Fearing embarrassment for the Duke’s household, the Old Madam gave some final instructions. Mudan carefully noted them all. When the carriages of the noble ladies assembled outside the palace gates at the appointed time, they didn’t immediately disembark. Instead, they moved to a designated area to the west, with carriage fronts facing east, stopping in order of rank. Only then did they exit, led by palace attendants to pre-arranged positions in the courtyard outside the Suzhang Gate. Clan members stood to the east, non-clan to the west. Mudan recognized many familiar faces – Princess Fen and her group, Lady Dou (Snow Maiden’s mother), Li Manniang, and others, including some she had spoken with before. This put her at ease.
Music began as the Empress, in full regalia, took her seat. When it stopped, the ceremonies began. The master of ceremonies led the noble ladies in, positioning them. After they settled, he called for two bows, which all performed. Mudan, like those around her, kept her head lowered, not daring to look around. She didn’t even see what the Empress looked like. The music resumed as the highest-ranking lady was led forward to kneel and offer congratulations. When the music stopped, her clear voice rang out with well-wishes. Afterwards, music played again as she returned to her place. The ceremony master called for two more bows, which Mudan followed.
After standing, someone announced, “Receive the edict.” They bowed again as a voice proclaimed, “The joy of the new year, I share with you all.” Another call for “Two bows” followed. Mudan complied. Though not far along in her pregnancy, she was still careful when rising, with those nearby discreetly offering support. The ceremony master then led everyone out as music played, stopping only after all had exited.
After the court greetings came the banquet, with clan members on one side and non-clan on the other. Every move was prescribed, and the food was cold by the time it reached them. Mudan’s back and waist ached, and she silently complained. Time crawled by agonizingly slow. She began planning how to exploit Jiang Changyang’s seven-day holiday starting today. As she kept her head down, feigning propriety, she was unaware of someone watching her intently.
Princess Qinghua glared at Mudan’s swollen belly, feeling depressed. Why did everyone else have children but her? Since congratulating Bai Axin, she has successfully tried several times but saw no results. What was wrong?
Princess Pingkang, seated beside her, followed her gaze to Mudan and chuckled softly, “Well, He Mudan is truly fortunate. She should be grateful to you; otherwise, who knows how miserable she’d be now.” She then nudged Qinghua, whispering, “Remember my cousin? She’s married and pregnant too. Yet you, who married earlier, have fallen behind. When will we get to congratulate you? The Liu family is waiting for an heir to continue their lineage. You’d better hurry.”
They say don’t step on a sore foot, but Pingkang seemed determined to antagonize her peer, adding new grudges to old ones. Qinghua’s face turned ashen, gripping her wine cup so tightly she nearly splashed Pingkang’s face. Only the awareness of the Empress’s presence and her diminished status kept her from lashing out.
Pleased with Qinghua’s reaction, Pingkang continued in a low voice, “I hear you’ve taken in another pretty thing. How does she compare to your former Hu Xuaner? Liu Shu must be very magnanimous to overlook this. He’s truly changed for you.”
Qinghua responded with a cold smile, waiting until the final, twelfth round of drinks. When the ceremony master announced, “You may rise,” and everyone stood to bow before descending, she swiftly splashed her remaining wine over Pingkang’s face and hair. The crowd was shocked. The Prince Wei’s household feared Qinghua would cause trouble, and she had. They were both worried and disgusted. Her sister-in-law immediately went to appease Pingkang, personally wiping her face and apologizing. Pingkang smiled faintly, saying caustically, “It’s fine. She’s having a hard time lately, so she’s bound to be a bit unstable. I won’t hold it against her.” With that, she held her head high and went to perform the final bow.
Facing the disappointed and disgusted looks from the Prince Wei’s household, Qinghua felt a wave of sorrow and a chill in her heart. She feigned indifference, raising her chin as she turned away, only to see others, including Mudan, staring at her. Pushing aside her pain and discomfort, she limped away with her head held high.
After the final bows, everyone began to disperse, reuniting with their families to return home. Acquaintances gathered to chat. Mudan spoke with Lady Dou, Li Manniang, and others, then looked around to find the Old Madam talking with Princess Fen, Madam Chen, and others, all smiling happily. She joined them, standing beside the Old Madam. Princess Fen and Madam Chen asked if she was holding up well. The Old Madam caringly said, “You’ve had a tiring half-day. Go rest in the carriage. I’ll join you after speaking with the Princess.” Noticing Madam Du’s absence, she frowned slightly, “Have you seen the Madam?”
