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He Mingzhu found Lu Man’s suggestion intriguing, as her father had always wanted to pass down the He family’s legacy. However, she felt conflicted, thinking it might be unfair to her daughter. She expressed, “Manman, won’t you be at a disadvantage with this arrangement? It’s not right…”
Lu Man smiled and replied, “Mother, Renhe Hall originally belonged to the He family. I merely took it back from Xiao Chen and passed it on to my brother. The courtyard holds value, but Renhe Hall, the medical books, and the skills I’ve learned are priceless. Besides, I’m not lacking in wealth now…”
This was Lu Man’s sincere sentiment, as it was through those numerous medical books that she achieved her current success.
They continued their discussion into the late hours of the night until Lu Man finally persuaded He Cheng to accept the courtyard and stay at Donghui Courtyard for a while. While He Cheng transcribed books, he would also study with his teacher and learn medical skills such as pulse diagnosis and moxibustion under Lu Man’s guidance.
Mama Wang once again reminded them, “Third Young Madam, Madam, Young Master, it’s very late…”
He Cheng rose to return to his own courtyard, while He Mingzhu and Lu Man walked hand in hand into the bedroom to rest.
The next day, when Lu Man woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
She saw He Mingzhu seated beside the bed, gazing at her tenderly.
“Mother.” Lu Man greeted as she sat up.
He Mingzhu, startled, supported her, scolding, “Take it easy, you’re expecting a child and yet you’re so restless.” She then smiled, “You were up late last night, I didn’t have the heart to wake you. This morning, He Cheng and Jiang Zhanwei’s siblings had breakfast together. Ah, observing those siblings, you can tell they’ve been raised well. Even the children of nobles and aristocrats display such courtesy, rare to find.”
He Mingzhu had often heard stories from the Imperial Physician about the arrogance of children from noble and aristocratic families, so seeing the polite behavior of the siblings both surprised and pleased her.
Yesterday’s conversations mainly revolved around the Lu family and He Mingzhu’s experiences in Shu, without touching on the Jiang family and Jiang Zhanwei’s matters. Lu Man decided to let He Mingzhu enjoy some peaceful days for the time being and refrained from revealing the full truth to her.
She then suggested, “Mother, in the future, let’s treat Zhankui and Jiu as younger relatives. Those two children are kind and respectful, craving familial love…”
After finishing her morning routine, Lu Man headed to the west wing for breakfast. Stepping outside, she saw He Cheng, Jiang Zhankui, and Jiang Jiu chatting under a tree, with their pet rabbits hopping around their feet. Today was a day off, so Jiang Zhankui didn’t have classes at this time.
Following her meal, Lu Man called He Cheng into the study. He handed her a cloth-wrapped package, saying, “Here are the five medical books that Mother took with her. Please take a look.” He then began transcribing.
Lu Man playfully remarked, “You can transcribe them after enjoying a few days in the capital.”
He Cheng shook his head, saying, “I’m eager to start.”
Leaving him to his work, Lu Man was approached by Jiang Jiu, who whispered, “Sister-in-law, brother He looks really handsome.”
Smiling, Lu Man pinched her cheek gently, saying, “In the future, get along well with Aunt He and brother He.”
Lu Man engaged in casual conversation with He Mingzhu, while Jiang Jiu leaned against He Mingzhu’s embrace, listening attentively.
During the afternoon break, Mama Wang brought two sets of silk robes. Lu Man inspected them – one was a tea-colored jacquard silk robe, and the other was a sapphire blue satin robe with dark blue trim.
Taking the sapphire blue robe, along with some jade pendants and a small purse, Lu Man went to the study, where He Cheng was diligently transcribing medical texts. He paused as she entered.
Lu Man asked He Cheng to stand up, assisting him in changing into the new robe and fastening the jade pendants and purse to his belt.
Truly, the phrase “beauty like jade” suited this young man perfectly.
Pleased, Lu Man smiled and said, “There’s no one more handsome than my brother.”
