.
The next step would be setting the wedding date. The Mudan Festival was scheduled for the 20th of the fifth month, and the early-blooming peonies in Fang Garden had already transitioned from the round peach stage to the flat peach stage – a crucial period. Mudan spent her days rushing to and from Fang Garden, leaving early and returning late, barely making it back before curfew. She had no time to concern herself with setting the wedding date. She only learned from Kuaner that while the Princess of Fen hadn’t visited, Jiang Changyang had come looking for her several times, but she was always out.
Jiang Changyang had his duties. He left for work before dawn every day and returned home at dusk. When urgent matters arose, he might be away for several days at a stretch. Unless she waited for him at home, they had almost no chance to meet.
Mudan felt regretful a few times and considered setting aside a day to wait for him at home. But hearing that he hadn’t come for several days, she assumed he was busy with work or perhaps inquiring about He Zhizhong’s return date to help choose a suitable wedding date. Moreover, since much of the dowry furniture was ready-made, and Madam Chen, Madam Xue, and others were preparing the bedding and clothes, Mudan had little to do. She focused all her energy on Fang Garden, determined to achieve a good ranking in the Mudan Festival as part of her dowry, ensuring a grand wedding.
After discussing with Gardener Li, she arranged for him to focus solely on the selected peony plants, neglecting all other tasks. Apart from her daily overall inspection of the other peonies and supervising the other gardeners, she immersed herself in the nursery, sharing a common interest with Gardener Li. They practically worshipped those few plants, with Mudan even sleeping while hugging them for reassurance.
Days flew by, and suddenly it was the 16th of the fourth month. Mudan calculated that today the few plants would enter the color-revealing stage, with buds about to burst and show their hues. After a year of hard work, success or failure would soon become apparent. Excited, she woke up early, not even waiting to have breakfast with her family. She grabbed a few flatbreads, briefly informed Madam Chen, who was just getting up and combing her hair and left with Gui and Shu’er.
Near the ward gate, she saw two horses waiting. As soon as they spotted her, they approached – it was Lü Fang and his servant Kang’er. Lü Fang’s face was full of smiles, a mix of shyness and cautious eagerness. “Seventh Young Master, you’re here?”
This was their first meeting since the winter peony viewing. Lü Fang, having embarrassed himself greatly then, hadn’t dared to seek out Mudan and had kept a low profile for a long time. Mudan had almost thought he had secretly returned to Luoyang, but here he was this morning. Guessing his intentions, Mudan decided to tease him a bit. She smiled and said, “I’m here,” then continued walking without further comment.
Seeing her indifference, Lü Fang grew anxious and self-conscious. He brazenly caught up with her, “Seventh Young Master, where are you going?”
“Outside the city.”
“What a coincidence! I’m heading there too. Let’s go together.” Lü Fang’s face lit up with an expression of feigned surprise as he hurriedly rode alongside Mudan, attempting conversation, “The early-blooming varieties everywhere are starting to show color. How are yours doing?”
Mudan replied, “Mine? Not yet.” Inwardly, she admired Lü Fang’s precise calculations, acknowledging his exceptional skill.
Lü Fang was puzzled, “How can that be?” He had calculated that it should be these few days and had come to get ahead. How could he be wrong? His stubbornness kicked in, and he pressed, “Are you sure?”
Mudan answered seriously, “Sure.”
Lü Fang gave Mudan a few suspicious glances, then craftily feigned concern, “How strange! I hope nothing’s gone wrong. Shall I take a look for you? We can try to find the problem together. We shouldn’t let it affect the flower show. After a year’s work, it all comes down to these few days.”
Suppressing a laugh, Mudan said, “Didn’t you say you had business? I wouldn’t want to delay you. It’s bound to show color eventually.”
Lü Fang hurriedly replied, “It’s nothing, nothing at all. Nothing’s more important than your matter.” Then, lowering his voice, he added softly, “Seventh Young Master, I’m sorry. Last time, I was careless and trusted the wrong person, almost causing you harm.”
Mudan smiled, “It’s alright. I was prepared. But what about you? Were you hurt?”
Lü Fang unconsciously rubbed his hand, smiling, “No. You should have hit harder back then. It would have been better if you had made me feel the pain, to teach me a lesson I’d never forget.” His tone carried a hint of melancholy. Initially, when Xiao Yuexi had deliberately befriended him, he thought they were kindred spirits, both young talents. But sadly, his background had always been insignificant in Xiao Yuexi’s eyes, no different from a mere chess piece.
Guessing that Lü Fang must have considered Xiao Yuexi a good friend, Mudan felt sympathy for his disappointment at being manipulated. She smiled and said, “Though you were a bit difficult when drunk, you weren’t entirely unpleasant. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s quite normal.”
Realizing she wasn’t holding his past mistake against him, Lü Fang’s spirits lifted. He smiled and asked, “Seventh Young Master, may I see your flowers?”
Mudan, who had been willing to show him all along, smiled and said, “Of course.”