Gao Duanshu looked sadly at the silently smirking Jiang Yunqing and said softly, “You’re still angry with me?”
Jiang Yunqing turned away without a word. The Old Madam watched coldly, not intervening, pretending not to notice.
Feeling awkward, Gao Duanshu smiled uncomfortably and turned to greet Mudan, “Elder Cousin-in-law, it’s been a while. I’ve missed you.”
Mudan returned the greeting and invited her to sit. Noticing that Gao Duanshu’s attire was more elaborate and fashionable than before, featuring the latest Beijing styles, Mudan guessed these were likely gifts from the Old Madam.
Gao Duanshu sat next to Mudan, smiling as she watched everyone choose outfits and accessories, occasionally offering pertinent suggestions. While the fabrics were fine, her eyes lingered on the Old Madam’s large box of ornaments – some with gold frames and jewel inlays, others intricately carved. She gazed enviously at the sullen-faced Jiang Yunqing. They had seen girls like her before – not stupid, just unfamiliar with social niceties. For such a life, one didn’t need to be worldly; in fact, ignorance could be bliss. Besides, it was a daughter’s duty to help her family. Jiang Yunqing was simply ungrateful for her fortune.
The Old Madam showed off her ornaments one by one, explaining their origins – which she wore in her youth, who gave them to her, where the gemstones came from, which famous craftsman carved which jade hairpin. After selecting Jiang Yunqing’s outfit and accessories, she casually gave Gao Duanshu two pairs of red gold double-pronged hairpins. As Gao Duanshu politely refused, Jiang Yunqing, who had been watching coldly, suddenly grabbed two jeweled flowers from the box and said, “Old Madam, these double-pronged hairpins are good for securing hair, but they’re not very decorative. Adding these jeweled flowers would make them interesting. I think these colors and patterns are both delicate and eye-catching, perfect for Cousin Gao. Wearing these would enhance her beauty from eight parts to ten, almost rivaling my sister-in-law.”
The jeweled flowers were also made of red gold, with tiny gold beads forming flower patterns on the base. In the center was a round pearl the size of a fingertip, surrounded by ruby petals. When caught in the light, they shimmered with golden splendor. They were valuable. The Old Madam’s face turned slightly green, obviously reluctant to part with them but unable to find a suitable excuse to refuse. Jiang Yunqing maintained a mischievous expression of feigned ignorance, while Gao Duanshu, though desiring the ornaments, tried desperately to hide her eagerness.
Watching their momentary expressions, Mudan felt like laughing but managed to stay silent, curious to see how this scene would unfold. Gao Duanshu quickly composed herself and actively declined, “Thank you, Great-aunt and Cousin, for your kindness. The items are beautiful but too precious. I absolutely cannot accept them.” Her expression and tone were firm, displaying admirable integrity.
The Old Madam, having already committed to this contest of wills with Jiang Yunqing, reluctantly took the jeweled flower set and attached it to the double-pronged hairpins. She forcefully put them on Gao Duanshu, smiling, “How beautiful! They’re yours now. When elders give gifts to the younger generation, you mustn’t refuse. Any more refusal would be improper, and I’ll be angry.”
Gao Duanshu sat silently for a moment, tears gradually welling up in her eyes. Her face still bore a smile, but her voice was slightly hoarse: “Great-aunt, I truly don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
The Old Madam was satisfied with her response: “No need for repayment. This old lady is always kindest to obedient and sensible children.” This was meant for Jiang Yunqing to hear – implying that ungrateful ones like her would be dealt with severely if not for Fen Wang’s wife’s specific request.
Unable to bear this any longer, Jiang Yunqing turned to Mudan pleadingly, “Sister-in-law, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we go see brother’s new room and choose things for it?”
Seeing that the banquet preparations were complete, the Old Madam dismissed them: “You two go ahead and make your selections, then have someone make a list for me to review.”
As they left, Jiang Yunqing suddenly stopped and lifted the door curtain, gesturing for Mudan to look back. Mudan turned and saw Gao Duanshu crouched before the Old Madam, raising her fist to gently massage the Old Madam’s legs. Her face showed filial affection as she whispered something, causing the Old Madam to beam with joy.
Jiang Yunqing gently lowered the curtain and walked out of the Old Madam’s courtyard with Mudan. She softly instructed Niu Mama, Wu Mama, and others behind them: “I left the account books in my room. Go fetch them. The weather’s getting cool, so hurry and prepare the braziers and hot tea.”
Niu Mama obeyed and retreated, but Wu Mama didn’t listen. Jiang Yunqing’s face darkened as she glared at her: “You dare to defy me? Do you need to be punished according to family law?” Wu Mama held out for a moment but eventually gave in and left sullenly. Mudan observed this, noting how much Jiang Yunqing had changed. Previously, she wouldn’t have dared to speak to Wu Mama like this, but now she was more assertive. Although there was a sense of recklessness in her attitude, it was still better than her former meek silence.
Seeing that they were alone, Jiang Yunqing spoke softly: “Sister-in-law, thank you for visiting me last time.”
