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Lu Man didn’t particularly enjoy watching operas, but as the host, she patiently sat through them with her guests.
By the time the afternoon hour approached, several acts had concluded, and the guests began to bid their farewells. However, Song Mo was reluctant to leave. Feeling lonely at home, he found solace in the company of many children and pets here, especially since he was attached to Sweet Pea. Tearfully, he insisted on staying a few more days.
Seeing Song Mo’s reluctance, Sweet Pea blinked with what seemed like tears in his eyes.
Madam Min exclaimed in amazement, “Heavens, look at this, the little cat is crying. Truly, there is no stranger cat than this one, so well-behaved!”
Lu Man found it amusing – calling him well-behaved! She glanced approvingly at Sweet Pea, impressed by how he had captured Song Mo’s heart. This was exactly what she had instructed him and Qingqing to do, promising a reward for good behavior.
Princess Changting, moved by the scene, comforted the tearful Song Mo, “Poor child, don’t cry anymore, it breaks your great-grandmother’s heart. Alright, alright, I’ll intercede for you. However, your grandmother and father don’t want you to stay here, so let Sweet Pea accompany you home for a few days.”
With a pretense of concern, she turned to Lu Man, “Granddaughter-in-law, let Sweet Pea go and stay with Mo for a few days. This child is unusually mature for his age, it’s hard to see him cry like this today.”
Tang, who stood behind Song Mo, was surprised but quickly composed herself, concealing her astonishment and reluctance.
Song Ming promptly bowed to Princess Changting, jesting, “Mo is mischievous, and yet, Your Highness indulges him so.”
Lu Man agreed, “Alright, go ahead. Quietly now, so that grandfather doesn’t notice, or else you won’t be able to leave.” She instructed Qingqing, who looked after the cat, to pack things up and return in three days.
Upon hearing this, Song Mo sealed his lips, picked up Sweet Pea, and dashed out the door, afraid that Lu Man might change her mind, his anxious demeanor causing laughter among the onlookers.
Meanwhile, the old Marquis was engrossed in play with Sweetheart and a few girls, completely unaware that Sweet Pea had been taken away.
After bidding farewell to all the guests, Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu returned to their quarters, leaving the courtyard in peaceful silence.
Lu Man did not enter the house, she stood on the veranda gazing at the sky, lost in thought, ignoring the pleas of Mama Wang and the others.
Sometime later, snowflakes began to fall gently from the sky, settling on trees, the ground, and rooftops, transforming bare branches into glistening jewels, blanketing the world in a pristine white.
Unlike Orchid Pavilion, where the sky seemed vast and endless, here she couldn’t see beyond Princess Changting’s estate. However, just outside the east wall lay a vast expanse, occasionally catching snippets of passing conversations.
If she wished to step outside, she didn’t need permission from anyone.
Although she longed to go to the door and see the outside world, breathe the free air, she sensibly refrained from doing so, knowing it would upset Mama Wang.
Once again, Mama Wang reminded her, “Third Young Madam, return inside, don’t catch a chill.”
Feeling her feet numb from the cold, Lu Man turned around. The maid lifted the cotton curtain and opened the door as she stepped back inside.
She first went to the bedroom, shedding the elaborate outfit, removing excess jewelry, then changing into a comfortable outfit – a magenta silk jacket and a lilac silk skirt.
Returning to the eastern room in relaxed home attire, she sat cross-legged on the kang bed, the embroidered bedding soft and warm.
Looking around at the chicken-wing wood cabinet, round-backed chairs, tea table, a tall vase with wax plum blossoms, a peacock-blue tripod incense burner, a small screen on the corner of the kang, white window paper – this was her home! A place where she could reside peacefully without the need for defenses.
A silly smile crept onto her face. In less than a year, she had gained such a home – not bad at all.
At that moment, Steward Ming and Deputy Steward Wang sought an audience, presenting the gift list for the day. Princess Changting and the old Marquis had gifted 8,000 taels of silver notes in the large red envelopes, while each of the younger siblings received 4,000 taels of silver notes.
Each of the main, second, and third households presented a set of golden vessels. Song Ming gifted an embroidered silk screen with a mahogany frame, while the Min family offered a sandalwood butterfly-shaped antique stand. The Xie family sent a gilded porcelain figurine of a flying horse.
Lu Man acknowledged the generosity but made a note of the expenses for future reference, ensuring she could reciprocate when needed. Holding the silver notes, she chuckled at Princess Changting’s thoughtful gifts, appreciating practicality over extravagance.
Currently in need of funds after using some money at Tongren Hall, she planned for future expenses. Even though Jiang Zhanwei had entrusted her with sixty thousand taels of silver from their household, she maintained a clear distinction between personal and family finances. The purchased three-party house had cost over a thousand taels of silver, located conveniently nearby.
She then had the silver notes for her younger siblings accounted for.
Lu Man discussed the allocation of resources for the household members and servants with Steward Ming and Deputy Steward Wang, detailing the monthly budget.
No longer part of the extremely lavish Changting Princess’s estate, now under the leadership of Jiang Zhanwei, a fourth-rank military official, adjustments were necessary to reflect the change in status, including reduced salaries. Any potential salary increase would depend on Jiang Zhanwei’s future promotions. Planning for the long term, they couldn’t maintain the same lavish lifestyle as before.
As the Lady of the house, Lu Man received twenty taels of silver, thirty taels less than her previous allowance as the granddaughter-in-law of Princess Changting’s residence. Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu each received five taels less.
Steward Ming, received five taels, while Wang Dabo, as the deputy steward, received three taels. Various stewards received two taels, while the head maid, senior maids, kitchen master, and personal attendants each received one tael.
Although the monthly salaries seemed to have decreased, Steward Ming, Deputy Steward Wang, Liu Xin, Liu Ya, and Lu Ying actually earned more due to their new roles, surpassing their previous earnings at the Princess Changting’s residence. Mama Wang received slightly less, but Wang Dabo’s increased pay balanced it out. Lu Ying had become Lu Man’s assistant, taking on the role of medical and nursing steward, overseeing two newly acquired maids named Xiao Zhong and Xiao Xi.
The unique names held a specific meaning known only to Lu Man, signifying the integration of Eastern and Western medicine.