By mid-morning, the temperature had already soared. By the time they reached Dao Zheng Fang near Xingqing Palace, where Fang Bohui and Madam Wang resided in the capital, a thin layer of sweat had formed on their skin. The servants following behind were drenched in sweat, but everyone’s first concern was checking if the four potted peonies in the baskets had sustained any damage.
These four peonies were today’s stars and couldn’t afford any harm. While transporting them by ox cart would have been safer, it wouldn’t have achieved the desired promotional effect. So, they opted to carry them through the streets, attracting attention. The strategy seemed effective so far; now they just needed to see how well they’d perform at the banquet in the Fen Wang’s mansion.
Shu’er, recalling the curious looks they’d received, said proudly, “Several people asked if this was a new species. I’m sure we’ll succeed today.”
“Let’s hope so,” Mudan replied, feeling uncertain. Since Fang Bohui and Madam Wang were set to return to Kucha after the Mid-Autumn Festival, many people were hosting farewell dinners for them. The Fen Wang’s mansion was also hosting one, and Madam Wang had arranged with the Fen Wang Fei to bring these potted landscapes, making the Fen Wang’s mansion the first to participate in this exchange. While these peony landscapes were still a novelty and could attract attention, their ultimate success remained unknown. Mudan sighed softly as she spotted Madam Wang emerging from the door. She hurried over to greet her, “Mother.”
“Don’t worry,” Madam Wang reassured, patting Mudan’s shoulder. “Sixty or seventy plants isn’t much. You might even find it excessive later, wondering how to politely decline offers.” Today, she wore a scarlet Hu-style outfit, her skin glowing and her expression radiant, clearly conveying her happiness.
The thought “A woman nourished by love is indeed more beautiful” crossed Mudan’s mind, bringing a mischievous smile to her lips. Madam Wang, ever perceptive, immediately furrowed her brows at Mudan. “Little girl, what’s that smirk for? I’m your mother-in-law.”
Mudan suppressed her smile and replied, “Please enlighten me, mother-in-law. What have I done wrong?”
“You little rascal,” Madam Wang glared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. She mounted her horse and said, “I’ll let it slide this time, considering we’ll be parting ways soon. How was your outing with the Gao family’s cousin the other day? Did you enjoy yourself?”
Mudan smiled, “It was fine. She’s very composed and graceful, generally following my lead. She suggested visiting Qujiang Pool, so I took her there. We spent nearly two hours boating. She’s very pleasant company.” The Guo’s household had deliberately sent someone to remind her to fulfill her promise. If not for the Matriarch’s stern face and her complaints about Mudan and Jiang Changyang’s refusal to help, accusing them of being “greatly unfilial” and “running around without discipline,” everything would have been perfect.
Madam Wang raised an eyebrow, “Qujiang Pool? Did anything interesting happen? Didn’t Jiang Yunqing join you?”
“The Matriarch wouldn’t let her go. Nothing particularly interesting happened.” The weather had been nice yesterday, and Qujiang Pool was bustling with boats. Gao Duanshu had merely commented on how prosperous it was and asked to stay a bit longer. As for Jiang Yunqing, Mudan noticed she seemed like a different person after recovering from her illness. Gone was the timid, ingratiating expression, replaced by a cool, composed demeanor that suited her far better than her previous affected coyness.
Madam Wang smiled, “You must have missed it. Madam Chen was accompanying the Pingyang Gongzhu for a boat ride that day. Given the timing, it should have been when you were there. Since you didn’t meet, it seems the Zhu Guogong’s luck truly isn’t good.” The eldest son of a prince inherits the title of Wang, while the others become Gongzhu. Chen’s husband had passed away early, so her son naturally inherited his father’s title, becoming the Pingyang Gongzhu.
“Then I suppose I was lucky,” Mudan felt suddenly dejected, as if she’d swallowed a fly. The Matriarch was scheming again. Having her accompany the beautiful and graceful Gao Duanshu to Qujiang Pool was likely in hopes of encountering Madam Chen and the Pingyang Gongzhu, using Mudan’s familiarity to strike up a conversation. No wonder Jiang Yunqing was meant to go along and reminded her to fulfill her promise yesterday, and why Gao Duanshu was reluctant to leave Qujiang Pool. It seemed impossible to guard against every plot. Fortunately, they hadn’t met; otherwise, if the elegant Miss Gao had “accidentally” gotten wet on the water, Mudan would have been dragged into a troublesome situation.
Seeing Mudan’s gloomy expression, Madam Wang smiled slightly, “Well, you didn’t meet them, so it seems even the heavens aren’t on her side. As long as Da Lang bears the Jiang surname, some troubles will be unavoidable. Try to look on the bright side and just be careful yourself.” Unless the Matriarch passed away early, there would be no escape. She needed to learn her lesson the hard way; otherwise, she’d always think others owed her something and that everything should go her way.
