When they arrived, several ordinary carriages were already parked in front of Qin Niang’s residence in Fengle Ward. Apart from this, everything appeared the same as Mudan’s last visit – equally quiet, with no signs of any event taking place. However, upon reaching the main gate, Mudan realized it wasn’t so easy to enter. Without Qin Niang’s invitation, no one was allowed in. Those who did enter were escorted directly to Qin Niang’s quarters.

Qin Niang lived in a small two-story building. A few female guests were downstairs, drinking tea and eating fruit while chatting quietly. When Mudan entered, they paused and greeted her with smiles. Mudan returned their greetings with a smile and a curtsy. After sitting down, she observed that all the women were around her age. Some were dressed in fashionable, luxurious attire, while others wore simpler clothes. They all appeared well-mannered. Among them was a slightly older woman named Madam Zhou, who seemed to be acting as a semi-hostess, looking after the others. Mudan vaguely remembered seeing her with Qin Niang last year when she was with He Zhizhong.

Due to their unfamiliarity with Mudan, the women stopped their private conversations and instead spoke softly about auspicious topics. Mudan secretly guessed that they were all in similar situations to her – outwardly close friends with Qin Niang, but connected through special circumstances. When one of them inquired about her identity, Mudan cautiously replied that her surname was He, but provided no further details. The others simply smiled and shared their surnames without pressing for more information.

Soon, Ahui came downstairs, smiling apologetically as she greeted everyone. She explained that the auspicious time had not yet arrived, so they would need to wait a bit longer. The guests, assuming they were waiting for Prince Jing, smiled and said it was no problem. Ahui then came to escort Mudan upstairs. Mudan glanced cautiously at the others, not wanting to appear different.

Seeing this, Madam Zhou smiled and said, “We’ve all met before. Only you arrived late and haven’t been introduced.” This implied that Mudan needn’t worry about leaving the others.

Mudan smiled and followed Ahui upstairs. Qin Niang’s room didn’t have the usual stuffy air of a new mother’s quarters; instead, it was clean and fresh. Around a plain screen, Qin Niang lay on a large sandalwood bed, looking spirited as she smiled at Mudan and said softly, “You came! I thought you might not.”

It seemed she knew about yesterday’s events. Mudan smiled and replied, “This is a joyous occasion. Once I knew about it, I had to come and offer my congratulations.”

Qin Niang nodded with a smile: “They just showed me the ‘Wealth and Peace’ gift you sent. I love it. I’m sure His Highness will too.”

Prince Jing already had legitimate heirs and didn’t need more ambitious women and sons. Being favored and useful was a blessing, and knowing one’s place was expected. Mudan looked at Qin Niang, whose eyes and brows held a faint smile, appearing very content. She couldn’t help but wonder if this contentment would last, or if resentment might grow in the future.

As they spoke, a very stout woman with darkish skin, wearing a sapphire blue gauze jacket and a pomegranate red eight-panel silk skirt, emerged from behind the bed curtains. She was carrying a baby wrapped in red and gold brocade. She smiled and said, “Sister, this child has quite an appetite.”

Qin Niang’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled: “Sister, don’t spoil him too much. Be careful not to make him so heavy that he cries when put down. I don’t have the energy to deal with his mischief.”

The woman replied, “With so many people around, I have to argue just to hold him. Do you need to entertain him all the time?” Her tone was quite impolite.

Mudan was startled. Could this be Madam Duan? Indeed, Qin Niang smiled and said, “This is my elder sister, Madam Duan, Lu Wu’s mother. When she heard I was pregnant, she couldn’t help worrying and came to see me, leaving her business behind.” Then she smiled at the stout, dark woman and said, “Sister, this is Danniang.”

“I’ve heard about you for a long time, but unfortunately missed your wedding,” Madam Duan said as she handed the newborn to a nurse and turned to exchange greetings with Mudan. Then, pointing at Qin Niang, she said bluntly, “A lifetime of worry. I once swore I wouldn’t meddle in her affairs anymore, but I’ve gone back on my word again.” Her tone disapproved of Qin Niang’s current situation.

“Sister!” Qin Niang’s eyes reddened slightly, her expression embarrassed.

Madam Duan sighed and said, “Alright, you’re a mother now too. I won’t scold you in front of your child.”

Mudan felt awkward. Fortunately, Madam Duan quickly changed the subject to more comfortable topics. She humorously shared some of her travel experiences with Mudan and asked about He Zhizhong and their family business. Mudan took the opportunity to inquire about the peony flower market in the Jiangnan region.

Madam Duan smiled slightly and said, “Speaking of peonies, I traveled here with an old friend from Hangzhou who loves flowers. He planned to build a large garden there and came to Beijing specifically to seek out famous craftsmen. If it’s convenient for you, would you mind if he visited your garden in a few days?”

Mudan immediately recognized the potential opportunity. She had once dreamed of supplying her peonies throughout the country, and now the chance had come sooner than expected. She quickly smiled and said, “That’s no trouble at all. He can come anytime after the Qixi Festival.”

