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Lu Man’s previous joy was suddenly washed away, leaving her nose tingling with the urge to cry. Everyone today had only spoken of victory, heroes, honor, and becoming famous in one battle. No one had mentioned how many had died or been injured in the war, or the harsh conditions under which the soldiers had fought to achieve victory. Especially the surprise attack by the Black Furry Camp, one could imagine how brutal it must have been, not knowing how many had died… Fortunately, they already knew that Jiang Zhanwei was still alive.
That guy, cold as ice, yet always so good at stirring emotions.
She thought of Lu Fangrong, the phoenix man who had been utterly despicable to his wife and children. Although he had wronged his ex-wife and the original Lu Man, it was undeniable that on the battlefield, he was also a hero without peer, a general whose spirit could shake the mountains and rivers. She had never cared about his life or death before, but after seeing Jiang Zhanwei’s letter, she hoped he could also return safely.
Holding Jiang Zhanwei’s letter and belongings, Jiang Zhankui and the others all returned with satisfaction.
After coaxing Jiang Yue to sleep, Lu Man couldn’t concentrate on anything else. After washing up, she sent the servants away, blew out the candle, and came to the window to push it open.
The bright moon hung quietly in the sky, pouring down a cool moonlight, covering everything with a silver frost. The eaves with upturned corners in the haze looked like black silhouettes. In the autumn wind, the bamboo leaves rustled.
The cool autumn breeze gradually calmed Lu Man’s restless and conflicted heart.
The true master of this courtyard was about to return, which was a joyous event. No matter what Jiang Zhanwei had done, she did not consider him a bad person and continued to wish for his health and safe return. Heaven had eyes, and this wish had finally come true.
However, with his return, she would soon face new problems. As his legal wife, certain duties and rights between them were protected by law. If he was unwilling to remain a contractual, pretend couple, whether based on the rights granted to Jiang Zhanwei by law or for the sake of maintaining the superficial harmony of the family, she would have to accept certain things. Unless she firmly chose to divorce him…
The next morning, Liu Chun came to see Lu Man again.
He said that General Lu had also asked him to bring letters and things to the Third Madam, Madam He, and Young Master He. Originally, Third Master did not want him to bring them, but considering the special and dangerous nature of their mission, and not wanting General Lu to go to war with emotions and regrets, he nodded and allowed him to bring them.
But Jiang Zhanwei had privately instructed him not to give the letters and items to Madam He and her son yet, but to give them to the Third Madam instead. Jiang Zhanwei did not want the in-law to miss out on the care and concern from General Lu while he was alive, nor did he want her to worry about his life or death and feel sad or grieved.
He said that if General Lu had not died, to return them to him when he returned to the capital. If he had died, the Third Madam and Young Master He should discuss how to handle them.
Lu Man looked at the three letters, one envelope marked “To Manman”, and the other two marked “To Cheng” and “To Mingzhu”.
That Lu Fangrong, his actions always left one speechless. He Mingzhu had been divorced by his mother ages ago, so what right did he have to still call her “Mingzhu”?
Yesterday, the battle report only stated that our army had won a great victory, the enemy had surrendered, and Jiang Zhanwei’s Black Furry Camp had achieved extraordinary merit. As the main general of the Black Furry Camp, if Jiang Zhanwei had died, it would definitely have been mentioned in the battle report. Since it was not mentioned, it meant he was still alive. Lu Fangrong, as the deputy general, his life or death would definitely not be mentioned in the battle report, and Lu Man really couldn’t guess.
Looking at the box again, it contained some exotic jewelry and pendants, as well as two banknotes and several gold ingots.
Lu Man opened the letter addressed to her. The letter was not long, saying that if he could return alive, he would definitely make up for the love he had not given to his wife, son, and daughter, and be a good husband and father. If he died, he asked them not to be sad, as he had died for his country and was a hero they could be proud of. He also asked Lu Man to persuade He Mingzhu and He Cheng to return to the Lu family. This way, He Mingzhu would have the protection of the family and could be buried in the Lu family’s ancestral grave, together with him, and He Cheng would have a good future. He had already written to Old Lady Lu and Lu Fangming about his wishes, and they would make things convenient for He Mingzhu and He Cheng and would be good to them…
Although Lu Man did not wish for Lu Fangrong to die, his way of thinking, which was like talking at cross purposes, was extremely repulsive. The most shameless thing was that he wanted He Mingzhu to return to the Lu family after his death and be buried with him in the future. On what basis? Did he really think his charm was so powerful that He Mingzhu was still infatuated with him and even after his death wanted to be buried with him?
Compared to the small scoundrel Jiang Zhanwei and the big scoundrel Lu Fangrong, Jiang Zhanwei was a truly great and good man.
Lu Man put the items and letters away in the drawer of her desk. She thought about what Jiang Zhanwei had said, and indeed, Lu Fangrong should not be allowed to disturb He Mingzhu too much. Whether he was dead or alive, he should not disturb her.
In the afternoon, He Cheng returned from Tongren Hall and came to discuss the clinic’s affairs with Lu Man. Lu Man then showed him the letters and items.
As He Cheng read the letter addressed to him, his expression grew more severe. Finally, he threw the letter on the table and said angrily, “How could he think that way? He actually wants Mother to return to the Lu family to be a widow for him, and he thinks this is a good way out for her…” He opened his mouth, but found it difficult to say anything else, and then added, “I hope he can live well and return triumphantly. However, the letter he wrote to Mother should not be given to her, right? Whether General Lu returns or not, we should not give it to her and disrupt her peaceful life. As for this box, if he returns, we’ll give it back to him. If he doesn’t, we’ll give it to the Lu family. Also, no matter what the future holds, Mother and I have no connection with the Lu family.”
His thoughts coincided with Lu Man’s.
Lu Man suggested, “The county government just sent us two fat sheep from the grasslands. You can take half of one back. Tomorrow night, we’ll have a mutton hotpot, and invite Uncle Li, Uncle Qin, Uncle He, and Uncle Chen over for dinner. Those are the elders left by your maternal grandfather, and they have taught you a lot. You and your mother should thank them.”
Originally, He Cheng had taken a non-participatory attitude toward the relationship between his mother and Manager Li. He did not oppose them being together, but he also would not secretly matchmake them like his sister did. He had always believed that after he married and had children, he could still provide his mother with a happy old age.
But now it seemed that Lu Fangrong was truly not a good match. If he returned alive and managed to coax his kind-hearted and honest mother over, her life would be miserable. If he died, because of his instructions to the Lu family’s grandmother, the Lu family would occasionally come looking for his mother, which would also disturb her peaceful life.
After listening to Lu Man’s words, He Cheng nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll have Aunt Fu prepare it, and tomorrow night we’ll also invite my sister’s family and Mama Wang’s family to Yuling Courtyard for dinner.”
The siblings then discussed how to create opportunities for He Mingzhu and Manager Li to spend time together in the future, and how to influence He Mingzhu’s thoughts.