Chapter 90: I Will Avenge You

Supporting Lu Man, Xing slowly walked out of the birthing room. Even in the rosy twilight, Lu Man’s face was deathly pale, her hair soaked, strands sticking to her forehead. She wore an odd garment resembling an apron with attached sleeves. Despite the disheveled appearance, her beautiful face shone like a fairy emerging from the sunset glow.

Upon seeing her, Xie Yu hurried forward, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect, “Thank you, dear sister-in-law, for saving the lives of my wife and child. This great favor, I will never forget.”

He bowed deeply.

Lu Man halted, her gaze meeting his, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, “It was so terrifying, so frightening. You must treat your wife well, cherish her. She’s been through so much, she’s truly remarkable…”

Tears flowed freely from Lu Man’s eyes, and lacking a handkerchief, she wiped them with her sleeve, appearing quite disheveled.

Witnessing this side of Lu Man left everyone in the courtyard somewhat dumbfounded; they hadn’t realized she had such a timid side. It was understandable, given her youth and likely lack of exposure to childbirth scenes, which even those outside found terrifying.

Xie Yu quickly assured, “Don’t worry, dear sister-in-law, I-I will remember your words. I will treat my wife well, cherish her.” His astonishment caused him to stutter.

Lu Man continued to cry, “Remember what you promised today.”

Xie Yu hastened to reassure her, “I will. I will always remember your words and treat my wife well. Your kindness, my wife, my son, we will all remember.”

Madam Jiang was seething, remarking that Lu Man was unfit for the situation. She questioned Lu Man’s behavior, asking how she could speak like that to an outsider. She couldn’t fathom why someone else’s wife would need to be cherished. Suppressing her anger, she added, “Zhanwei’s wife, this is a good thing. Why are you crying…”

The midwife who had brought out the baby chuckled, “The young lady must have been scared. Even us seasoned midwives were quite shaken by the scene. Oh, the young lady’s skill in repositioning is truly remarkable; Lady Xie has truly suffered…”

Madam Xie handed her grandson to her second daughter-in-law, then embraced Lu Man, saying, “Good child, still a young daughter-in-law, not afraid at all. Oh, you’ve faced such hardship, yet you came to help my eldest daughter-in-law reposition the fetus, saving their lives. Without you, my poor daughter-in-law and grandson might not have made it.” She wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.

Lu Man, leaning into her embrace, began to cry, sobbing and deeply saddened. Her intense weeping stemmed not just from fear and distress but also from being moved by the profound maternal love, reminding her of her mother from her past life.

Lu Man’s outpouring of emotions, a mix of fear and gratitude, gradually eased.

Seeing her emotional outburst, Xie Yu was both touched and amused, scratching his head, unsure how to comfort her.

Despite being an adult, Lu Man had let out her fears and emotions, gradually finding solace in the cathartic release of tears.

Once her emotions settled, surrounded by onlookers, the kind-hearted Madam Xie, the irritated eldest Madam Jiang, and the perplexed Xie Yu, Lu Man felt overwhelmed with embarrassment. Quickly taking the handkerchief from Xing, she wiped away her tears, apologizing, “I-I was just moved by Madam Xie…”

Madam Xie noticed her distress and held her hand, expressing gratitude.

As they conversed, a tall, dark-skinned man in his sixties hurried over. With large, bell-like eyes and a booming voice, he exclaimed, “Where’s my great-grandson? Bring him here for me to see!”

Lu Man recognized him as Xie Yu’s grandfather, old Duke Xie. Remembering Jiang Zhanwei’s praise of her maternal grandfather, He Huang, she was fairly certain it was the same man. Despite his stern appearance, his righteousness shone through.

Madam Xie handed the child to the elder Xie for a closer look.

Upon seeing the baby, old Duke Xie laughed heartily, “Good, good, he’s chubby and strong.”

The elder man’s metaphor elicited laughter from the crowd. A teenage girl joked, “Grandfather, are you praising my nephew or the little pig?”

The elder man laughed heartily once again.

Having heard that Jiang Zhanwei’s wife had assisted, enabling the successful birth, he approached Lu Man, scrutinizing her and asked with a smile, “You’re Jiang Zhanwei’s young wife?”

Lu Man respectfully bowed and replied, “Yes, I am, Grandfather.”

Old Duke Xie examined her once more before humorously remarking, “Such a beautiful and clever young wife. That foolish boy has no reason to be dissatisfied. He came to our home the day after the wedding. Little girl, wait, I’ll avenge you. If I see him again, I’ll give him a good slap for you.”

Lu Man couldn’t help but chuckle at the endearing old man.

Xie Yu stepped in, supporting the elder man and said, “Grandfather, don’t you think you’re scaring dear sister-in-law with that talk.”

Old Duke Xie glanced at Xie Yu, scolding, “Your wife has just given birth to a chubby little boy, and they are both safe. You should return to your camp rather than linger here.”

Madam Xie quickly interjected, “Father-in-law, Xie Yu has been worried about his wife and hasn’t slept for a day and night. Let him see his wife, then rest before returning to the camp, shall we?”

Ignoring Xie Yu, old Duke Xie turned to Lu Man and said, “In the future, if anyone bullies you, send word to me. If Jiang Zhanwei, that cunning lad, can’t even thrive in that mansion, you, a delicate young lady, might fare even worse.”

This straightforward approach left everyone blushing.

Quickly trying to diffuse the situation, Madam Xie apologized to Madam Jiang, and Xie Yu took the elder man aside for a private conversation.

Lu Man found the situation amusing; while others might hesitate to speak openly, this elder man had no such reservations.

Even as he was pulled aside, the elder man continued, “Jiang Zhanwei’s young wife saved my chubby grandson. I won’t stand for her being mistreated…”

Xie Yu quickly had the child brought before the elder man to appease him, halting his tirade.

Madam Xie then invited Lu Man for a bath to freshen up before a grand feast at the mansion. Exhausted, Lu Man declined the offer and returned to the Princess’s residence.