Chapter 76: Promise

Upon hearing the siblings’ words, Jiang Zhanwei felt even sadder, his eyes brimming with tears. Gently looking at Lu Man, he said, “You’ve slept for so long, it’s time to wake up. You were thinking of your mother, right? Okay, I will do my best to find your wet nurse’s family for you… Don’t be afraid. Even if my grandfather doesn’t make it, I will find a way to keep you alive. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will ensure your well-being first. You shouldn’t bear the burden of our lives…”

This version of Jiang Zhanwei left Lu Man’s floating spirit on the bed feeling disoriented—it didn’t match his usual villainous nature!

At that moment, there was a commotion outside. The Princess, the Eldest Madam, the Second Madam, the Third Madam, the Young Madam Han, and Jiang Zhanyu had all arrived. Their maids carried various medicines and supplements.

The women entered the bedroom, while Jiang Zhanyu remained in the adjacent room.

Jiang Zhanwei quickly got up and assisted the Princess to the bedside, with the maids bringing in chairs for them to sit.

The Princess tearfully said, “Good child, Grandmother knows how hard you’ve been working these days. Oh, the human heart is soft, we’ve spent so much time together, we’ve seen your filial piety towards your grandfather and your kindness towards the young siblings. Even if your grandfather isn’t lucid, he can still feel it. We know you’re a good child. Whether your grandfather recovers is fate, and if not, it’s also fate… As for Zhanwei, our Dachun Dynasty is strong, we’ll assign him to a non-combat role in the central camp, away from direct confrontation with the enemy. He won’t die.”

The Second Madam sighed, “Don’t be mad at your father, he always speaks without thinking, just loves to boast. He regrets hearing about your illness.”

The Third Madam added, “Heard you were sick, and Zhanyan cried as if the sky was falling, insisting on coming to see you too, but I didn’t bring him.”

The Eldest Madam also remarked, “Look at you, why are you so timid? We’re not as heartless as you think.”

Though a bit cutting, Lu Man, perched on the bed, silently hoped the Princess wouldn’t read too much into their words.

Young Madam Han wanted to say a few words but, after glancing at Madam Hong, she decided to hold her thoughts back.

The women comforted Jiang Zhanwei once more, ensured the imperial physician stayed to monitor Lu Man, and then took their leave after bidding farewell.

Seeing the two sobbing siblings, the Princess advised, “It’s late. Go back home. Get some rest, and when you wake up tomorrow, your sister-in-law might already be awake.”

Reluctant to leave but not daring to defy, the children, led by Jiang Zhanyu, departed from Orchid Pavilion.

Lu Man felt bewildered, the treatment she received this time after being “dead” was entirely different from the last time she was “hanged.”

Overwhelmed with sorrow, she longed to return to the modern world, but her modern self had turned to ashes. While she had a body in this life, she truly didn’t want to come back to life, unwilling to face the unknown future here…

Recalling her mother’s final words, she hesitated. Similarly, if she were alive, someone would still think of her mother. But if she died and reincarnated, everything would be lost, and who would remember her mother then?

Just as she hesitated, a sudden force pushed her, and she lost consciousness once again…

When she woke up, she was met with a pair of bloodshot eyes— not swollen, but filled with blood vessels, a chilling sight.

Jiang Zhanwei, seeing Lu Man open her eyes, first expressed joy, “You’re awake?” then turned stern, saying coldly, “I told you your luck is strong. Even if I die, you won’t.”

Lu Man closed her eyes, ignoring him. This man was full of contradictions and unpredictability.

The imperial physician hurried to her bedside, checked her pulse, and smiled, “Third Young Madam is fine now.” He instructed the maids, including Lu Ying, to clean her body and change her into dry clothes.

“I want to bathe.” Lu Man croaked, her voice harsh and strained, sounding like a broken gong.

The imperial physician advised, “Third Young Madam, your body is just recovering. It’s not advisable to bathe immediately.”

Jiang Zhanwei also added, “Listen to the doctor, bear with it for now.”

Jiang Zhanwei and the imperial physician left the room, while Lu Ying and Xing wiped her body clean with dry cloths, dressed her in clean clothes, gave her medicine, and she drifted back to sleep.

Lu Man was in a daze, waking up intermittently, taking medicine and broth before drifting back to sleep. After an unknown period, she woke up again, feeling clearer in mind and much better physically.

Seeing Liu Ya, Tao, and Xing by her side, Lu Man asked, “What time is it? How long have I been lying down?” Feeling sweaty and sticky, she added, “I want to bathe.”

Tao and Xing went to prepare, while Liu Ya whispered, “It’s the twenty-second today, and it’s already late noon. Third Young Madam has been asleep for two days and two nights.”

After bathing, having her hair dried, and drinking some soup and vegetable porridge, Lu Man leaned against the bed, listening to the maids chatter.

For the past two nights, the Third Young Master had been resting at Orchid Pavilion, sleeping in the adjacent room. The Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss visited several times a day, relieved to hear she was okay, no longer in a quarrel with the Third Young Master. The Princess, the Eldest Madam, the Second Madam, the Third Madam, and the Eldest Young Madam visited multiple times, delivering medicinal herbs and supplements. The Princess instructed to allow Lu Man to recuperate before attending to old Marquis again…

That morning, the Third Young Master left first, sending Lu Ying away later. Liu Ya whispered, “It seems Big Brother Liu Xin has made contact with Manager Li. This morning, the Third Young Master took Lu Ying to meet with Manager Li.”

This was indeed good news. Lu Man was pleasantly surprised.

This illness had come and gone quickly, a result of her own cowardice, but it also brought unexpected gains.

After over two months of effort, her situation had improved significantly since her arrival. The relationship with the young siblings, the Princess, and others had noticeably warmed towards her. While some of it was due to the old Marquis’s influence, their kindness was genuine.

Most surprising to Lu Man was Jiang Zhanwei. He was a complex figure, deeply resentful towards her, yet profoundly affected by her near-death experience. His behavior during her illness, driven by concern for the father-in-law and the young siblings, far exceeded her expectations.

His weighty promises—could he fulfill them with his current power and position? Lu Man had her doubts.

The Princess had also made a statement, believing that if the old Marquis didn’t make it, it was fate. Did she truly think that way? Lu Man remained skeptical.

Well, time would tell.

Feeling fatigued, Lu Man drifted back to sleep. Upon waking, she found Lu Ying had returned.

Seeing Lu Man awake, Lu Ying grinned widely, whispering, “Young Madam, I met with Manager Li today.”

Excited, Lu Man sat up abruptly, gesturing to Liu Ya to watch the door and keep others away. Primarily, she wanted to prevent Hong Ling, supposedly “resting” in the rear pavilion, from suddenly appearing.

Hong Ling was covered in rashes all over, even on her face, and too embarrassed to show herself.