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Little Yue was placed on the big kang in the side room, habitually tilting her head to look at “Daddy”.
Little Yue was over seven months old, fair, chubby, and adorable like snow jade. She developed exceptionally well, was remarkably bright, not prone to crying or being delicate. She could sit, crawl, and even gauge people’s expressions, making her very likable.
However, the little one seemed spoiled, very assertive. She not only held the great-grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts, and cousins in the palm of her hand but also dared to defy even the fearsome Princess Changting. When unhappy, she would raise her voice and shout.
Princess Changting not only didn’t mind but chuckled, saying, “My great-granddaughter is meant to be this domineering. The girls in our manor, Ling is too dignified, Jiu is too weak, and He is too delicate, only Little Yue is just right.”
Unintentionally, while praising one, Princess Changting inadvertently criticized many. Although Jiang Jiu was pleased, the eldest Madam was discontented. How could the legitimate daughter of the main branch be surpassed by a bastard’s daughter? Despite her displeasure, she dared not show it.
The Eldest Young Madam was not angry this time.
It was because Jiang Zhanju had been promoted to an External Attendant at the Ministry of Revenue early in the year, not only a promotion in rank but also a move to the Ministry. Moreover, excelling as an External Attendant made it easy to be promoted to a Regular Attendant.
She no longer felt resentful towards the Princess and the old Marquis for favoring Lu Man. Lu Man was truly a lucky star who brought prosperity to her husband’s family, benefiting not only Jiang Zhanwei but their entire family.
Even the incompetent Second Master Jiang was promoted early in the year to a junior official position, becoming a Minor Secretary at the Ministry of Works. This position was even one the Emperor hesitated to grant, but eventually, to appease his elder sister, he reluctantly agreed, considering her repeated requests.
For the past two years, Princess Changting had been worrying about the future of her children and grandchildren. Feeling her age catching up, she wanted to plan for them before her time came. The Emperor, aware of his elder sister’s concerns, summoned Marquis Jiang specifically when General Xie requested the “Willow Bark Powder”, and took the opportunity to count Lu Man’s offering in the mansion of the Princess Changting, and benefited his nephews……
After glancing at “Daddy” for a moment, little Yue clapped her chubby hands together near her mouth, making a few “flying kiss” gestures towards him before lowering her head to grab a cloth doll and pull it around.
Sitting on the side making small clothes, He Mingzhu blushed when she heard the “kissing” sound, secretly blaming her daughter for teaching the child improper gestures and sounds. After all, this was a girl, and such actions and sounds could be quite embarrassing.
Ever since little Yue began making hand gestures, Lu Man taught her the action of blowing kisses. Since she couldn’t say the word “kiss” directly, as it was unconventional, she referred to it as “flying kisses”. Lu Man instructed her to only do this for Daddy and Mommy. Looking at Jiang Zhankui, Jiang Jiu, the old Marquis, and others anxiously watching, she added that she could also do it for her little uncles, aunts, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandmother, and uncles, but not for others.
Counting them one by one, Lu Man realized she had quite a few family members who doted on her daughter. Compared to the desolation she had experienced in her past lives, it was like night and day.
Of course, among all this love, Lu Man most desired her little girl to enjoy a father’s love. It was a love she had longed for in both her past lives, and an essential love for any child.
Deep down, Lu Man yearned for paternal love, yet both fathers in her two lifetimes were neglectful towards their daughters. Observing Jiang Jiu’s struggles to earn her father’s affection, Lu Man saw how futile it was even at such a lowly level of humility.
Lu Man hoped her daughter wouldn’t have this regret and wished for her to receive all the love she deserved. Moreover, she firmly believed that Jiang Zhanwei would undoubtedly be a loving father to their daughter, as someone who showed such affection towards his siblings would surely dote on his own daughter.
Regardless of her future relationship with Jiang Zhanwei, Lu Man hoped that the father and daughter could have a good relationship.
At that moment, Jiang Jiu, who had just finished her music lesson, entered with the Mama Luo.
Mama Luo had been released from the palace a few months ago by Princess Changting to serve as Jiang Jiu’s nursemaid. At thirty-five years old, she had no desire to remarry and was wary of her nephew coaxing away her savings, so she agreed to be Jiang Jiu’s nursemaid. The previous nursemaid, Mama Guo, fell seriously ill, and Jiang Jiu rewarded her with a hundred taels of silver before sending her home to recuperate.
Jiang Jiu, now eight years old, not only had to study but also learn etiquette, play the flute, and do needlework. Since there was no specialized tutor for needlework, He Mingzhu was skilled in it, and Jiang Jiu learned from her.
The little girl not only grew taller and chubbier but was also very endearing, always with a smile. Princess Changting had praised Lu Man for raising Jiang Jiu well, saying she had a good heart and had taught her little sister well.
Jiang Jiu looked around and asked He Mingzhu, “Auntie, my sister-in-law hasn’t come back yet?”
He Mingzhu smiled and replied, “Not yet.”
Jiang Jiu sat on the kang, took her little niece into her arms, pointed to Jiang Zhanwei’s portrait, and said, “Little Yue, come, give Daddy two more kisses.”
Little Yue loved blowing kisses to Daddy the most, but despite making several just now, none of the grandmothers had praised her. Now, hearing her aunt’s words, she eagerly put down her toy and enthusiastically blew kisses at the portrait with even louder sounds.
Jiang Jiu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Seeing her aunt happy, Little Yue excitedly wiggled her little bottom, clapping her hands and saying “Wow” repeatedly, indicating how skillful she was at blowing kisses.
After playing with her niece for a while, Jiang Jiu began practicing needlework on an embroidery frame.
At that moment, Lu Man was in the western side room of the Crane Hall. The room was empty except for Lu Man and Princess Changting, both looking very serious.
They had just seen off an esteemed guest.
Yesterday, the old Marquis fell “ill”, and Lu Man had been busy here ever since, returning to Donghui Courtyard only after dark. Today, in the afternoon, upon hearing that the Crown Prince was visiting the old Marquis at Crane Hall, he even brought a senior physician from the Imperial Hospital.
Sending the servants away, Lu Man showed the Crown Prince the “hidden ailment” that had tormented him for sixteen years.
The Crown Prince’s condition was top-secret, known only to the Emperor, Empress, Princess Changting, a few close relatives, and a few court physicians.
Princess Changting had previously informed Lu Man roughly that the Crown Prince’s chronic ailment had been present since birth, growing on his back in a light purple color. Initially the size of a soybean at birth, it had gradually enlarged, causing excruciating pain, especially worse at night.
Despite numerous changes in imperial physicians, none had been able to cure it. The Empress was also extremely worried and had discreetly sought out renowned physicians. When the Crown Prince was eight, they did find one who managed to control the growth, but it remained unresolved, causing continued intense pain. Due to frequent sleepless nights, his health had been deteriorating.
The Crown Prince, now sixteen, was the Emperor’s only son, and it was expected that he would marry this year to ensure the continuation of the imperial line. The Emperor had already designated a Crown Princess, a virtuous lady for the Crown Prince, and a suitable lady in waiting. However, due to his health issues, they had postponed the marriage to the following year, as they didn’t want him to engage with women prematurely, fearing it might worsen his condition.