The banquet continued until the hour of xu (7-9 pm). As the evening drum sounded, people began to disperse. Both Fang Bohui and Madam Wang were intoxicated, so Jiang Changyang had to escort the couple back to Daozheng Ward. After settling them in, they found the ward gates already closed, so Mudan and Jiang Changyang stayed for the night.
Madam Wang did not live with Fang Bohui’s children from his previous marriage, making the residence quiet. Once the hosts retired, silence enveloped the place, broken only by occasional insect chirps from the grass. Jiang Changyang sat by the lamp, writing and sketching on paper. Mudan peered over to see numerous names surrounding two central ones: Jin Buyan and Wu Yugui.
Jiang Changyang’s furrowed brow betrayed his confusion. Mudan remained silent, fanning him gently as her thoughts drifted back to the end of the banquet.
As Madam Wang was being supported under the eaves and Mudan was instructing servants to find Fang Bohui and Jiang Changyang, Liu Chang approached her alone. He stared at her intently, causing Shu’er to protectively step forward. Liu Chang cryptically said, “I’ve handled what Qinghua said. No one will gossip anymore.” Before Mudan could process this, he added, “I’ve taken care of it for you,” and walked away, leaving her perplexed.
“What are you thinking about?” Jiang Changyang finished his work, and noticed Mudan’s distracted fanning. “Are you worried about the grafted peonies? Don’t be. Even the two pots displayed outside caught people’s attention. Some were already pestering the Prince of Fen for them. Surely tomorrow, people will come looking to exchange peonies.”
Mudan smiled, refocusing her thoughts. “I’m not worried about that. I was thinking about how openly you all ostracized Xiao Yuexi earlier. And I heard about an incident that you never mentioned to me. Why?”
Jiang Changyang smiled faintly. “There was nothing worth mentioning. I just happened to learn the language from spending time there. It’s not some special skill; many of my military comrades know it. Why would I boast about it?”
“My, how modest and low-key,” Mudan teased, tapping his nose. “You could have told me, let me feel proud and happy for you.”
Jiang Changyang embraced her. “I can make you smile now, though. Remember earlier when we heard someone shouting about shamelessness? Let me tell you what happened.”
He explained that a half-drunk elderly scholar from the Imperial Academy, known for his strict adherence to etiquette, had gone to relieve himself. In the darkness, he heard inappropriate noises. Unlike others who might have retreated, this stubborn man had his servant light a lantern to investigate. They discovered two naked figures, a revolting sight. Before he could cry out, someone punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Despite his dizziness, the old man clung to the assailant’s leg and shouted.
Jiang Changyang paused dramatically. “Guess who the assailant was?”
Mudan let her imagination run wild, guessing it might be a guest taking advantage of a palace maid or perhaps lovers seizing a rare opportunity. Jiang Changyang shook his head at her guesses.
He then revealed, “Who said it had to be a woman? It was Xiao Yuexi. He was… with Wang Shilang, the Empress’s nephew.” He spat in disgust. “I won’t say more. I wanted to give you some satisfaction, but I’ve only made myself sick.”
“Was it a burly man in a saffron-colored brocade robe with small floral patterns? I saw him pestering Xiao Yuexi after the polo match, and Xiao Yuexi seemed to dislike him,” Mudan mused, wondering if Liu Chang’s earlier words were related. The more she thought about it, the more this type of revenge seemed to fit Liu Chang’s style.
“That’s him. He’s known for his preference for men and has been reprimanded several times. He seemed to have restrained himself in recent years, but apparently, old habits die hard. To dare approach Xiao Yuexi… it just shows there’s no limit to some people’s audacity,” Jiang Changyang said, spitting again as he recalled Xiao Yuexi hiding his face with his sleeve, refusing to see anyone after the incident.
Mudan cautiously shared her suspicion about Liu Chang’s involvement, mentioning his cryptic words to her earlier.
Jiang Changyang was silent for a moment. “He probably meant the incident with Maya, which Princess Qinghua had spread. I knew about that but didn’t think it was worth addressing, given her unstable state. You weren’t bothered, and I trusted you, so I didn’t care either. As for tonight’s events…” He sighed deeply. “I suspect he’s involved, but someone else can’t be uninvolved either.”
