Wang Furen prepared a pot of wild vegetables and fresh fish soup. The tender wild vegetables had just been picked from the fields. Everything tasted delicious, whether it was the fish, broth, or wild greens. Jiang Changyang ate with great satisfaction, repeatedly praising Wang Furen’s cooking skills, saying they hadn’t diminished at all. He only wished there was some spicy dipping sauce to go with it.
Pan Rong cautiously tasted the soup first to ensure it was safe, as she wasn’t sure if combining several wild vegetables might cause issues. After declaring it delicious, she allowed Bai Furen and Pan Jing to eat. As for Jiang Yunqing, she never liked fish, let alone this strange-looking wild vegetable and fish soup. However, she dared not do anything to displease Wang Furen, so she closed her eyes and swallowed it whole. Seeing this, Wang Furen felt sorry for her and advised, “If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself to eat it. What if you choke on a fish bone?”
Everyone else was eating with such relish that if Jiang Yunqing alone didn’t eat, wouldn’t it seem like she was deliberately opposing Wang Furen? Jiang Yunqing shook her head vigorously and smiled, saying, “I do like it. I’m just not used to it. It’s delicious. I’ve never eaten anything this good in my life.”
Wang Furen said with concern, “Really? Well, if you’re not used to it, eat slowly, all right?”
Jiang Yunqing carefully gauged Jiang Changyang’s expression. Seeing that he was chatting and laughing naturally, not paying attention to her, she finally relaxed a bit and cautiously picked at her food. Mudan, observing this, suddenly felt pity for her. She quietly instructed Kuan’er to bring a plate of dumplings to Jiang Yunqing.
Jiang Yunqing was startled and looked up at Mudan, but Mudan didn’t even glance her way, focusing solely on eating her fish as if completely unaware of what had just happened. The others were engaged in cheerful conversation, paying no attention to her. Jiang Yunqing ate the dumplings with her head down, unable to describe the feelings in her heart.
As night fell and the insects chirped, Fang Garden was blanketed in tranquility. Mudan had just removed her makeup when Jiang Changyang, fresh from his bath, scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed, whispering, “Time to pay the interest on those five grapes.”
Mudan lightly kicked his backside, saying, “How much interest could five grapes possibly accrue? Isn’t being held by you enough?”
Jiang Changyang flashed a white-toothed grin. “Not much. You still owe me two grapes.”
“Where am I supposed to find grapes for you at this hour?” Mudan was momentarily confused but then noticed Jiang Changyang’s gaze fixed on a certain area, his eyes gleaming mischievously. Her face flushed crimson as she angrily pinched his eyelid. “There are two black grapes right here. Do you want them? I’ll pluck them out for you.”
Jiang Changyang gently pressed his hand to her chest, saying, “What a big mosquito!”
“You shameless rogue!” Mudan slapped his hand away, but he caught it gently and placed it on his chest, softly calling out, “Dan’niang!”
“What is it?” Mudan’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Jiang Changyang looked at her reddening earlobes with amusement and said softly, “Let’s have a child.” With that, he leaned in and gently undid Mudan’s sash.
…
Mudan gazed up at the canopy and said quietly, “Today, Mother told me about some things from the past.” She wanted to discuss what Fang Bohui, Yuan Shijiu, and he had been measuring earlier that day. It was clear that Wang Furen knew about it too, and only she was being kept in the dark.
Jiang Changyang made a drowsy sound of acknowledgment. “It’s best not to bring up past matters. They’re over and done with anyway.”
“But Mother said we must understand what kind of people they are, to avoid being harmed without even realizing it.”
“I’ll tell you another time…”
“I want to know everything about you.”
Jiang Changyang didn’t respond, only pulling Mudan close, indicating that she should go to sleep. Mudan, being direct, asked, “What were you all talking about today? Is there a new development in that matter from before that’s unfavorable to you?”
“Nothing like that. Just some men’s business. Don’t overthink it. Go to sleep!” Jiang Changyang released her, turned over, and yawned. “I’m so tired.”
“Then what were you discussing? Mother said she wanted to ask Yuan Shijiu to ensure your safety…” Before Mudan could finish, Jiang Changyang was already breathing deeply. She prodded him, but there was no response.
He was pretending. Mudan sighed helplessly. Having a strong personality was good, as it meant he would strive to improve without needing supervision. But being overly headstrong wasn’t a good thing. Well, they were newlyweds, and he probably felt that discussing certain matters with her wouldn’t be useful and didn’t want to worry her, so he deliberately kept things from her. She appreciated the sentiment. But the feeling of being shut out was truly unpleasant.
Mudan considered pushing Jiang Changyang again to express her thoughts but ultimately held back. This was a process that couldn’t be rushed. They would take it slowly.
The next day, after breakfast, Wang Furen suggested they take a walk along the field ridges. Atao went to invite Jiang Yunqing, but returned to whisper in Mudan’s ear, “Her entire body is covered in medicinal ointment. Only her eyeballs can move, and she can’t even speak. That Wu Mama said they won’t be joining us and to thank the madam.”
Mudan shook her head, deciding that from now on, apart from providing daily necessities, she would no longer concern herself with Jiang Yunqing.
