“You couldn’t tell Father had any worries, could you?” Jiang Changyang’s eyes lit up as he spoke about Fang Bohui. “Father once told me that life isn’t always smooth sailing. Don’t get carried away when things are going well, and don’t lose hope when things are tough. The most admirable trait is to remain unperturbed by favor or disgrace, maintaining an even mind. I’ve always tried my best, but my nature is different from his. Often, I can only imitate the form, not the spirit.”
“You’re doing well with what you can achieve,” Mudan mumbled, drifting off to sleep. Her last thought before falling asleep was a determination to ensure Fang Bohui and Lady Wang enjoyed every day at Fangyuan. Not just them, but she and Jiang Changyang too should strive to live each day happily.
Early the next morning, Mudan suggested the four of them take a small boat with food and wine to float along Fangyuan’s winding canals and streams. Fang Bohui would fish, Jiang Changyang would prepare sashimi on the spot, she’d brew tea, and Lady Wang would handle miscellaneous tasks. They’d do everything themselves, without servants. Her proposal was met with enthusiasm. Lady Wang excitedly joined her in the kitchen to prepare food and utensils, while Fang Bohui and Jiang Changyang readied fishing rods, fish traps, and knives. The four spent a leisurely, joyful day on the water until dusk.
The next day, Jiang Changyang invited Fang Bohui to go hunting in the nearby mountains, with Lady Wang and Mudan accompanying them. Mudan released a hawk once and shot a rabbit under Jiang Changyang’s guidance, then helped Lady Wang set up nets. They enjoyed a delicious outdoor meal of roasted rabbit and pheasant. On the way back, Wu got drunk and sang loudly and off-key on horseback, making everyone laugh until their stomachs hurt. Only Fang Bohui listened attentively, encouraging Wu to sing more. Wu kept singing, and everyone kept laughing.
By the time they reached Fangyuan, poor Wu was hoarse and could barely speak. After Wu’s wife doused him with a bucket of cold water, he sobered up, feeling deeply embarrassed. He resented Fang Bohui for two whole days, scowling whenever he saw him. Fang Bohui, however, remained unperturbed, greeting Wu as usual and ignoring his scowls. After a few such encounters, Wu felt petty for holding a grudge.
Amidst the laughter and chatter, Shun Hou’er returned with information: “Jin Buyan, 18 years old, originally from Hangzhou, grew up in Luoyang. At 15, his father passed away, and he returned to Hangzhou with his widowed mother. He’s of good character, unmarried, and living with his mother, Madam Huang. He’s genuinely one of Hangzhou’s wealthiest, known for his perseverance, boldness, meticulousness, and intelligence. In his early years, he was an unknown small-time merchant, barely making ends meet. Later, he saved money to buy a small boat. At 20, while transporting a group of merchants to Yangzhou, they encountered a storm. The others wanted to throw a merchant overboard to appease the river god, but Jin agreed, and then secretly hid the merchant. Afterward, the merchant gifted him a pearl worth millions as thanks and introduced him to fellow townsmen who helped him in business, leading to his wealth.
During his stay in the capital, he hasn’t been seen associating with any particular individuals. He mostly visits temples, Taoist shrines, and flower farmers. Last year, he bought an expensive peony from the Lu family in Luoyang and even offered 50 million cash, ten beauties, a large mansion, and a big ship to invite Lu Shigong to manage his flowers in the South for two years. But Old Master Lu thought it embarrassing and forbade Lu Shigong from going. This year, all remaining payments for a peony from the Lu family have been settled. He’s also ordered 60 peonies of 10 varieties from Cao Wanrong, under similar conditions to ours. Cao Wanrong has been fawning over him these past two days, making a show of visiting taverns and brothels together. I accompanied them, and Cao kept saying our peonies are inferior and overpriced, boasting he could offer better, cheaper flowers.”
Hearing Cao Wanrong’s name angered Mudan. She asked, “How did Jin Buyan respond?”
Shun Hou’er smiled, “Jin Buyan drank his wine, ate his food, and embraced women as usual…”
Jiang Changyang glared at him, “How vulgar!”
Since when did he become so refined? He only said “embraced,” not “slept with.” Shun Hou’er secretly pouted and continued, “No matter what Cao Wanrong said, Jin Buyan didn’t react.”
Since the Lu family’s flowers had successfully survived in Jin Buyan’s garden, this business seemed promising. Mudan looked at Jiang Changyang, who said, “If he comes to Fangyuan again, go ahead and negotiate with him.” Mudan began considering who should accompany Jin Buyan to manage the flowers until they bloomed. She only trusted Old Li the gardener and Yuhe, but Yuhe had only been learning from her and Old Li for a year and wasn’t experienced enough. Old Li was the only option, but he was elderly and eccentric. Would he agree?
Mudan went to find Old Li and explained the situation, emphasizing that she wouldn’t force him and it was entirely his decision. After a long silence, Old Li agreed but insisted on taking Ashun and Man along, proposing to take them as apprentices. He didn’t mention Yuhe.
