Madam Qi watched as Mudan’s room descended into chaos. The servants brought by Madam Cen were carrying bundles, and some easily portable chests had already been moved to the courtyard. Mudan was being helped to dress in fine clothes, her hair combed and face washed, adorned with hairpins – preparing for a grand departure. Alarmed, Madam Qi exclaimed, “What’s going on here, sister-in-law?”
Madam Cen replied sternly, “What’s going on? Surely you understand. As long as we of the He family still draw breath, we won’t stand idly by while our daughter is abused to death. I’m taking her home now. Later, our family will settle matters with yours properly, completing all necessary formalities. From then on, our families will have nothing to do with each other.”
Madam Qi’s heart sank. She hurried to block Madam Cen’s path, pleading, “Sister-in-law! Wasn’t everything fine just moments ago? How did it come to this so suddenly? There must be a misunderstanding. Let’s talk this through calmly. Don’t be rash! This isn’t a trivial matter – it concerns the children’s entire lives. We can’t act on impulse!”
Madam Cen, having already decided on divorce, was no longer inclined to exchange pleasantries or carefully navigate the situation. She sneered, “What misunderstanding? Are you saying Liu Chang hasn’t beaten or scolded Danniang these three years, has always loved and respected her, and hasn’t conspired with Princess Qinghua to publicly humiliate her? Or that your family has been caring and attentive to Danniang, never treating her coldly or harshly? Or perhaps that you, as her mother-in-law, have shown her abundant love and consideration?”
“All along our journey, I’ve only seen your servants disrespecting Danniang, being lazy and negligent in her presence, and cursing her behind her back. What time is it now? She’s missed dinner and breakfast. She’s ill, yet not a single doctor has been seen. I’ve only witnessed such mistreatment of a daughter-in-law in the most uncouth and cruel of common households. I’m just a merchant’s wife, not as well-read or knowledgeable as you, an honored madam. Perhaps you could enlighten me on where the misunderstanding lies?”
She had dropped the term “sister-in-law” entirely. If one were to examine the situation closely, all the faults indeed lay with the Liu family. Repaying the money was a minor issue, but what if the scandalous affair were to be exposed? Madam Qi broke into a cold sweat, forcing a dry laugh, “There is a misunderstanding. Can’t we discuss this calmly?” Seeing Madam Cen’s indifference, she turned to Xue Shi, “My dear, please reason with your mother-in-law. As the saying goes, ‘Better to demolish a temple than break up a marriage.’ We should encourage reconciliation, not separation. Who doesn’t make mistakes when young? The sages say, ‘To know your faults and correct them is the greatest virtue.’ I promise Zishu won’t do it again!”
Xue Shi, having just faced her mother-in-law’s wrath, dared not intervene. She merely smiled bitterly and looked at Mudan.
Madam Qi turned her gaze to Mudan, who sat calmly before the mirror, carefully applying crimson lip rouge from a jade box, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around her.
Infuriated by this sight, Madam Qi thought to herself, “Moments ago, I had almost convinced Madam Cen to let the matter drop, but after speaking with her, she suddenly changed her mind. Isn’t this Mudan’s doing? Is she trying to raise her value or exact revenge?” With this in mind, she strode to Mudan’s side and called out sternly, “Danniang!”
Startled, Mudan’s hand trembled, smearing the lip rouge. Displeased, she wiped it off with a fine white handkerchief and turned to Madam Qi, asking, “What guidance does Madam have for me?”
“She doesn’t even call me mother anymore?” Madam Qi thought angrily. “You, He Mudan, your past meekness and pitiful demeanor were all an act. You’re truly cunning and detestable!” She pointed at Mudan, her anger rising, but held her tongue, thinking, “What’s the harm in saying a few kind words now? I’ll deal with you later!”
Retracting her finger and forcing a smile, she said, “Danniang, what’s going on? Everything was fine earlier. Why such frightening talk now? Won’t you persuade your mother? Even teeth sometimes bite the tongue. How can a young couple’s life be without some bumps? Don’t let a moment of anger ruin your entire life! If Zishu has done wrong, I’ll make him apologize. Can’t we continue living together happily?”
Having spent over half a year here, Mudan had carefully observed the personalities of Madam Qi, Liu Chang, and Liu Chengcai. She knew well Madam Qi’s duplicitous nature, her hidden daggers behind smiles, her expertise in trickery, and her tendency to renege on promises. She smiled sardonically, “Thank you for your kind words, Madam. I, Mudan, with my ordinary looks, am unworthy of your noble son. I don’t wish to be the one who separates lovers and invites disdain. By leaving of my own accord today, when your son marries the princess in the future, he might remember me fondly, praising my virtue.”
