Jiang Changyang spoke nonchalantly, “There’s not much to say. It’s just a small city, with fewer people and less prosperity than the capital.”
Gao Duanshu smiled, “But surely the local customs and practices are different?”
Jiang Yunqing abruptly lifted the curtain, casting a cold glance at the cheerfully smiling Gao Duanshu. She then addressed Jiang Changyang, “Brother, sister-in-law is feeling unwell.”
Jiang Changyang immediately rose to support Mudan, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Mudan blinked at him, and he understood without further inquiry. He helped Mudan and informed the Old Madam, “Danniang is unwell. We’ll retire now.”
The Old Madam scrutinized Mudan, visibly displeased. “What’s the matter? Just rest here. We’ll summon an imperial physician.”
Mudan mumbled, “Headache. I’ll feel better after some sleep.” Indeed, her head was aching from the mess at the Duke’s mansion. The Duke’s household was like a rotten egg that came with her marriage to Jiang Changyang—unavoidable and impossible to discard.
The Old Madam replied, “Take good care of yourself. Don’t jeopardize important matters.” By “important matters,” she meant accompanying Jiang Yunqing to the Fen Prince’s banquet. Jiang Changyang frowned in disgust, saying fiercely, “Nothing is more important than her health. Don’t bother her with these trivial matters anymore. She needs rest.” With that, he took Mudan’s hand and left without bidding farewell.
The Old Madam was furious, breathing heavily. If the Duke’s mansion weren’t in such dire straits, she would have expelled this impudent and unfilial couple, severing all ties with them.
Jiang Yunqing fanned herself gleefully, “Old Madam, don’t be angry. Big Brother’s temperament is unlikely to change. But you must admit, he treats his wife exceptionally well.” She glanced at Gao Duanshu, who returned an innocent and bewildered smile.
Jiang Yunqing’s face suddenly darkened. She turned away and handed the booklet to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam carelessly tossed the booklet aside, waving Jiang Yunqing away in disgust. “Go, just go.” She now found Jiang Yunqing nauseating. Currently, the person she found most agreeable in the household was Jiang Changyi. Jiang Changyi’s virtues were becoming increasingly apparent—filial, obedient, sensible, and now competent. Of the tasks assigned to him, while not perfect, seven or eight out of ten were completed to her satisfaction.
Once outside, Mudan asked Jiang Changyang, “How did the talk go?” Less turmoil in the Duke’s household meant fewer troubles for both of them. Although the father and son were in this situation, outsiders viewed it differently. In their eyes, no matter how much conflict there was, they were still father and son. Jiang Changyang would always be the eldest legitimate son of the Zhu Duke’s mansion.
Jiang Changyang replied, “He’s not resigned to it, but he’s agreed to stop causing trouble.” At the time, Jiang Zhong appeared very distressed and wronged, barely able to rise from his couch, all his spirit drained. He repeatedly said only one thing: “I don’t believe it’s just for this reason. There must be other reasons.” But he dared not speak of what those reasons might be, only staring blankly at his hands. He was still young, capable of doing many things, like fighting on the frontier. He could still achieve merit; he was no worse than Fang Bohui. Why was he being treated this way?
“I find him both pitiful and detestable,” Jiang Changyang said as he helped Mudan into the carriage, carefully placing a cushion behind her back. “Sit tight, we’re leaving.”
Mudan tugged at his sleeve, “Are we still going to the Fen Prince’s mansion?”
Jiang Changyang replied, “We probably will, but the attitude might be different.” For instance, they had originally planned for Jiang Yunqing to go in full splendor, but now she would likely go in a more subdued and dignified manner. He looked at Mudan, “If you don’t want to go, we can send our regrets.”
Mudan shook her head gently, “We can’t.” Even if not for the Duke’s household, she couldn’t refuse the Fen Princess.
As the carriage approached Xiuxing Fang, it suddenly stopped. Jiang Changyang said from outside the window, “There are two acquaintances. I’ll have a word with them.”
Mudan peeked through the curtain gap. Outside, the sun shone brightly, carriages passed by, and pedestrians bustled about. Two men in dark robes stood before Jiang Changyang’s horse, their eyes darting towards her direction. She quickly lowered the curtain, leaned against the carriage wall, and instructed the driver, “Pull over to the side of the road.”
Before the carriage could come to a complete stop, chaos erupted ahead. Someone shouted, “Watch out!” followed by a commotion. Their carriage shook violently. Before Mudan could react, Mama Lin pulled her into a protective embrace. Kuaner also crawled over to hug Mudan tightly, while Shuer clung to the window, calling out in a trembling voice, “My lord! My lord!”
Jiang Changyang shouted from outside, “Don’t panic, I’m protecting you and the mistress.” Then they heard him roar at the top of his lungs, “Hold the horses steady! Keep the carriage still! If anything happens, I’ll have your lives!”
Mudan curled up in Mama Lin’s arms, tightly protecting her abdomen. Her heart pounded, and tears of fear welled up. She had never been so frightened before. In the past, it was just her, but now she had a baby to protect. The carriage soon stabilized, but the commotion moved in another direction. Many people shouted that a bull had gone mad, while others cried for help.