As they spoke, they arrived at the Fen Wang’s mansion during the busiest arrival time, with many carriages and horses stopped at the entrance. Acquaintances greeted Mudan and Madam Wang, and those with keen eyes, noticing the four potted peonies, guessed they were rare gifts for the Fen Wang Fei and asked about the new species while showering them with praise. A mansion steward came to receive the potted peonies, saying the Fen Wang Fei was already waiting for everyone at the polo field. Mudan felt slightly relieved.
Although this banquet hosted by the Fen Wang Fei was ostensibly a farewell for Fang Bohui and Madam Wang, the formal banquet would begin after the afternoon court session ended. The morning featured the Fen Wang’s favorite polo matches, participated in by idle royal clan members and meritorious officials. When Mudan, Madam Wang, and the others entered, the warm-up match had already begun, and cheers could be heard before they even reached the field.
This polo field was only slightly better than the oil-coated one built by the Ning Wang. It was equally smooth and spotless. The surrounding structure was similar, with two rows of buildings on either side. The men, led by the Fen Wang, sat on the left, while the women, led by the Fen Wang Fei, sat on the right.
As the guest of honor, Madam Wang was seated next to the Fen Wang Fei, with Mudan positioned behind her. The Fen Wang Fei excitedly pointed to a dark-skinned, tall, and muscular young man with an expressionless face but agile movements on the field. “See that? That’s my little Fourth. This child’s horsemanship and polo skills are the best. His grandfather taught him personally. He’s not far behind your Da Lang.”
As the Fen Wang Fei praised her grandson, many around them joined in the compliments. Several young women’s eyes sparkled, fixated on the Pingyang Gongzhu’s Fourth Son. Mudan was surprised – this young man seemed fine, so why was he said to be simple-minded?
She secretly glanced at Madam Chen, who was visibly tense, her face flushed and hands tightly clasped. Her body was rigid as she anxiously watched the young man, her gaze filled with worry rather than excitement.
The Fen Wang Fei had also noticed Madam Chen’s expression and sighed, speaking softly, “I’ve told her before that keeping the child isolated isn’t good. See? I had to persuade her endlessly before she agreed to take him to Qujiang Pool, and even today she only allowed him to participate in this match. She won’t agree to let him join the formal game later.” She sounded disheartened as she continued, “Those we approve of for marriage, they reject; those they approve of, others reject. After all this fuss, Chen finally set her sights on the only daughter of a seventh-rank official, hoping to make her a daughter-in-law, but the official’s entire family adamantly refused. It was quite a blow to Chen.”
Despite their close relationship, Madam Wang couldn’t comment on the Fen Wang’s family matters. She could only gently pat the Fen Wang Fei’s hand and softly console her, “Everything will improve. Peace and joy are the greatest blessings, and this child seems fortunate. He’ll gradually improve with more social interaction.”
The Fen Wang Fei shook her head, “You don’t understand. This child is extremely solitary. Right now, he’s only participating because he’s interested. Once he loses interest, he’ll leave immediately. He prefers to be alone. His grandfather and uncles spent years playing polo with him to get him to this point. I just hope he can become a bit more sociable. Since people say he’s simple-minded, let them see for themselves just how simple he is.”
Mudan couldn’t help but admire the Fen Wang Fei’s courage.
As if to validate the Fen Wang Fei’s words, while the Fourth Son was running with the ball, another player rode over to steal it. Before the opponent could get close, the Fourth Son lowered his head, raised his mallet, and struck the horse’s leg forcefully. He then continued to focus on the ball, completely disregarding the potential consequences of his action. Ignoring the cheers, the horse’s neighing, and people’s shouts, he rode alone to the goal area, struck the ball in, then immediately turned to leave. He rode straight to the Fen Wang, reined in his horse, and held his mallet in one hand while staring expectantly at the Fen Wang.
The others on the field seemed aware of his condition. The young man whose horse had been hit said nothing. The Fen Wang, with a delighted expression, ordered someone to bring colored silk and white gauze as rewards. The Fourth Son placed these prizes across his horse’s back and trotted out of the field.
By now, everyone had noticed something was amiss with the Fourth Son, and a hush fell over the crowd. Madam Chen, red-eyed and trembling, couldn’t utter a word. She looked around anxiously, fearing others might mock her simple-minded son. The Fen Wang Fei sighed heavily, “You see? This is how it is. I suppose I don’t need to worry about whether she’ll agree to let him play in the next match – he’s already lost interest himself.”
Madam Chen sat silently for a moment, then approached the Fen Wang Fei, bowed, and quietly withdrew. Mudan saw that her face and lips were pale, her gaze unfocused, as if she had been stripped naked in public.
After a moment of silence, the Fen Wang Fei brightened up and said, “I’ve had the peonies placed in the evening banquet area and have instructed the staff on what to say.”