The small steward from the Duke’s mansion named Cailu hesitated when told he could go in for a meal. Having kept watch all day, he was certainly hungry and hoped to fill his stomach. However, with his task unfulfilled, eating his fill here and returning would only add to his offense. So he refused Mudan’s offer: “Thank you for your kindness, young madam, but I’m not hungry.”
Mudan understood his concerns and said, “It’s not that we’re not going, but something is delaying us. Even if you have to wait, isn’t it better to wait on a full stomach? Look, if you stand guard here on an empty stomach and others see you without knowing the reason, it doesn’t look good, does it? Or, you could go back and report that we’ll come when we’re free?”
With empty hands, Cailu naturally didn’t dare to return. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to eat and then wait. Mudan gave Shun Hou’er a look, and Shun Hou’er, ever sociable, went over and put an arm around Cailu’s shoulder, leading him aside. Before long, they were chatting like old friends.
Mudan looked at the sky. The clouds were thick, and it was stuffy and hot, seeming like it might rain. By the time Jiang Changyang returned, it would be time for the ward gates to close, making it impossible to go to the Duke’s mansion. Mudan removed her hairpins and changed into casual clothes. She ordered the fresh rice and produce brought back from Fang Garden to be divided into portions, preparing to personally deliver them to Li Man Niang, Zhang Wulang, Xue Niang, and others the next day. She also specially added some of Ru Man’s favorite pastries to one portion, preparing the food box for Jiang Changyang to personally deliver to Monk Fuyuan at Fashou Temple. Although he seemed content spending his days gardening with her and visiting her family, she always hoped he could have a friend to confide in.
Just as the gifts were prepared, Shu’er came in and said, “The Duke’s mansion has sent another person to urge us. Manager Wu has also invited him in for a drink.”
Mudan didn’t even raise an eyebrow: “Never mind, just let it be.” Then she instructed Mama Lin: “Send a portion of this rice and fruit to Mr. Yuan, and say it’s for his family to enjoy.”
Mama Lin personally delivered the fruit to Yuan Shijiu and returned with a smile: “Mr. Yuan accepted it readily and seemed quite pleased. He said thank you, madam, and that his family would surely enjoy it. It’s strange, this Mr. Yuan. Last time when I went to deliver clothes to him, he didn’t seem particularly happy, but today he was delighted with a few fruits.”
Mudan smiled slightly. Sometimes it’s just like that – people might not care much for gold and silver, but instead be happier with some inexpensive fresh vegetables and fruits because they contain sentiment and are easy to reciprocate.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Mama Lin took out the flint and steel to light the lamps and candles around the room. She said with a smile, “Miss Dan, I just heard from the boy serving Mr. Yuan that someone came to see him a couple of days ago and delivered a letter from his family. Mr. Yuan was very happy after reading it. I wonder what good news it could be?”
Now that Yuan Shijiu was living in their house, whether as a friend or as a guest advisor, they needed to be involved if anything happened in Yuan Shijiu’s family. So Mudan said, “Mama, go and find out more. Make sure to get accurate details. If we need to prepare gifts, we should do so.” At this point, her eyes brightened. She hadn’t heard that Yuan Shijiu had children, and his wife was still young. Yuan Shijiu was very pleased with the fruits sent today – could it be that his wife was expecting?
Mama Lin smiled, “Don’t worry about that, I’ve already thought of it. I’ve instructed the boy that Mr. Yuan will surely send something home, so he should pay attention and report back.”
Mudan nodded approvingly. With Mama Lin around, she didn’t have to worry about many trivial matters. Whenever she inquired, everything was always handled properly. However, it was time to have a good talk with Mama Lin. Without communication, there might be more problems in the future. So Mudan made Mama Lin sit down, personally poured her a cup of tea, and began to talk about past events with a kind and cheerful expression.
Talking about the past, Mama Lin’s eyes are still filled with tears, full of indignation. Mudan waited until she had finished expressing her sorrow before talking about the present, constantly praising Jiang Changyang. Mama Lin agreed: “The young master is a good person, well-mannered too. Even when this old servant speaks out of turn, he’s never shown me a sour face. Not like that Liu Shu, who would curse and kick people whenever he was displeased.” Suddenly seeing Mudan looking at her with an enigmatic smile, she suddenly realized her mistake, her old face reddening as she stood up and said, “This old servant knows her error.”
Suddenly, they heard the sound of boots from outside, with the maids quietly greeting someone, and Shasha’s voice infinitely fawning: “Hello, Uncle Jiang.” Then Jiang Changyang came around from behind the silver-decorated six-panel deer grass wood screen. Mama Lin hurriedly bowed and greeted him, washed her hands, and served tea before respectfully withdrawing.
Jiang Changyang was very perceptive and immediately noticed something different. He smiled and asked Mudan, “What’s the matter with Mama Lin?” In the past, although she had always been courteous when seeing him, her manner had never been so respectful.
Mudan smiled, “It’s nothing. She was just praising you as a rare good man. Sometimes she presumes her age, but you never mind. She’s worried that your gentle nature might be taken advantage of by others outside.”
