Madam Cen realized that speaking with Mudan was indeed the best course of action. She offered a faint, noncommittal smile and accepted Madam Qi’s extended hand. The two women walked arm in arm towards Mudan’s quarters, appearing outwardly intimate.
As they approached the courtyard gate, they spotted the young maids Kuan’er and Shu’er in the distance. One carried a large wooden bucket, while the other struggled with a hefty food box. Both were panting from exertion. Upon seeing the group, they hastily set down their burdens and rushed forward to bow and greet everyone, their faces beaming with joy.
Madam Cen felt deeply displeased. Kuan’er and Shu’er were not meant for such menial tasks – both were exceptionally pretty. Yet here they were, assigned to rough labor. The Liu family was truly taking advantage! Looking closer, she noticed Shu’er’s reddened eyes and face full of grievance. Kuan’er discreetly tugged at her companion’s sleeve, and both girls fell silent, not daring to speak further.
Following their gaze, Madam Cen saw Madam Qi’s attendant and Liu Chang’s wet nurse, Mama Zhu, glaring at the two maids with clear warning in her expression.
At that moment, Madam Cen felt an indescribable unease. The two maids wanted to speak with her but didn’t dare. Seeing their fearful demeanor, she wondered if their daily lives were equally difficult. She recalled Mudan’s distress when mentioning divorce during their last meeting, as well as Li Xing’s furious reaction yesterday. Perhaps the situation was far worse than she had imagined.
Xue Shi, noticing her mother-in-law’s expression, gestured to her senior maid Ling’er: “Go help them with the food box. Look how exhausted those two are. They were so eager to be first, they forgot their strength.”
Mama Zhu quickly interjected: “Indeed, I was startled when I first saw them! Such delicate frames – if they don’t take care, what will become of them?” As she spoke, she blocked Ling’er and motioned to Nian Nu’er and Nian Jiao’er: “How can we let guests do such work? Go lend a hand!” She worried about the contents of the food box – if it was unsuitable and the He family saw, it would only cause more trouble.
Nian Nu’er and Nian Jiao’er immediately moved to help, but Kuan’er and Shu’er frantically waved them off: “It’s too heavy! We couldn’t possibly trouble you, sisters. We can manage!”
Mama Zhu shot them a cold glare, and they immediately released their grip, allowing Nian Nu’er and Nian Jiao’er to take over. Mama Zhu quickly signaled to Nian Jiao’er, who understood and winked, ready to check the food’s suitability once inside.
Mudan’s courtyard was eerily quiet, without a soul in sight. Madam Cen’s expression darkened further. Madam Qi exchanged a glance with Mama Zhu, who called out: “Where is everyone?”
Mama Lin and Yuhe quickly emerged to greet them. Mama Li and Lanzhi, however, stumbled out of the east wing much later, their skirts still untied, appearing as if they’d just woken from laziness. Upon hearing of the He family’s arrival, they rushed to change, fearing even the slightest hint of conflict with Yuhe. But they were caught in the act before finishing.
Madam Cen studied them and remarked with a smile: “I don’t recognize you.”
Mama Lin hastily explained: “Madam noticed the young mistress lacked attendants and kindly assigned them yesterday. Naturally, you wouldn’t know them yet.”
Her words carried hidden meaning – the Liu family had long known Mudan was short-staffed, yet only yesterday provided help, and of questionable quality at that. Madam Cen drew out an “Oh” and smiled: “They look clever and capable.”
Madam Qi’s face instantly darkened. She glared fiercely at Mama Li and Lanzhi, shouting: “Worthless slaves! Still in bed at this hour? If I hadn’t come, would you have slept all day? Go receive thirty lashes!”
The two wailed in protest, begging Yuhe to vouch for them. Yuhe laughed sheepishly: “Please spare them, Madam. They did rise quite early. Sister Lanzhi was teaching Shuaishuai to speak this morning.”
Xue Shi smiled with interest: “What did she teach? I haven’t seen Shuaishuai in ages. Is he still as clever and quick to learn?”
Shuaishuai strutted about, preening his feathers and stretching his neck to show off his new vocabulary: “Beast! Beast!” Seeing Yuhe make a familiar gesture, he grew excited and called out loudly: “Sickly wretch! Short-lived!”
Everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.
Madam Qi gnashed her teeth in fury, pointing at Lanzhi: “Guards! Take this vulgar creature away and beat her severely!”
Lanzhi went pale with fear, her eyes wide: “I didn’t! I didn’t!” She then turned to Yuhe, trembling: “You’re framing me! What grudge do you hold? How could you do this?”
Tears welled in Yuhe’s eyes as she looked fearfully between Madam Qi and Madam Cen. She knelt, kowtowing: “Madam, please understand. Shuaishuai is mischievous and speaks nonsense. Sister Lanzhi never said such things. Mama Li, please vouch for Sister Lanzhi!” Inwardly, she thought: Forgive me, Lanzhi. You may not have said it directly, but the Liu family has said plenty. This rare opportunity must not be wasted – Madam must know.
