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Due to Lu Man needing to detoxify Song Mo and with the old Marquis visiting the Donghui Courtyard almost daily, occasionally accompanied by Princess Changting, Lu Man didn’t need to visit the Crane Hall every morning anymore. Princess Changting instructed her to bring the child to pay respects every tenth day in the afternoon and have dinner there.
Lu Man’s emotions were conflicted, lacking the joy of becoming a mother, fearing the child’s early arrival might lead to an uncertain future. While she could endure suffering herself, she couldn’t bear to see the child suffer.
She didn’t immediately inform Princess Changting, deciding to wait until the forty-fifth day.
Mama Wang, Liu Ya, Lu Ying, Tao, and Xing were ecstatic, monitoring Lu Man closely, fearing she might overexert herself and harm the fetus.
Especially when dealing with the unpredictable Song Mo during acupuncture sessions, they were always on high alert to prevent any accidents.
Mama Duan, being astute, noticed the precautions taken by the others and became even more vigilant, closely watching Song Mo.
One morning, after finishing the acupuncture for Song Mo and planning to have him taken to the West Cross Courtyard to play with Jiang Jiu, Song Ming suddenly arrived at the Donghui Courtyard.
He was escorted directly to the temporary room where Song Mo stayed. Servants brought various daily items for Song Mo and presented a list of gifts to Lu Man.
Song Ming looked worn out, his face pale and defeated, exuding a lack of vitality despite his neatly dressed appearance.
Seeing his father after several days, Song Mo rushed over, hugging his legs and crying, saying, “Needles hurt, medicine is bitter.”
Lu Man, feeling hurt, remarked, “Oh, you heartless little one, as soon as you see your father, you speak ill of our home. Fine, I won’t keep you then.”
Song Mo quickly added, “I’m not done yet. Pain and bitterness don’t scare me. I love Sister-in-law, her home, Sweet Pea, Jiang Jiu, Jiang Zhankui, Grandpa, Qichang, and Sweetheart.”
Lu Man couldn’t help but smile, saying, “Okay, you do have a heart.”
Song Ming lifted his son, noticing that although his ears and lips were still slightly red, they had faded compared to before, and his palms weren’t as hot. Realizing his son’s condition had improved, Song Ming felt a mix of sadness and relief. He expressed, “Pain and bitterness are temporary. Once you recover, you’ll live a long and healthy life. I’m useless, you should thank your Third Sister-in-law, remember this kindness, she saved you.”
After spending some intimate time together, Song Ming had the servants take his son out to play. Sensing an underlying tone in Song Ming’s earlier words, the servants discreetly retreated, understanding he might reveal confidential matters regarding the Prince He’s mansion.
Alone in the room, Song Ming bowed deeply to Lu Man and expressed, “Thank you, Third Young Lady, for saving my son.”
Lu Man quickly reciprocated the gesture, responding, “Your Highness, you’re too kind. I care deeply for Mo and wish for his safety.”
As they settled down, Song Ming confessed, “I feel ashamed that my son was poisoned right under my nose at home, and I was unaware.” He then expressed anger, “That vile woman is now dead, that treacherous servant has been executed, and those who aided their cruelty won’t be spared…”
Thinking about Concubine Wei’s pregnancy, Lu Man interjected, “Did Concubine Wei’s child also perish?”
Looking pained, Song Ming replied, “I couldn’t bear to lose that child either. But my child couldn’t be born to that evil woman.”
He briefly explained the situation. Upon discovering her pregnancy six months ago, Concubine Wei was thrilled. Hoping for a son to secure her position as the official consort, she conspired to eliminate any obstacles. Seeking advice from her family, her mother provided her with a secret concoction. By bribing Tang with rewards, Concubine Wei manipulated her into overseeing Song Mo’s diet, secretly poisoning him with certain foods while consuming antidotes herself.
Due to Song Mo’s existing internal heat issues, the increased symptoms went unnoticed, even by the imperial physicians, who anticipated his condition improving with age…
Song Mo lost his mother at a young age, and with Princess He often preoccupied with religious practices, he grew close to Tang. Both Song Ming and Princess He trusted Tang implicitly, allowing her to oversee Song Mo’s care. Little did they expect this treacherous servant to nearly harm Song Mo.
Song Ming, shaken by the revelation, expressed, “At such a young age and with the harsh winter weather… If Third Young Lady hadn’t intervened in time, who knows when he might have fallen seriously ill… It was a close call, far too risky.”
Lu Man couldn’t comprehend Tang’s actions despite the trust placed in her by the Prince and Princess, along with Song Mo’s affection for her. The benefits they bestowed upon her far exceeded those of Conubine Wei. Even if Concubine Wei were to become the official consort in the future, her status could never compare to that of the Prince and Princess.
Reflecting on Song Ming before her, and thinking about the young and charming wet nurse, and the intense emotions he displayed while mentioning “buying loyalty”, Lu Man seethed, considering that perhaps the heavy rewards promised by Concubine Wei were aimed at the distinguished and noble Prince.
Another betrayal of loyalty and master for the sake of a man. It was despicable!
After recounting the whole ordeal, Song Ming’s face remained flushed with anger, frustration, and embarrassment. Through gritted teeth, he cursed, “A woman’s heart is the most treacherous. Those two despicable individuals, driven by their selfish desires, nearly poisoned my son… making a spectacle for Third Young Lady to witness.”
Lu Man, already in a sour mood, couldn’t hold back and retorted, “It takes one to know one, wasn’t my situation also laid bare before the Prince? What defines the most treacherous? Once someone harbors ill intentions, regardless of gender, their heart turns poisonous.”
With that said, she turned her head towards the window.
Observing Lu Man, Song Ming realized he had been preoccupied with his own troubles and hadn’t noticed her distress. Now, seeing this woman who usually projected resilience, today exhibited signs of weariness on her face, with a hint of confusion and exhaustion in her eyes.
Recalling the scenes from that day, he pondered the agony she must have endured upon learning of her husband’s betrayal from others. Her tears, her heartbreak, her efforts to maintain her pride and dignity, all while holding back her tears and walking past him with a straight back. Her current demeanor suggested she was facing an even more challenging problem today.
Realizing he had burdened her by entrusting her with his son’s detoxification during such a trying time, he felt a pang of guilt for inconveniencing her further.