The incident between Wang Shilang and Xiao Yuexi seemed coincidental – Wang Shilang, known for his preferences, had set his sights on Xiao Yuexi, the top young talent of the court, and finally acted on his desires in the dark, drunken night. However, considering the forces behind these two and the identity of the person who discovered them, the situation became more complex. Wang Shilang was the Empress’s nephew and a direct descendant of the Yingyang Wang clan, backed by the Empress and Prince Ning. Xiao Yuexi was the eldest grandson of the Zhao Jun Xiao clan leader and Minister Xiao’s eldest son, the future Xiao clan leader, supported by Prince Min.
The elderly scholar who discovered them was known for his uprightness and strong sense of propriety – exactly the type to interfere and expose such a scandal. The exposed scandal would inevitably lead to enmity.
How could Xiao Yuexi continue as the Xiao clan heir after such a disgrace? It was a lifelong humiliation! Even if the Xiao family still accepted him as heir, he would be mocked for the rest of his life, no matter what he achieved. Of course, if he didn’t care and could move past it, that would be different. But could someone like Xiao Yuexi, a proud and talented scholar, not care? This would be a festering wound in his heart, growing larger and deeper with time. He would likely want to kill Wang Shilang, even reducing him to ashes wouldn’t be enough.
But could his wish be fulfilled? This wasn’t Wang Shilang’s first offense, and previous complaints against him had resulted in only mild reprimands and confinement. The Xiao family couldn’t tolerate this, nor could Xiao Yuexi, but the Wang family wouldn’t easily give up Wang Shilang. What would happen? The already tense relationship would worsen. Even if Prince Min intervened, the Xiao family wouldn’t abandon thoughts of revenge.
Only Prince Jing, backing Liu Chang, could watch this drama unfold with detachment. Liu Chang’s ambiguous words to Mudan stemmed from his belief that they were both on Prince Jing’s side and because Xiao Yuexi’s previous schemes against Mudan and Lü Fang had crossed a line for him. In Liu Chang’s view, this scandal was just retribution. “You scheme against a woman’s reputation? Well, men have reputations too.” Liu Chang was the type who believed only he could bully others, but wouldn’t tolerate anyone else doing so.
Realizing this, Jiang Changyang hugged Mudan tightly. “Liu Chang still harbors ill intentions. His heart is dark and vicious, and he’s shameless. I need to keep you safe, always staying ahead of him, never giving him a chance.” It had been over half a year since that incident, yet he had waited until tonight to act – a sign of his increased patience.
Mudan laughed softly. “You needn’t worry. As long as I’m unwilling, he’ll never have a chance.” She looked at the papers on the table. “Are you investigating Jin Buyan again? Is there something amiss with him? Didn’t Shun Hou’er already uncover his background?”
“It’s nothing, just curiosity,” Jiang Changyang said, spreading out the papers again and staring intently at Wu Yugui’s name. The Emperor had told him that the jade pendant came from a Yangzhou merchant through Prince Min, and this Wu Yugui was that merchant. It seemed related to the Tanhua Tower incident and appeared quite mysterious, but Jiang Changyang felt that the more straightforward it looked, the less likely it was to be true. Instead, Jin Buyan from Hangzhou seemed oddly suspicious, as if deliberately trying to attract his and Fang Bohui’s attention.
Regardless of who was involved, the intertwining interests and calculations of several princes were undoubtedly at play. He gently traced Wu Yugui’s name, thinking perhaps he could use Wu Yugui as a starting point. Once pinpointed, many previously invisible or untraceable matters might gradually reveal themselves. By following the trail and analyzing it carefully, the truth would eventually surface.
He had a plan for how to proceed. He believed he could emerge unscathed and provide Mudan with the freedom and happiness to pursue her interests. Jiang Changyang folded the papers. “Let’s sleep. Just focus on cultivating your flowers. You’ll be busy tomorrow.”
That night, Mudan had a sweet dream. She dreamed of having a baby – beautiful and healthy, surrounded by a joyful family. Even in her sleep, a smile graced her lips.