Jiang Changyang left the courtyard, procured a jar of wine and some small dishes, packed them in a food box, and went to find Gui. The two sat and talked for a while, only parting after consuming all the food and drink.
Mudan was reading by lamplight when Jiang Changyang entered. She rose to seat him, wiping his face with a handkerchief. Leaning close, she sniffed his lips and remarked with a wry smile, “Such a strong smell of alcohol. Is this how you vented your anger for me? I’ve made inquiries too. It takes two to tango. While Gui is indeed capable and has helped me greatly, in this matter, he’s behaving poorly.”
Jiang Changyang sighed, pulling her to sit down. “What do you intend to do? Punish him? This is between two people – one willing to give, one willing to take. Why interfere? Think of Yuhe’s reputation if others find out. Be careful not to make things worse with good intentions. I’ve told him to clarify things with Yuhe and then give you an explanation. Let’s sleep now.”
“How would others find out?” Mudan protested indignantly. “If he doesn’t want to marry her, why did he pursue my Yuhe? I despise such people.”
“Shh… Remember to be impartial,” Jiang Changyang said, removing her hairpin. “He’s now your household manager too. Haven’t you heard? Where there’s love, one loses control.” Seeing Mudan about to speak, he quickly added, “Of course, this doesn’t excuse his irresponsible behavior towards Yuhe. If he hasn’t resolved things with her by tomorrow, I’ll replace him with a more suitable manager and send him elsewhere. Time will naturally fade their feelings. He hasn’t done anything too improper. Let them part amicably, Danniang.”
Mudan fell silent, brushing her hair before the mirror. She set down the comb forcefully, saying, “I’m a woman, you’re a man. Our thoughts and feelings differ. Don’t expect this of me.”
This was true, but Jiang Changyang dared not say so, lest he be struck. He chuckled silently, patting the pillow. “Sleep now. You’re more upset than Yuhe herself.”
Mudan whispered, “You don’t understand. When Liu Chang treated me that way, she was angrier than I was.”
Jiang Changyang embraced her, saying, “Alright, I know you’re a loyal friend. But they’re not Pan Rong and Axin – this can’t be solved with harsh words or a punch. Sleep peacefully; they’ll sort it out themselves.”
After a while, Mudan turned to face Jiang Changyang and whispered, “Being married feels wonderful. You help me with everything.”
“Consider who you married,” Jiang Changyang smiled with closed eyes. “As long as you don’t mind me fussing over household matters. Even Lin Mama seems to disapprove of me now.”
Mudan sighed, “Lin Mama does talk too much. Hinting doesn’t work with her. I want to be blunt, but I fear she’ll accuse me of thinking her useless now that I’m well-off, and she’ll cry alone. Yet if I say nothing, she sometimes oversteps.” Despite the differences in status, it was difficult for Mudan to completely disregard someone who genuinely cared for her. It felt as unnatural as kneeling before nobles; her heart couldn’t adjust so quickly.
Jiang Changyang whispered, “She’s bored. I have a plan that will surely change her ways.”
Mudan smiled, “I know what you’re thinking. I had the same idea.”
Jiang Changyang shook his head, “Your thought must be different from mine.”
Intrigued, Mudan said, “Let’s write it down!”
Jiang Changyang firmly refused, “Why write in the middle of the night? No need. It’s different. I’ll tell you: you probably thought of asking my mother to gently persuade or even scare her a bit. My idea is to keep her busy managing smaller matters so she won’t have time for the bigger ones.” He rose to blow out the candle.
“You always think of this at night,” Mudan rolled over playfully. “No, I’m not ready yet!”
Jiang Changyang grabbed her hand, “It’s been several days. Let me check!” Once one has tasted the sweetness, how can desire be easily suppressed?
The next day, as Mudan watched Gardener Li and his assistants selecting the required 210 rootstocks in the seedling garden, Yuhe approached timidly. She stood silently beside Mudan, fidgeting with her skirt ties.
Mudan’s heart raced with concern for Yuhe, eager to ask what had happened. But seeing Yuhe’s uncomfortable demeanor, she restrained herself from inquiring.
Gardener Li glared at the blushing Yuhe, wondering why she wasn’t helping. Yuhe froze, unsure what to do. Since learning that Li was reluctant to take her as an apprentice, she had been keeping her distance to avoid being a nuisance.
Seeing Yuhe’s immobility, Li exclaimed “Ah!” and glared at her fiercely. Mudan quickly pushed Yuhe forward, whispering, “It’s good that he’s willing to teach you, whether you’re officially his apprentice or not. Titles don’t matter; what’s important is the practical knowledge.”
