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Lu Man felt a mix of sadness and tenderness. Beneath the facade of peace and achievements lay a world of perpetual cruelty and bloodshed. She asked, “Do you still have wounds on your body? Are they serious? Let me change your bandages.”
Jiang Zhanwei replied, “Yes, but they have all healed well.”
Concerned, Lu Man insisted, “Let me take a look.”
Jiang Zhanwei smiled and said, “No need, they’ve scabbed over.” He wanted to say they could check later in the evening but felt embarrassed to do so in front of his daughter and siblings. He patted her hand and expressed, “Thank you. Your medical knowledge saved the lives of many of our brothers, and your medicines eased their suffering.”
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, seeing their brother’s wounds, also felt deep sympathy, with Jiang Jiu shedding tears. Only Jiang Yue, unaware of the significance of those scars, curiously played with a scar on his wrist.
After Lu Man dried Jiang Zhanwei’s hair, styled it with a jade hairpin, and fearing ridicule, they hastily made their way to Crane Hall.
Several elders and Jiang Zhanju had returned, discussing the day’s ceremony of presenting captives and how pleased the Emperor was, especially with Jiang Zhanwei’s actions.
Jiang Zhanwei entered and respectfully saluted the elders.
The elders praised Jiang Zhanwei for his loyalty to the court, defending the family and country, bringing honor to the clan, and the Princess Changting for her wise guidance of the grandchildren, among other things.
Second Master Jiang was moved to tears, expressing, “Seeing my son praised by the Emperor and receiving special gifts, I am overjoyed. The Crown Prince, Prime Minister Zhang, Duke Xie (Grand Marshal), General Xie, Duke An, old Prince Shuo, Grand Tutor Wang, Master Zhou, they all praised my son. I am proud as a father…”
Jiang Zhanwei stood up to bow to the Second Master, silent and unsure of what to say. He thought to himself, in a few days, perhaps the attitude would be different.
Second Master Jiang’s exaggeration caused the Princess and others to frown. Marquis Jiang stood up and said, “The welcoming feast is ready. Mother, Father, Zhanwei, let’s eat.”
The atmosphere at the welcoming feast was merry and harmonious, with conversations revolving around the Princess and Jiang Zhanwei.
This made Jiang Zhanwei uncomfortable, feeling a sense of disaffection. The past him, not accustomed to being praised and held in such high regard by the family, would have preferred to remain unnoticed. He consciously kept a low profile, watching as his legitimate brothers and siblings enjoyed themselves without restraint…
Jiang Zhanwei understood that the praise and flattery he received were due to bringing honor to the family, promising a bright future. However, the harmonious atmosphere where he and his siblings seamlessly fit in was something Lu Man had carefully cultivated during his absence.
The Princess sat at the men’s table today, content with Jiang Zhanwei’s demeanor. Though he spoke little, didn’t laugh as freely as others, and seemed somewhat aloof, he answered questions respectfully and showed deference to the elders. She knew that his disaffection from the family couldn’t be changed by a few days or kind words. Thankfully, her health was still robust, and she had a granddaughter-in-law who was understanding and considerate.
At the request of the Princess and others, Jiang Zhanwei briefly discussed the war situation. Most of the time, he listened to Marquis Jiang and the Second Master talk about how the Emperor was pleased, praised the Xie family’s troops, and encouraged the royal relatives and ministers present to learn from Princess Changting how to educate the next generation.
The old Marquis, repeatedly reminded by the Princess, remained mostly silent. Apart from the occasional untimely remark from the Second Master, everything was in order.
Following Lu Man’s instructions, Jiang Yue ran to the old Marquis’s table midway through the feast, giving two sweet kisses as a reward for “not scolding Daddy”. This unexpected gesture delighted the old Marquis, who found it a pleasant surprise.
Jiang Zhanwei raised a toast to the Princess, Marquis Jiang, the Second Master, the Third Master, the Eldest Brother, the Fourth Brother, and the Fifth Brother, thanking the elders for their guidance and care towards his wife and children. Blushing, he approached the women’s table and toasted Lu Man, thanking her for creating miraculous medicine that saved the soldiers in times of danger.
Madam Huang teased, “Just thanking your wife for making miraculous medicine? Nothing else?”
Jiang Zhanwei smiled and added, “Also, thank you to my wife for giving birth to our daughter, representing me in showing respect to the elders, and taking care of my siblings.”
Young Madam Han chimed in playfully, “Anything else?”
Laughter filled the room.
Jiang Zhankun joked, “Just spill it all out, Third Brother, don’t make us drag it out of you.”
Jiang Zhanwei chuckled helplessly, “Since you all want to hear it, I might as well say it – the vanguard and my brothers all praise me for marrying a good wife.”
His words amused everyone. The Sixth Young Master, who was sipping soup, choked and spilled his bowl, his face turning red from coughing.
Princess Changting laughed until tears welled up, pointing at the Third Madam and others, teasing, “You lot are too narrow-minded, always picking on the honest ones.”
The dinner lasted late into the evening, stretching until the end of the Hour of the Xu (9 PM)
Jiang Yue had fallen asleep in the nursemaid’s arms. Upon leaving, Jiang Zhanwei took his daughter from the nursemaid and held her close as he walked to the entrance of the gate.
The sky was vast and deep, with stars surrounding a high-hanging moon, connecting with distant lights to create a scene of endless brilliance and joy.
Despite the grandeur outside and the harmony within, all the splendor and happiness in the mansion today were for him.
The cold wind blew, and Jiang Zhanwei took a deep breath, pursed his thin lips, and held Jiang Yue even tighter in his arms.
Except for a few young men who preferred to walk to the outer courtyard, everyone else rode in sedan chairs.
Jiang Zhanwei never liked riding in a sedan chair, but seeing his daughter’s rosy, peaceful face as she slept, he reluctantly got into a small sedan chair.
Upon reaching the East Gate, the sedan chair stopped, and Jiang Zhanwei and his companions alighted.
The lights in Donghui Courtyard were as bright as day, even brighter than the Princess Changting’s mansion. Steward Ming and Liu Ya, along with male and female servants, stood on either side of the side building, welcoming the master’s return.
Jiang Zhanwei smiled at them and said, “You have taken good care of the Third Young Madam and the young masters and misses. I have taken note of it. Uncle Ming, remember to give the servants their monthly allowances tomorrow, and set up more banquet tables at noon. It’s my treat. It’s late now, everyone can go back.”
After bowing to him, the servants dispersed.
Seeing his younger siblings wanting to follow him to the upper chambers, Jiang Zhanwei said, “I was up almost all night last night and am tired. I want to rest early today. We can talk more tomorrow.”
Jiang Jiu pouted, wanting to talk to her brother, but upon hearing his words, she coquettishly said, “Brother…”
Jiang Zhankui held his sister back and said, “Brother needs to rest. We’ll come to see you tomorrow.” He then gently escorted Jiang Jiu away, making sure she reached her Courtyard before returning to the front courtyard to rest.
Mama Li took Jiang Yue from Jiang Zhanwei and, accompanied by Zhenshu, went to the southern room in the East Wing. Their movements were light, afraid of waking the miss and causing her to cry for her mother.