Chapter 64: Dealing with Trouble

Lu Man glanced at the Second Master, feeling infuriated. She believed that he was actually rejecting the young siblings, using the old Marquis as an excuse. His disdain for them seemed evident even from their names. With Miss Zhou’s lowly status, having these children wouldn’t make him any less dominant. It was truly despicable!

She wanted to say that bringing the siblings might help awaken the old Marquis, but she held back. Why bother when they were already despised?

Observing the situation, Princess Changting advised Lu Man, “You have a kind heart. Treat them well, and Zhanwei will appreciate it. Go on now.”

Lu Man wanted to explain that her kindness wasn’t solely for Zhanwei’s sake, but she refrained from speaking her mind.

Back at Orchid Pavilion, Lu Man sent Tao to buy ingredients from the kitchen. She planned to make teppanyaki and shredded pork noodles. She had ordered a small flat iron pot for outdoor cooking, fitting perfectly on the smaller stove in the kitchen. She had the maids prepare bamboo skewers, ready for use that day.

After a shower, she dressed in her favorite summer outfit – a willow yellow silk blouse paired with a sky blue pleated skirt. This silk outfit, embroidered with delicate floral patterns, was loose-fitting, breezy, and well-loved by Lu Man. She often wore it in the courtyard, now slightly worn from frequent use.

As she styled her hair into a bun and adorned it with a silver hairpin, she heard Lan Zhi’s urgent cry from the courtyard, “Third Young Madam, Third Young Madam, something’s wrong!”

Rushing out, Tao asked, “Miss, what’s the matter? Why the commotion?”

Lan Zhi, in tears, explained, “I came to seek Third Madam’s help. Second Master ordered to beat Qichang to death, and Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss won’t allow the maids to take Qichang away. They’re all in a commotion…”

Startled, Lu Man hesitated. She couldn’t bear to see the young siblings mistreated or the adorable Qichang killed. Hurriedly, she asked, “What’s going on? Explain clearly.”

Amid tears, Lan Zhi elaborated, “Today, Second Young Miss said she wanted to wait for Third Young Madam at the intersection…”

Earlier that afternoon, Jiang Jiu insisted on not resting and, nearing dusk, she took Qichang to the intersection to wait for Lu Man, who was then at the Crane Pavilion. Despite attempts to dissuade her, she was unyielding.

Understanding her intentions, Jiang Zhankui, with teary eyes, shouted, “Are you trying to have Sister-in-law take us to the Crane Hall? They dislike us, why force our way in! Why bother with someone who despises us so much! Can’t you show some dignity?”

Jiang Jiu burst into tears, sobbing, “But, I miss my brother, my father, my grandmother, everyone together having a good time… Wah, Brother, why haven’t you come back home, I miss him…”

Touched by his sister’s words, Jiang Zhankui also teared up, holding Jiang Jiu’s hand, he reassured her, “Don’t cry, Sister, Brother will go with you to wait for Sister-in-law.”

Mama Gu, holding Jiang Jiu, advised, “Miss, please stop this. Being insistent will only annoy the Princess and the Second Master even more…”

Jiang Jiu shook her head, saying, “If we respectfully pay our respects to them, they won’t be annoyed with us.”

As Mama Gu tried to speak further, Jiang Zhankui glared, “Move, don’t block the way.”

The young siblings, along with the Qichang, Ling Zhi, and Lan Zhi, headed to the intersection.

Due to the scorching sun, the intersection was too hot, so Lan Zhi persuaded the young siblings to wait in the shaded veranda overlooking the intersection.

Unbeknownst to them, Lu Man had just returned to Orchid Pavilion from the intersection. Sensing Lu Man’s absence, Qichang, seemingly aware, wanted to run back to Orchid Pavilion, causing Jiang Zhankui to unknowingly hold onto it tightly, adding to its agitation.

At that moment, Young Madam Han led Jiang Deyu and his siblings towards the Crane Hall and upon seeing Qichang, they rushed over. Normally well-behaved, the children loved Qichang and often played with it.

Realizing the children were the treasures of the household, Jiang Zhankui tightened the leash, cautioning, “Stay back, Qichang is in a bad mood.”

While Jiang Dewen and Jiang He were held back by their nursemaid, the older Jiang Deyu approached fearlessly, ignoring Jiang Zhankui’s warning, reaching out to touch Qichang.

Qichang, already agitated, became even more upset when the bothersome child dared to touch it, causing the dog to bark wildly and lunge towards him.

Startled, the child, Deyu, sat down and burst into tears.

Young Madam Han and the attendants rushed to comfort Deyu. Jiang Zhankui, realizing the trouble caused by Qichang, apologized to Young Madam Han and promptly took Jiang Jiu and Qichang towards Qingfeng Courtyard.

Understanding the situation, Jiang Jiu decided to follow her brother obediently.

As the two siblings anxiously waited in the courtyard, several maids with sticks and ropes abruptly entered Qingfeng Courtyard, claiming the Second Master had ordered to take the large dog outside to be killed to prevent it from harming anyone inside.

Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, in tears, tried to stop them, refusing to allow Qichang to be taken away. Qichang, fierce and agitated, retaliated, causing chaos. During the struggle, one maid cleverly managed to tie the dog to a tree in the courtyard, causing Jiang Zhankui to stumble and fall.

Seeing her brother pushed down, Jiang Jiu’s cries intensified, prompting her to run to his side. Several maids also got mildly injured in the scuffle…

Lan Zhi tearfully recounted, “…I thought perhaps Third Young Madam could help, so I wanted to go to Crane Hall to seek her. On the way, I heard someone say Third Young Madam had already returned to Orchid Pavilion, so I…”

Without waiting for Lan Zhi to finish, Lu Man dashed out, with Tao, Lan Zhi, Lu Ying, and Xing following closely.

Although unfamiliar with Qingfeng Courtyard, Lu Man had a general idea of its location. She was petrified, Jiang Jiu had mentioned that the first dog, soldier was previously beaten to death by the Second Master. She couldn’t let Qichang suffer the same fate.

As she reached the path towards the Rose Garden, she heard barking, children crying, and women shouting ahead.

Following, Lan Zhi whispered, “Those maids must have taken Qichang to the outer courtyard.”

They hurried towards the sounds.

In the distance, they saw a group heading towards the outer courtyard, with maids dragging a sack. Jiang Zhankui ran alongside, crying bitterly. He occasionally kicked and struck the maids carrying the sack containing Qichang. Two maids from Qingfeng Courtyard followed, with Ling Zhi holding the wailing Jiang Jiu.