Yuhe smiled, bowing to Mudan and saying softly, “Danniang, please thank the young master on my behalf. We’ve agreed that I’ll wait for him.”
Thanking Jiang Changyang, not herself – how sweet! Mudan listlessly waved her hand, “Go on, then.” She sat pondering for a while before rising to speak with Madam Wang, musing on how leisurely the days had become.
The following evening, Gui left Fang Garden. He kowtowed to Mudan, who didn’t ask where he was going but gave him fifty strings of cash and a horse, saying, “The young master has already removed your slave status. You’re no longer part of our household. Take care of yourself.”
Gui kowtowed again, hesitating before saying quietly, “If I don’t return within a year, please find a good match for Yuhe. Let her forget me and live well.” Without waiting for Mudan’s response, he left with his head bowed.
A few days later, just after Madam Wang and Fang Bohui had left, Jin Buyan appeared at Fang Garden’s gate with a young servant, wearing an oilskin coat in the drizzling rain. Mudan, without much conversation, led him in and showed him the prepared list: “Excluding minor expenses, it totals 18 million cash. If you have no objections, shall we draw up the contract?”
Jin Buyan produced a pre-written contract from his sleeve, “Please review it. If there are no issues, I’ll add the amount.”
Mudan examined it carefully. Besides the agreed-upon conditions and the delivery date before next year’s Lantern Festival, there was no mention of penalties for late delivery. She said, “One condition is missing – what happens if I can’t deliver on time?”
Jin Buyan smiled slightly, “Cao Wanrong fears writing this the most and insisted I omit it. Why does Madam He want it included?”
Mudan replied seriously, “It’s best to have everything written. In case of issues, we can strictly follow the contract, avoiding disputes. Let’s add it: except for natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances, if I fail to deliver on time due to personal reasons, I’ll compensate you…”
“No need,” Jin Buyan said calmly. “If you fail to deliver due to personal reasons, you’ll never sell peonies in Jiangnan again. That’s all.”
Displeased by his tone, Mudan retorted, “That’s your business. I have my principles and methods. I’m not comfortable with vagueness. I won’t intentionally breach the contract, and you needn’t speak to me in such a manner. If I don’t sell to you this time, there will be other opportunities. Even if not in Jiangnan, there are other markets. If you won’t write it, we needn’t do business.”
After a moment of silence, Jin Buyan conceded, “Very well, as you wish.” He pushed the paper and brush towards Mudan, “Write it as you see fit.”
Mudan carefully wrote that barring natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances, if she failed to deliver on time due to personal reasons, she would pay Jin Buyan a daily penalty of 0.1% of the contract value, which was 1,800 cash. If she completely failed to deliver, she would refund the full payment plus a 50,000 cash penalty.
Jin Buyan read it with amusement, tapping the contract, “1,800 cash per day? Do you realize that if I miss the right day, these peonies become worthless? If we’re addressing this issue, let’s say if the delivery date is missed, you’ll refund the full payment plus 50,000 cash in compensation.” He held up a finger, “I’ll be generous and give you some leeway beyond the Lantern Festival. After that, you’ll pay the penalty.” He added this to the contract.
With the contract completed and witnessed by Village Head Xiao, both parties affixed their handprints. They agreed that Jin Buyan would send the deposit to the He family’s shop in the East Market the next day, making the contract effective.
After dinner, as the rain stopped, Jin Buyan surprisingly asked to see the “National Beauty” plaque again. Half-jokingly, half-seriously, he said to Jiang Changyang, “If someday my garden could have such a plaque, I’d be content.”
Many people hoped for imperial items in their homes to elevate their status, so Jin Buyan’s desire wasn’t unusual. Jiang Changyang smiled slightly, “I’ve heard you’re quite wealthy. Perhaps by contributing to military funds, you could receive an imperial plaque.”
Jin Buyan quickly turned to Jiang Changyang, his narrow eyes narrowing to slits, and said softly, “That’s a good idea.”
Jiang Changyang frowned slightly at Jin Buyan’s familiar expression. When he tried to look more closely, Jin Buyan had already resumed his previous demeanor and bid farewell.
Due to the strict requirements for the 210 rootstocks, Fang Garden could only provide 150, necessitating the purchase of more. After settling matters at Fang Garden, Mudan packed up and returned to the city with Jiang Changyang. They had barely put away their belongings when messengers arrived from both the Zhu Guogong Manor and the He family, inviting them for dinner. The He family mentioned that the eldest and fourth young masters had returned.
“What should we do?” Mudan shrugged, leaving the decision to Jiang Changyang. She had no desire to attend the troublesome dinner at the Zhu Guogong Manor.