In the afternoon, the steward of the Fen Wang Manor arrived with several dozen people, ten or so carts loaded with numerous felt tents, screens, tables, chairs, and dining utensils. They officially entered Fang Garden and began preparing for the banquet, setting up tents, arranging screens, and inspecting the safety of the boats to be used. The preparations were in full swing.
Among those who arrived was a woman surnamed Sun. After exchanging greetings with everyone, she found an excuse to go to Wang Furen’s room. The two spoke for about half an hour. After Mama Sun left, Wang Furen had a private conversation with Jiang Changyang. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss. Afterward, Wang Furen and Jiang Changyang were still chatting and laughing as usual, still caring and considerate towards her. But Mudan couldn’t shake the bitter taste in her mouth.
Soon, the day of the event arrived. The Fen Wang Fei set out at the first sound of the morning drum, reaching Fang Garden at the Chen hour. Since only female guests were invited, Jiang Changyang and Pan Rong took Pan Jing out on horseback riding early in the morning. When Wang Furen, Mudan, and the others received news of the Fen Wang Fei’s arrival, they went out to welcome her. As they reached the middle gate, they saw Wu Mama skulking about, peering around. Upon seeing them, she hurried over to Mudan with an ingratiating smile. “Young Madam, I heard the Wang Fei has arrived. What about…?”
Mudan replied coolly, “I was just about to send someone to instruct Yunqing. With so many distinguished guests arriving later, tell her to stay put in her room with you. Don’t come out unless summoned. If anyone disobeys and wanders about, offending the noble guests and losing their own life in the process, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.”
Wu Mama’s expression changed, and she was about to say something more when Shu’er and Atao each took one of her arms and firmly led her away. “We’re afraid you might get lost, Mama. We’ll escort you back.”
Seeing the attitudes of Jiang Changyang and Mudan, Wu Mama realized further words would be useless. Maintaining the facade of someone who had just left the Old Madam’s quarters, she coldly pushed Shu’er and Atao away, saying, “I can walk on my own!”
Mudan, seeing that Shu’er would handle the matter, knew there would be no trouble. Without her permission, Jiang Yunqing wouldn’t dare to come out. She dismissed the issue from her mind. But they hadn’t gone far when they heard a thud behind them, followed by Wu Mama’s cry of “Aiyou!” Looking back, they saw Wu Mama sprawled on the gravel, unable to get up. Shu’er and Atao rushed to help her, their faces full of concern. Atao asked if she was hurt, while Shu’er chided her, “We told you to let us help you. You wouldn’t listen, and now look what’s happened. Our garden is designed for aesthetics, with moss everywhere. It’s slippery, and one can easily fall if not careful…”
Wang Furen said to Mudan with a straight face, “There is quite a bit of moss in this garden. We should mention it to the Fen Wang Fei later, so the guests can be careful.”
Mudan nodded in agreement and then called out to Bai Furen, “Ah Xin, you must be very careful. Let Nianyu support you.”
Bai Furen replied, suppressing a smile, “I’m always careful.”
The Fen Wang Fei was accompanied by her second daughter-in-law, Madam Chen. Madam Chen was petite and delicately built, dressed in simple elegance, with a smile tinged with sadness. Upon seeing Wang Furen, she continuously expressed her admiration, praising her for finally finding happiness and marrying off Mudan to such a good son-in-law. She also concernedly asked Bai Furen how many months along she was, repeatedly urging her to be careful with her daily routines and diet. Then she inquired about which doctor Mudan consulted for her health, emphasizing the importance of women taking care of their bodies. She appeared very warm and attentive.
Mudan hadn’t met Madam Chen during the Lantern Festival and felt somewhat unfamiliar with her. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, Bai Furen gently squeezed Mudan’s hand and whispered, “She’s a pitiful soul. Widowed in her twenties, she’s refused to remarry. Her only son is… not quite right.” Bai Furen tapped her head. “He seems normal, but he’s not. He’s twenty now and still unmarried. The Fen Wang and Wang Fei worry most about them and are most concerned about this grandson. Be careful when speaking with her, lest you inadvertently offend her without realizing it.”
For some inexplicable reason, Mudan suddenly thought of Jiang Yunqing and shuddered. With Jiang Yunqing’s status and appearance, what kind of suitable marriage could she find at such a banquet? The Old Madam Jiang had gone to such great lengths, even shamelessly insisting on sending Jiang Yunqing here, clearly with a specific purpose in mind.
Bai Furen seemed to have thought of the same thing, looking at Mudan in surprise. They exchanged glances for a moment before simultaneously shaking their heads. Hopefully, they were overthinking things.
Before long, the other guests began to arrive. The guests invited by the Fen Wang Fei were quite interesting. There were wang fei and princesses she was close with, as well as many wives and daughters from noble families, and even wives and daughters from ordinary official families. There were old, middle-aged, and young guests, with clear distinctions in their status and rank.
The Fen Wang Fei enthusiastically introduced Wang Furen and Mudan to her close acquaintances, who were all very polite and complimentary. On the surface, it seemed like a celebration of Wang Furen’s return to Beijing’s high society, specifically introducing Mudan to everyone and asking them to look after her. However, as more and more young, unmarried women from families with fathers of low official rank and modest means arrived, Mudan increasingly realized that this banquet was far from ordinary.