Li Xing arrived without an umbrella, wearing only an oilskin cap and coat. He walked leisurely through the fine rain, creating a picturesque scene against the lush greenery and red railings of the courtyard.
Sun Shi was the first to spot him. She glanced over and laughed, clapping her hands, “Such leisure – truly here to visit relatives!”
The children immediately put down their bowls and chopsticks, running to greet him. They lifted his large oilskin coat to cover themselves, giggling as they ran with him into the dining hall. The He family didn’t mind the children’s playfulness, simply smiling and welcoming him.
Mudan silently rose to set out an extra bowl and chopsticks for him. He made himself at home, sitting next to Liu Lang and starting to eat. Everyone inquired about his health. He patted his chest vigorously and laughed, “The medicine from my eldest cousin worked well. I was fully recovered when Uncle visited me a few days ago, but my mother was fussy and only let me out today.”
He Zhizhong smiled, “How are your cousins doing? I’ve had people listening for news these past few days but haven’t heard anything. I only know that old scoundrel Liu hasn’t left his house or gone to court for several days. Who knows what dirty schemes he’s plotting.”
Li Xing smiled slightly, “I was just about to tell you about that. Isn’t old Liu’s absence from court just to stir up public opinion for revenge? Though it’s not very honorable, he is after all a high official. If all high officials were treated so disrespectfully, they’d lose face and authority. So my cousins were charged with the crime of offense. Yesterday, my eldest and second cousins each received one stroke of the cane, while the others, being fleet of foot, escaped.”
The He family was shocked, immediately putting down their bowls and chopsticks. He Zhizhong frowned, and Da Lang exclaimed, “Is it serious?”
Li Xing casually replied, “It’s nothing. Old Liu miscalculated this time. Uncle has military merits and is generally generous and righteous, with good connections, so people couldn’t give him a hard time. Father had also made some arrangements. The caning sounded scary but wasn’t severe – not as bad as when Uncle had them beaten for causing trouble in Youzhou before. They’ll recover in a couple of days. As for the others, hiding for a few days will sort things out. Aunt doesn’t mind either.”
He Zhizhong turned to Madam Chen, “Prepare some medicinal herbs. After breakfast, let’s go see our two nephews together.”
This was exactly what Li Xing had intended. Seeing He Zhizhong catch on so quickly, he didn’t pursue the matter further. Instead, he smiled and said, “My main reason for coming today is about the treasure Meeting. Will it still be held in this weather?”
He Zhizhong replied, “The date has been set, it can’t be changed. But it’s still early. We’ll visit your cousins first and then go to the West Market. The timing will be just right.”
Li Xing looked at Mudan, “Aunt said last time she wanted to see the excitement too.” He had hoped Mudan would take the opportunity to ask to come along, but she kept her head down, silently eating, not catching his hint. He felt a bit disappointed.
He Zhizhong said, “I’m afraid she’ll be busy taking care of your cousins today and won’t be in the mood to go.”
Li Xing smiled, “That won’t be the case. Aunt is used to it.” He then coughed forcefully, and when Mudan still didn’t look up, he coughed again, finally drawing everyone’s attention. Mudan looked at him with concern, and five-year-old He Chun, holding his bowl, blinked and asked in a clear voice, “Uncle, are you sick?”
Li Xing’s face reddened slightly. He touched his throat and said, “No, just a bit of discomfort in my throat. Some soup will help.” Before he finished speaking, Ying Niang had already ladled half a bowl of fish soup and passed it to him, “Uncle, please drink this.”
Li Xing had no choice but to take the bowl and drink the soup while trying to catch Mudan’s eye.
Mudan didn’t understand what he wanted. She thought he might have something to tell her privately. Then she remembered she was already planning to go see the excitement, so they could talk later. She smiled slightly at him.
Li Xing raised an eyebrow, then glanced sideways at He Zhizhong before winking at her, his hint very obvious. Mudan thought to herself, “Could this be related to Father? What could it be?” She looked at Li Xing in confusion, blinking to ask, “What do you want to do?”
This time Li Xing smiled and nodded at her. Mudan thought, oh, it is related to Father. But she still didn’t understand what Li Xing wanted to say, so she decided not to guess and just sat still, waiting to ask him later. She saw Li Xing looking exasperated, dramatically hitting his forehead on the table before looking up at her indignantly as if he wanted to pound the table.
Mudan was even more confused.
While they were exchanging glances, thinking others hadn’t noticed, everyone had seen it. This time it was Madam Chen who said with concern, “Xing’er, is your head injury not fully healed? Are you feeling dizzy again? Maybe you shouldn’t go to the treasure Meeting. I’ll have a room prepared for you to lie down, and we’ll send you home in a felt carriage later.”
Li Xing was startled, then shook his head vigorously, “Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I’m fine. I thought I saw a hole in the table just now and worried it might be worms, but it was just my eyes playing tricks on me.”