Mama Li hesitated, torn between defending Lanzhi and avoiding trouble for herself, or staying silent and risking her mistress’s displeasure for appearing foolish before the He family. After a moment’s consideration, she said: “I can testify that Lanzhi never said such things.”
To Madam Cen, this hesitation seemed like a weak excuse. Suppressing her anger, she said calmly: “My dear in-law, let it be. Why make a fuss? Surely this feathered creature is too clever for its good, overhearing private conversations. We needn’t take it seriously. Let’s go see Dan’er.” She then called out cheerfully: “Dan’er, why haven’t you come to greet us? You lazy child! It’s fortunate your mother-in-law doesn’t mind!”
Mama Lin hurried forward to support her, whispering: “The young mistress is unwell and cannot leave her bed.”
Madam Qi, stung by Madam Cen’s comment about “overhearing private conversations,” wanted to defend herself but found no opening. She could only paste on a smile and accompany the two He women inside.
Upon entering, Madam Qi saw Mudan wearing only her undergarments, her hair loose, barefoot in slippers, leaning pitifully against the crystal curtain. Mudan stared only at Madam Cen and Xue Shi. Madam Qi’s heart sank, fearing Mudan might blurt out the events of the previous night. She quickly moved to support Mudan, chiding affectionately: “What are you doing? If you’re unwell, you should stay in bed. We’re all family here – no one will fault you for being informal.” As she spoke, she signaled to Mudan with her eyes.
Mudan’s face showed no particular distress. She smiled faintly and said weakly: “The elders love Dan’er and wouldn’t blame her for being impolite. But propriety must be maintained. Dan’er dares not take advantage of the elders’ affection.” Though she appeared exhausted, she didn’t lean on Madam Qi, instead supporting herself.
Madam Cen’s heart ached. This was her precious daughter, once pampered and protected, now dragging herself from her sickbed to greet her mother-in-law. She rushed forward to support Mudan, asking: “Are you ill again? What’s wrong?”
Mudan smiled weakly: “I caught a chill last night. My head began to ache at midnight, and now my whole body hurts terribly.”
Madam Qi inwardly sighed with relief and quickly said: “Don’t worry, daughter. Zishu has gone to fetch Doctor Zhu. One dose of medicine, and you’ll be fine.” She and Madam Cen then helped Mudan to her bed, urging her to lie down.
Mudan moved stiffly, appearing anxious and reluctant. Madam Cen noticed her daughter’s changed demeanor and grew even more concerned. She probed gently, asking about the previous day’s events. Mudan kept her eyes downcast, her face pale. Though her voice trembled, she didn’t mention any grievances.
Seeing Mama Lin’s eyes wet with barely contained tears, Madam Cen felt as if her heart was being carved out. They were too afraid to speak! Even in this state, they dared not speak! She wondered how this tiger of a mother-in-law usually treated her daughter. At the same time, she felt angry at Mudan – how could she not speak up, even now? Such a lack of spirit! She longed to have a private word with Mudan, but Madam Qi showed no sign of leaving.
Xue Shi also sought an opportunity to speak with Kuan’er, Shu’er, Mama Lin, or Yuhe, but Madam Qi’s people watched them closely, allowing no chance. Seeing they would learn nothing for now, Xue Shi said: “I saw Shu’er carrying a food box earlier. Sister, have you not had breakfast? You mustn’t go hungry while ill. Let’s eat first, then talk.”
Everyone busied themselves with the meal, only to find the food box missing. Upon inquiry, Nian Jiao’er entered with Xue Shi’s maid Ling’er, looking apologetic: “The kitchen is so far, and the little maids are slow. The food has gone cold. We’ve sent for fresh dishes. Please ask the young mistress to wait a moment.”
Madam Qi frowned: “What’s going on? How can we keep the mistress waiting on an empty stomach?”
Nian Jiao’er apologized profusely. Mudan quickly smoothed things over: “Don’t trouble yourselves. I’m not hungry.” As she spoke, she gently rubbed her arm, her face contorted with pain.
Madam Qi, missing Mudan’s subtle gesture, focused on covering up the food issue: “Not hungry? No wonder you’re so frail. Quickly, have the kitchen prepare something hot!”
Madam Cen, noticing Mudan’s discomfort, said: “Does your body ache terribly? Where does it hurt? Let me see – some gua sha will help.”
Mudan hastily refused: “That’s not necessary.”
Madam Cen smiled: “What are you afraid of? I’ve done this for you countless times when you were little. Lie down, and someone brings a horn!” As she spoke, she reached for Mudan’s clothes, but Mudan quickly held them tight: “Really, it’s not needed.”
The more Mudan resisted, the more determined Madam Cen became. She said sternly: “Why are you being so stubborn? I rushed here first thing in the morning – don’t I want what’s best for you?”
Mudan lowered her head silently and released her grip, allowing Madam Cen to gently open her garments.