Mudan spoke solemnly, “I’m sincere. I’ve made up my mind.” She guessed that in the current situation, even if the money couldn’t be retrieved, He Zhizhong and Madam Cen would find a way to compensate her. Although He Zhizhong was still in charge, that money was earned by Dalong and the others through their hard work in all weather. Putting herself in their shoes, it was natural for her sisters-in-law to have opinions. How could she let the family become discord over this money? She already had enough; she couldn’t be greedy.
Everyone looked at each other, and Xue was about to persuade her again when Madam Cen and He Zhizhong exchanged a glance, understanding each other. Finally, Madam Cen sighed deeply, “Very well, we’ll do as you wish.”
Mudan let out a long breath. If she wanted money, she could earn it with her own hands. Now she was free, she had health, freedom, skills, and the strong support of her family—nothing was more important than these.
Bai seized the opportunity to say, “We’ve prepared yujian noodles tonight to celebrate Danniang’s return.” Her words elicited cheers from the children.
Yujian noodles were made with rich bear meat and venison from specially fed deer, making them particularly delicious. The He family was wealthy but couldn’t violate regulations in terms of housing and furnishings, so they focused their efforts on women’s clothing and food. However, because the ingredients for yujian noodles were rare and precious, they were quite expensive and not eaten lightly. The earlier slight unpleasantness was instantly dispersed by the anticipation of this delicacy.
Mudan burst out laughing, “Besides our family, is there any other that would celebrate a daughter’s divorce with such a feast?”
Bai was momentarily taken aback, feeling a bit awkward. But He Dalong had already started laughing, “Father said the same thing to Danniang at the yamen today, that this is a day of great joy.”
He Zhizhong was also smiling, and Madam Cen said with a laugh, “Getting rid of a stinking dog-skin plaster and Danniang’s recovery—what else could be more joyous?” Although she said this, two concerns still weighed on her mind: one, fearing that Mudan might relapse into her old illness; two, worrying about finding a suitable match for Mudan again.
Seeing everyone laughing, Bai finally relaxed and warmly invited Concubine Wu, “Aunt, shall we go to the kitchen together to see if everything is ready?”
Xue quickly said, “Aunt, you should rest. Let me go with my Second Sister-in-law instead.”
Bai hurriedly grabbed her, “Elder Sister-in-law, you’ve been busy outside all day. It’s not right for us younger sisters-in-law if you exhaust yourself at home too. Please rest with Mother and Danniang, and chat for a while. Aunt and I can manage.”
“I’m not tired,” Xue said, somewhat surprised. Usually, she and Bai would go together. Why was Bai suddenly pairing up with Concubine Wu? Thinking back, ever since the incident where Sun and Concubine Yang targeted her, Bai and Concubine Wu had been running back and forth as peacemakers, and their relationship had grown closer. Bai no longer sought her out to talk as often as before.
Madam Cen gave Bai and Concubine Wu a cool glance, then said, “Wife of the eldest, it’s a good thing that your sisters-in-law are willing to be considerate and help you. You should rest easy and come tell me about what happened today.”
Xue smiled slightly and replied, “Yes.” She walked over to Madam Cen, took a massage stick, and began gently tapping Madam Cen’s legs while recounting the day’s events in detail. Mudan and Dalong occasionally interjected while the others listened and laughed, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Bai’s expression changed slightly, her mood suddenly turning sour. Looking at the room full of seemingly relaxed and happy sisters-in-law, her steps felt particularly heavy.
Mudan had a small thought: she wanted to ask how many yujian noodles had been made and whether they could send some to the Li family when delivering the medicinal oil for Li Xing. She had seen that the Li family was wealthy, certainly no poorer than the He family. Moreover, because of their work for Prince Ning’s mansion, they often had access to many items made in the palace, including imperial gifts. They wouldn’t lack for this meal of yujian noodles.
But this was still the He family’s gesture of goodwill. She wanted to speak up but feared her sisters-in-law might misunderstand. Yet if they didn’t send any, she wanted to.
After much hesitation, Mudan quietly asked Xue, “Sister-in-law, we ate the Li family’s salt-preserved lychees today. Should we return the favor?”
Xue suddenly understood and gave her a teasing smile, pinching her cheek before turning to Madam Cen, “Mother, I just remembered that Aunt Li Man is there too. I recall she used to love these noodles. Since we’re sending medicine for Xingzhi, should we send some yujian noodles for them to try? I wonder if Second Sister-in-law and the others have prepared enough?”
Madam Cen glanced at the two of them and said, “Surely there’s extra. With so many people in the family, how could they have prepared just a little? Have someone pack two food boxes to send over. No, have Dalong deliver them personally.”
Xue quickly got up to arrange it. When she returned, she whispered to Mudan, “How will you thank me?”
Mudan replied seriously, “Sister-in-law, you’ve been running around these past few days for my sake. It’s indeed been tiring. In a couple of days, I’ll make you a pair of shoes to wear.”
Xue sighed and said, “Oh, you!” Seeing a faint blush appear on Mudan’s jade-like face, she smiled and let the matter drop.
