“Has it come to this?” Though everyone knew the truth would eventually surface, no one anticipated such a dramatic revelation. All had underestimated Madam Du’s venom and ruthlessness, perhaps even her mother.
Jiang Yunqing wailed, “Sister-in-law, please ask Big Brother to check on things. The manor is in chaos.” With the Old Madam’s crisis and Xiao Xuexi’s potential miscarriage, the feud between Jiang Changyi and Madam Du had to be put aside. Before a doctor could arrive, the Old Madam passed away. The Xiao family, upon hearing the news, was furious and sought to hold Madam Du and Jiang Changyi responsible. However, Madam Du had already vanished with Du Qian. Her quarters were ransacked, valuables missing, and what remained was destroyed and set ablaze. All that greeted onlookers was a smoke-filled courtyard.
Jiang Changyi, foreseeing his fate—Jiang Zhong’s wrath and the Xiao family’s abandonment—disappeared, his whereabouts unknown. Jiang Zhong secluded himself with the deceased Old Madam, refusing visitors and neglecting his duties. The Xiao family’s servants sought out Jiang Yunqing for answers and to tend to Xiao Xuexi. But what could an unmarried girl do? Fortunately, Lüjiao, the Old Madam’s attendant, sent word, allowing Snow Concubine to escort Jiang Yunqing out through a side gate to seek help.
Snow Concubine wept, “We were ashamed to seek the Da Gong and young mistress’s aid, but given these dire circumstances, it would be remiss of us not to inform you.” While Jiang Changyang might choose to stay uninvolved, others would surely label him as cold-hearted and unfilial if he remained aloof, tarnishing his reputation.
Mudan pondered silently. Given the magnitude of the scandal, concealment was impossible, and the Guo Gong manor was surely lost. Her primary concern was whether Jiang Changyang’s opponents might seize this opportunity to attack him. The immediate priorities were to inform Jiang Changyang and prepare for the Old Madam’s mourning. She instructed that Jiang Yunqing and her mother be taken to rest, sent someone to find Jiang Changyang, and began preparations for mourning attire.
As Jiang Yunqing and Snow Concubine were led away in tears, Mama Lin, noting Mudan’s distress, advised, “Let them sort out their mess. You’re near your due date; what can you do?”
Mudan massaged her forehead, replying, “What else can we do but prepare what needs to be done? Have everyone set aside non-urgent tasks and focus on making mourning clothes.”
Shortly after, Jiang Changyang sent word for Mudan to remain calm, don mourning attire, and manage affairs while he handled the rest. Mudan had all luxurious furnishings in the side courtyard removed, white lanterns hung, and her ornate hairpins exchanged for simple attire. She also sent word to the He family.
By evening, Madam Cen, He Zhizhong, Da Lang, and others arrived to assist Mudan and offer advice, fearing the Guo Gong manor’s troubles might implicate Jiang Changyang. Before they could fully assess the situation, news arrived that Jiang Changyang had gone to the Guo Gong manor and negotiated with the Xiao family. Xiao Xuexi had been taken away with her dowry, the Old Madam’s memorial hall was prepared, and Jiang Yunqing was to return for mourning. Mudan was advised to visit the next day when feeling better. It was also revealed that Jiang Zhong had rushed to the palace overnight to plead guilty and request a divorce.
Mudan was bewildered. Had Jiang Zhong secluded himself with the Old Madam’s body to write a divorce letter? Did he believe divorce would exculpate him? Was he delusional? What grounds did he have for divorce? Surely he wouldn’t dare mention Madam Du’s actions or Jiang Changyi and the Xiao family’s misdeeds. At most, he might accuse Madam Du of being unfilial or unkind, shifting all blame for the family’s turmoil onto her. He would likely claim poor household management to the Emperor while privately believing himself blameless, faulting Madam Du, the Xiao family, and Jiang Changyi instead.
That night, Jiang Changyang didn’t return. He Zhizhong, realizing many would avoid the Jiang family given recent events, led his sons to help, earning praise from the few mourners who came.
The next morning, with hastily prepared mourning clothes donned by all, Mudan forced herself to pay respects. Being early, no visitors had arrived, leaving the vast memorial hall occupied only by the ashen-faced Jiang Zhong, the expressionless Jiang Changyang, and Jiang Yunqing. The atmosphere was desolate and gloomy, a pall hanging over the entire Guo Gong manor.
