Xueniang gently inserted a large red silk flower into Mudan’s high bun, adjusting the gilded copper seven-treasure hairpin inlaid with gold, silver, glass, mother-of-pearl, agate, crystal, and amber. Looking at the radiant Mudan, Xueniang’s eyes reddened slightly: “Miss He, congratulations.”
Mudan knew Xueniang had recently been betrothed to a man surnamed Lu and would marry in two years. He was a military officer, a sixth-rank flying cavalry commander, stationed at the Anben Protectorate-General’s office, not in the capital. Reportedly from a military family, he was capable in all aspects. But Mudan had never seen any excitement or happiness on Xueniang’s face about it, so she guessed Xueniang was unhappy with the match and now feeling emotional. Not knowing how to comfort her, Mudan teased, “What, you’ll miss me?”
Yingning quickly handed Xueniang a handkerchief, laughing, “Don’t be sad, it’s not like you’ll never see her again.”
Realizing her loss of composure, Xueniang hastily dabbed her eyes and brightened up, “I’m just so happy for Miss He.” She truly envied Mudan, who was marrying Jiang Changyang, living close by, and not having to serve in-laws.
Wu Shijiuniang chimed in, “Let’s discuss how to tease the groom today.” This immediately captured everyone’s attention. In an instant, Xueniang forgot her unhappiness and enthusiastically offered several ideas. Wu Shijiuniang, intent on distracting Xueniang from her sadness, deliberately praised her innovative suggestions, delighting Xueniang and encouraging her further.
Mudan listened with a smile, looking around the small room she had lived in for over a year. She recalled that chaotic morning when Madam Cen, Madam Xue, and others had suddenly burst in to bring her home. She felt deeply moved. At times, the past year seemed to have flown by in the blink of an eye; at others, when she thought of the hardships she had endured, it felt excruciatingly slow.
The new room specially built for her after her return was still empty. Madam Cen had said they needed to let it air out for half a year to dispel the dampness, but who knew Mudan would be married before it was fully ready? Probably no one had expected her to remarry so quickly after returning home divorced. Life truly was unpredictable. Mudan shook her head slightly, walked to where Shanshang the parrot used to perch, and gently touched the now-empty old cage. She wondered if Shanshang, already sent ahead to Jiang Changyang’s home and placed on the new silver perch he had made, was screeching at unfamiliar surroundings or showing off tricks to charm those it considered allies.
Lost in thought with a slight smile, Mudan suddenly heard a commotion outside. Ruiniang ran in breathlessly, bumping into Madam Zhen, who scolded, “Little imp, why are you running so fast?” Ignoring her, Ruiniang grabbed Mudan’s sleeve with shining eyes, “Auntie, auntie, guess who’s here!”
Mudan tapped her nose, “I can’t guess…” Just then, she heard someone call from the doorway, “Danniang…” It was He Zhizhong and Lang, smiling broadly.
Mudan covered her mouth in surprise. Madam Zhen, overjoyed to see Lang, asked rapid-fire questions: “Heavens, weren’t you supposed to be too late? How did you suddenly appear? Where are Big Brother and Fourth Brother? Why aren’t they here?”
He Zhizhong, delighted to see how Mudan had changed, carefully adjusted her hairpin and casually said, “Hearing my little Danniang was getting married, I was so anxious my hair and beard turned white. Big Brother saw and said, ‘Father, if you’re so worried, why not go back first? I’ll bring the goods slowly.’ But tell Danniang it’s not that he doesn’t want to come, he just can’t make it in time. Fourth Brother then said he was worried about his brother managing so much cargo alone, so he’d come slowly with him, letting Lang accompany me to ride back quickly. I thought we’d be too late, but we caught Duan Daniang’s fast boat, saving ten days. So you see, good deeds are always rewarded.”
He made it sound simple, but Mudan knew Big Brother and Fourth Brother had deliberately sent Lang with He Zhizhong to avoid making Concubine Zhu and Madam Zhen feel left out. Everyone had made sacrifices for the family. She held He Zhizhong’s hand tightly, softly calling, “Father…”
Seeing her eyes redden, He Zhizhong worried she might cry and quickly said, “No, don’t. You won’t look good if you cry.” He whispered, “We almost didn’t make it back. Thanks to Young Master Jiang bending the rules to find us post-horses. When you see him tonight, thank him for me.”
Mudan couldn’t help but smile. Just as she was about to speak with He Zhizhong, the Second Brother rushed in, saying many guests had arrived and urging He Zhizhong and Lang to quickly bathe and change for the ancestral worship. He Zhizhong only had time to press a small box into Mudan’s hand, giving her a reassuring smile before hurrying out.