It was just as Yuhe had predicted. Mudan sighed softly, secretly squeezing Yuhe’s hand behind her back. She agreed to Old Li’s request and sent for Ashun and Man to inform them of Old Li’s intention, preparing to arrange an apprenticeship ceremony soon.
Leaving the seedling garden, Mudan dismissed the others and invited Yuhe for a walk. “I’d like to take an apprentice too. Would you be willing?”
Yuhe had expected Mudan to comfort her with this walk but hadn’t anticipated this. She stood dumbfounded for a while before saying, “But I’m just a servant.”
Mudan smiled, “Whenever you decide you’re not, you won’t be. Have you thought about what I mentioned to you last time?”
Yuhe bit her lip gently, “I have. Please ask on my behalf.” She frowned slightly, “It’s better to know sooner, whether it’s yes or no.”
Mudan found Jiang Changyang watching Lady Wang and Fang Bohui play chess in the peach and plum grove. She quietly told him about the situation: “Please ask him. If he truly refuses, I can tell Yuhe to give up hope sooner.”
In the evening, Jiang Changyang returned, shaking his head gently at Mudan: “I didn’t mention Yuhe specifically, just hinted at the idea. He immediately knelt and declined, saying he probably wouldn’t marry in this lifetime to avoid burdening anyone. If I insisted he marry Yuhe, he surely wouldn’t refuse, but I think such matters should be mutual. In the long run, it might not be best for Yuhe.”
Mudan remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh: “After dinner, please leave for a while. I’ll have Yuhe come help me cut fabric and have a private chat with her. Though she’s a servant, she’s close to me, and I don’t want to hurt her.”
Jiang Changyang nodded understandingly: “I know, it’s like my relationship with Wu. I’ve never thought of him as a servant but as a brother.”
After dinner, Jiang Changyang made an excuse to stay in Lady Wang and Fang Bohui’s room. Mudan took Yuhe to cut fabric, trying to create a relaxed atmosphere: “Yuhe, look how this sky-blue color will suit the lady in a short jacket. I have some good fabric; in a few days, you can each take a piece to make autumn clothes.”
“Whatever you make, the lady will surely love it.” Perhaps anticipating bad news, Yuhe was unusually quiet. After working silently for a while, Yuhe spoke softly: “It’s too dark now to cut fabric properly. Danniang, if you have something to say, please just say it.”
Unable to keep up the pretense, Mudan steeled herself to tell her: “He doesn’t want to burden anyone and says he probably won’t marry in this lifetime.”
Yuhe’s hand trembled, stopping the scissors. Her voice shaking, she said, “Danniang, please cut it. My hand is shaking; I’m afraid I’ll ruin the brocade.”
Yuhe’s face was pale, her large eyes brimming with tears she desperately tried to hold back, her lips quivering slightly. Mudan gently placed a hand on her shoulder: “Yuhe, you’ll meet someone better.”
Yuhe pressed her lips tightly together, carefully put away the scissors and fabric, and said softly: “Please excuse me for taking my leave.” She then shook off Mudan’s hand, curtsied, and quickly walked out.
“Dead lotus!” Shuai Shuai greeted her cheerfully as she emerged.
Yuhe stopped abruptly, staring at the happy Shuai Shuai as large teardrops rolled down her cheeks.
“Huh!” Shuai Shuai, sensing something was wrong, froze, blinking repeatedly. Too ashamed to cry in front of Mudan and finding it pointless to cry at a wall, Yuhe softly sobbed facing Shuai Shuai.
Understanding that humans cry for a reason, Shuai Shuai paced back and forth anxiously, unsure how to express its feelings, repeatedly calling out loudly: “Dead lotus!”
Yuhe’s tears flowed even more fiercely.
Mudan stood at the window, watching Yuhe. Yuhe had always been self-disciplined, rarely seen crying. This loss of composure showed how truly heartbroken she was. Seeing Yuhe’s trembling shoulders, Mudan couldn’t help but think that even though she had intentionally arranged for them to work together due to her intentions, it takes two to tango. Yuhe wasn’t a frivolous girl, and Gui was intelligent enough to have noticed Yuhe’s feelings for him. He should have deliberately avoided her if he had no intentions. Why had he let things progress to this point?
Despicable man! Brave enough to flirt but not to take responsibility. Mudan strode out, handing Yuhe a handkerchief: “Stop crying. Go to sleep and don’t worry about anything. You’ll feel better after a good night’s rest.”
Yuhe wiped her tears, silently curtsied, and left.
Mudan then called out loudly for Shuer: “Go fetch Gui for me!”
Jiang Changyang hurried in from outside: “Why are you calling for him? Even if he’s unwilling, you can’t force him, can you?”
Mudan replied calmly: “Am I that bored? I just want to ask if he truly has no regard for Yuhe at all, if he’s never led her on. If he had the guts to flirt but not to take responsibility, he might as well die.”
Jiang Changyang was taken aback, then smiled seeing the anger in Mudan’s eyes: “Alright, I bought him at your request, so let me handle this. If it’s true, I’ll avenge you.”