Madam Chen said seriously, “I see.” Then she said nothing more. Others wanted to joke about it, but seeing He Zhizhong and Madam Chen’s serious expressions, they kept quiet and continued eating.
Li Xing sensed the change in atmosphere and dared not make any more faces at Mudan. His eyes darted around and landed on He Chun, who was eating seriously nearby. He got an idea.
Just as Mudan put down her bowl and chopsticks, the chubby He Chun leaned against her, putting his arms around her neck and coaxing, “Aunt, please put in a good word for me. Can you ask Grandfather and Big Uncle to let me go see the treasure Meeting too?”
As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen pairs of eyes turned to Mudan, all filled with undisguised longing. If Mudan dared to agree to He Chun’s request, the others would have reason to all join in. Mudan laughed dryly and glanced at He Zhizhong.
He Zhizhong said calmly, “How can we take so many people? Children will just waste space. He Ru and He Hong are old enough, they should go along to gain some experience. The rest will stay at home.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Shi was somewhat dissatisfied, thinking it would interfere with her two sons’ studies. But seeing that Da Lang did not react, she dared not say much and instead turned to instruct her children, “Listen to your grandfather. Behave yourselves. It’s good to learn more skills.”
Bai Shi, however, was very upset. She glared at Er Lang repeatedly. Was the old master trying to groom the eldest branch to inherit the jewelry business? Weren’t her sons He Wen and He Mu not much younger than He Hong? Why couldn’t each family send one person? Although they were the eldest branch, this was still favoritism. But seeing Er Lang sitting motionless with a calm expression, she had no choice. She pushed her eldest son hard, and He Wen, having received instructions beforehand, said with a hint of fear, “Grandfather, can Wen go too?” As soon as he finished speaking, he received a fierce glare from Er Lang. Bai Shi looked firmly at He Zhizhong.
He Zhizhong said expressionlessly, “If that’s the case, Wen can go along.” He stood up, looked at the sky, then turned to Mudan, “Go get ready, prepare to leave.”
The eldest and second branches could go, so why couldn’t her family send someone? Were they going to let her family starve in the future? Zhen shi was very dissatisfied but, looking at her son who was only seven or eight years old, she held her tongue. She smiled at Mudan and said, “Dan Niang, remember to tell us in detail about all the interesting things you see when you come back.”
Mudan didn’t concern herself with the subtle conflicts between her sisters-in-law. She smiled slightly and said, “Of course. Is there anything you’d like me to bring back?” Since the family learned she was establishing her household to grow peonies rather than dealing in jewelry or spices, although some still held a wait-and-see attitude, no one specifically targeted her anymore. She felt much more at ease and remained calm when family members were at odds with each other.
Li Xing finally realized Mudan was going after all. His disappointment turned to joy, and he grinned as he picked up He Chun, saying, “Let him come. I’ll let him ride on my shoulders, he won’t take up space.” But this immediately stirred up a hornet’s nest, with all the younger children refusing to let him off the hook. He was so flustered he broke into a sweat, finally placating them by promising to take them boating on the Qujiang Pool another day.
Mudan laughed, “Now you know, with so many children in our family, we must be fair and just.”
Li Xing just smiled. He Zhizhong, however, looked at the children and said, “You’re lacking in manners.” With just one sentence, the children became restrained and dared not make trouble anymore. He Chun also climbed down from Li Xing’s arms, standing properly with his hands at his sides, no longer daring to ask to go along.
The group went to the Li family home. As usual, they didn’t see Li Yuan. Madam Cui was pleased to see the He family, young and old, coming to pay their respects and bringing so many gifts. She wanted to keep Madam Chen behind to chat and play. However, when no one was looking, she glared fiercely at Li Xing. Li Xing pretended not to see, nonchalantly supporting Li Man Niang’s arm and smiling, “Aunt, can you bear to part with my cousins? The treasure Meeting isn’t postponed today.”
Li Man Niang laughed, “How could I not bear to part with them? It’s not like I have to suffer for them. Let’s go.” She pulled Li Xing along, truly carefree. After a few steps, seeing Mudan about to get into the felt carriage, she ordered someone to throw an oilskin coat and cap to Mudan, “Don’t you want to try riding a horse in the rain? What’s so good about sitting in a carriage?”
Mudan smiled, accepting the items and putting them on. Da Lang helped her mount the horse. She thought she had become quite skilled compared to before, but Li Man Niang clicked her tongue, “You need more practice.”
Madam Cui watched helplessly as Li Xing put on his oilskin coat again, mounted his horse in the rain, and rode off with the He family, quickly disappearing. She turned to Madam Chen, who had stayed behind and complained, “He’s so troublesome. He’s grown up but still refuses to discuss marriage. He’s been doing well in his duties recently, and a few days ago, Prince Ning personally spoke to his father about a marriage prospect that would be beneficial for his future. But he made such a fuss that his father had no choice but to delay it.”
Madam Chen smiled calmly, “Who hasn’t been young before? Children are bound to be a bit willful sometimes, but they always come around eventually.”