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He Cheng was slightly taller than Lu Man, resting his head on her shoulder, he, too, began to cry, saying, “Sister, Mother has always talked about you since I was little. I’ve always wanted to see you…”
Mama Wang once again intervened, advising, “Third Young Madam is with child, she shouldn’t be overly emotional. Madam, Young Master, after a long journey, should also rest. Please, stop crying and come inside.”
He Mingzhu and He Cheng were overjoyed to hear about Lu Man’s pregnancy.
Hand in hand with He Mingzhu and He Cheng, Lu Man led them through the drooping flower gate.
Once seated inside, Jiang Zhankui approached, blushing, and called out to Lu Man, “Sister.”
Quickly introducing him to He Mingzhu and He Cheng, Lu Man said, “This is my younger brother-in-law, Zhankui. We’re as close as siblings in our daily interactions.”
Kneeling before He Mingzhu, Jiang Zhankui respectfully bowed and said, “Zhankui pays respects to Auntie.”
Learning that this young gentleman was her daughter’s younger brother-in-law, not just a nobleman but also a royal relative, He Mingzhu felt unworthy of his bowing. She promptly rose and politely said, “Please, young sir, rise. No need for formality.”
Seating He Mingzhu down with her assistance, Lu Man smiled and said, “Mother, we are all family here. You are the elder, so just call him Zhankui.”
He Mingzhu had inquired about Lu Man’s family members and had prepared a gift, presenting a jade pendant to Jiang Zhankui.
Taking the gift solemnly, Jiang Zhankui hung it around his waist. He then respectfully greeted He Cheng, saying, “Zhankui pays respects to Brother He.”
He Cheng smiled, reciprocating the gesture, “Brother Zhankui, no need for such formality.”
Next on the agenda was a performance on the zither, followed by a visit from Mrs. Fu and her husband, Mr. Wu, along with their sons, Wu Baizhi and Wu Baizhu, to pay their respects to Lu Man.
Lu Man also presented each of them with a purse containing fifty silver taels. Mrs. Fu Qin had been serving alongside He Mingzhu for years and later married Mr. Wu, a diligent farmer, who along with their family, had faithfully served He Mingzhu and her son. Currently, their ten-year-old son, Wu Baizhi, was acting as a servant for He Cheng.
Mrs. Fu, who played the zither, appeared older than her age, with rough skin. Mr. Wu looked sturdy and straightforward, embodying a simple-minded, robust demeanor.
Mama Wang and Liu Ya led the servants to pay their respects to He Mingzhu and He Cheng.
He Mingzhu thanked them for their care of Lu Man and inquired about Bao Qin, wondering why she wasn’t present. Mama Wang, visibly irritated at the mention of Bao Qin, said, “That wretched Bao Qin, I’ll talk to Madam about her later.”
After some casual conversation, they rose to freshen up.
Jiang Zhankui volunteered to show He Cheng around the courtyard prepared for him. Led by Wang Dawang, Mrs. Fu’s family headed to a small courtyard in the rear street, borrowed temporarily for them by the Princess Changting’s household staff and already set up by Wang Xiaojuan.
He Mingzhu would temporarily stay in Lu Man’s room for some mother-daughter bonding time.
Mama Wang personally assisted He Mingzhu in bathing and recounted Lu Man’s childhood experiences, as well as the dynamics between Lu Fangrong and Bao Qin. Lu Man believed He Mingzhu to be naive, gentle, and kind and felt it necessary to enlighten her about the darker aspects of the Lu family to prevent future deception.
Within a short while, cries of distress could be heard from the bathing area.
Learning that Lu Man had married the grandson of Princess Changting, He Mingzhu felt reassured that her daughter was in good hands and shouldn’t be suffering in the Lu family.
Previously consumed with worry for her daughter, she refrained from visiting the capital, fearing she might bring trouble to Lu Man and the family. However, upon hearing about the marriage alliance with Princess Changting’s family, she felt confident that the Empress wouldn’t hold a grudge against her family. Encouraged by the personal escort sent by her son-in-law, she hurriedly brought her son to the capital.
She never expected the trials Lu Man faced in the Lu family—the mistreatment, near-death experiences, and even being forced to contemplate suicide. Feeling guilty for leaving her daughter in such circumstances, she wept bitterly, regretted her decisions, and occasionally cursed in sorrow.
Lu Man also felt a sense of discomfort. If not for her crossing over, the original Lu Man might have truly perished, missing out on moments like this with her mother, and brother. They would have continued to endure hardship in the remote countryside. As for Bao Qin, she would have been the ultimate victor, donning a facade of respectability and enjoying a life of luxury in the Lu family under Lu Fangrong’s favor…
He Mingzhu emerged from the bathing area in a green and gold floral brocade jacket made by Mama Wang. Her dark hair cascaded down, her skin reminiscent of crimson peonies, her eyes teary and red, shedding large drops of tears, resembling a fairy emerging from misty clouds.
Truly a rare beauty! Lu Fangrong should have seen her worth, and how could he have overlooked someone like Bao Qin when he had her? He Mingzhu hugged Lu Man, crying, “Manman, my poor child, Mother has let you down. I shouldn’t have left you behind… Those people are so wicked, so heartless. Why can’t they treat you better with the money Mother left behind… And that wretched maid, Mother trusted her the most, thinking she was smarter than Fu Qin. Who knew she would do such vile things… And your father, how could he be so cruel? You are his beloved daughter…”
Lu Man shed tears with her, comforting her until she felt better.
Liu Ya arrived to announce that dinner was ready in the West Hall dining room.
The mother and daughter headed to the dining room, with Jiang Zhankui and He Cheng joining them.
Due to the rush, the table was set with a few simple dishes, including a small pot of mushroom chicken soup noodles.
During the meal, Lu Man remembered and told Mama Wang, “What about the people who escorted my mother back? We should invite them for a drink and give them some silver.”
Mama Wang replied, “The steward and the head of the household are dining with them at the restaurant. Lu Ying is at home, awaiting Third Young Madam’s instructions on how much silver to reward them.”
He Mingzhu agreed, “We should thank them properly. They took care of us throughout the journey…”
Unspoken were the facts that due to their striking appearances, He Mingzhu and her son rarely alighted from the carriage, relying on a few attendants to handle their needs. They appeared disheveled and painted when they arrived in the city, only cleaning up and changing clothes once inside the carriage.