Seeing that Mudan didn’t inquire about who had mentioned the dowry issue to her, Madam Sun felt slightly disappointed. But she quickly smiled again and said, “Alright. I haven’t been sleeping well these past few days, worrying that you might think I’m that kind of person. The concubine and your Sixth Brother both wanted me to come explain and apologize to you. Please don’t misunderstand…”
If they were truly close, would she be this overly cautious? Mudan smiled sweetly and said earnestly, “There’s nothing to it. I’m not that petty. I’m happy that you care about and worry for me. How could I conjure up nonexistent issues? You’re all overthinking this.”
Seeing Mudan’s sincerity and realizing that she had indeed been treating her the same as before, Madam Sun felt relieved. She thought Mudan was truly likable, not the annoying, meddlesome type. However, thinking about the person who had caused her to be disliked by her in-laws and the concubine to be scolded, she felt unbalanced. She said, “Yes, they should think about it. What could I possibly do with your dowry? To put it bluntly, it wouldn’t be my place no matter what. Besides, even though I’m from a concubine, has anyone ever mistreated us? My husband and I have always been the most content.”
As the conversation veered into this complex issue, Mudan felt a bit overwhelmed. Not wanting to continue this topic, she changed the subject. Madam Sun, being perceptive, didn’t bring it up again and instead said with a smile, “Thanks for helping me out of that situation back then. I’m grateful.”
Yuhe, who had been serving by the side, waited until Madam Sun left before quietly asking Mudan, “Miss Mudan, why didn’t you ask her who told her about that matter earlier? The Sixth Young Madam was set up.”
Mudan stood up and walked towards the room, speaking softly, “What should I ask her? If she truly told me who it was, how should I respond? Should I agree with her that the person had ill intentions? Or should I say she’s overthinking it? They’re all family members, and either way, it would make me seem trivial and meddlesome. Just pay attention and watch. See who she suddenly distances herself from, and who Madam Yang constantly targets. Won’t you know who it is then?”
Yuhe hurried ahead to lift the crystal bead curtain for Mudan. After thinking it over, she couldn’t help but smile, “You’re right, Miss.”
Mudan paused and said, “We won’t be staying here long anyway. Knowing who it is or isn’t doesn’t matter much. We’ll just keep a bit of distance from that person in the future. As for other things, we’ll do everything but say nothing.” Looking at the money she currently had, it was already enough. She had made up her mind not to take the money from the Liu family if it came back, and she never thought about getting extra money from her parents in the He family. Since she wasn’t greedy for wealth, where would all these conflicts and schemes come from?
Yuhe felt a bit sentimental, “No matter where you go, Miss, I’ll always follow you.” Although most people in the family were very good to Mudan now, it still proved the old saying that a daughter wasn’t considered part of the family, she was raised for others. A married daughter was like spilled water; no matter how good she was, she could never compare to the sons who would carry on the family line.
Mudan smiled, holding Yuhe’s hand, “I know. You all truly care for me.” Without Mama Lin, Yuhe, Kuan’er, and Shu’er, her days in the Liu family would have been even more difficult.
“What are you talking about?” Mama Lin came in smiling, carrying something wrapped in a gold-embroidered red gauze handkerchief. She immediately noticed the different atmosphere in the room.
Mudan smiled and said, “Sixth Sister-in-law was afraid I might overthink things, so she just had a long talk with me. What did you bring, Mama?”
Mama Lin opened the handkerchief, revealing a crystal peach-shaped powder box and a tin box. She smiled and said, “These were sent by your cousin.”
Mudan, who had just reached out her hand, withdrew it and asked, “Who else received them?”
Mama Lin inwardly sighed at Mudan’s caution but still answered seriously, “The Madam, Young Madam, concubine, Miss Rong, and others all received them. Not more, not less, seventeen sets in total. The contents are all the same, only the style of the boxes differs.”
Mudan picked up the peach-shaped crystal powder box to examine it. Upon opening, she found it contained flesh-colored fragrant powder. This was the Lihan Hongfen perfume, said to be made in the imperial palace and favored by the imperial concubines. It was crafted from one jin of talc, cinnabar, five qian of ceruse, and a pinch of musk. Unlike ordinary body powders, it was said to be fragrant, sweat-reducing, and perfect for the upcoming festival.
In summer, people often wore light gauze clothing, and even multiple layers couldn’t completely conceal one’s skin tone. Thus, it became fashionable to apply powder to one’s body, allowing others to see one’s snow-white, delicate skin through the fabric. Mudan, however, never cared for this practice. She found it uncomfortable, especially when sweating in the heat. Initially intrigued by the flesh-colored, sweat-reducing powder, her interest waned upon hearing about the mercury-derived “cinnabar.” She set the box aside and turned her attention to the tin box.
The tin box was exquisitely crafted, its lid engraved with a blooming peony and a leisurely egret—a pattern symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Mudan opened it to find peony-scented clothing fragrance, similar to what she often used but slightly sweeter. She couldn’t quite place the difference and fell into a daze.
