Chapter 146: Finally Reclaimed

Madam Lin coolly remarked, “The Master is careless and doesn’t pay attention to his daughter-in-law. How did you notice that Lu didn’t wear mourning attire?”

Second Master Jiang explained, “Oh, I overheard the servants gossiping, mentioning that Lu’s stepmother had just passed away, questioning why she wasn’t in mourning attire…” He paused, then suddenly realized, “Could someone have deliberately made me overhear it?”

Madam Lin teased softly, “The Master is quite clever indeed.” She then added with a cold hum, “Just because I dislike the underhanded tactics of the grand mansion doesn’t mean I’m naive. If she wants to deal with Lu, she shouldn’t involve the Master as a pawn…”

Feeling embarrassed in front of his wife, the Second Master was quite frustrated.

Having his admired father scold his beloved Third Sister-in-law made Jiang Jiu feel uneasy. She walked in silence, her lips pursed.

Jiang Zhankui whispered, “Third Sister-in-law, I saw two maids from the eldest Aunt’s courtyard following behind the Second Master for quite some time, they were probably instigated by her.”

Indeed, a clever observation. Lu Man also agreed, thinking that today the Princess humiliated Madam Hong, who, in turn, could only exploit the Second Master to create trouble.

Lu Man nodded and smiled, “Zhankui’s guess is spot on, that must be the case.”

Ever since Lu Man learned of the power of the Jiang family’s ancestors, she felt that these two brothers resembled the Jiang family’s ancestors, while the Second Master resembled the brainless father of the old Marquis, exhibiting a generational trait.

Upon returning to Orchid Pavilion, they first examined the new furniture in the East Cross Courtyard. Not only was Jiang Jiu pleased, but even Jiang Zhankui was satisfied, particularly with the small desk.

Lu Man instructed the servants to tidy up and bring over everything needed from the Qingfeng Courtyard, aiming to have the siblings officially move in two days.

Jiang Zhankui would stay in the East Wing, Jiang Jiu in the West Wing, and they would share the living room. Except for the night shift staff, all other servants would reside in the rear building of Orchid Pavilion. With more servants now, there was a shortage of space in the rear building, so Lu Man had Mama Wang, Liu Ya, and Lu Ying move to the west wing of the rear courtyard.

The next afternoon, Mama Wang took Wang XiaoJuan back to Orchid Pavilion.

Wang Xiaojuan was only half a year older than Lu Man. While Lu Man was born on April 26th, she had her birthday at the end of the previous year, yet she appeared much older. Her skin was rough, sallow, her hair dry, and she walked with a slight limp.

This was the calamity caused by Mrs. Xiao Chen, and it all began because of Lu Man.

As soon as Wang Xiaojuan entered, she knelt down to kowtow to Lu Man, who hurriedly pulled her up. Her palms were calloused and had many cuts.

Tears welled up in Lu Man’s eyes as she said, “Sister Xiaojuan, you’ve suffered.”

Wang Xiaojuan cried, “It’s better now, finally free from that wretched place. Thank you, Third Young Madam.”

Liu Ya and Lu Ying urged them to sit down and listened to Mama Wang recount what had happened.

That family was indeed troublesome, demanding two hundred silver taels for Xiaojuan’s release. Eventually, after the guards sought assistance from the steward, the family backed down from their exorbitant demand, settling for eighty silver taels instead.

Lu Man decided that now that Xiaojuan was free, she shouldn’t work in the mansion anymore. She should focus on recovering at home and, if she felt restless, she could help out at Renhe Hall. When she met a good man, she could remarry.

Mama Wang agreed. They now had a small courtyard in the back alley with a main house and side rooms. Once her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson returned, the family would reunite.

Lu Man rewarded Wang Xiaojuan with two pieces of satin, two silver hairpins, two gold hairpins, a pair of gold and silver bracelets each, along with an additional twenty silver taels.

The next morning, Mama Wang, Wang Xiaojuan, and Wang Dou headed back home. Mama Wang arranged a few tables and invited the servants from Orchid Pavilion, including Liu Ya, Lu Ying, Lingzhi, Lanzhi, Huang, as well as the head chef Zhou, and the Princess’s maids Mama Qian, Xiao Huan, and Young Madam Han’s maid Fenhe, among others, to a feast. This gathering showcased Mama Wang’s reputation among the Princess Changting’s household servants.

Two days later, Jiang Zhankui and his younger sister officially moved into the East Cross Courtyard of Orchid Pavilion. To celebrate, Lu Man arranged for a feast in the evening, with Tao preparing some of her signature dishes. She invited the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth Young Master, Deyu, and Jiang He for a meal.

Starting from that day, Lu Man could finally sleep alone in a big bed again. Without Jiang Jiu’s interruptions, she had more time to study medicine.

On the afternoon of the 8th of September, Liu Xin reported that the cloth shop previously at Renhe Hall had been completely moved out, and the place was cleaned up. He informed Lu Man to visit the next day.

Excited, Lu Man realized that Renhe Hall was the only true personal territory she owned so far.

She requested leave from the Princess, expressing her desire to visit Renhe Hall the next day and discuss reopening a clinic with the shopkeeper, Manager Li. Since Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu wanted to go along, she planned to visit after Jiang Zhankui’s classes, have lunch outside, and return before dinner.

Princess CHangting agreed, stating that if they opened a clinic, they couldn’t use the name “Renhe Hall” temporarily, and Lu Man couldn’t practice there either.

Lu Man nodded in agreement.

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Zhankui finished school, he rushed back to Orchid Pavilion. Lu Man and Jiang Jiu were already dressed and waiting for him.

Accompanied by Qichang, Sweet Pea, Mama Wang, Wang Xiaojuan, Lu Ying, Xing, and Wang Dou, they headed to the front courtyard, where the carriage, eight guards, two maids were waiting.

They boarded the carriage and set off for Renhe Hall.

After about half an hour, they arrived at the West Street intersection, facing Tashui Alley, with the first large courtyard being Renhe Hall.

The carriage halted, and Lu Man was helped out. Manager Li, stepped forward, bowing deeply, and tearfully said, “Third Young Madam, we’ve finally reclaimed Renhe Hall. Master and my uncle in the afterlife can now rest in peace. And Sister He, we’ve fulfilled her wish…”

Manager Li had dressed up for the occasion, wearing a slightly worn brown robe, a new wooden hairpin, and maintaining short facial hair. He looked refined and fair-skinned, a handsome middle-aged man. Without the beard, he would appear younger. At only thirty years old, he had reached maturity.

Feeling emotional, Lu Man thanked him on behalf of her grandparents and mother, expressing gratitude to the deceased former manager. She then turned to Renhe Hall, tears in her eyes.

The shop was quite spacious, with sixteen carved vermilion doors and several windows on each side, twice the size of neighboring shops. Showing signs of age with chipped red paint on the door pillars and windows, it appeared weathered.

Manager Li suggested, “A fresh coat of paint will make it look much better.”