In the evening, Erlang and the others who had been busy outside all returned home. The family happily waited for Dalong, who had gone to deliver the medicine, to return so they could eat together. However, Dalong didn’t return until dusk, with a gloomy face. Everyone’s first reaction was that something had happened to Li Xing’s eight cousins.
When Madam Cen asked him, he just shook his head, “I had just delivered the two food boxes when one was immediately emptied. They’re all fine, saying they’ve been wandering the streets for a day and a night without anyone causing them trouble.”
He Zhizhong asked curiously, “Then who said something unpleasant? Did you run into Li Yuan? Is he unhappy like Madam Cui?”
Dalong glanced secretly at Mudan and shook his head again, “No, I just had a minor argument with someone on the street, so I’m in a bad mood. Let’s eat.”
Erlang laughed, “It’s not a big deal! Why get upset over such a small matter? When did you become as sensitive as a woman? Getting angry over the tiniest things.” His words provoked a chorus of protests and attacks, including a smack from Mudan, which made him chuckle and cover his mouth, not daring to speak further.
After dinner, every one complained of being tired and quickly dispersed, leaving only Dalong and Erlang, who said they had business matters to discuss with He Zhizhong. Mudan was quite excited and wanted to chat with Madam Cen for a while, but Dalong glanced at her and frowned, saying, “Danniang, you’re not well. You didn’t rest well last night, and you’ve been out in the sun all day. Why don’t you go rest now?”
Mudan didn’t dare argue. She made a face at him and ran off.
Seeing her leave, Dalong went to the door and carefully looked around. He instructed Old Aunt Feng to keep watch at the door before entering with a gloomy face and bursting out, “The Liu family is inhuman! They’re ruining Danniang’s reputation everywhere. In just half a day, the rumors have already spread to our neighborhood.”
Madam Cen’s face changed. She sat up and asked, “What’s going on?”
Dalong said, “They’re saying that our Danniang’s body is ruined by illness and can’t bear children. They also claim she’s vicious-hearted, stirring up trouble, and disliked by everyone, so she couldn’t stay in her husband’s family and was divorced. It’s their family that’s unreasonable, and it was a mutual divorce…”
Dalong’s breath caught in his anger, and he couldn’t continue.
Madam Cen and He Zhizhong trembled with rage. The Liu family was trying to destroy Mudan! Stirring up trouble and being disliked by everyone wasn’t a big deal—as long as Mudan interacted with people, that would naturally be disproven. But not being able to bear children? How could they go around telling people that Danniang and Liu Chang had never consummated their marriage? People are always eager to speculate about others with the most malicious thoughts. Who would believe that they hadn’t consummated the marriage in all those years? Even if someone believed it, they would find it strange. How could such a beautiful and charming woman fail to move her husband? Wouldn’t they suspect some hidden ailment? Based solely on the claim that she couldn’t bear children, what good family would still want Danniang?
Erlang frowned and said, “We must keep this from Danniang for now, lest she be hurt by hearing it. Let’s not spread it around yet. We’ll see where these rumors are coming from and then decide what to do.”
Madam Cen rubbed her forehead and said, “How can we keep it from her? She’ll find out sooner or later. Rather than letting others tell her and catching her off guard, it’s better to tell her in advance so she can be mentally prepared and not be caught unawares. I’ll go tell Danniang now.”
He Zhizhong gritted his teeth and said, “Dalong, go see Li Xing again tomorrow and ask him when we should proceed with the plan we discussed last time.”
Mudan was unaware of what was happening regarding her. She was comfortably soaking in the bathtub, enjoying the attentive service of Kuan’er and Shu’er, listening to their complaints and jokes: “We maids were at home with the mistress, feeling anxious. As soon as we heard the gongs and drums on the street, several young mistresses and young masters started crying. Especially Han’niang and the other little ones—their cries nearly lifted the roof. It made Shuai Shuai laugh weirdly, which made them cry even more. Young Master Chun almost pulled its tail off. But it was clever, knowing you weren’t home to protect it, and just loudly called for its mother to save it! The mistress then scolded Young Master Chun again.”
“It deserves it!” The bird was getting more and more cunning with age. Mudan laughed heartily as she got up and dried herself off. She asked, “Is Yuhe asleep? Is her head still hurting?”
Kuan’er smiled and said, “Sister Yuhe said she’s fine. She’s currently fumigating your clothes.”
Mudan changed into clean undergarments, lounged on the bed, and sighed contentedly, “Ah, I feel so much lighter now.”
Shu’er and Kuan’er exchanged a glance and smiled, “When good things happen, one naturally feels more energetic. Of course, you feel lighter!”
Just then, the door creaked open, and Madam Cen walked in with a grim expression. She coldly told Kuan’er and Shu’er, “You two, go out!”
Seeing her serious demeanor, Mudan quickly got up to help her sit down, “Mother, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Madam Cen sat down next to Mudan, stroking her smooth hair, and let out a long sigh, “Danniang, have you thought about how you want to live your life from now on?”