Unable to kneel, Mudan bowed with assistance, offered incense and spirit money, and then retired to rest. From the red-eyed Lüjiao and Hong’er, she learned more: Xiao Xuexi sought to sever ties with Jiang Changyi; Madam Du had taken refuge at Fuyun Temple upon leaving the Zhu Guo Gong manor; Concubine Xian had hanged herself the previous night; and Jiang Changyi remained missing. Jiang Zhong had visited the palace, Du Qian, and Minister Xiao, but the Emperor had retreated to Furong Garden, seeing no one. Thus, everyone’s fate and punishment remained uncertain.
From noon, mourners trickled in, few as most people chose to observe from afar, avoiding potential trouble. The Fen Wang manor’s absence was notably distressing to Snow Concubine, while Jiang Yunqing appeared wooden with worry. Given the scandal, though the Zhu Guo Gong title hadn’t been officially stripped, the family’s reputation was in tatters. Jiang Yunqing’s only remaining advantage was Little Four’s interest in her, but her potential marriage seemed doomed before negotiations could even begin. Mudan, unsure of the Fen Wang manor’s stance, found herself at a loss to comfort Jiang Yunqing. However, by evening, representatives from the Fen Wang manor finally arrived, even sending someone to console Mudan and Jiang Yunqing in the rear quarters, somewhat easing everyone’s concerns.
Yet bad news continued to pour in. Memorials impeaching Jiang Zhong and Du Qian flooded the court, with some taking the opportunity to attack Jiang Changyang. While the Xiao family’s involvement in these attacks remained unclear, the Emperor maintained his silence. On the tenth day, the Emperor finally addressed the matter, spelling doom for both the Du and Jiang families. Du Qian was dismissed from office, while Jiang Zhong suffered the worst fate: stripped of his title, the Guo Gong manor, granted lands, and all else. Jiang Changyi’s official positions and honors were naturally revoked, though his continued absence rendered the punishment moot. Under these circumstances, a grand funeral for the Old Madam was out of the question.
Madam Du, who had sought refuge at Fuyun Temple, fared no better. Du Qian, out of concern for her, attempted to support her, but her previous concealment and uncompromising actions had only brought him trouble while she escaped. The Du family harbored resentment, and when she sent someone to inquire after Du Qian, Lady Dugu refused to accept her gifts or see her messenger, uttering harsh words. Madam Du’s carefully cultivated reputation for virtue had evaporated, leaving only infamy in its wake. Soon after, she fell ill, clinging to life with only Jinzhu to attend her. But that’s a story for another time.
Curiously, the matter of Jiang Zhongzhong’s false military honors and the circumstances of his death weren’t brought to light, or at least the court made no official statement on the matter. When Mudan questioned Jiang Changyang about this, disbelieving the Emperor could be so easily misled and finding it odd that the Xiao family remained unscathed while Du Qian and Jiang Zhong suffered, Jiang Changyang pondered long before admitting he had no definite answer. Who could fathom the Emperor’s thoughts? Perhaps this was the outcome he desired. As for the Xiao family, Jiang Changyang believed their downfall was merely a matter of time.
The attacks on Jiang Changyang proved largely ineffective. He was already obligated to observe mourning for the Old Madam, during which he couldn’t hold office anyway. With the Emperor withholding judgment and support from Prince Jing, Pan Rong, and the Fen Wang manor, the matter eventually faded from attention.
Jiang Zhong was utterly deflated. During the mourning period, unable to drink or engage in other activities, he spent most of his time staring blankly at the empty courtyard before the Old Madam’s spirit tablet. Yet even this desolate courtyard would soon be beyond his reach; once the Old Madam was buried, he would have to move out.
The Old Madam was quickly laid to rest, and Mudan entered her ninth month of pregnancy. One day, while still asleep, she felt abdominal pain. Supported by Mama Lin and others, she was taken to the birthing room, where a midwife stood ready to assist.
It was a sunny day, the early summer brightness penetrating even the white cloth hangings and lanterns of mourning. By evening, Mudan had given birth to twins—a boy and a girl. Though slightly premature, the delivery was smooth, and both infants cried robustly.
Mudan awoke to Jiang Changyang’s serene smile. He held her hand, saying softly, “I’ve named the children. The boy is Zheng, the girl is Xian.”
After brief consideration, Mudan nodded, “Good names.” Looking around and not seeing the babies, she smiled, “Can you bring them to me?” She recalled the importance of colostrum and wanted to nurse them.
Jiang Changyang smiled gently, “I’ve seen them. They look like me.” He called for the babies to be brought in. Mama Lin returned, pouting, reporting that Jiang Zhong was guarding the sleeping infants and wouldn’t allow them to be moved.
Jiang Changyang’s brows furrowed as he rose to leave.
Mudan smiled wryly. Was Jiang Zhong deliberately causing trouble? Even now, he failed to understand his place.