As noon approached, Ahui anxiously said, “The auspicious time is almost here. The baby’s bathing water is ready, and the kitchen has prepared the feast…” But Prince Jing had not yet arrived.

Qin Niang calmly said, “He might have been delayed by some urgent matter. It’s fine. We’ll start the bathing ceremony and the feast when the auspicious time comes.” Her face showed no sign of unhappiness or disappointment.

Madam Duan looked at her disapprovingly and said with some anger, “I’ll oversee things.”

Suddenly, a smiling elderly maid came upstairs and stood at the door. She said, “Congratulations, madam. The main household has sent rewards of food, wine, gold, and silk. They will arrive soon. His Highness has also sent word that he’s bringing some good friends and will be here shortly. He asks that the kitchen prepare more elaborate dishes.”

Qin Niang appeared delighted and quickly said, “Help me up. I’ll go downstairs to receive them.” She indeed started to get dressed and leave the bed. Ahui, both concerned and happy, brought out clothes and accessories to help her dress. Everyone bustled about.

The “main household” could only refer to Prince Jing’s principal wife. It seemed that Qin Niang’s existence was no secret to the princess. By sending rewards of food, wine, gold, and silk, she publicly acknowledged Qin Niang’s role as the child’s mother while also asserting her position as the principal wife. Prince Jing’s decision to bring his “good friends” to oversee the bathing ceremony seemed to indicate that he valued the occasion. Qin Niang appeared very happy, but was she truly? Perhaps the only person genuinely happy was Prince Jing himself.

Mudan felt uncomfortable. But this was Qin Niang’s life, and unlike Madam Duan, she had no right to comment. To be a pleasing guest, she put on a brave face, smiled, and joined the others in watching the spectacle.

The gifts from Prince Jing’s wife were generous. In addition to specially made “bathing money” for the baby, she also rewarded Qin Niang with a full set of pure gold ornaments and several pieces of gold-threaded fabric. The messenger was very polite, giving Qin Niang a face in front of the few guests present.

Shortly after, a beaming Prince Jing arrived, surrounded by several male guests. Amidst a chorus of congratulations, they merrily bathed the newborn in water boiled with peach, plum, and apricot roots. The baby was then wrapped in the small blanket gifted by the princess and shown to everyone. After exchanging auspicious words and sharing laughter, everyone took their seats for the feast.

Mudan, concerned about Jiang Changyang waiting for her to go to Chuzhou Hou’s mansion, took the first opportunity to say goodbye to Qin Niang when others began to leave. Qin Niang’s room was quiet. She was sitting by the window, looking outside. Hearing the noise, she turned around, her face automatically filling with a sweet smile that changed to a gentle one when she saw it was Mudan. “Leaving already?” she asked.

Judging by her change in expression, it seemed she wasn’t truly as happy as she appeared. Mudan nodded and said tactfully, “Although you’re strong, you should still be careful. Rest well, and don’t worry about things you don’t need to. Your body is your own.”

Qin Niang was silent for a moment, then said quietly, “Thank you for your concern. You should head back early. His Highness just sent word that he knows about the matter at your household. He says not to worry.”

Mudan paused, then said, “I came today not because of yesterday’s incident, but to sincerely congratulate you.”

Qin Niang stared at Mudan for a moment, then suddenly smiled brightly: “Look at us. Earlier, I said I thought you wouldn’t come because I feared you might be afraid. Now I tell you not to worry, and you say you came to sincerely congratulate me. We’ve misunderstood each other.”

Mudan replied seriously, “There’s no misunderstanding between us. Of course, we’re afraid – it’s human nature to seek good fortune and avoid calamity. Who wouldn’t be afraid? But my congratulations are also sincere. You’re busy, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“Take care,” Qin Niang said, bidding farewell to Mudan and watching her leave. Ahui came out from behind and whispered, “Madam, did Madam He seem angry?”

Qin Niang shook her head: “She’s not petty. She just wanted to tell me that her family isn’t solely motivated by profit. I underestimated her.” Or rather, Prince Jing had underestimated the couple.

As Mudan left Qin Niang’s residence, she hadn’t traveled far when she saw Shunhou’er standing by the roadside, looking around. Upon seeing her carriage, he ran over with a big smile: “This way, the General is waiting outside the East Gate.”

Soon after meeting up with Jiang Changyang, Mudan recounted the day’s events. Jiang Changyang listened attentively and seemed particularly pleased when she told him about her final conversation with Qin Niang. “You spoke well,” he said. “If I had been there, I would have said the same thing.”

Mudan was happy to receive his approval. “Madam Duan mentioned introducing a merchant from Hangzhou to view the peonies in Fang Garden. I agreed to let him visit. We might be able to make a deal. Do you think that’s appropriate? If you think it’s not, I’ll handle it carefully.” Given the connection to Prince Jing, she wasn’t sure if this business deal might cause trouble for Jiang Changyang.