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The next morning, the old Marquis came to Donghui Courtyard again for breakfast. Mama Qian also accompanied him.
Mama Qian mentioned that Princess Changting seemed a bit off and asked Lu Man to have breakfast and then check on her. She also brought a jade plum hairpin for Jiang Jiu and Jiang Yue, a reward from Princess Changting.
Lu Man invited the old marquis to sit with them for the meal, and set up a small table specifically for Mama Qian, with food just slightly less than what the masters had.
Mama Qian apologized, saying, “I couldn’t resist and ate while sitting.”
After the meal, Jiang Zhankui and Jiu went to the front courtyard for lessons, Lu Man took Jiang Yue to continue sleeping on the bed in the east room, holding the old Marquis with green bean cakes beside them. Lu Man then went with Mama Qian to Crane Hall.
Princess Changting had already finished breakfast and was strolling in the gallery of the Lake Heart Courtyard.
The Lake Heart Courtyard was the fourth courtyard of Crane Hall, with a beautiful pool adorned with lotus leaves and blooming flowers, shimmering in the morning sunlight.
The breeze was pleasantly cool, brushing against one’s face, providing comfort and contentment.
Seeing Princess Changting, dressed in luxurious attire and supported by a maid as she leisurely walked in the gallery, inevitably evoked envy. Some are born to suffer, while others are born to enjoy life.
The old lady had enjoyed a lifetime of blessings not just because of her noble status but also due to her intelligence, strength, foresight, and balanced perspective. She had planned meticulously for each of her children and grandchildren.
It was said that the residences of the Princess Chang’an and the other’s royal residences were in chaos. With a Princess supporting them, once she passed away, this household wouldn’t remain as prosperous.
Lu Man took Princess Changting’s arm from the maid, saying, “Grandmother, I’ve been worried about you.”
Princess Changting playfully scolded her, “You little rascal, learning tricks from me now.”
Lu Man chuckled in agreement, then sighed, “Grandmother, you’ve seen much in life, and I know I can’t hide anything from your keen eyes. However…”
Difficult Situation!
Princess Changting said, “I understand your dilemma. It’s not your Uncle’s fault, as a man, his focus is on court affairs and educating his descendants, not on the affairs in the backyard. If blame is to be placed, it’s on Zhanju’s wife, that cunning woman. She went too far in dealing with a minor woman, disregarding the family’s reputation and even lowering her own status, truly a case of harming both sides…” She went on to explain palace intrigue and household drama to Lu Man, distinguishing between advanced and low-level tactics.
Lu Man acknowledged her valuable insights.
However, deep down, Lu Man still felt the primary responsibility lay with Marquis Jiang. If he hadn’t spoiled Miss Rou so much, allowing her extravagances beyond what she deserved, Miss Rou wouldn’t have become so audacious.
Furthermore, without Jiang Zhanju’s instructions, Young Madam Han would not have dared to act in such a manner.
Princess Changting was always forceful and protective. Even if her sons or grandsons were in the wrong, she always saw and caught the faults of daughters-in-law or granddaughters-in-law.
Lu Man couldn’t express these thoughts, of course.
Princess Changting continued, “Ah, poor Zhen. Although she is a commoner’s daughter, she is my granddaughter and my eldest son’s own daughter. I don’t want her to grow up alongside that woman. She’s far inferior to the previous Miss Zhou. If Zhanju’s wife were as selfless and devoted to the family as you are, looking out for her in-laws and younger siblings, it would be great to entrust Zhen to her care. But that cunning woman needs more guidance. However, she has some good intentions overall, unlike Hong… It’s a pity that your Uncle, due to the empress dowager’s arranged marriage, ended up with a greedy wife. If only Hong were gone, he could find a wise and understanding stepmother for the eldest…” Princess Changting paused, realizing it might not be suitable to discuss this with a younger relative.
Lu Man chuckled foolishly, surprised by how highly Princess Changting regarded her. If only the old lady knew that Lu Man had always planned to part ways with Jiang Zhanwei and hadn’t even considered growing old with him, she wondered how she would react…
She hugged Princess Changting’s arm a bit tighter and coquettishly said, “Oh, granddaughter-in-law isn’t as good as grandmother says.”
Princess Changting chuckled, “Little rascal, grandmother’s eyes are sharp. I see your goodness, and the men in the house understand as well. Compared to other noble houses, our family is relatively peaceful. Despite Zhanwei and his siblings facing some injustices growing up, we provided them with a good upbringing and fair inheritance distribution. Unity is strength, a family must support each other…”
Lu Man agreed with this perspective. This family once shunned illegitimate children but never intended harm, they simply didn’t want them to stand out too much. In contrast, families like the Lu, for the sake of wealth, not only ruined the legitimate heir but also led to her demise. Rumors suggested some noble houses were even worse than the Lu Family, only appearing glamorous on the surface.
This household also sheltered her, as well as Tongren Hall, her mother and even He Cheng. This was why Lu Man was willing to contribute within her capabilities. However, this didn’t mean she was naive and easy to bully.
Lu Man accompanied Princess Changting for a while until the sun’s warmth increased, signaling the arrival of the well-wishers. She then escorted Princess Changting to the main house’s east room before returning to Donghui Courtyard.
Upon returning, she had Mama Wang take a box of ointment and a jade hairpin to Qingfeng Courtyard. Despite Miss Rou’s unpleasantness, Jiang Zhen was Marquis Jiang’s daughter and had indeed had a small piece of skin torn off her chin by Jiang Yue. It was appropriate to show sympathy.
Mama Wang returned, saying, “When this old servant delivered the items, Miss Rou gave me a disdainful look. Disliking her arrogance, I didn’t speak to her, only telling Third Miss that these were from Third Young Madam.” She chuckled, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, and continued, “As I was leaving, I saw several fierce-looking women heading to Qingfeng Courtyard, confiscating many luxurious items. They claimed it was at the Marquis’s orders, as these items were deemed excessive for a ‘Miss’. They scolded Miss Rou for her lack of manners, insubordination, and restricted her movements. I heard they even planned to replace the servants and maids in Qingfeng Courtyard and have them face punishment in the outer courtyard… I had walked quite a distance when I could still hear Miss Rou’s cries and Third Miss’s frightened sobs…”
Subsequently, the eldest Young Madam was set up by the Princess and stood in the Crane Hall all day.
In the evening, news spread that for unknown reasons, Marquis Jiang had struck the heir, Zhanju, leaving his face bruised, and Zhanju didn’t dare show up at the yamen for two days.
The next afternoon, Young Madam Han specifically brought her children to Donghui Courtyard to play, gifting Jiang Jiu and Jiang Yue each a bright piece of soft smoke-colored silk, claiming it was a new product from Jiangnan.
Young Madam Han blushed and was too embarrassed to elaborate, but her expression spoke volumes.