Liu Chang rode his horse leisurely through the streets, feeling refreshed and in high spirits. The wind rustled through the locust trees lining the road, scattering flowers on the ground. He took a deep breath and smiled contentedly. Who would have thought that the trivial matters Jiang Changyi had written to him about when handed over to the capable individuals under Prince Jing, could reveal such telling clues? It was almost too easy for him to earn merit!
Qiushi, observing his master’s expression, tried to flatter him: “My lord, shall we go to Mi’s establishment? They just acquired a new girl yesterday who’s said to be both beautiful and talented. I heard she’s an excellent dancer.” He lowered his voice, “And she’s still untouched.”
Liu Chang shook his head solemnly: “I’m too busy with important matters these days to indulge in such pleasures. Let’s go; it’s time to fulfill the promise I made to Young Master Jiang.”
Qiushi asked, “Are we going to Fashou Temple?” He knew that Jiang Zhong was staying there.
Liu Chang opened his eyes wide: “Why would we go there? We’re going to Qujiang Pool.” It would be boring to give it directly to Jiang Zhong. He had been wanting to visit Jiang Changyang at Qujiang Pool for a while now.
At the Jiang family villa by Qujiang Pool, Jiang Yunqing and Concubine Xue sat in a room, watching a pair of well-fed infants blowing bubbles. Concubine Xue sighed, “Time flies so fast. They’ll be a month old soon, but it’s a pity we can’t hold a proper celebration.”
“That’s not important. We can make their first birthday celebration more lively to make up for it,” Mudan said carelessly, focused on her joy. She was finally going to be free. Being confined to this room during the peak of summer had been suffocating. In this weather, the best thing to do would be to meet with Lady Bai, Lady Cen, and others to enjoy the cool shade at Fang Garden.
Jiang Yunqing carefully examined the babies and laughed, “Sister-in-law, people say twins look alike, but why do these two siblings look so different?”
Both children were swaddled in powder blue blankets. Babies change daily in their first month, and now that they have shed their birth hair and gained some weight, their once-wrinkled skin has smoothed out. The siblings indeed looked quite different. Zheng’er was larger, with a robust appearance more like Jiang Changyang. When he cried, it was ear-splitting, and he had quite a temper. Once he started, only Mudan could soothe him; no wet nurse or even Jiang Changyang could calm him down. Xian’er was smaller and more delicate. Even at this young age, her features resembled Mudan’s. Her cries were softer, and anyone could calm her with gentle words and a hug.
“Zheng’er is more domineering. No wonder he was so aggressive in my womb. Xian’er is just obedient and sweet, so well-behaved it makes one’s heart ache. Even when your brother holds her uncomfortably, she just furrows her brow a little and whimpers. Once put down, she’s quiet again. Zheng’er, on the other hand, wails loudly at the slightest discomfort. He’s truly a demanding one,” Mudan said, gently touching the babies’ soft cheeks with infinite love. In her idle time, she had thoroughly studied the twins from head to toe. The differences between fraternal twins were indeed significant.
Concubine Xue smiled slightly: “It’s good for a boy to have a domineering personality. Zheng’er’s temperament seems to take after the Grand Duke more.”
Mudan pondered for a moment, then smiled. Jiang Changyang might not show it outwardly, but wasn’t he just as domineering in nature? If not for life’s trials and Lady Wang’s careful upbringing, he might have been just as unruly.
As if aware that he was being discussed, Zheng’er yawned lazily and closed his eyes to sleep. Xian’er, however, began to whimper, wanting to be picked up and played with. Just as Mudan reached out, Concubine Xue stepped forward and picked up Xian’er, walking around with her: “Young Mistress, you should rest. Although you’re almost out of confinement, you haven’t fully recovered yet. Oh, look, the little darling is smiling!”
Mudan smiled and let Concubine Xue be. Since moving here, Jiang Yunqing and her daughter have been exceptionally attentive and self-aware, especially Concubine Xue. Always afraid of displeasing Mudan and Jiang Changyang, she was cautious. Not allowing her to help make her uncomfortable, so Mudan decided to let her be.
Shuer came in from outside and said, “There’s a guest outside who wants to see the children. The master asked to bring them out for the guest to see.”
Mudan asked, “Who’s the visitor? Should we prepare a meal?” Jiang Changyang treasured these children like precious jewels and wouldn’t easily let just anyone see them, fearing they might be startled. For him to ask for them to be brought out today, it must be an important guest.
Shuer’s eyes flickered briefly before she smiled and said, “This servant doesn’t know. If you wish to know, I can report back after I take the children out.”
Mudan, having been mistress and servant with Shuer for many years, knew she was intentionally concealing something. She said, “Wrap the children well and take them out.”
Without Mudan’s instructions, Mama Lin personally led the wet nurses, carefully guarding the precious pair as they went out. Concubine Xue and Jiang Yunqing, sensing the situation, chatted with Mudan for a while longer before excusing themselves, not wanting to disturb her rest. After seeing the guests off, Shuer returned and said in a low voice, “It’s Liu Chang.”
