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Madam Lin glanced at Miss Rou and ignored her, focusing on Jiang Yue in her arms. A hint of mockery flashed in Young Madam Han’s eyes as she lowered her head to scrape the tea leaves off the surface of the tea with the lid.
Madam Huang, who now held a grudge against Miss Rou, coldly snorted and paid her no attention.
He Mingzhu also had no fondness for Miss Rou, but as a guest, she reluctantly instructed a maid to bring a brocade stool for Miss Rou to sit on.
When Madam Lin was about to return Jiang Yue to the wet nurse, Miss Rou reached out and said with a smile, “Let me hold her. They say pregnant women who hold beautiful babies will have beautiful babies in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin took the baby back and smiled at Jiang Yue, saying, “Such a beautiful niece, not just anyone can hold her like those random people.”
Feeling embarrassed, Miss Rou’s eyes welled up with tears, twisting the handkerchief in her hands.
Unable to bear it any longer, Madam Huang coldly remarked, “Who is Miss Rou trying to impress with that arrogant demeanor? If you feel wronged here, then you might as well leave. This place is filled with joy and happiness, we can’t stand your behavior.”
Miss Rou always considered herself as a woman of the Jiang family, even the lady of the house couldn’t handle her. Moreover, knowing that Jiang Zhanwei was a bastard and that his mother was inferior to herself, she thought she could entertain herself by mingling with the ladies. However, being confronted in such a way left her at a loss, torn between staying and leaving, tears welling up in her eyes.
Young Madam Han’s senior maid, Qinghe, approached and helped Miss Rou up, guiding her towards the door while saying, “Miss Rou, don’t feel aggrieved. This isn’t a place for you to be.” She scolded her accompanying maidservants, “You young girls don’t understand the rules of the mansion, and Miss Rou doesn’t either…”
Madam Huang remarked to Young Madam Han, “You’re the future head of the household, usually so clever, but today you seem to be acting mute and enjoying the spectacle?”
Young Madam Han awkwardly smiled and replied, “But that person is my father’s…, how could I…”
Madam Lin snorted and without lifting her eyelids, said, “Zhanwei’s wife is too clever, thinking ahead of us. That young woman hasn’t been in the mansion for long, but has caused quite a stir. Even I, a clueless goose, have heard some rumors about her letting certain things slide.”
Blushing, Young Madam Han quickly said, “Oh, why are you both blaming me? I’m innocent. Alright, alright, I’ll have someone deal with the servants who attend to her…”
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth of October, and Donghui Courtyard was adorned for the full moon banquet. Although Jiang Zhanwei was not at home, due to Lu Man’s connections, several prominent families still came to celebrate the full moon.
Today, the main guests were women, and Third Madam and the eldest Young Madam were dispatched early by Princess Changting to assist. There weren’t many male guests, with Jiang Zhanyu, Jiang Zhankui, and He Cheng taking care of the reception in the outer courtyard.
Early in the morning, Lu Man got up and freshened up. It had been a month since her last bath, and she was feeling uncomfortable with the itchiness all over her body. Without the pregnancy weight, walking was much easier for her now.
She had gained a bit of weight compared to before her pregnancy, and it seemed like she had grown a bit taller. Being deflowered at fifteen and giving birth to a child at sixteen, Lu Man mentally cursed Jiang Zhanwei once again.
Dressed in a bright red brocade jacket with gold thread, adorned with hairpins featuring cat’s eye stones, and wearing the red jade bracelet given by Princess Changting, Lu Man looked stunning and radiant.
Madam Huang, who arrived first, exclaimed, “Oh, what a beauty you are, looking so beautiful even after having a child.”
Young Madam Han also smiled and said, “If Third Brother-in-law sees you, he will be overjoyed.”
Shortly after, Princess Changting arrived with the old Marquis, Madam Hong, Madam Lin, and a few children. Seeing Lu Man in such a state, they all praised her.
The old Marquis insisted on holding the baby himself. Lu Man noticed the baby was securely wrapped in swaddling clothes, so she allowed him to hold her and instructed him on how to hold an infant. The old Marquis joyfully cuddled the baby before feeling content.
Madam Hong, seeing the old Marquis happily holding a bastard’s daughter, felt extremely uncomfortable. Her own daughter was the legitimate eldest daughter of the main branch, and her granddaughter was the eldest granddaughter of the main branch, yet he didn’t spare them a second glance.
Glancing at the baby in the swaddle, Madam Hong remarked, “This child looks exactly like Zhanwei, so beautiful.”
The old Marquis, after looking at the baby, exclaimed, “You’re a grown woman and still telling lies, annoying! Little Yue doesn’t look anything like Zhanwei, she looks like me.”
This angered Madam Hong, her face turning red, but she dared not argue back.
Princess Changting chuckled, “The two brothers looks like Ping, while little Yue resembles Zhanwei, thus, she resembles you.”
The old Marquis, tugging on his beard, insisted, “Zhanwei is too ugly, looks like Old Xie, not like me. Little Yue looks like me.”
Old Duke Xie, who had relations with Lu Man, arrived with his wife and Madam Xie to the backyard to see Jiang Yue and overheard the conversation. He laughed heartily, “Old Jiang, your grandson looks more like me than you, it’s quite a statement coming from you.”
After glancing at Jiang Yue, he chuckled, took a red coral-carved peony ornament and handed it to her. He said to his grandson, “Keep an eye on your beautiful little… sister, don’t let anyone take her away.”
Kaipei, who was a year and three months old, clever and energetic, was tugging at his mother’s skirt, trying to see his little sister in her arms. Upon hearing his great-grandfather’s words, he widened his eyes and loudly exclaimed, “Snatch sister, fight!”
The word “fight” was particularly intense.
Understanding Old Duke Xie’s intent, Princess Changting frowned, displeased, and said, “Old Xie, why teach such things to a good child?”
Satisfied with his great-grandson, Old Duke Xie praised him and happily went to the front courtyard.
Subsequently, the old Princess He arrived with Song Mo. Following them, the guests began to arrive one after another.
Not only did guests from the Prince He’s residence come, but also from the diligent Duke Xie’s family, the peaceful Duke Lu’s family, Minister Chen’s family, Magistrate He’s family, Government Official Huang’s family, all of whom Lu Man had helped or was currently assisting. Additionally, some families who had matters at hand and were waiting for Lu Man’s assistance also showed up, including their neighbor, Duke Liu of Pingguo.
Lady Min also brought her few months old son along.
As Donghui Courtyard was not very large, the older guests engaged in conversations while the younger individuals and children went to the adjacent mansion to admire the flowers or play on boats. Song Mo chose not to join Jiang Jiu in boating but instead lingered around Lu Man, amusingly watching little Yue. Stubbornly, he referred to her as “sister” rather than “niece”.
Observing Song Mo’s closeness to Lu Man, the old Princess He felt helpless. She thought to herself, both father and son favored Lu Man, it wouldn’t be a bad match if Lu Man could marry Song Ming in the future.
However, considering Princess Changting’s fondness for Lu Man, could they easily abandon her? Even if Jiang Zhanwei achieved great success, could he match Princess Changting’s affection for Lu Man?
Unaware of the thoughts of the old Princess He, Lu Man noticed her constant smiles and jokingly touched her face, saying, “Have I gained weight? Is that why the Princess doesn’t recognize me?”