After the peony festival, Fang Garden quickly became one of the premier peony viewing spots in the capital. Visitors flocked from all over to admire the famous peonies and see the imperial plaque inscribed “National Color, Heavenly Fragrance.” Following several days of individual guests, Fang Garden, at the height of its bloom, hosted several groups who rented out the entire garden for peony viewing parties. First came the Fenhe Princess Consort, followed by Princess Kangcheng, Duchess Ankang, Lady Bai, and many other noblewomen who, after visiting with the Fenhe Princess Consort and Princess Kangcheng, found Fang Garden so delightful that they too rented it out to entertain friends and relatives.
For over twenty days, from the first peony buds opening to the last petals falling, Fang Garden was bustling every single day. The income from garden rentals and flower sales had Yuhe and the other maids counting money until their hands cramped, all while grinning from ear to ear. Mudan’s only regret was that on days when the garden was rented out, hopeful visitors who had traveled from afar would arrive excited but leave disappointed. She pondered several solutions, but with the short blooming season, it was too late to implement them this year. She’d have to wait until next year.
In early April, Lady Wang married Fang Bohui. Mudan carefully selected twenty pots of rare peonies in full bloom as a wedding gift. Lady Wang proudly displayed them in the most prominent location. That night, the peonies blooming under the brilliant lanterns captivated the guests, drawing universal praise and achieving an unexpectedly grand effect. This simple yet elegant wedding with its novel touches became the talk of the town. To Mudan’s surprise, several other families with upcoming weddings came to buy or rent peonies after seeing this, and many peony shoots for next year were quickly pre-ordered.
Exhilarated by her initial business success, Mudan eagerly planned for the coming year. Days slipped quietly through her fingers amidst the busy and fulfilling work, with everything progressing smoothly and beautifully.
The men Jiang Changyang sent to Guangzhou to receive people had not yet sent back any news. Meanwhile, most of those who had set sail with He Zhizhong and his son had returned, reporting that they had parted ways in the strait. He Zhizhong and his son had headed south to Srivijaya, while the others went north to Champa, each conducting their trade. They knew nothing of He Zhizhong’s whereabouts. This news worried the He family, but they reasoned that since this was He Zhizhong’s final voyage, he would likely travel farther and acquire more treasures, naturally returning later than the others.
Only Madam Cen recalled her dream from before, feeling extremely uneasy. Not wanting to worry others, she simply spent more time kneeling before the Buddha statue at night, chanting sutras and praying. She didn’t ask for them to return in time for Mudan’s wedding, only for their safe return. She thought no one noticed, but everyone saw. The younger generation, more optimistic than their elders, believed that no news was good news. Mudan gently tried to comfort her a few times and personally prepared cooling, nourishing soups for Madam Cen, attentively caring for her lest she fall ill from worry. Fortunately, Madam Cen was in good health. Though concerned, she remained energetic, and busy every day preparing for Mudan’s wedding.
In early June, good and bad news arrived simultaneously. The good news was that Jiang Changyang’s contacts in Guangzhou reported He Zhizhong and his son had finally appeared safely with a large shipment of goods. The bad news was that, given the tight timeline, they definitely wouldn’t make it back for the wedding. He Zhizhong sent a letter expressing his joy and telling Mudan to marry without worry. He also seriously lectured her, advising her to be humble, courteous, virtuous, and obedient. However, he added at the end that if she ever faced mistreatment, she should speak up, and he and her brothers would surely support her.
Though disappointed, Mudan also felt fortunate. She laughed, then shed a few tears of happiness in Madam Cen’s embrace. Seeing Madam Cen, Madam Xue, and others chanting sutras and kneeling before the Buddha statue, she too went and knelt. However, the one she thanked was not Buddha but Heaven itself – thanking Heaven for her rebirth into such a family, for meeting so many good people, and for He Zhizhong and her brothers’ safe return. She also silently prayed for her and Jiang Changyang’s happiness and prosperity.
Before long, it was the day before the wedding. According to custom, the bride’s family would send people to prepare the groom’s home. However, this “room” wasn’t a room, but rather a felt tent called the “Hundred Sons Curtain.” Li Manniang and Madam Xue were chosen as the “room preparers.” Originally, Madam Cui should have had a place, but after recent events, it was impossible to invite her. Just as when Li Xing married, the He family had only sent gifts, arrived to pay their respects, and then left, without any unnecessary gestures or emotions.
Madam Cui understood and didn’t appear. Instead, Wu Shijiuniang enthusiastically accompanied Li Manniang, first going to the Jiang family home, then returning to the He family home, busy helping wherever needed. Her gentleness, grace, and eagerness to help earned high praise from the He family.