Blushing, He Cheng bashfully replied, “Sister, you shouldn’t praise me like that. People will make fun of us.”
Lu Man insisted, “I speak the truth.”
Later, in the afternoon, Lu Man led He Mingzhu, He Cheng, Jiang Zhankui, and Jiang Jiu to the Crane Hall. They brought along some Sichuan specialties – Sichuan peppercorns, dried wood ear mushrooms, braised silk rabbits, Wenjun wine, Sichuan embroidered folding fans, porcelain floral plates, and a Lingzhi mushroom.
The first few items were gifts for the household, while the Lingzhi mushroom was a gift for the Princess and the old Marquis. The wine, embroidered fans, plates, and Lingzhi mushroom were all from Lu Man’s personal collection, as she knew her mother and her brother were short on funds. Earlier, she had arranged for the purchase of the Wenjun wine and embroidered fans, unique to Sichuan.
Previously, He Mingzhu had prepared a beaded forehead ornament from the provincial embroidery workshop for the Princess, an extravagant piece that even the old lady Lu wouldn’t wear.
He Mingzhu had also prepared a forehead ornament for the Second Madam, which Lu Man hadn’t requested to see. She also took out a square inkstone from her private collection, intending for He Mingzhu to privately gift it to Jiang Zhanyu at a later time.
He Mingzhu inquired, “The Second Madam is the legitimate mother-in-law, so shouldn’t we prepare a good gift for her as well?”
Lu Man replied, “In that household, Princess Changting is in charge, so it suffices to gift the head of the household. The Second Madam is modest and wouldn’t expect much. The Second Master’s belief is that as long as someone treats the Fifth Young Master well, he is content.”
Today being a day off, everyone from the Princess Changting’s residence was gathered in the Crane Hall.
In the morning, old Marquis Jiang had wanted to visit Donghui Courtyard to see his granddaughter-in-law and granddaughter, but the Princess dissuaded him. Now, upon seeing his granddaughter-in-law arrive, he cheerfully greeted her, “Granddaughter-in-law, why did you arrive so late?” Observing He Mingzhu and He Cheng with her, he added, “I thought your mother was coming, but it seems your sister is here instead?”
Everyone chuckled, noting that they stood together like siblings.
Smiling, Lu Man led He Mingzhu and He Cheng over to the Princess and the old Marquis, introducing them, “This is the mother of the granddaughter-in-law, and this is her younger brother, Cheng.”
He Mingzhu and He Cheng respectfully bowed to the Princess and the old Marquis.
The Princess gestured for them to rise, then introduced He Minzhu to the three Madams and the eldest Young Madam before inviting her to sit.
Meanwhile, Lu Man guided He Cheng to pay respects to the elders individually, receiving their blessings. The Princess then invited He Cheng to join her for a private chat.
Observing He Cheng closely, Princess Changting’s eyes sparkled with delight. After a moment, she remarked, “What a well-groomed child, so handsome.”
A servant brought forth a jade-carved pen holder, the initial gift prepared by the Princess for He Cheng. Impressed by him, she had a crystal lotus pedestal brought forth as an additional gift.
Old Marquis Jiang also commented, “Indeed, this child is well-presented,” as he presented a premium jade pendant from his waist to He Cheng.
The three Madams and the eldest Young Madam chimed in with agreement, praising He Mingzhu’s parenting skills as both her children resembled her, appearing handsome and beautiful.
Princess Changting added, “This child not only looks good but also has clear eyes and a refined demeanor. He exudes intelligence and potential for a successful future.” She then turned to Jiang Zhanju, Jiang Zhanyu, Jiang Zhankun, and the other siblings, teasing them, “What do you think? Have you been outshined?”
The siblings chuckled in agreement. Jiang Zhanxun was mesmerized by He Cheng’s beauty, finding him even more attractive than the performers in the theater and gazed at him in awe.
Lu Man was furious at his rudeness, her face flushing red as she shot him a stern glare.