Mudan shook her head, “No. Perhaps she’s already in the carriage?” She had glimpsed Madam Du’s back when leaving the Suzhang Gate but hadn’t seen her since.
The Old Madam didn’t pursue it further, simply saying, “You go ahead then.”
Princess Fen had her close attendant, Mama Zang, escort Mudan: “Please accompany Madam He. It’s crowded, and we wouldn’t want any accidental bumps or jostles.”
As Mudan bowed to thank Princess Fen, she heard someone nearby call out, “Madam Qi!” She saw Madam Qi and Princess Qinghua approaching, both with dark expressions, clearly at odds. Madam Qi looked up at the call, her eyes landing on Mudan. Her gaze fixed on Mudan’s belly, her expression complex.
Noticing Madam Qi’s stare, Mudan nodded politely. After more than a year, Madam Qi looked older and thinner, seemingly not faring well. Though initially filled with hatred and dislike, unwilling to acknowledge Mudan, Madam Qi found herself inexplicably nodding back upon seeing Princess Fen and others nearby. As she did, Qinghua let out a cold laugh. Furious, Madam Qi glared at Qinghua before storming off without greeting her acquaintances.
Princess Qinghua lingered briefly, shooting Mudan a venomous glare before leaving. She bumped into several people along the way, ignoring them all, appearing extremely angry and difficult.
Mudan was puzzled by Qinghua’s glare but soon understood why. The noble ladies were well-informed, and shortly after Qinghua left, whispers began: “The Empress just had someone inform Princess Qinghua that due to her leg disability and poor health, she’s graciously excused from future court meetings. The Princess Wei was also kept back for a word.”
“Probably about her splashing wine on Princess Pingkang earlier?”
“She’s become too arrogant. To cause trouble at such a time and place is truly inappropriate. Not being severely reprimanded on the spot was already face-saving for Prince Wei’s household.”
Now Mudan understood why Madam Qi and Princess Qinghua were so resentful. Though the Empress’s words seemed considerate, citing Qinghua’s disability, it was essentially revoking her right to attend court meetings. For married noble clan ladies, falling out of the Empress’s favor not only tarnished their reputation but also affected their husbands’ families. So Madam Qi’s disgust and Qinghua’s anger were understandable. With Qinghua’s notorious reputation and waning influence, what would Liu Chang do?
Suddenly, Mudan felt movement in her belly, like bubbles rising and disappearing – the baby was kicking. She awoke from her thoughts, gently caressing her abdomen, a sweet smile on her lips. Whatever Liu Chang planned, whatever became of Qinghua, however much Madam Qi and Liu Chengcai suffered, it no longer concerned her. Her life was now intimately connected to the precious child in her womb and Jiang Changyang. They were her world now.
Mudan raised her head, accepting Mama Zang’s offered hand, and walked steadily towards her carriage. She stopped to greet familiar and friendly faces along the way. For those who looked down on her or disdained to greet a former courtesan, she simply smiled and moved on. She had her path to follow, as did others. Everyone has their principles and preferences in life. She couldn’t force others to like her, nor could they force her to like those she didn’t. It was best for each to live according to their own hearts – it was that simple.
Reaching her carriage, Mudan was greeted by Mama Lin and Shu’er. After generously thanking Mama Zang, and learning that Madam Du hadn’t returned, she boarded to wait for the Old Madam.
Inside, a brazier provided warmth. Mama Lin handed Mudan a cup of hot soup and began gently massaging her knees, asking, “Did you see the Empress? What was she like? How was the palace banquet?”
Mudan paused, then chuckled lightly, “To be honest, I didn’t dare look at first, and later I was too far to see clearly. As for the banquet… the food was cold.”
Mama Lin and Shu’er were disappointed. So that’s all it was? The imperial family was stingy, making them bow so many times only to serve cold food.
Suddenly, a crisp voice called from outside, “Is that Dan’niang?”
Mudan had Shu’er open the curtain. Princess Pingkang stood there, looking triumphant and beaming like a flower. “I heard from Lady Li that you’re expecting. I came specially to congratulate you.”
As Pingkang had come to congratulate her, Mudan naturally had to show proper etiquette. She moved to exit the carriage, but Pingkang stopped her. “No need! I’m in a great mood today and have plans to play polo. I must be going.” With that, she left.
Shortly after, the Old Madam returned, frowning. “The Madam hasn’t come back yet?”