Shun Houer called out loudly from outside, “Mistress, are you alright? Don’t worry, it’s over now.”
“I’m fine,” Mudan steadied herself, sitting up with Mama Lin’s support. She gestured for Shuer to open the curtain. As soon as Shuer pulled it open a crack, Shun Houer yanked it back down, forbidding them from opening it. He shouted, “Who told you to open the curtain? It’s chaos out here! Give me a handkerchief!”
Shuer, shocked and frightened, began to cry and shouted back, “Why are you yelling? The mistress told me to open it.” Despite her anger, she tossed out a handkerchief.
Shun Houer was quiet for a moment, then said in a low voice, “Mistress, it’s too chaotic outside. Please stay inside and rest. Don’t look out.”
Mudan signaled Shuer to sit back down and asked, “Where’s the young master?”
Shun Houer replied, “Don’t worry, mistress. The bull went mad and inevitably injured some people. He took some men to handle it. He’ll be back soon.”
Mudan’s heart clenched. She couldn’t help but keep talking, “How many men did he take? You should go help him. How did a bull suddenly go mad? Was anyone hurt?”
Someone outside spoke leisurely, “Madam need not worry about General Jiang. With his bravery, handling a mad bull is nothing. But what about you, madam? Are you alright? Were you frightened? Should we summon an imperial physician to check on you?”
The voice belonged to a young man, sounding sarcastic and carrying an unmistakable air of arrogance and disdain. Mudan was startled; she couldn’t recognize the person by voice alone.
Then she heard Shun Houer say, “This lowly one greets Prince Min.”
Prince Min exclaimed in surprise, “Oh my, what happened to your face? Why is it covered in blood? Someone, summon an imperial physician to examine him.”
Shun Houer replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but it’s just a minor flesh wound. It’s nothing serious.”
Shun Houer was injured? No wonder he wouldn’t let them open the curtain. Where was he hurt? How serious was it? Mudan was so nervous that cold sweat soaked through her undergarments. She heard what seemed to be her voice, yet not her voice, speaking lightly and calmly, “Greetings to Your Highness. Thank you for your concern, but there’s no need for an imperial physician. I was startled earlier and my appearance is disheveled. It would be improper to greet you. Please forgive me.”
Prince Min laughed heartily, “I’m glad you weren’t frightened. I was really worried for General Jiang’s sake. I came to see if you needed any help, like summoning a physician, but if you don’t need it, that’s even better. You know, in the capital, there are always a few incidents of startled cattle or horses each year. There are usually some injuries or accidents, and the victims are innocent. It’s truly pitiful.”
Mudan smiled, “Your Highness is compassionate.”
Prince Min chuckled, “Not at all. I just can’t stand the sight of blood… Oh, Dalang, you’re back? What happened to the bull?”
Jiang Changyang replied calmly, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The bull has already fallen dead.”
Hearing Jiang Changyang’s voice, Mudan’s entire body relaxed. She leaned back into Mama Lin’s arms and let out a soft sigh. Only then did she realize her whole body was trembling slightly.
A soft “pat” sound was heard as if someone had patted another’s shoulder. Prince Min said, “Indeed, how brave. Tomorrow, the capital will surely be abuzz with stories of how the General single-handedly led away a mad bull, saving people from danger. But this bull is truly peculiar. How did it suddenly go berserk while walking normally? Fortunately, you were accompanying your wife today. What if she had been out alone? The Capital Prefecture should address this issue. Today it’s you, tomorrow it could be someone else.”
Mudan heard the threat in these words. This was no accident, but a warning. She heard Jiang Changyang’s voice, calm and steady, “Your Highness is right. Today it’s me, tomorrow it could be someone else. The Capital Prefecture should indeed address this.”
Prince Min continued, “Have they found out whose bull it was? They should be taught a lesson. How dare they let a mad bull loose on the streets?”
Jiang Changyang chuckled but said nothing.
Then Prince Min invited Jiang Changyang for a drink, but Jiang Changyang declined. Prince Min laughed twice, an unpleasant sound. “Since the General is so busy, I won’t insist.”
Jiang Changyang respectfully bid him farewell, “Safe journey, Your Highness.”
As soon as Mudan heard the sound of horse hooves, she pulled open the curtain and looked at Jiang Changyang, “Are you alright?”
“Are you alright?” Jiang Changyang’s voice sounded almost simultaneously with hers. Mudan noticed blood on Jiang Changyang’s clothes and pointed, “You?”
“Bull’s blood,” Jiang Changyang shook his head slightly, showing her his hand. “Just some scratches on the back of my hand.” He then moved his limbs to show Mudan and said gravely, “Shun Houer and the others were hit and scraped by the carriage shaft. Shun Houer might be left with a scar.”
Mudan looked over and saw Shun Houer standing there, covering his brow bone with the handkerchief Yuhe had thrown out. His face was indeed bloody. Seeing her look, he immediately turned his back, “Mistress, please don’t look. It’s frightening.”
Jiang Changyang, with a gloomy face, said, “Let’s go. We’ll talk more when we get back.”