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Jiang Zhanwei’s expression turned slightly solemn, his voice growing colder. He said, “I know, my grandmother mentioned it yesterday. She put it very grandly, all for my own good. While in their eyes, illegitimate children should sacrifice, legitimate ones should gain, I can no longer let them manipulate me at will. This time, as an illegitimate son, I cannot just be a sacrificial lamb. I must also strive for my own interests, adjusting according to the situation, fighting for greater benefits for myself.”
Lu Man saw him off at the main house door. Outside, snowflakes began to drift again, the cold wind biting, with two lanterns lit along the corridor. In the dim light, she watched his tall, straight figure hurriedly disappear beyond the hanging flower gate.
Legitimate children gain benefits? Being used as sacrificial lamb?
Lu Man had never heard the old lady mention this matter. Upon further thought, given the deep affection between the Emperor and Princess Changting, of course the Emperor would surely not let the his older sister suffer. Suppressing the illegitimate side would naturally elevate the legitimate one.
Princess Changting was truly cunning, she hadn’t thought of these matters herself.
Also, what does “greater benefits” refer to? Aunts? Titles? Or maybe a concubine… oh, it seems only merchants have concubines.
He had finally grown up, wanting to seek the greatest benefits for his long-suffering birth mother, this was only natural…
Lu Man felt somewhat anxious, unsure of Jiang Zhanwei’s future path. Though the Emperor had given hints to Princess Changting, the final outcome remained uncertain. If the position granted by the Emperor was unsatisfactory, Jiang Zhanwei would not only be angry but would surely fight for the maximum benefit for “her”. If this request exceeded the Princess’s tolerance, their newly restored relationship might once again encounter discord.
Lu Man never wished for Jiang Zhanwei to sour his relationship with Princess Changting. With his current abilities, he couldn’t contend with that powerful figure, and the Princess could still rely on her strength. Moreover, she had a strong liking for and dependence on that kind-hearted yet forceful old lady.
Although Jiang Zhanwei was shrewd and calculating, things that she could foresee, he surely could as well. Yet, she feared that he might be blinded by past grievances and obsessions…
Lu Man leaned against the heated brick bed lost in thought until Xing came to invite her for breakfast.
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu had already settled at the dining table in the West Wing, and the old Marquis came over to join them for breakfast. He had intended to come last evening to cause trouble but was dissuaded by the Princess.
After breakfast, Lu Man led the old Marquis to the East Wing.
The old Marquis spoke foolishly again, “Zhanwei’s wife, last night, did Zhanwei still monopolize you to sleep alone?”
Lu Man was infuriated, raising her voice, she asked, “Grandfather, are Marquis Jiang and the two other gentlemen your sons?”
The old Marquis chuckled, “Zhanwei’s wife is even sillier than me, not knowing this. Of course, they are my sons, oh, they are also Changting’s sons.”
Lu Man inquired again, “Then why doesn’t grandmother sleep with them but sleeps alone?”
The old Marquis was taken aback, he had never considered this question.
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu both burst into laughter.
Lu Man then calmly explained, “Because they have grown up and should sleep separately from their mother. Regardless of who it is, once grown up, they should sleep alone. For example, Dewen, you can go and ask him if he still sleeps with his mother.”
The old Marquis stroked his beard and said, “No need to ask, Dewen definitely doesn’t sleep with his mother.”
In his understanding, except for Jiang Yue, who must sleep with her mother, no one else should sleep with their mother. After uttering those words, he seemed to grasp the concept that children should not sleep with their mothers and no longer dwelled on the matter.
He sat by the small bed watching Jiang Yue sleep, while Lu Man returned to the main house to assign tasks to the stewards. When Jiang Yue woke up, they would wait together in the Crane Hall to hear news from Jiang Zhanwei.
Upon waking up and realizing she wasn’t in her mother’s room, Jiang Yue started crying, though not as fiercely as the day before.
Lu Man went over to comfort her. The old Marquis, being reasonable, added, “Other girls don’t sleep with their mothers, they would find it funny. If Yue doesn’t believe it, she can ask Dewen, He, or Zhen…”
Jiang Yue listened, tears in her eyes, and remained silent.
After Jiang Yue finished breakfast, Lu Man and the others went together to the CRane Hall. Sweet Pea had already gone out to play.
Many people were gathered on the east side of the Crane Hall, including two somewhat unfamiliar old acquaintances, old Madam Zhu and her granddaughter-in-law, Eldest Young Madam Zhu.
Even though Lu Man had become the “Divine Physician”, old Madam Zhu had never regarded her with respect. She believed that a concubine’s daughter-in-law would always be just that—a concubine’s daughter-in-law, unable to rise above her station.
Today, however, she put on a false front. After exchanging greetings with the old Marquis, she smiled at Lu Man and said, “Oh, Zhanwei has really made a name for himself. My son and grandson both call him a great hero, capturing Wangyan Tu, the Tartars fear him the most…”
Lu Man had no intention of giving this old lady any face, even in the presence of the Princess and the old Marquis.
Pretending not to hear, Lu Man paid her respects to the Princess, the Second Madam, the Third Madam, and even bent her knee slightly to old Madam Zhu before taking her seat.
Feeling a sense of shame, old Madam Zhu suppressed her anger and continued, “My maternal nephew’s grandson has made a name for himself, bringing honor to my old face. I heard that today the Emperor is rewarding the meritorious soldiers, so this old lady came to hear about Zhanwei’s future and share in his joy.”
In response to this, Lu Man couldn’t help but reply with a wry smile, “It’s quite touching that old Madam Zhu still remembers our Third Young Master.”
The Princess felt anxious, she knew all too well that Jiang Zhanwei’s reward this time involved more than just one grandson.
Jiang Zhanwei returned at noon. He no longer exuded the confidence he had when he left, a sense of melancholy lingered on his face.
Anxiously, Princess Changting asked, “Zhanwei?”
Jiang Zhanyu and Jiang Zhankun also inquired, “Brother, how did it go?”
After paying respects to the Princess, Jiang Zhanwei sat beside her as she inquired, “My good child, what did the Emperor bestow upon you?”
Jiang Zhanwei replied, “The Black Furry Camp has been officially incorporated into the Vigorous Battalion, and I have been appointed as the Commander of the Vigorous Battalion in Ji Province. Additionally, the Emperor granted me a title, making me the Count of Yongwei.”
The Vigorous Battalion was an elite division of the Imperial Guards, located thirty miles outside the capital, with the rank of third-grade military officer.
The third-grade military officer title and the Count position were within Lu Man’s expectations. Being stationed at the Vigorous Battalion meant he wouldn’t be coming home every day, which satisfied Lu Man.
However, in the eyes of the Princess, this Chief position was less than ideal. The Vigorous Battalion was located outside the capital, far from the prestigious positions of the Imperial Guards within the city. Moreover, in times of major conflicts, the Vigorous Battalion couldn’t escape deployment.
Jiang Zhankun and others who were unaware of the situation were deeply disappointed. Young people often have hero fantasies, and now they greatly admired Jiang Zhanwei, believing that with such significant achievements, he should at least have been granted a second-grade title. With the Princess’s backing, perhaps even an earldom. Yet, he was only given a count title and appointed as a Commander of a Battalion.