“Let’s talk over there,” Wu Shijiuniang pointed to a tree not far away and dismissed the maids nearby, “Wait for us here.”
Feeling anxious, Mudan had no choice but to send away Lin Mama and Shuer, then walked arm in arm with Wu Shijiuniang towards the tree. Zhen Shi, leading a young relative’s child, came over and said, “The feast is starting. Where are you two going? And without any attendants?”
Wu Shijiuniang smiled evasively, “I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I’m going to stand over there for a while.” It was clear she didn’t want others to know, avoiding too many questions.
Zhen Shi’s eyes darted back and forth before she smiled, “Well then, Danniáng, take good care of your sister-in-law.”
Mudan nodded and stood with Shijiuniang under the tree. Wu Shijiuniang smiled gently, looking somewhat uncomfortable, “Sister Dan, I want to ask for your help. I feel awkward asking, but I have no other choice. You know your cousin’s temperament. He often says you’ve had it especially hard and he’s most unwilling to trouble you. If he knew I came to you, he would certainly get angry. So if you can help, please do. If not… just forget about it.”
Li Xing said she had it especially hard and he was most unwilling to trouble her… Wu Shijiuniang was indirectly reminding her not to forget Li Xing’s kindness. But she was good with words, not causing offense, and instead evoking some emotion. She didn’t need to say this – if Mudan could help, she would certainly do her best. Wu Shijiuniang surely knew this, so speaking this way meant the matter must be difficult. Mudan smiled slightly, “Sister-in-law, please speak freely. If I can help, I won’t refuse.”
Hearing this, Wu Shijiuniang smiled and said softly, “It’s not a big matter. Recently, an important servant from Prince Ning’s mansion and one of His Highness’s seals went missing. Your cousin has been investigating for a long time but hasn’t found any trace. He’s afraid they might fall into the wrong hands and cause trouble. He’s stubborn and won’t ask for your help, just working himself to exhaustion day and night. He’s lost weight in just over ten days… I thought, since we’re relatives, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if we could help or not. I wonder if Chengfeng might be able to help look for them?”
An important servant and Prince Ning’s seal? Mudan instinctively felt this matter couldn’t be so simple. Was this Wu Shijiuniang’s idea out of concern for Li Xing, or had Li Yuan instructed her to ask? Or perhaps it was Qin Alan, who was about to become Prince Ning’s principal consort? After all, Wu Shijiuniang had good relationships with both of Prince Ning’s consorts. Mudan couldn’t be sure what subtleties lay behind this, but she instinctively felt it wasn’t a simple matter, otherwise, Wu Shijiuniang wouldn’t have approached her in this way. But regardless, since it involved Prince Ning’s household, she had to answer carefully. She clearly remembered that Li Xing had once relayed a message to Prince Ning, which Jiang Changyang had refused without hesitation.
Mudan looked at Wu Shijiuniang. Her eyes were bright, filled with expectation, worry, and a hint of testing. She said softly, “Sister Dan, do you think what I’m saying is reasonable? Whether you can help or not, just have Chengfeng give me an answer directly. If you can’t help, I won’t think anything of it.” She watched Mudan’s expression and added, “If it’s not convenient to help search, even just helping to listen for news would be fine.”
Mudan was silent for a moment, then said, “You’re right, sister-in-law. We’re relatives, so we should help if we can, and understand each other if we can’t. I’ll give you an answer as soon as possible.”
Although she said this, Mudan didn’t make any grand promises, leaving plenty of room for maneuver, especially by saying they should understand each other if help wasn’t possible. This indicated a very high possibility that the request wouldn’t be fulfilled. But having said this much, Wu Shijiuniang couldn’t press further. She looked a bit disappointed and sighed lightly, then smiled again, half-jokingly and half-seriously bowing to Mudan, “Thank you in advance.”
Mudan returned the bow, “We’re family, no need for thanks. Cousin has helped us plenty in the past too. Come, let’s go eat first.”
The joy and liveliness of the feast need no detailed description. Seeing Mudan and Wu Shijiuniang sitting together, several elders and sisters-in-law teased them and gave them advice on things to be mindful of. Mudan was used to this, being familiar with these elders and sisters-in-law. Wu Shijiuniang responded to each with humble politeness, cheerfully praising the other children, appearing generous and likable, without a trace of the airs of a woman from the Five Great Clans. This earned her praise from everyone.
Halfway through the meal, Wu Shijiuniang suddenly covered her mouth and turned away quickly, her expression very pained. Mudan knew she was having a reaction to her pregnancy and hurriedly passed her water and rubbed her back. Wu Shijiuniang endured for a moment, then stood up and apologized, “I’m sorry, I can’t continue dining with you elders, sisters-in-law, and younger sisters. I’ll go sit in the back for a while.”
Mudan quickly said, “What would you like to eat? Shall I have the kitchen prepare something especially for you?”
Wu Shijiuniang waved her hand, “There’s so much going on, no need to trouble them. I’ll be fine once this passes. I’m not hungry anyway.” She smiled apologetically and went to the back, supported by her maid.