Madam Qi, still disbelieving Mudan’s sincerity in seeking a divorce, assumed she was bargaining. Impatiently, she frowned, “Danniang, I admit I’ve neglected you, and Zishu has wronged you. While your family is here, tell us what it will take to appease you. We’ll do our best to comply. Don’t speak of divorce and returning home. Once done, it can’t be undone, and you’ll regret it.”
She believed she had already humbled herself, saying all the right things, yet her tone and expression remained haughty and contemptuous as if bestowing a favor, with an undercurrent of threat.
Mudan couldn’t help but laugh. This mother and son were indeed cut from the same cloth, overly confident. What made them so certain she was merely angry and not truly seeking to leave? Was it the Liu family’s power and status? Liu Chang’s youth and handsomeness? Or He Mudan’s supposed infatuation, weakness, and kindness?
Madam Qi found Mudan’s smile particularly grating; it was the first time she had seen such an expression on her face. Suddenly, she sneered and shouted, “Wait! Stop moving things! Since when do a woman’s family members barge into her husband’s home to take belongings? This is an armed robbery! Anyone who dares touch anything in this room will face the magistrate!”
The He family’s servants stopped, looking to Madam Cen for guidance.
“So, you want to play hardball?” Madam Cen calmly adjusted the amber and silver butterfly hairpin in the center of Mudan’s hairdo, scrutinizing it before saying nonchalantly, “You want to see the magistrate? Fine, let’s settle everything at once. Danniang, where’s your dowry list?”
Lin Mama immediately produced a paper from a small sandalwood box, smiling, “Madam, it’s all here.”
Madam Cen smiled, “Ah I remember there’s one item not written on the dowry list. Would you like me to send someone home to fetch it for your inspection, Madam Qi?”
The unwritten item, of course, referred to the money. Madam Qi trembled with anger. She knew dealing with these unscrupulous merchants would bring no good. See? At a critical moment, they expose one’s shortcomings! They had agreed never to mention that matter, and even if they were to settle accounts, how could they bring it up in front of so many people?
“In such haste, things can’t be packed properly. We’ll return home first. Please trouble yourself to help us gather the bulkier items, and we’ll send people to collect them later, all right?” Madam Cen looked at Madam Qi with disdain. She had seen many such arrogant official wives who, accustomed to lording over their husbands, thought themselves invincible and expected everyone to yield to them. When faced with real conflict, they were like paper tigers, deflating at the slightest prick.
Madam Qi had never suffered such humiliation and refused to back down. She clenched her sleeves tightly, gritting her teeth, her face ashen and trembling with rage. Seeing her mistress’s dire expression, Granny Zhu whispered, “Madam, shall we summon the master?”
Madam Qi, suddenly enlightened, thought to herself, “How could I be so foolish? This is just the plan of Madam Cen and her daughter; it hasn’t been approved by the He family men yet. Why am I arguing with her?” She pushed Granny Zhu, whispering, “Go quickly! Have the second gate locked tight. Don’t let anyone out!”
Granny Zhu, having received her orders, rushed off. At the courtyard entrance, she saw a crowd of onlookers, led by Biwo and Xiansu. Though Yuner and Yutong weren’t present, their servants were nearby, craning their necks. Granny Zhu frowned, looking coldly at Biwo, “Does the concubine have something to report to the madam? She’s inside; shall I announce you?”
Startled, Biwo quickly replied, “No, no. We heard the young madam was ill and came to visit.” With that, she hurried away, and the crowd dispersed like frightened birds.
Granny Zhu continued on her way, head held high. As soon as she was out of sight, the onlookers reappeared from behind flower bushes, rocks, and trees, straining to see into Mudan’s courtyard and catch any suspicious sounds.
Biwo gloated to Xiansu, “See? I knew she’d be cast out sooner or later.”
Xiansu scoffed, “Can’t you see? This isn’t about being cast out; it’s about not being allowed to leave.” Remembering something, she smiled at Biwo, “You must be the happiest. Now no one can compare to you.”
Biwo snorted coldly, turning back to look inside, marveling, “Tsk, so many chests and boxes…”
Knowing that Granny Zhu’s departure meant the master and young master would soon arrive, Xiansu tilted her head in thought, then quietly slipped away.
Liu Chang had just entered the main gate when he was informed of the He family’s arrival. As he was accompanying Doctor Zhu, he asked someone to inform Liu Chengcai first, planning to have the doctor examine Mudan before joining them. As he entered the second gate, he saw Granny Zhu rushing ahead, scolding and dispersing people. Displeased, he called out, “Granny, where are you going in such a hurry?”
Seeing him, Granny Zhu’s face lit up. She quickly stood aside and said, “Young Master, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. I have something to report.”
Liu Chang quickly bowed to Doctor Zhu, apologizing for the interruption, then moved aside, asking, “What is it?”
Granny Zhu smiled, “Congratulations, Young Master!”