Chapter 172: Separation

Princess Changting’s eyes widened in anger as she exclaimed, “Nonsense! Even if your father were alive or we two old folks were still here, how can you make such a request!”

She was genuinely furious. The situation had escalated too quickly, from Lu Man being publicly insulted and the servants disrespecting the master to the sudden mention of separation.

Jiang Zhanwei spoke, “Grandmother, please calm down. Your grandson’s actions were out of desperation. With less than a month until I returns to the battlefield, where life is unpredictable, I wishes to ensure matters are settled before I go. Unable to rest assured while bravely fighting in the frontlines, I fear for my wife. I‘m worried that she might be driven away, become a widow, or face humiliation…”

Upon hearing this, Princess Changting struggled to contain her sorrow. Her grandson was a constant worry, insisting on going to war, where danger lurked. He was only nineteen, what if he met an untimely end? Despite being an illegitimate grandson and troublesome, he was a filial and good-hearted child, willingly marrying Lu Man back for the wedding…

Second Master Jiang’s eyes welled up, though he harshly muttered, “Reckless, seeking self-destruction…”

Ignoring the Second Master, Jiang Zhanwei continued addressing the Princess, “Your grandson understands that you and grandfather genuinely care for Man and love Zhankui and little Jiu. However, I still cannot bear to leave them in this household. Even while I am in the outskirts of the capital, Man has been mistreated, disrespected even by the servants. What will happen once I departs? Grandmother, those guards and maids, despite serving the master poorly, would not be foolish enough to side with outsiders against their master. Yet they did…” Jiang Zhanwei’s eyes were bloodshot, as if holding back immense pain, reluctant to expose the shameful truth within the family. He continued with difficulty, “Blame cannot fall on anyone else but your grandson’s incompetence for marrying such a clueless wife who fails to please the elders, making herself unwelcome. However, though she may be clueless and confused at times, she stands in for your grandson to honor grandfather, improving his health, genuinely caring for Zhankui and little Jiu. She is a good woman. Despite your grandson’s inadequacy, he holds onto a deep affection, a persistent love, unwilling to see Man suffer further injustices in her marital home, having endured enough in her natal home. I wish for her to take charge in their small household, free from manipulation at any moment. I also want Zhankui and little Jiu to live freely without pressure. This way, even if I sacrifice myself for the country, I would have done right by grandfather and grandmother above, and by my wife and siblings below, with no regrets… Grandmother, your grandson humbly implores you. In recognition of the filial piety shown by marrying Man, please grant your grandson’s wish!”

After speaking, he began to repeatedly bow his head.

Damn, what contradictory words is this guy saying? Lu Man was somewhat puzzled.

Initially, he seemed to imply that someone in the family was harming her, hence the need for separation, but he couldn’t directly articulate it. The next moment, he started criticizing her, insinuating that it was because of her cluelessness and disgraceful family background that the elders disapproved and the servants looked down on her. Then, he switched to being affectionate and devoted, willing to bear the blame of unfiliality for the sake of separation.

Lu Man understood that he couldn’t directly blame the eldest Madam to save face for Marquis Jiang and the heir apparent, thus criticizing her was a way to push for separation. But why didn’t he criticize himself instead, portraying himself as devoted and loving while shifting the blame onto her?

Lost in thought, Lu Man then heard Jiang Zhanwei express affectionately, “Manman, by separating and starting anew, no one can ever easily drive you out of the Jiang family, and you won’t have to worry about betrayal by the servants. I will also strive for a substantial sum as part of the separation, allowing you to live well with the siblings. If I pass away, you can choose to stay and inherit the family wealth and support, more than enough for you. If you choose not to stay, you can marry a good man, as I can’t bear to see you alone at such a young age. I say this in front of everyone, they will all agree…”

Although Lu Man wasn’t too pleased being manipulated by Jiang Zhanwei, his words deeply moved her. Oh my, this was the most touching and tragically sweet words she had ever heard in this life and the previous one.

Only someone with such thick skin would have the audacity to say such cheesy words in front of everyone.

Just as Lu Man was contemplating how to appreciate his “devotion”, the Princess thundered, “Ridiculous, you little brat, what nonsense are you spouting! Are you only concerned about your wife and disregarding us old folks…”

Even the Second Master, rarely speaking up, exclaimed loudly, “No, I disagree. The three brothers are still by our parents’ side, showing respect and filial piety. How can you, just a grandson, just separate like this? This is unfilial!” He scolded Jiang Zhanwei, “You good-for-nothing, giving up on the elders and parents for a woman. If the woman is not good, you can discipline her, but how can you…”

Before he could finish his words, the old Marquis picked up a teacup and smashed it on the ground, shouting, “Separation!”

The old Marquis’s action and booming voice captured everyone’s attention. The Princess exclaimed in joy, “Old Marquis…”

The old Marquis, who had just shown sharpness in his eyes, suddenly looked puzzled again, gazing around and asking, “Why are you all staring at me? How foolish!” Then, pointing at Jiang Zhanwei, he added, “This kid is annoying and ugly. I don’t want to see him, let him go, let him go.”

Well, back to being clueless again.

Marquis Jiang was even more eager to have Jiang Zhanwei separated. This kid was too disobedient, too cunning, and too ambitious. Having him in the estate, there was always a fear he would cause trouble. If he were sent away, in case he did create problems in the future, the main family could easily distance themselves from him. They couldn’t let him harm the entire family…

Previously, he couldn’t clearly mention the trouble caused by Hong for fear of the Princess blaming them, one wanting to drive out Lu Man and the other wanting to drive out Zhanwei. Now, with his father’s astute decision, it indicated that his father shared the same thoughts.

Moreover, Jiang Zhanwei was clever in his approach to the separation excuse, not blaming Hong directly but attributing it to Lu Man’s cluelessness and his own devotion, providing ample justification for his mother and giving them enough face.

Marquis Jiang continued, “Mother, I also think Zhanwei’s proposal is good. Other families have also separated their illegitimate sons for independent living. Furthermore, even if they are separated from the estate, he is still your grandson, and Lady Lu remains your granddaughter-in-law. They can still visit us frequently, showing respect and filial piety in front of you and father…”

Third Master Jiang also believed that separating Jiang Zhanwei would be beneficial for everyone. He was too dominant in the estate, disregarding the main branch’s authority, making it difficult to control him. He added, “Mother, I also think it’s worth considering Zhanwei’s proposal.”

Seeing both sons in agreement and even the old Marquis swayed momentarily, willing to have him separated and start anew, the Princess understood her sons’ and the old Marquis’ intentions upon careful consideration.