Mudan frowned slightly. What was he doing here? The day after Jiang Changyang sent his gift, news spread about Princess Qinghua mistreating Liu Chang’s concubines. At the time, Jiang Changyang had cursed Liu Chang’s wickedness, saying it was because of his gift to the Minister’s mansion that Qinghua had flown into a rage. He also said that Liu Chang’s actions this time wouldn’t end easily, and he would try to break free from Qinghua completely.
Sure enough, the matter between Liu Chang and Princess Qinghua soon became the talk of the town. Although he eventually broke free from Princess Qinghua, the price he paid was indeed not small. When people in the streets mentioned him, they all called him the “Green Minister.” Such unsavory talk had even reached the ears of a secluded woman like herself, let alone the court. Liu Chang was proud and arrogant; how could he be comfortable wearing such a hat? Who knew what ill intentions he might be harboring? And Jiang Changyang, clearly despising Liu Chang to the core, why would he still bring the children out to show him?
Meanwhile, as Mama Lin escorted the two children to the front courtyard, she could hear two men laughing heartily from afar. One was naturally Jiang Changyang, but the other voice sounded strange. That voice, even if turned to ashes, she would never forget—who else could it be but Liu Chang? Gathering her composure, she ordered those behind her with renewed vigor: “Don’t forget your manners.”
Everyone acknowledged, but there’s no need to elaborate. However, Jiang Changyang had no intention of sending them away. Wu and Shunhou were already waiting on the side, each carefully cradling a child as they carried them in. Soon, only Jiang Changyang’s laughter could be heard from inside; Liu Chang’s voice was inaudible, though it was probably just very soft—Mama Lin couldn’t hear it anyway. After a short while, the children were brought out and sent back to their room.
Mama Lin could tell from Wu and Shunhou’s expressions that Liu Chang had come looking for trouble. So, she happily escorted the children back, no need to mention further.
Meanwhile, in the hall, both men wore forced expressions. Jiang Changyang was suppressing his pride and desire to show off, feigning calm and composure. He couldn’t help but feel particularly pleased when he thought of Liu Chang’s expression upon seeing the children.
Liu Chang, on the other hand, was forcibly suppressing his resentment and jealousy, also pretending to be calm and composed. When he thought of how adorable and delicate the children looked, his heart ached, and he couldn’t help but let his mind wander. He admitted that he had come looking for trouble. After sitting for a while, unable to bear Jiang Changyang’s smug look any longer, he collected himself and stood up, saying politely: “His Highness hopes that we can put aside our past grievances and work together. I am sincere, and I thank you for your help the other day.” Shamelessly, he attributed all his misdeeds to the gift Jiang Changyang had sent.
Jiang Changyang replied: “You’re too kind. I never took it to heart. I hope you find a compatible woman in the future and grow old together. I should also thank you for helping to deliver my brother’s letter. Where is he now?”
He was indeed patient, only asking about his brother now. If Liu Chang hadn’t mentioned Prince Jing’s wish for them to work together, he probably wouldn’t have even brought it up, right? Liu Chang’s eyelid twitched slightly as he said sorrowfully: “It’s truly unfortunate. I didn’t see him in person. This letter was delivered by someone on his behalf. It seemed urgent, so I didn’t dare delay and brought it over immediately.”
Jiang Changyang glanced at the tightly sealed letter on the table and asked, “Where’s the person who delivered it?”
Liu Chang sighed again: “They’re gone… I didn’t know it was his letter at the time. By the time I realized what had happened and went to look for the messenger, there was no trace of them. However, the person was in the vicinity of Chongyi Fang. You might want to send someone to investigate; perhaps you’ll find some information.”
Jiang Changyang lowered his eyes and smiled sarcastically, standing up to see his guest out: “Well, thank you very much. Another day, I’ll prepare a gift to express my gratitude in person.” How could he not understand that Liu Chang was putting on an act for someone else to see? It was clearly for Prince Jing’s benefit. Look, Liu Chang had swallowed his pride and come to make peace. If Jiang Changyang didn’t cooperate and caused any conflict, it would make him look petty.
Having delivered the message and achieved his goal, Liu Chang didn’t linger. He stood up and took his leave decisively. He felt somewhat smug, knowing that with Jiang Changyang’s intelligence, he must realize that all the Jiang family’s dirty secrets were now in his hands. But by pretending to know nothing, he had left Jiang Changyang unable to act, forced to silently fume. Yet in Prince Jing’s eyes, Jiang Changyang now owed him an enormous favor.
Jiang Changyang saw Liu Chang to the door, then returned to retrieve the letter, pondering it carefully. The letter was addressed to Jiang Zhong, and the handwriting on the envelope was undoubtedly Jiang Changyi’s. The wax seal was intact as if it had never been opened. But who had delivered it? Liu Chang! If he hadn’t guessed wrong, Liu Chang must have read the contents of the letter first. He thought for a moment, then called out to Wu: “Accompany me to Fashou Temple.”