It was astonishing how quickly they had returned, especially after yesterday’s events. Madam Du hadn’t expected this. Either they had learned of the Old Madam’s illness and were attempting to make amends, or they had another motive. Regardless, it couldn’t be good news.
Her gaze slowly swept across the faces of those in the room. If they had come to visit the sick, who had informed them so quickly? Who would dare? Concubine Xue and Jiang Yunqing wore expressions of nervous obsequiousness when she looked their way, while the maids and servants were even more subdued. She couldn’t discern anything from their faces.
Could it have been Jiang Zhong? Regardless, she didn’t want Jiang Changyang and his wife to visit during this illness. After a moment of silence, Madam Du approached the Old Madam and whispered in her ear, “Mother, the eldest son, and his wife have come to see you.”
The Old Madam showed no reaction. She called out twice more patiently. Finally, the Old Madam’s slack eyelids fluttered, and she exhaled a heavy, foul-smelling breath that nearly made Madam Du retch. She stepped back abruptly, holding her breath for a while before daring to breathe normally again. This time, she kept her distance and raised her voice.
“I’m not deaf,” the Old Madam grumbled, finally opening her eyes.
Suppressing her irritation, Madam Du said, “The eldest son and his wife have come to see you. They’re already at the middle gate.” Seeing the Old Madam’s silence and fearing she might not prevent their entry, Madam Du feigned concern: “We’re all family. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s events. I’ll have them prepare a room, and they can keep you company for a few days. It’s a chance to clear up any misunderstandings.”
Provoked by this, the Old Madam angrily exclaimed, “Tell them to get lost!”
Inwardly pleased, Madam Du continued to advise against the Old Madam’s wishes. Seeing her face turn livid with rage and her body trembling, Madam Du finally said, “Alright, alright. Don’t get upset. I understand. They won’t be allowed in.” Instead of going to see Jiang Changyang and Mudan, she signaled to Jiang Yunqing: “Go tell your eldest brother and sister-in-law that your grandmother is still angry and refuses to see them. Ask them to return another time.”
This was an unpleasant task. Jiang Yunqing hesitated, holding her fan without moving.
Madam Du, still comforting the Old Madam, angrily said, “Didn’t you hear your grandmother? Nothing is more important than her right now!”
Jiang Yunqing silently cursed, resenting how Madam Du always played the good person while making others the villains. She didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction as she slowly walked outside, dreading the confrontation. She also resented Jiang Zhong for choosing this time to take leave, leaving her to face this difficult situation.
As she pondered this, she saw Jiang Changyang and Mudan approaching under the shade of the trees. With no other choice, she put on a pitiful expression, greeted them respectfully, and then said with reddened eyes, “I apologize to my brother and sister-in-law. Madam Du sent me to say that Grandmother is still angry and refuses to see you. To avoid upsetting her further, please come back another time. Or perhaps you’d like to have some tea at my place to cool off? Grandmother might suddenly change her mind.”
Her words were cleverly chosen, and her demeanor seemed so pitiable that no one could blame her. Mudan had intended to stay until nightfall to show their sincerity and was about to accept Jiang Yunqing’s offer of tea. However, she noticed a flash of regret and fear in Jiang Yunqing’s eyes and understood the situation.
Jiang Yunqing, seeing Mudan and Jiang Changyang considering her offer, immediately regretted her words. She feared that if they accepted, Madam Du would punish her later, possibly even interfering with her future marriage prospects. As she was about to say something to rectify the situation, Mudan smiled and said, “Thank you, but we shouldn’t disturb you while you’re attending to Grandmother. We came to visit the sick, not to cause trouble. We’ll leave for now and return tomorrow.”
Jiang Yunqing secretly sighed in relief, not daring to insist further. She escorted them to the middle gate and waved goodbye as if seeing off a plague.
Mudan noticed Jiang Changyang’s stern expression and tugged at his sleeve, asking softly, “What should we do now?” They had come to visit but were turned away immediately. Those outside wouldn’t know and might say they never came or weren’t sincere.
Jiang Changyang snapped out of his thoughts and smiled slightly at her. “Let’s go home.”
Mudan suggested, “Should we wait a bit longer?”
Jiang Changyang shook his head firmly. “No waiting.” He had fulfilled his duty; if it wasn’t accepted, so be it. There was no need to lower themselves further, which would only result in Mudan having to serve that woman and endure torment.
As they walked away unhurriedly, they suddenly heard someone calling from behind. It was Jiang Changyi, who had ridden up on horseback. He said breathlessly, “I came back from requesting leave to attend to Grandmother. I just heard what happened. Grandmother must be confused about her illness; she’ll surely regret it later. Father should be home by now. Brother, sister-in-law, please come back with me.” He then looked around and whispered, “I heard someone is planning to accuse you of being unfilial. Come back with me to silence them!”
