When Jiang Changyang emerged from the small building, the rain had become a downpour. Eunuch Shao appeared silently from the shadows, holding an oilcloth coat and an umbrella. He handed the coat to Jiang Changyang, smiling, “Let me escort the General out.”

Jiang Changyang made a show of politely declining a few times but didn’t insist. The wind and rain were strong; even with the umbrella and oilcloth, both men soon felt dampness seeping into their clothes from their boots, shoulders, and heads.

Eunuch Shao suggested, “General Jiang, you’ll be soaked through if you rush back now. Why not come to my small quarters to dry your clothes and have a cup of hot tea? I have some imperial Mengding Shi Flower tea.”

“Doesn’t the Chief Eunuch need to attend to His Majesty?” Jiang Changyang stopped, looking at Eunuch Shao. Shao was as cunning as a fox; he wouldn’t appear without reason. His sudden offer to escort Jiang Changyang was likely to convey messages the Emperor couldn’t say directly.

“His Majesty gave this old servant the night off.” On a rainy night, Eunuch Shao’s plump white face looked ghastly pale in the lantern light, with his eyes gleaming like two ghostly fires.

Jiang Changyang said no more, following Eunuch Shao across the lotus pond. The rain was heavy, water overflowing onto the stone path. Eunuch Shao, momentarily distracted, nearly slipped. Jiang Changyang, quick to react, grabbed his arm and steadied him on a stone, then took the lantern, supporting Shao with one arm. “Let me,” he said softly.

Eunuch Shao compliantly handed over the lantern, smiling, “The General must have at least a hundred pounds of strength, no?”

Jiang Changyang smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying, and led him forward quickly.

As they walked, Eunuch Shao chatted, “His Majesty has been reminiscing lately… It’s rare for him to speak of such things. A few days ago, he told this old servant that you’re honest to a fault, yet irritatingly so. He confined you to reflect, but you busied yourself with women’s work, truly disappointing… Still, it’s better than causing trouble…”

“Causing trouble” made Jiang Changyang think of the Zhu Duke’s recent actions, silently sighing. Eunuch Shao, observing his expression, suddenly said, “In a few days, Envoy Fang Bohui will return to the Anxi Protectorate, right?”

Jiang Changyang’s face remained unchanged, “We’re awaiting the imperial edict.”

Eunuch Shao chuckled, withdrawing his arm from Jiang Changyang’s grasp and nimbly jumping ashore. He pointed to a building across the way, “It’s over there.”

When Jiang Changyang left Furong Garden, dawn was just breaking. The heavy rain had turned to a drizzle, and his water-soaked boots made squelching sounds with each step, setting one’s teeth on edge. Seeing Wu running towards him from the guards’ quarters, eyes bloodshot with joy, he wondered what she was doing now. Was she waiting for him, eyes red from lack of sleep?

“My lord?” Wu took the horse’s reins, looking at him inquiringly.

Jiang Changyang shook his head slightly, “We’ll talk when we get back.” The jade pendant in his sleeve felt scorching hot. He had dealt with many affairs, but none as difficult as this. No wonder the Emperor personally mentioned past events and was so generous in letting him off.

After a night of rain, the streets were muddy. The horses’ hooves splashed mud everywhere as they ran. Wu joked, “If you become Prime Minister, you could pave the road to your doorstep with sand.” Jiang Changyang smiled slightly; having Mudan waiting for him at home was better than any honor of paving roads with sand.

As they entered, the courtyard was quiet, but light still shone from Mudan’s room. She was still waiting. Jiang Changyang kicked off his boots at the door and entered barefoot, standing outside the screen to look in. Last night’s incense had faded, and the five-colored wax candles in the dragon sandalwood green-clothed candle servant’s hands were almost extinguished. The purple gauze curtains were half-drawn, and Mudan lay fully clothed on the bed, only a corner of the blanket covering her stomach, eyes closed and motionless.

Jiang Changyang let out a soft sigh. The unpleasantness and pressure from Furong Garden dissipated instantly. This was his wife, his home. For this moment of warmth and tranquility, it was all worth it.

“My lord, hot water and clean clothes are ready,” Shu’er whispered. “She just closed her eyes. She told the servants to wake her as soon as you returned.” She was about to go wake Mudan, but Jiang Changyang stopped her, “Go out.”

After washing up, Jiang Changyang tiptoed into the room and carefully lay down beside Mudan. Though exhausted, he wasn’t sleepy at all. He watched Mudan for a while, first gently caressing her cheek, then playfully comparing the size of his mouth to hers with his fingers.

As he did this, he noticed Mudan’s lips twitching into a smile. “Ah! You’re awake, you’re pretending to sleep!” Jiang Changyang reached to open her eyes. Mudan rolled over, wrapping around him like an octopus, pressing her head against his chest and giggling softly, “Watching how bored you are. So your usual composure is all an act. Well? Whose mouth is bigger, yours or mine?”