Mudan quickly replied, “It was nothing. I could only check on you.”
Jiang Yunqing sighed lightly: “Only you are without ulterior motives.” She smiled bitterly: “I was so foolish before, thinking I was clever. Now I think I’m a bit smarter, but I’m still quite stupid. You probably don’t know why the Fen Wang’s mansion sent invitations to our family. Let me tell you what’s going on so you’re aware.”
It turned out that the Old Madam had never given up. Upon learning that the Pingyang Duke often went out and liked to snatch things from people, she had devised a plan. Previously, Gao Duanshu had been her focus for grooming and promotion, so naturally, Gao Duanshu would be at the forefront of such schemes. However, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Gao Duanshu to go out alone without a proper excuse, so Jiang Yunqing was needed as a companion, under the pretext of accompanying Gao Duanshu shopping.
Jiang Yunqing smirked, “Sister-in-law, doesn’t she seem very dignified to you? But you don’t know how she acted when we encountered that person. She was holding a gaudy puppet, laughing loudly and speaking coyly.” She imitated Gao Duanshu’s voice, “‘Oh my, its feet can move! Ah, its hands move too! How fascinating!'” Gao Duanshu had been manipulating the puppet’s strings, making it strike various poses, not only attracting the fourth son’s attention but also drawing a large crowd.
“I don’t believe she’s never seen a puppet show before. Who was she pretending for? I didn’t realize what they were up to until I saw that person.” Jiang Yunqing said indignantly, “Sister-in-law, you should stay away from her. She’s not a good person. Someone who can sell herself for wealth and status – what wouldn’t she sell? When she saw me hit the fourth son and ran forward to pull me away, she deliberately pressed herself against him.”
Mudan had been listening silently and finally spoke: “If you didn’t know anything beforehand, how did you know he was the Pingyang Duke?”
Jiang Yunqing’s expression stiffened. After a while, she said, “I’ve told you this, but please don’t tell anyone else.”
Mudan replied calmly, “I can promise I won’t tell anyone except your eldest brother. But if you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to say anything.”
Jiang Yunqing hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “Brother told me. We’ve always gotten along well. He found out about the Fen Wang’s mansion’s affairs and told me. He also told me what the Pingyang Duke was like. I didn’t expect the real person to be like that, but when I saw a group of people rushing up behind him shouting ‘Your Grace,’ I understood.”
Mudan didn’t comment on her actions, only asking, “Do you dislike the Pingyang Duke, or is there another reason? You were lucky this time, but haven’t you considered another possibility?” The biggest possibility was being despised by the rest of the Duke’s family, and becoming a permanent outcast.
Jiang Yunqing sighed, “Why would I dislike him? He’s not very bright, which is rather pitiful. As for other possibilities, I have thought about them… The worst outcome would be if things escalated, the Fen Wang’s mansion wouldn’t forgive me, my reputation would be ruined, and I’d become a Taoist nun. Then everyone would be at peace. My aunt wouldn’t have to die for me again.” After her dreams were shattered, her resentment and disappointment in her family led her to prefer destroying her already dim prospects to avoid repeating past mistakes. So when the fourth son hit her, her tears were not from pain or shame, but from mourning her fate.
Mudan said gently, “I’m glad you’re willing to tell me these things. But I have one more question, and I need you to be honest. When we go to the Fen Wang’s mansion for the banquet, if you encounter the Pingyang Duke again, what will you do?”
Jiang Yunqing smiled bitterly, “Don’t worry, I won’t cause you trouble. I’ll behave properly. When I hit him that time, he…” Her expression became strange, tears in her eyes as she chuckled, “He didn’t hit me back in the end. I suppose in his eyes, I’m just the most pitiful of creatures.” Even a fool could see how pitiful she was – why couldn’t her own family see it? They weren’t her family at all.
Mudan was about to comfort her when she saw Wu Mama hurrying towards them, carrying several account books and looking breathless, as if afraid of missing any conversation. Mudan stopped talking and pulled Jiang Yunqing along, saying, “Let’s go see your brother’s new room first.”
Jiang Yunqing understood and walked ahead with a stern expression.
Jiang Changyi’s courtyard was a combination of his current one and a small adjacent courtyard, making it quite spacious. Newly renovated, it had an impressive air, showing that the Duke’s mansion had put considerable effort into it. Both Mudan and Jiang Yunqing knew that choosing things for Jiang Changyi was just an excuse; in reality, the Old Madam had already decided what would go in the room. They only needed to sit there, drink some water, warm themselves by the fire, and casually pick a few items to fulfill their duty.
Nevertheless, Jiang Yunqing seriously selected items for Jiang Changyi, doing her part. Mudan thought that these siblings must indeed have a good relationship.
They spent nearly half an hour choosing over a dozen furnishings and had someone make a list to take to the Old Madam. As they approached her door, they heard Gao Duanshu say, “Elder Cousin, what kind of place is Kucha? I’ve always wanted to go but never had the chance.”