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After the meal, the Princess rewarded Lu Man with a string of agarwood beads, Jiang Zhankui with a jade-carved pen holder, and Jiang Jiu with an amber gourd.
As they stepped outside, the starlight shimmered brightly.
Lu Man walked to the crossroads with Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu. Jiang Zhankui solemnly bowed to Lu Man, expressing, “Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. You are kind and genuinely good to me and my sister. Especially towards my sister, you have shown more care and consideration than even my Third Brother. If my sister were to change into someone else, it would be terrifying and heartbreaking. I dare not dwell on such thoughts…” He sniffled, tears glistening in his eyes like twinkling stars. Bowing again, he continued, “I apologize for wrongly accusing you before. I also apologize on behalf of my Third Brother, as he didn’t know about your kindness.” With another bow and a tear wiped away, he expressed his remorse.
Lu Man was pleasantly surprised by the boy’s gratitude, although she couldn’t help but feel sorrow for his premature maturity.
She hoped he could retain his sunny disposition, becoming more cheerful, allowing him to find true happiness and avoid developing extreme or paranoid tendencies.
Smiling, Lu Man replied, “Eighth Young Master, you’re too kind. Our time together has been fateful. In the future, when there’s free time, bring Jiu to Orchid Pavilion to play. I really like her, oh, and I like you too.”
Jiang Zhankui grinned widely.
Quickly chiming in, Jiang Jiu added, “Sure, Jiu will remind Eighth Brother often.” Seeing Eighth Brother’s fondness for Third Sister-in-law, her heart bloomed with joy. Finally, she could frequent Orchid Pavilion with Third Sister-in-law for more enjoyable moments.
Upon returning to Orchid Pavilion, Lu Man first visited the backyard room to check on Qichang.
As she returned to her quarters, gifts from the Second Madam and Third Madam arrived.
First, the Second Madam presented a white jade lotus hairpin, followed by the Third Madam’s gift of a piece of brocade with embroidered flowers.
The maids reported that the two Madams also gifted the siblings from the Qingfeng Courtyard.
Before bedtime, the Madam sent six palace flowers as a gesture.
Lu Man chuckled inwardly, realizing Madam Hong must have felt compelled to maintain appearances. Despite being the second most influential female in the household after the Princess, Madam Hong genuinely did not want to offend her. However, if she didn’t like someone, then nothing they did would please her. Lu Man hoped not to cause trouble for the young siblings, she didn’t plan to stay long and knew they would rely on them in the future.
As mid-June approached, a three-day heavy rainfall brought relief from the scorching heat, cooling the weather.
Jiang Zhanwei, expected back in the first ten days of the month, had not returned. This disappointment affected the young siblings and left Lu Man anxious. She eagerly awaited Jiang Zhanwei’s return to assist in the search for Mama Wang’s family.
Apart from the rainy days, the siblings visited Orchid Pavilion almost daily, sometimes staying for dinner, under the pretext of visiting Qichang. Despite Mama Gu’s displeasure, Jiang Zhankui’s insistence left her with no choice.
Qichang’s leg had healed, the splint removed. Its three good legs supported the injured one without issue, and on the fifteenth day, it returned to the Qingfeng Courtyard.
The old Marquis’s condition improved gradually, showing more facial expressions and limb movements, raising hope for his eventual awakening.
Lu Man became busier, tending to the old Marquis and the Huang’s daughter-in-law medical needs, providing emotional support to the children, preparing meals for the Princess and the other households. Additionally, she regularly sent Liu Ya to Renhe Hall for medicine and occasionally to the neighboring fabric store.
With her established position in the mansion, Lu Man could now issue commands to the outer courtyard staff using tokens provided by Young Madam Han.
According to Liu Ya, Manager Li was kind and knowledgeable in medical matters. The fabric store seemed to have become part of Mrs. Xiao Chen’s business empire…
The house of Renhe Hall belonging to Mrs. Xiao Chen? What a ridiculous joke! Lu Man felt frustrated but had to wait patiently. If Jiang Zhanwei didn’t return soon, she would have to seek help from the Princess.
In the afternoon of the nineteenth, Lu Man instructed the kitchen to prepare a variety of food, planning to make teppanyaki. Not only did Lu Man enjoy it, but Jiang Zhankui also had a fondness for it. Yesterday, he specifically requested dishes like tofu rolls with mushrooms, pork belly, and lamb skewers.
Their status in the mansion had slightly improved. Although not as favored as the legitimate children, they were no longer invisible. They could acquire any ingredients from the kitchen without being overcharged.
Returning to Orchid Pavilion from Crane Hall, Lu Man checked the kitchen. To her delight, she found a large plate of baby squid and a pound of meat. The variety of dishes included pork belly, lamb, chicken, and ribs for meat lovers, and chili, chives, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, green beans, tofu, tofu skin, and a jar of osmanthus wine for vegetarians.
Beaming with joy, Lu Man hurriedly bathed in the bathing room and then got busy with her maids and Mama Gu.
As the dishes neared completion, Lu Man peeked outside and noticed the sun in the west, indicating it was almost mid-afternoon. Wondering why the young siblings hadn’t arrived yet, she was about to send someone to check when she saw Jiang Zhanyu walking with a child and Qichang in tow.
The trio seemed like celestial beings emerging from a golden glow.
Quickly greeting them, Lu Man welcomed them from the kitchen.
Jiang Zhanyu smiled warmly and praised, “Third Sister-in-law, Eighth Brother and Jiu said your teppanyaki is incredibly delicious, and I…” blushing, he faltered, resembling a peach blossom in March.
Comparing the youth to a peach blossom, Lu Man found the analogy fitting.
Laughing, Lu Man responded, “Oh, esteemed guests have arrived. Welcome, welcome. However, these dishes are simple, not as refined as those in the mansion. Please pardon the simplicity, Eighth Brother-in-law.”
Jiang Zhanyu chuckled, “Third Sister-in-law, you are too modest.”
Accompanied by Lan Zhi and Ling Zhi holding two packets, containing soy sauce beef from Xifu Restaurant and yellow pea cakes from Suicuizhai.
Jiang Jiu proudly said, “Third Sister-in-law, these were bought by Eighth Brother for us to show our respect to you.”
Lu Man playfully pinched her cheek and thanked them, “Thank you both, and thank you, Eighth Brother-in-law.”
With Jiang Zhanyu’s presence, dinner was set on the round table in the west wing.
Although the presentation was not exquisite, the dishes were incredibly fragrant, enticing the taste buds. Jiang Zhankui’s mouth watered at the sight.
Jiang Zhanyu remarked, “This aroma is unique, unlike anything I’ve smelled before.”
Aware of Jiang Zhanyu’s health condition, Lu Man refrained from serving him the squid, considering the seafood’s potentially adverse effects. She advised, “Seafood is hard to digest and can be allergenic. Eighth Brother-in-law, please enjoy sparingly.”