Chapter 151: Fly

Princess Changting was once again displeased, saying, “How can she be let off the hook? The fact remains as it is. One above, one below, it’s all the same.” She then asked Madam Xie, “Has your grandson arrived?”

Madam Xie chuckled, “Originally, I didn’t want to bring little Kaipei along, he’s too young. But my son’s wife sent a message insisting we bring him here.”

Lu Man smiled, “I’ve been thinking of him too.”

Lu Man felt helpless. In her previous life, being a respected obstetrician or midwife was now looked down upon as being a mere midwife or birthing attendant. Despite her ability to earn a living or save lives, not even the charitable and compassionate Princess Changting would support her.

Princess Changting smiled, “Bring him over for me to see during lunch. He’s the godson of Zhanwei, which makes him my great-grandson.”

Madam Xie agreed with a smile.

At that moment, a servant arrived to report that Prince Shuo, Prince Anjun, Prince He, Marquis Cheng’en, old Duke Lu from Duke Anguo’s household, old Duke Xie and the others were on their way to Crane Hall to visit Old Marquis Jiang, and were almost there.

The Princess asked Lu Man to assist her in welcoming the guests at the door. Seeing Lu Man hesitating, she said, “With so many guests arriving, your grandfather might not be pleased. You need to find a way to appease him. They are either close relatives or dear friends of your grandfather, all elders, so it should be fine.”

In this era, distinctions between men and women were not as strict. Lu Man helped Princess Changting out of the room, despite some reservations.

These visitors were accompanied by Marquis Jiang himself. Apart from Prince Shuo, who was older than Princess Changting, the rest greeted her respectfully. Among them, only Prince He, Song Ming, was a young man in his twenties, while the others were middle-aged to elderly men in their thirties to sixties. Prince He appeared particularly young and elegant, with an outstanding demeanor.

Inside the house was the old Princess He, the mother of Prince He.

Following these men was a young nobleman who appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, possibly the junior of one of the visitors. He was dressed flamboyantly, holding a large folding fan. Although handsome with a tall, slender figure and fair complexion, his flirtatious peach blossom eyes were off-putting.

Technically, this man was not a close relative or dear friend of Princess Changting or old Marquis Jiang, nor was he specifically invited. Even as a companion to the elders, he shouldn’t have come here. After all, this was the backyard, Princess Changting’s backyard.

The young man stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Princess Changting, and said, “The junior pays respects to Your Highness, Princess Changting.”

Princess Changting pretended not to hear and ignored him, leading the others directly into the room.

Later on, Lu Man heard him address Princess Chang’an as Aunt, and Princess Chang’an called him “Haobai”, which made Lu Man realize he was Wang Haobai, the grandson of old Marquis Wang and the nephew of the Empress Dowager.

The guests were taken to the rehabilitation room, and several female guests from the east side room also joined them.

Previously, the rehabilitation room’s door had been closed, with old Marquis Jiang inside engaging in rehabilitation exercises while playing games with Sweet Pea and Qichang. Upon the arrival of the guests, he was assisted by the physicians to stand up.

The sight of old Marquis Jiang, now with a healthy complexion, astonished everyone. It was unheard of for a patient with soul separation illness to wake up, let alone sit and stand with a rosy complexion.

Prince Shuo smiled, “Old Marquis Jiang, judging by your appearance, you are in good health. Congratulations!”

Others also offered their congratulations.

Old Marquis Jiang glanced blankly at him, ignoring his words. His gaze shifted to the others and finally settled on old Duke Xie, glaring at him and saying, “I’ve seen… you before, too ugly, black like… charcoal.”

Princess Changting felt extremely embarrassed and quickly interjected, “Oh my, old Marquis, what are you saying? Our guests are here.”

Lu Man hurriedly explained, “I’m sorry, my grandfather is still in the process of rehabilitation. Not only is his physical function gradually recovering, but his intellect is as well…” implying that he wasn’t very sharp.

Old Duke Xie used to always argue with old Marquis Jiang and always ended up losing, which would make old Marquis Jiang furious. Today, however, Duke Xie was the one who felt like losing his temper. Being publicly insulted as ugly by a patient, even if he was ill, it was not pleasing. Since the patient was ill and somewhat mentally challenged, he couldn’t argue back. So, he suppressed his anger and said, “Old Marquis Jiang is much better now, not that foolish, at least he still wants to argue with me when he sees me. Haha…” and forced a few chuckles at the end.

This made the others burst into laughter.

Lu Man helped Old Marquis Jiang sit down, whispering, “Grandfather, these are your old friends who came to visit you today. Treat friends with kindness and warmth, right?”

Old Marquis Jiang nodded and said, “Yes, granddaughter-in-law… is right.” He then pointed at old Duke Xie and added, “But I still… don’t like him, what to do?” with a look of innocence and helplessness.

“Grandfather…” Lu Man whispered softly.

Old Marquis Jiang, disliking the charcoal man but not wanting to upset his granddaughter-in-law, simply turned his head to the other side, twirling his beard. By avoiding looking at the black-haired man, he managed to keep his mood from souring.

The guests exchanged a few words with old Marquis Jiang, toured the rehabilitation room, and listened to the imperial physicians explain the intricacies of the equipment and how old Marquis Jiang had progressed from full-body paralysis to partial mobility, leaving them all impressed.

Old Duke Lu chuckled, “These things may look strange, but they are incredibly practical. Not only are they beneficial for old Marquis Jiang’s condition, but they are also very useful for injured soldiers who have been bedridden for extended periods, helping them recover quickly.” He then asked the imperial physicians, “Did you come up with this?”

Imperial physician Fu blushed and replied, “I am ashamed to admit that it wasn’t my ingenious idea. It was thought of by Third Young Madam Jiang.”

Old Duke Xie glanced at Lu Man and said with a smile, “Jiang’s daughter-in-law is very clever, I noticed that a long time ago.”

Old Marquis Jiang, now irritated, shouted at old Duke Xie, “She’s not yours!”

This sparked another round of laughter, leaving Lu Man blushing with embarrassment.

Princess Changting, looking at the childlike old Marquis Jiang, chuckled, “Old Marquis Jiang, they were praising your granddaughter-in-law, not competing with you.”

Prince He quipped, “Old Marquis Jiang’s granddaughter-in-law is indeed clever and virtuous.” Being the nephew of Princess Changting, he was a generation older than Lu Man, hence the respectful address.

Initially, Princess Changting wanted to praise Lu Man further, but upon noticing the disdainful look Wang Haobai shot at Lu Man, she furrowed her brow, and even Marquis Jiang’s expression darkened slightly.

Lu Man also noticed the leering glances from Wang Haobai, which made her uncomfortable, so she quickly found an excuse to step out.

His gaze, like that of a fly, was disgustingly sticky.