Mudan looked at Jiang Zhong with difficulty, surprised that he had come personally to escort her back. Who could have imagined that the Duke of Zhu, who had always disliked her and thought she was marrying above her station, hindering Jiang Changyang’s career, would one day personally bring a carriage to pick her up? Whether it was because of the unformed child in her womb or because Jiang Zhong felt he had no hope left and wanted to win over his somewhat promising eldest son Jiang Changyang, his grand gesture was not easy to refuse.
If Jiang Changyang were here, it would be easier to handle, but he wasn’t, so Mudan had to face this alone. After much consideration, she decided to stall: “Father, I have many things to pack, and it’s already late. The house isn’t properly prepared yet. There’s not enough time. Why don’t I come early tomorrow morning with Chengfeng? What do you think?”
Jiang Zhong, with an expression that suggested he had already seen through her reluctance to return, said calmly, “We have everything at home. It’s just for a day or two, and it’s not far. If anything comes up, you can easily be reached. It’s very convenient. Even if there’s something we don’t have at home, we can have it sent over tomorrow.”
Mudan laughed dryly, “You’re right, but the Young Master left early this morning, saying he had to go to the palace. He hasn’t returned yet, and there’s been no news. I’m quite worried and can’t focus on anything else.”
Jiang Zhong, however, was adamant: “Then you should come with me all the more. I’ll send someone to wait outside the palace, and as soon as there’s news, it will be sent back. When we see him, we’ll have him return home directly.”
“That won’t be necessary. We’ve already sent someone to wait,” Mudan said, feeling utterly helpless. Nurse Lin secretly suggested she feign morning sickness, but Mudan didn’t adopt her suggestion. What was the use of pretending? If Jiang Zhong was determined to have them come, he would say that Jiang Yunqing and others could take care of her. It was better to use this opportunity to gain some benefits for herself. So she said, “To be honest, Father, I haven’t been able to eat much these past few days. I only want the few light porridges and dishes that Nurse Lin makes. I’m afraid it would be troublesome for the kitchen if I go.”
Jiang Zhong’s expression immediately became very unpleasant. Wasn’t she just being wary of others in the household? To speak of this, the family had never had such a shameful incident. The biggest commotion was when Madam Du schemed against Jiang Changyang for being unfilial, but besides that, there had never been any incidents of outright harm. The daughter-in-law from the Liu family indeed had too many complex thoughts.
Seeing him silent, Mudan continued to play dumb: “The Third Brother’s wedding is a big event, and Chengfeng must attend no matter what. I want to go too, but I’m afraid my irregular meals will cause trouble for the family.”
Jiang Zhong gritted his teeth, suppressing his displeasure, and said, “If that’s the case, we’ll set up a temporary small kitchen in Yingxue Hall. You can have whatever you want, whenever you want, prepared by your people. Is that acceptable?” After all, he was afraid that Jiang Changyang and Mudan would find various excuses to be absent at the last minute. With the Duke’s mansion in decline, if Jiang Changyang wasn’t there to maintain appearances, the scene would likely be embarrassingly quiet.
Mudan agreed without hesitation, though she still insisted on waiting for Jiang Changyang’s return while having Nurse Lin pack. Jiang Zhong, with veins bulging on his neck from restraint, had no choice but to endure. They waited until the third quarter of the You hour (7-9 PM), still without any news. Not only was Mudan anxious, but Jiang Zhong also began to worry.
Connecting past and present events, he suddenly felt that the Emperor’s assignment to Jiang Changyang was ill-intentioned. If the Emperor truly resented him because of the Tanhua Lou incident, then Jiang Changyang would likely not be favored either. All the grace shown might just be a facade. Otherwise, why would he specifically assign this task to Jiang Changyang? Look at Prince Min’s arrogant and vicious behavior – would the Emperor be unaware? He didn’t believe it, yet Prince Min hadn’t received any punishment and remained as aggressive as ever, showing no signs of restraint. It seemed his suspicions were justified. The more Jiang Zhong thought about it, the more alarmed and restless he became – if Jiang Changyang was caught making a mistake, the Duke’s mansion would be next.
He decided to stand up and ordered Mudan, “Daughter-in-law, come back with me.” It was best to have Mudan return to the Duke’s mansion with him first. If anything happened, it would be better than her being alone as a woman in a separate household.
Mudan, unaware of his thoughts, resisted, “I’ll wait for the Young Master to return.”
Jiang Zhong angrily retorted, “You dare disobey my orders? Do you know what filial piety means?”
Just then, Jiang Changyang’s cool voice sounded from the doorway, “The Duke has arrived? Why didn’t you send word ahead? I would have been home to receive you respectfully.” How impressive, coming to his home to throw his weight around.
Seeing Jiang Changyang unharmed and well-dressed, Jiang Zhong’s tightly wound nerves finally relaxed a bit, though his expression remained extremely unpleasant. “Tomorrow is your Third Brother’s wedding day. I came personally to escort you back.” He emphasized the words “personally” – what father would personally come to fetch an unfilial son and daughter-in-law? Only he would. If he hadn’t been worried about encountering more mad cows or horses, he wouldn’t have bothered.
Jiang Changyang said coolly, “Isn’t it tomorrow? I remember, and I’ll naturally be there.” He then accepted the tea Mudan offered and drank it in one gulp, asking for another cup. Mudan guessed he probably hadn’t drunk water all day and asked softly, “Are you hungry?”