Madam Zhen eagerly urged Mudan to open the box. Inside, Mudan found several pretty little seashells and a conch on a layer of silvery-white sea sand. Her eyes welled up again, but she held back her tears. She had only mentioned once to He Zhizhong that she might never see the sea in this life, yet he had remembered and brought back this precious gift from so far away.
Not knowing the significance, others were somewhat disappointed, expecting He Zhizhong to have brought back rare treasures as wedding gifts after such a long journey, instead of just sand and shells. Hearing the commotion, He Chun came over. Seeing the adults’ odd expressions and Mudan’s teary eyes, he quickly consoled her, “Auntie, don’t cry. Even if Grandfather is stingy and only gave you sand and shells, I have a few gold ingots I can give you too.”
Mudan couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, hugging He Chun tightly and whispering, “Grandfather isn’t stingy at all. This gift he gave me is priceless.”
He Chun blinked in surprise, “Really? Are there pearls inside?” He tried to take the shells and conch to pry them open and investigate.
Mudan laughed, “So Achun is a little money-grubber. There are no pearls inside. It’s just that Grandfather brought these back for me from so far away. They contain his love, which is why they’re priceless.”
He Chun nodded, not quite understanding, and led Mudan out for the ancestral worship.
After the ceremony, Mudan sat in her room waiting for Jiang Changyang to arrive. She suddenly realized he would also be performing ancestral worship today. Would he do it at the Zhu Dukedom mansion or in his courtyard? If in his courtyard, that would be fine, but if at the Zhu mansion, how would the Jiang family feel? Would they give him a hard time? She hoped it wouldn’t affect his mood.
Meanwhile, although Madam Jiang and the Old Madam strongly disapproved of this marriage, they dared not openly express their dissatisfaction, especially with the virtuous Madam Du present. Madam Du had ordered the ancestral hall cleaned and opened a day in advance, invited all the necessary clan members, and prepared everything needed for the ceremony, busily working since early morning awaiting Jiang Changyang’s arrival.
As soon as Jiang Changyang arrived, Madam Du immediately went to invite the Old Madam and Jiang Zhong. The Old Madam hadn’t even gotten out of bed, claiming she felt unwell. Her refusal to attend such an important ceremony and acknowledge Mudan was within Madam Du’s expectations. Madam Du was secretly pleased but still stood by, trying to persuade her for a while.
The Old Madam, annoyed, tossed a silver lotus leaf pillow to the floor, saying coldly, “If you want to bother with this, go ahead, but don’t drag me into it.”
The speaker may be careless, but the listener is attentive. The Old Madam was simply venting her frustration, but Madam Du thought Jiang Zhong had told her about the Lantern Festival incident, causing her to lash out so early in the morning. This left a knot in Madam Du’s heart, and when she went to see Jiang Zhong, her manner was somewhat cool.
Madam Du only answered one of Jiang Zhong’s several questions. Displeased, Jiang Zhong said coldly, “If you’re going to play the virtuous wife, you should commit to it fully. Who are you putting on this act for at such a crucial time?”
Feeling slighted from all sides, Madam Du trembled with anger. She couldn’t help but recall the day Wang Ayou married. Although Jiang Zhong hadn’t said anything and even sent a gift, he had shut himself in his study for a full day and night. If it wasn’t because he still cared for that woman and felt for her son, what else could it be? What did her twenty-plus years of marriage amount to? And Jiang Zhong, left alone so far away in an unfamiliar place – why didn’t he show more concern? At this thought, Madam Du’s lips quivered uncontrollably. She stared at Jiang Zhong, wishing she could leap up and scratch his face to shreds.
Jiang Zhong, completely oblivious, saw her silence and walked on ahead. Jiang Yunqing, sensing trouble, quickly steadied Madam Du and whispered, “Father is just in a bad mood. He’ll surely regret it later and come apologize to you, Mother.”
Madam Du gripped Jiang Yunqing’s hand, clenched her jaw, and looked up at the lanterns swaying rapidly in the wind under the corridor. A gentle smile appeared on her lips. Jiang Yunqing felt goosebumps rise at that smile. Before he could collect himself, Madam Du had already steadied herself and moved forward: “Come, it’s your brother’s wedding day, and there’s still much to do. After the ancestral worship, when he goes to fetch the bride, we must go wait by Qujiang Pool. We can’t let the Fang family perform the Jiang family’s duties, can we? I don’t mind, but I fear some people can’t bear to lose face.” She wanted to see how Wang Ayou would appear at such an occasion, with her presiding over the wedding as Jiang Changyang’s stepmother.
Her words reached Jiang Zhong’s ears as he walked ahead. He couldn’t help but frown, slowing his pace.