“If I were to be harsh, it wouldn’t be at home. She’s your wet nurse and has served you wholeheartedly for so many years. Even if not for that relationship, giving her face is giving you face.” Although Jiang Changyang only smiled slightly, his eyes showed happiness, clearly pleased to hear this.
“That’s what I told her,” Mudan then asked him how things went with Sixth Brother.
Jiang Changyang said, “He didn’t give me the cold shoulder, but he just lay in bed without speaking. I talked by myself for a long time, not sure how much he took in. When I heard the drum signaling it was time to return home, I finally heard him say that he wanted to go to Yangzhou to trade goods, and after making a lot of money, he’d come back to show some people. It still sounded like childish talk, but I thought it was better for him to vent his anger this way than to gamble. So I just instructed the shopkeeper to look after him and report if anything happened, then I came home.”
That’s all that could be done. Seeing sweat on his temples, Mudan took a handkerchief to wipe it for him, then gently fanned him with a white silk fan. “I’ve prepared some fresh fruits and vegetables. Will you take them to Fashou Temple tomorrow?”
Jiang Changyang smiled, “That’s fine. It’s been a long time since I argued with the monk. Are you going?”
Mudan shook her head, “I have a few relatives and friends to visit too.” She told him her plans, and Jiang Changyang raised an eyebrow: “Why not send a portion to your cousin’s family? This is the first time you’re sending gifts after marriage. Although it’s not expensive, the meaning is different. Doing it this way makes it seem like you still see them as enemies. If you do it a few times, you’ll gradually start interacting. It’s better than being awkward.”
She had thought of it, and it wasn’t that she saw them as enemies, but she always felt something was amiss, just like on her wedding day when she only saw Wu Shijiu Niang but not Li Xing and Madam Cui. Mudan lowered her head and thought for a moment, then looked up with a smile: “Alright then, I won’t deliver it personally. I’ll ask my aunt to send it over. It’s the same.”
Shu’er stood outside the screen and said softly, “Madam, Shun Hou’er sent someone to report that the two stewards from the Duke’s mansion have been well entertained and are now settled in the guest rooms.”
Mudan pushed Jiang Changyang: “Go and hear what he has to report. I wonder what this urgent summons is about.” The Duke’s mansion never came without reason; it must be to ask for those few items again.
Jiang Changyang drained his tea in one gulp and whispered in her ear, “Remember the bet I made with you? It’s time to honor it.”
Mudan’s heart tightened, her face suddenly hot. She pushed him away hard, pretending to be confused: “What bet? I don’t remember.”
Jiang Changyang smiled, pressing his lips together: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember. I’ll surely make you recall later.”
Mudan sat quietly in the room for a while, then called for hot water to bathe. She burned incense to perfume the bedding, leaving only one palace lamp lit. Then she put on a thin red gauze robe and sat under the lamp, quietly waiting for Jiang Changyang’s return.
Jiang Changyang sat in a chair, listening quietly to Shun Hou’er’s report: “Once the good wine and food went down, they spilled everything. But they didn’t give many details. They said that the day they returned from Fang Garden, Madam Jiang fell ill, supposedly catching a cold. At first, she was just taking medicine, but later it got worse. She hasn’t eaten or drunk anything for days now. Concubine Xue took care of her for two days and then fell ill too. Besides this, the main thing the mansion has been doing these past two days is negotiating with the Xiao family about young Master Gong’s marriage. Other than that, there have been no visitors. Madam Du is still recovering from illness.”
Jiang Changyang frowned. It seemed to be about Jiang Yunqing’s marriage again. Jiang Yunqing probably knew something and was firmly refusing. The Fen Prince’s mansion had only paid a courtesy visit that day, without any real intention. With nothing concrete yet, the family was already in an uproar. The old madam and Jiang Zhong must be getting anxious. What did they want him and Mudan to do? It was nothing but another attempt at manipulation and coercion. He felt irritated but told himself it wasn’t worth getting angry over these people and their affairs. It was best to ignore it. He instructed Shun Hou’er: “Tomorrow, continue to entertain them as usual. Tell them I haven’t returned and let them keep waiting.”
Shun Hou’er agreed and was about to withdraw when they suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps. Wu rushed in and said, “Sir, a palace messenger has come, urgently summoning you to the palace for an audience.” He lowered his voice: “It’s Eunuch Shao. He didn’t even come in, just said for you to go immediately! It’s extremely urgent!”
Jiang Changyang glanced out the window. Outside it was pitch black, without a single star visible. It was stifling hot without a breath of wind. His beige gauze robe clung to his body like cotton, with fine sweat slowly seeping out, making him very uncomfortable.
Wu and Shun Hou’er both looked at him. Jiang Changyang calmly stood up: “Go and entertain them. I’ll change my clothes.”
Wu was anxious: “But they said immediately!”
Jiang Changyang strode out: “Go prepare my horse!” Before his words faded, his figure had already disappeared at the end of the winding corridor.
Mudan heard footsteps and immediately lay her flushed face on the table, pretending to be asleep. She hoped he would just carry her to bed. But she heard the footsteps stop behind her, and Jiang Changyang said cheerfully, “Dan’er, someone has come from the palace. I’m going for a while, just letting you know.”