“This way isn’t clear enough, we need to do it like this,” Jiang Changyang pulled Mudan from his embrace, puckering his lips to cover hers.

Mudan turned her face away, covering his mouth with her hand, “Stop teasing! You haven’t slept all night, you must be tired. I’m all soft too. Let’s sleep while it’s still early.” Though her words were refused, her voice was soft and inviting.

Jiang Changyang’s heart stirred, looking at Mudan’s flushed cheeks and dreamy starry eyes, feeling aroused. He rolled over, placing Mudan on top of him, “I’ll do whatever you say.”

As if saying, do whatever you want with me, I’ll follow your lead, you take charge… How adorable. Mudan chuckled, hugging his neck tightly and kissing him hard, then buried her face in his chest, whispering, “Sleep, sleep, you haven’t slept all night.”

“I don’t want to…” He looked at her expectantly, as if pouting.

Mudan grinned mischievously as she undid his belt, her fingertips circling teasingly. Seeing him close his eyes in comfort like a cat, she suddenly bit his shoulder hard. Hearing him gasp sharply, she rolled to the inner side of the bed, laughing, “That hurts, still want to?”

“Such boldness, daring to tease me! You think I’m a harmless kitten because I haven’t shown my claws?” Jiang Changyang sat up, putting on a fierce face while grabbing Mudan’s arm to pull her out. Mudan clung tightly to the bedpost, not letting go, “Mercy, General… I was wrong… Oh!” She gasped as Jiang Changyang’s teeth gently bit her waist, slowly moving downward. At the same time, a warm large hand slipped under her robe, exploring bit by bit.

Jiang Changyang, eyes bright and black, watched Mudan’s expression as he moved, growing more excited and bold as he saw her unease. It’s unclear who made the first move, but soon the crimson gauze robe and white undergarments flew up, entangling as they fell onto the Shu brocade carpet, like the softest flowing clouds, romantic and lingering.

The morning breeze, mixed with the patter of rain, crept through door and window cracks, passing through crystal curtains, around the gilt incense lions in the corners, spreading fragrance throughout the room.

Shun’er, chewing on a blade of grass with his arms folded, looked lazily at two hungover stewards from the Duke’s mansion: “Brothers must be hungry. Here’s some freshly made meat soup with flatbread from the kitchen.”

The stewards, holding their throbbing heads, exchanged worried glances, sighing, “Has the Duke not returned home? We need to see the young mistress.”

Shun’er smiled, “The Duke came home but left again overnight. He hasn’t returned yet. The young mistress waited all night and just lay down. Are you sure you must see her?” Seeing their silence, Shun’er sat down beside them, saying amiably, “Brothers, we’re all in a difficult position. Why make things hard for each other? Just complete your task and be done with it.”

Cai Lu sighed, “We want to complete our task, but we need some explanation.”

Shun’er smiled, “When you return, just say the lord left overnight. No need to say more. The mansion will understand.”

After finally persuading the two to leave, Shun’er sprawled on a long bench, staring blankly at the raindrops falling from the eaves. Suddenly, Shu’er entered, asking, “Where are the Duke’s mansion stewards?”

Shun’er, not moving, glanced at Shu’er, “I sent them away. Why?”

Seeing him lying there boneless, with his effeminate appearance, Shu’er wrinkled her nose and handed him a stack of letters, “What else? It’s good you did. Get up, the master wants you and Manager Wu to deliver these immediately.”

“Alright!” Shun’er sprang up nimbly, snatching the letters from Shu’er’s hand like a gust of wind. Before Shu’er could react, the letters had vanished. Shu’er cursed under her breath and went to arrange meals in the kitchen.

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Mudan stretched and opened her eyes. Jiang Changyang was no longer beside her. Kuan’er, hearing movement, hurried in to help her dress: “The master went to the study to discuss matters with Mr. Yuan. He said the trip to Fashou Temple is canceled. Many guests will be coming tonight, so he asks you to have the kitchen prepare good food. There must be enough meat and good wine; everything else is fine.”

Surely he received some new task at the palace last night. Mudan thought for a moment and said, “Then you and Mama Lin go on my behalf to deliver the gifts we prepared yesterday. Say, I’ll visit personally another day.”

Just as they finished tidying up, another visitor arrived. This time it was Hong’er from the Old Madam’s side. After entering and paying respects, she smiled, “The Old Madam says it’s fine if the Duke can’t go due to urgent matters. She doesn’t want to delay important business and asks the young mistress to come over instead.”

It seemed she had to go. Running back and forth like this wasn’t a solution. With Jiang Changyang busy with important matters, she would handle these affairs. Mudan agreed, dressed formally, sent word to Jiang Changyang, and took a carriage to the Duke’s mansion.