Jiang Changyang nodded and grabbed some nearby pastries, stuffing them into his mouth. The pastries were pepper-salt flavored, specially made by Mudan for him, and they went down easily. As he ate, his irritation from hunger gradually subsided.
As Jiang Changyang relaxed, Jiang Zhong became uncomfortable. He had been anxious for so long, and now that he finally saw him, Jiang Changyang didn’t even bother to report what had happened. He just arrived with a cold attitude, deliberately opposing him. Jiang Zhong grew more and more angry. But thinking that arguing in front of Mudan would only embarrass him as a father, he forcibly suppressed his anger and said in an increasingly cold and stiff tone, “It’s good that you remember. Your carriage can’t be used, so I brought one from the mansion. Yingxue Hall has also been prepared. Come back with me immediately.”
Seeing Jiang Changyang lower his eyes without speaking, and remembering that he would become irritable when hungry, Mudan asked softly, “Should I have them make you some hot noodle soup first?”
“No need, I’ll just eat this to tide me over, and have dinner later,” Jiang Changyang said, slightly raising his chin to look at Jiang Zhong. “Alright then. I’ve just finished the task at hand and will be going to the Ministry of War in a few days.”
Mudan was startled, then turned to stare at him, wondering if it was true. Jiang Zhong also froze, frowning as he looked at Jiang Changyang.
Jiang Changyang said calmly, “I hear it’s the position of Lang Zhong in the Zhi Fang Si of the Ministry of War. I’ve already met with Minister Zhang and the two Vice Ministers today. The official appointment will be issued in a couple of days.”
Jiang Zhong was delighted. Lang Zhong of the Zhi Fang Si in the Ministry of War was a fifth-rank upper position, responsible for maps, city walls, garrisons, beacon towers, border patrols, road distances, and matters related to the submission of foreign tribes. It was indeed an important post. Given Jiang Changyang’s experience and merits, this position was quite appropriate. But then he frowned again, “I remember the person originally in this position was Han Shizhao…”
Jiang Changyang interrupted him, “His grandfather died, and he concealed it without observing mourning. He’s already been dismissed.”
This Han Shizhao was one of Prince Min’s factions. Concealing a death without observing mourning certainly wouldn’t have been a recent event, yet it happened to come to light just as Jiang Changyang was about to join the Ministry of War, and Jiang Changyang happened to take over the position. This couldn’t be mere coincidence or chance. Jiang Zhong looked at Jiang Changyang with uncertainty, but Jiang Changyang’s expression remained calm, showing no emotion.
Knowing that Jiang Changyang wouldn’t reveal any details to him, Jiang Zhong could only sigh, “I’m afraid this position won’t be easy for you.” Prince Min alone would likely become even more frenzied.
Jiang Changyang said indifferently, “You need not worry about that.”
“That task…” Jiang Zhong looked at his eldest son, who hadn’t grown up by his side and was almost a stranger to him, with complex emotions. Jiang Changyang’s style of action was completely different from his own – he would get what he wanted, which was quite worrying.
Jiang Changyang didn’t want to say more. “It’s getting late, let’s go.” He abruptly cut off the latter half of Jiang Zhong’s words.
After giving Wu San a few brief instructions, father and son silently mounted their horses, escorting Mudan’s carriage as they rode towards Duke Zhu’s mansion in the twilight.
Upon arriving at Duke Zhu’s mansion, someone had already gone to inform the household members. It was dinnertime, so everyone had gathered in the Old Madam’s room to eat. Mudan didn’t want to touch anything on the table but also didn’t want to make it too obvious, so she stood up to attend to the Old Madam’s meal. Seeing this, Madam Du inwardly sneered. What kind of old trash was she, no matter how attentively one served her, one could never win her true affection.
Jiang Yunqing, on the other hand, felt some sympathy for Mudan. Pregnant and suffering from severe morning sickness, yet still having to serve the Old Madam after being brought back. Jiang Changyang remained silent, not eating, just calmly watching the Old Madam. The Old Madam felt uncomfortable under his gaze but stubbornly held her ground. So what if she wanted Mudan to serve her?
Jiang Zhong couldn’t bear to watch and coughed softly, saying, “Daughter-in-law, aren’t you feeling unwell? If you don’t want to eat, just rest on the side. We still have Madam and Yunqing here.” He then took the opportunity to announce Jiang Changyang’s news: “In a few days, Changyang will take up the position of Lang Zhong in the Zhi Fang Si of the Ministry of War.”
Everyone was slightly shocked, with various thoughts running through their minds. Madam Du was momentarily stunned, as if bewitched, sitting there unable to react. Only Jiang Changyi responded the quickest, immediately standing up to congratulate Jiang Changyang and suggesting they bring out some wine.
This news was the best the declining Duke’s mansion had received in a long time. The Old Madam raised her eyelids slightly and let Mudan off the hook: “If you’re not feeling well, don’t strain yourself. If you want to eat something, have the kitchen make it separately for you.”
Mudan said softly, “The household is busy, and the kitchen still needs to prepare for tomorrow’s banquet. I’ll have Nurse Lin make something for me separately.” Her implication was clear – she wanted to set up a small separate kitchen.
Jiang Zhong remembered his promise to Mudan and instructed Madam Du, “Have some portable stoves and a few baskets of good charcoal sent to Yingxue Hall. Tell the kitchen to provide whatever ingredients they need.”
In this household, only the Old Madam had such privileges. Even Madam Du herself didn’t have a small private kitchen. Madam Du was instantly filled with anger and resentment, but her face showed only a faint smile as she said, “Alright.”