“Who did you hear this from?” Jiang Changyang looked at Jiang Changyi, who was sweating profusely, his chest soaked with perspiration. His face showed genuine concern and consideration for Jiang Changyang. He seemed ambitious, filial, and caring towards his siblings, even towards a brother he had never met before. His character appeared impeccable.
Jiang Changyi hesitated for a moment before saying quietly, “Don’t put me in a difficult position. Just know that it’s true.” He continued to plead with Jiang Changyang, “Brother, please come stay for a few days. Father would be delighted. Grandmother isn’t angry with you; she enjoys having the family together. You don’t know her—she’s tough on the outside but soft on the inside.” The implication was that both Jiang Zhong and the Old Madam welcomed their return, leaving Jiang Changyang to ponder why the earlier incident had occurred.
Jiang Changyang replied, “Things have reached this point. Grandmother doesn’t want to see us, and our presence would only upset her more. If it worsens her condition, that would be truly unfilial. As for what others might say, let them.”
Jiang Changyi’s eyes widened with excitement and admiration. “I always thought that obeying and serving elders was the height of filial piety, and I believed I was doing well. But now I see that you, brother, truly understand filial piety. You’re willing to endure humiliation and disregard fame and status to avoid worsening Grandmother’s condition. I must learn from you…”
Mudan nearly fell off her horse, struggling to maintain her composure as she gave Jiang Changyang an amused look. It was remarkable how Jiang Changyang could maintain a straight face while listening to such blatant flattery. He listened seriously to Jiang Changyi’s speech, then patted his shoulder and said meaningfully, “You’re already doing very well. I have high hopes for you. Go back now, and when you have time, come to our home. Your sister-in-law will prepare some delicious food for you.”
“Then I thank sister-in-law in advance,” Jiang Changyi said with a naive smile at Mudan. He asked once more, “Brother, are you sure you won’t return with me? Father cares about his reputation and, though he hasn’t said it, I’m sure this is what he wants. He truly cares for you deeply.”
Jiang Changyang simply shook his head and gave Jiang Changyi’s horse a firm slap on the rump. Startled, the horse carried Jiang Changyi away, along with his concerns and good intentions.
Mudan struggled to contain her laughter, remembering the Old Madam’s serious illness and not wanting to appear disrespectful in public. She finally composed herself and asked Jiang Changyang, “Teach me how to maintain such a serious expression in the face of such blatant flattery.”
Jiang Changyang looked at her with a blank expression, startling Mudan. She quickly suppressed her smile and said softly, “I didn’t mean to laugh at you. I just wanted to lighten the mood…”
Suddenly, Jiang Changyang smiled and said, “When you want to laugh, just think about the things you hate or despise the most. You won’t be able to laugh then. That’s the secret.”
Mudan bit her lip and glared at him, whispering, “I hate it when you look at me like that as if I’m some annoying outsider.” She knew he was teasing her, but she still disliked that expression, which made her feel insignificant.
Jiang Changyang sighed helplessly, “Alright, alright. From now on, before I look at you, I’ll imagine I’ve just been promoted and gotten rich. Then I’ll look at you with the warmth of a spring breeze.”
Mudan thought for a moment, then chuckled softly. The couple then headed home without further incident.
Meanwhile, Jiang Changyi returned to the Duke’s mansion, acting as if nothing had happened. He paid his respects to the Old Madam and, upon learning that Jiang Yunqing and Jiang Zhong were unaware of Jiang Changyang’s visit, he seized an opportunity to speak with Jiang Zhong.
Jiang Zhong was struggling with the family’s chaotic situation and felt uncomfortable with the strange looks his colleagues had given him when he requested leave. Seeing Jiang Changyi enter, he asked coolly, “What is it?”
Abandoning his usual timidity, Jiang Changyi said seriously, “When I went to request leave today, I happened to hear that someone plans to accuse my eldest brother of being unfilial. I rushed back, only to learn that my eldest brother and his wife had come to visit but were turned away at the second gate. I hurried to catch up with them, thinking that if my eldest brother agreed to stay for a couple of days, the accusation would naturally be dispelled. But he refused, saying that his presence upsets Grandmother and might worsen her condition. He doesn’t care what others say. The eldest brother is too stubborn.”
Jiang Zhong slammed his fist on the table angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? It’s already dark, and you’re just now informing me?”
Jiang Changyi looked completely innocent as he asked, “Didn’t Father know that eldest brother and his wife had returned?”
Jiang Zhong truly hadn’t known, and his face turned as red as a pig’s liver.