Lin Mama and Yuhe exchanged knowing glances.
After a long moment, Mudan sighed almost imperceptibly. She wrapped both exquisite boxes in the cloth and handed them to Yuhe, saying, “Put these away.”
By dinnertime, Li Xing had already taken his leave. The women of the He family were still excitedly discussing the Lihan Hongfen perfume and the clothing fragrances he had brought. Mudan listened carefully and realized that everyone’s clothing fragrance was different, but only hers was peony-scented.
Noticing Mudan sitting quietly with a smile, not participating in the discussion, Madam Sun attempted to show goodwill by asking, “Danniang, what’s your fragrance? Mine is Lotus. It’s a lovely blend. I heard Xingzhi is quite skilled at perfume mixing.”
This comment stirred the hearts of many present. It seemed Mudan might marry into the Li family in the future. If she were to take the He family’s perfume-making secrets with her, would the He family’s perfume shop ever reopen? How could so many people survive solely on the jewelry and raw perfume materials business? They would inevitably need to branch out into finished perfumes, accessories, and other ventures. Thus, when and to whom Mudan remarried was crucial.
Madam Zhen glanced at the other sisters-in-law, noticing their silence. Internally scorning their lack of courage to voice their thoughts, she smiled and said, “Is there any need to ask? It must be peony fragrance.” She then teased Mudan with a sidelong glance, “We’re all just benefiting from her connection. Xingzhi is truly a fine man, isn’t he, Danniang?”
Mudan looked up at Madam Zhen and acknowledged gracefully, “Cousin Xing is indeed a good person. Without his help, my affairs wouldn’t have been resolved so easily. As for benefiting from connections, I’m not quite sure what you mean. Would you care to elaborate, sister-in-law?”
Ever since Liu Chang had publicly accused her of having an affair with Li Xing, the family had been very careful not to let them meet alone or say anything that might cause misunderstanding. After all, neither of them was married yet, and a woman’s reputation was of utmost importance, regardless of how open-minded society had become. It was one thing for others to joke, but for her sister-in-law to make such comments in front of the children was questionable.
Madam Zhen had expected Mudan to be shy or evasive, not to confront her directly in front of the whole family. Caught off guard, she could only laugh awkwardly and attempt to brush it off with vague jokes. She dared to tease but did not dare to explain herself in front of everyone.
Seeing that Madam Zhen wouldn’t elaborate, Mudan lowered her head and resumed eating without pressing further.
He Zhizhong, however, frowned and said, “What’s all this talk about benefiting from connections? Who’s benefiting from whom? This is merely a return gift for the one your mother just sent to their family.”
“Oh,” Madam Zhen responded, feeling embarrassed. She glared at He Lang, who was focused on his meal, then swept her gaze across her smug or expressionless sisters-in-law. Silently cursing, she took a large, angry bite of her food.
The rest of the meal passed in silence, with even the children behaving more properly than usual. As soon as He Zhizhong put down his chopsticks, everyone else followed suit. Madam Cen looked at Madam Zhen with cold eyes and said, “Daughter-in-law, come with me.”
It was the first time Madam Zhen had seen that look in Madam Cen’s eyes directed at her. Feeling a chill down her spine, she knew she was in trouble. She looked pleadingly at Madam Wu, who kept a stern face and avoided her gaze. She then turned to He Lang, who was smilingly leading their eldest daughter, Huiniang, to Mudan, saying she could help Mudan with flower planting. Huiniang affectionately nestled against Mudan’s shoulder.
Madam Zhen drew in a sharp breath and followed Madam Cen with slumped shoulders. She remained in Madam Cen’s room until nightfall. Upon leaving, she quickly returned to her room. The next morning, she was the first to arrive at Madam Cen’s room to pay her respects. After this incident, she became much more courteous towards Mudan and refrained from making any more comments.
In the following days, Mudan went out several times, often intending to visit the spice shop. However, her plans were repeatedly thwarted, either by Madam Zhen’s persistent company by Madam Li and Madam Rui’s attention, or by errands from Madam Bai. Gradually, she began to stay at home more often. She watched as the potted peonies in the courtyard withered and went to seed. She spent her days tending to the flowers, vigilantly watching for signs of pests or yellowing leaves. She would spend half a day removing insects by hand or using sulfur when manual removal wasn’t possible, finding contentment in these activities.
Through quiet observation, Mudan noticed that the people Madam Sun distanced herself from and Madam Yang targeted were not outsiders, but Madam Xue. This was unexpected for Mudan, Lin Mama, and Yuhe. Mudan’s feelings were complex; it seemed that before her return, the He family hadn’t been so complicated. Her arrival acted as a catalyst, bringing hidden issues to the surface. These matters were beyond her control, so she and Lin Mama could only strictly manage Yuhe, Kuaner, and Shuer, forbidding them from getting involved in the factional struggles among the He family’s servants, instructing them to do more and say less, and avoid causing trouble.