After dinner, Wu Shijiuniang pulled Mudan aside to whisper: “I went over there and saw everything newly decorated, with people coming and going, so lively. The Hundred Sons Curtain is set up in a large flower garden, surrounded by colorful lanterns and seasonal fresh flowers. They even cleaned off all the cicadas, not a hint of noise. There’s a pond too, with lotus flowers in full bloom on the multi-level platforms, and plump koi fish swimming back and forth… I heard that because of the hot weather, the groom was worried about the bride getting overheated, so he went to great lengths to borrow and buy ice from everywhere…”
Mudan laughed, “How could it be about worrying I’ll overheat? It’s clearly about keeping the food from spoiling.”
Wu Shijiuniang grinned mischievously, “Oh my, so you’re the bride! Tell me, bride, who might the groom be?” She then chased after Mudan, demanding an answer to her question while cracking her knuckles, declaring that she would give Jiang Changyang a hard time during tomorrow’s “groom hazing” unless Mudan begged her now not to. She was quite lively and playful.
Mudan hadn’t expected Wu Shijiuniang to joke with her so warmly. She wasn’t sure if Wu Shijiuniang knew about the past events, but Wu Shijiuniang looked genuinely happy, her smile coming from within rather than being forced. Mudan thought that if Li Xing wasn’t treating her well, Wu Shijiuniang surely couldn’t smile like this. While happy for Li Xing, she also wholeheartedly accepted this sister-in-law.
After the relatives and friends laughed and joked for a while, they gradually dispersed. Madam Cen, seeing Mudan still sitting, urged her to go to sleep: “Hurry off to bed! You’ll be exhausted enough tomorrow. You won’t be able to get to bed before midnight then.”
Mudan blushed and said nothing. Madam Xue looked on and smiled, “Mother, Mudan is reluctant to leave you. I think you should let her sleep with you tonight. That way you can have a private chat.”
Hearing this, Madam Cen smiled meaningfully, “Yes, we should have a good talk.”
Madam Xue and the other sisters-in-law, all-knowing Mudan’s situation, covered their mouths and giggled, making Mudan blush deeply as she got up to chase them away. Madam Zhen laughed, “Oh my, now we’re in the way. But we still need to give our little sister some advice. Once you’re married, you can’t let your husband have his way all the time. Come on, call me ‘Third Sister-in-law’ and I’ll teach you some good tricks.” Madam Xue, Madam Bai, and the others also chimed in, insisting she call them “sister-in-law” to hear their experiences. Madam Cen just smiled, not interfering with their teasing.
Mudan, eager to hear her sisters-in-law’s advice on married life, respectfully addressed each one as requested. But they kept teasing her, saying her tone wasn’t affectionate enough or her heart wasn’t sincere. Madam Cen laughed, “The groom hazing hasn’t even started, and you sisters-in-law are already giving her a hard time. Mudan is shy, stop teasing her.”
Only then did Madam Xue and the others seriously share their advice. Madam Xue said, “Care and thoughtfulness are treasures.” Madam Bai advised, “Speak gently and think before you speak, that’s essential.” Madam Zhen exclaimed, “When you shouldn’t yield, don’t. Otherwise, they’ll take advantage next time.” Madam Li smiled and said, “Mutual respect and love are very important.” Madam Zhang, cradling a crying infant, added while soothing the baby, “In crucial moments, swallow your pride. Sometimes losing is winning.”
Mudan took all their words to heart. Then Madam Cen coughed and said, “I have something to add. Tomorrow during the groom’s hazing, go easy on him. I’ve heard of families who locked the groom in a trunk and suffocated him to death.”
Everyone burst into laughter, declaring, “He’s not even your son-in-law yet, and you’re already protective. Tomorrow we’ll give him a good pounding.” One said she had prepared a washing mallet, another a feather duster. They nudged Mudan’s shoulder, saying, “Mudan, it’s a rare chance. If you don’t tease him now, you won’t get another opportunity.”
Thinking back to when Mudan married Liu Chang, Mudan had been half-dead and Liu Chang a dark, forbidding presence. How could it compare to today’s joyous and grand occasion? Madam Zhen, feeling emotional, said, “I didn’t get a chance to haze the groom last time, so this time we must do it properly.” As soon as she spoke, Madam Zhang pulled her, saying she was bringing up unpleasant memories from the past. Madam Zhen laughed it off, leaning her head on Madam Xue’s shoulder, and asked, “Don’t you all want to give him a hard time?”
Mudan knew they were joking, but she couldn’t help worrying that some reckless relatives or friends might not know when to stop. After all, the current custom of groom hazing ranged from verbal teasing to physical beatings, with everyone considering it perfectly justified to torment the groom. After worrying about Jiang Changyang, she began to worry about being teased herself during the “bride hazing.”
Madam Bai, being observant, immediately noticed the concern on Mudan’s face and couldn’t help but tease her further. Finally, Madam Cen, seeing how late it had gotten, shooed away her daughters-in-law. She gave Mudan a few careful instructions before mother and daughter affectionately slept back-to-back. However, Mudan couldn’t fall asleep, tossing and turning until the rooster had crowed twice before finally drifting off.
Early the next morning, while Mudan was still dreaming, she was awakened by Yingning, Xueniang, and the other bridesmaids pinching her nose. They all proclaimed it was the big day.