Mudan then called Shuer over, “Go to the kitchen and ask if they have anything light and refreshing. Have them prepare it and send it to Madam Li.”
Shuer went to carry out the order, but soon returned saying, “Madam asks you to go see her for a moment.”
Wu Shijiuniang had left the table mid-meal out of necessity, but if Mudan were to leave now, it would be impolite. So she said, “Go tell Madam that if it’s not urgent, please wait until after the feast.”
There was no further word from Madam Cen. After the feast ended, Mudan finally went to see her. Xue Shi and others were gathered around Madam Cen, talking and laughing happily. Mudan asked, “What’s so funny? Everyone looks so happy.”
Li Shi said in a soft voice, “We’re talking about how from now on, everyone will come home on the 1st, 5th, and 9th of each month to have meals with Father and Mother.”
Mudan smiled, “That’s wonderful. If I’m free, I’ll join in on the fun too.” Looking around and not seeing Li Manniang or Wu Shijiuniang, she asked, “Where did Aunt Li and sister-in-law go? I had the kitchen prepare something special for my sister-in-law.”
Madam Cen said, “She wasn’t feeling well, so your Aunt Li took her home first.” Then she gave Xue Shi and the others a look, “Danniáng, come sit over here. I have something to ask you.”
Xue Shi and the others all went outside, leaving mother and daughter to talk. Madam Cen said, “I was planning to talk to you after the feast, but I was afraid you might leave early due to other matters. I heard Shijiuniang ask Chengfeng for help?”
Mudan smiled wryly, “Yes, that’s right. Did Shijiuniang tell you?” She guessed that Shijiuniang had left mid-meal out of worry that Mudan might not try her best, so she specifically sought out Madam Cen as additional insurance. This showed how much she hoped Jiang Changyang would help, or rather, how much she and those behind her hoped Jiang Changyang would side with Prince Ning. The wife Li Yuan and Madam Cui had chosen for Li Xing was indeed well-picked – of noble birth but without arrogance, elegant and knowledgeable, and truly able to greatly assist Li Xing in his career and prospects.
Madam Cen sighed, “She mentioned it briefly, without going into detail. But I think this is the first time they’ve asked for such a favor. If you can help, you should. After all, Li Xingzhi has helped us so much in the past. Setting aside our family ties, we can’t let people say we’re ungrateful.” The main point was that Shijiuniang’s request seemed trivial compared to the help Li Xing had given Mudan in the past – wasn’t it just helping to find a person and a seal?
“That’s true in principle. But this favor isn’t as simple as just finding someone. I hope I can help, but I don’t know all the details of what’s going on. Their relationships are so complex and tangled. I need to ask Chengfeng’s opinion before I can answer. But I think if he can help, he won’t refuse.” Mudan felt very troubled. Wu Shijiuniang had shifted the concept somewhat.
It now seemed like Li Xing was struggling with his duties and needed help, but the person who needed help was Prince Ning – of course, if Prince Ning fell from grace, the Li family wouldn’t benefit either. But this wasn’t an easy favor to grant, nor was it something that could be accomplished simply by calling in a debt of gratitude. Although troubled, she didn’t blame Shijiuniang for sneaking away under the pretense of morning sickness to find Madam Cen. After all, it concerned the interests of her whole family and friends, so of course she should try every possible method. This was only human nature, completely normal.
Seeing her troubled expression, Madam Cen spoke earnestly, “That may be so, but remember, you owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Mudan didn’t want to go into details with her, so she simply said, “We’ll do our best.”
Madam Cen sighed and gently patted her hand, “You’ve had a long day. Go home and rest now, no need to stay here. I’ll explain to your second brother and the others.”
Mudan hadn’t napped at noon and was indeed feeling tired, so she didn’t insist on staying. She got up to leave, and upon returning home, the first thing she did was ask if Jiang Changyang would be coming home that night. Shunhou’er went to relay the message and came back saying, “I heard he’s been very busy these past couple of days. He’ll probably finish work after the city gates close. If you have a message for him, you can tell me, and I’ll go right away.”
Mudan thought for a moment and said, “Tell the master that I met Wu Shijiuniang today. She asked for my help with something, but I’m not sure what to do. I need to ask for his decision.” If the matter was indeed related to Prince Ning’s household and truly urgent, Jiang Changyang would surely understand immediately.
Shunhou’er left to deliver the message.
The days were getting shorter, and it was already growing dim outside before the hour of xu (7-9 pm). Lin Mama was directing everyone to set the dining table when Xiao Li came running in, “The master is back.”
Then Jiang Changyang strode in quickly. Seeing the table already set and the aroma of food in the air, he took a deep, satisfied breath and sat down at the table. “What luck, I’ve arrived just in time for dinner. Is everyone well? Was it lively? Did you explain to my second brother and sister-in-law why I couldn’t attend?”
“I did. They liked the silver candlesticks you sent.” Mudan mentioned a few things in passing, then sent Lin Mama and the others away. She slowly began to explain Wu Shijiuniang’s request.