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After giving Princess Changting a massage, administering acupuncture, prescribing herbal tonic, and amusing her until she smiled, Lu Man returned to the Donghui Courtyard.
Upon hearing of Lu Man’s actions, the Marquis and Third Master praised their wife and daughters-in-law, saying, “Learn from Lu Man, see how she help her man clean up messes and please her Grandmother.” They sighed, “Zhanwei’s household has risen. Both of them are competent outside and well-received at home. One plays the good cop, the other the bad cop. Even Grandmother, such a formidable person, was threatened but was soon appeased…”
Winter arrived, and on the 25th day of the twelfth month, Jiang Zhanwei did not return home as expected.
Not only were Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu unhappy, but even Jiang Yue felt uneasy.
In a time without phones or mobile devices, Lu Man grew anxious. Especially during snowstorms and howling winds, she couldn’t help but worry about Jiang Zhanwei, wherever he might be toiling.
Observing the men in the mansion, dressed in luxurious attire, enjoying lavish meals, and seeking entertainment even in their contentment, Lu Man couldn’t help but feel exasperated.
Whenever the weather turned inclement, Lu Man would subtly mention Jiang Zhanwei in front of Princess Changting.
Princess Changting, understanding the hardships faced by Jiang Zhanwei, softened her dissatisfaction towards him. She sighed, “Ah, my children are so precious, born to enjoy a life of luxury from the start…”
Lu Man inwardly scoffed. If they were born to luxury, who did they step on for promotions?
Perhaps Princess Changting sensed this thought, looking slightly embarrassed.
On the twenty-eighth afternoon, just after seeing off Madam Chen, who was still seeking treatment for infertility, a servant hurriedly reported to Lu Man, “Third Young Madam, Master Lu has gone to the Yuling Courtyard again.”
This servant was sent by Lu Man to monitor the Yuling Courtyard.
Upon hearing this news, Lu Man inwardly cursed Lu Fangrong as an incorrigible and sly character.
He knew Jiang Zhanwei wasn’t home, on the 16th, 18th, 21st, and 24th, so he went to the Yuling Courtyard and loitered outside for nearly half an hour, only to leave disappointed when the door remained closed.
Lu Man didn’t intervene directly but had someone discreetly monitor from a distance. She believed it was essential for He Mingzhu to understand Lu Fangrong better and experience his troublesome behavior.
Overhearing Mrs. Fu confide to Mama Wang about He Mingzhu’s distress in private, Lu Man learned that He Mingzhu was upset and embarrassed, not daring to tell He Cheng, who only returned home in the evening, or mention it to Lu Man. Both He Cheng and Lu Man played ignorant.
Seeing Lu Fangrong persisting once again, Lu Man couldn’t ignore it any longer. How many times was enough?
Was Lu Fangrong trying to win He Mingzhu over with “sincerity”? Or was he intent on being a nuisance, tarnishing He Mingzhu’s reputation until she had no choice but to marry him? Regardless of his motives, it was all quite repugnant.
Lu Fangrong’s daily disturbances were causing too much trouble. Lu Man was convinced that the masters in Princess Changting’s residence were well aware of the situation but refrained from addressing it to spare Lu Man’s feelings.
Summoning Xing, Lu Man quickly dispatched her to find the old Marquis, whispering a few words in her ear. Xing giggled, covering her mouth, then hurried off.
Accompanied by Mama Wang, Deputy Steward Wang, Liu Xin, and two guards, Lu Man boarded a carriage heading towards the Yuling Courtyard.
Before the carriage reached the courtyard’s entrance, Lu Man heard Mrs. Fu’s sharp voice berating, “Scoundrel, shameless rascal, despicable scum, why hasn’t the heavens struck you down? Go away, my mistress won’t see you, go away…”
Lu Fangrong’s voice pleaded, “Mingzhu, Mingzhu, please open the door. I beg you, speak directly to me, don’t let that shrew curse at me from inside. Mingzhu, I have already attained the rank of a third-grade official, and with good performance, I can climb higher. I will ensure you live a comfortable life…”
He tried to salvage his pride, lowering his voice while speaking.
Lu Man lifted the carriage curtain and saw Lu Fangrong, leaning on a cane, standing at the Yuling Courtyard’s entrance beside a parked carriage. Two pedestrians strolled slowly down the path, occasionally glancing in their direction. Several passersby on the street behind Princess Changting’s residence also cast curious looks.
Fuming with anger, Lu Man’s head ached. She descended from the carriage, approached Lu Fangrong, and sternly addressed him as he continued knocking on the door, “Master Lu, what do you think you are doing? You claim to hold a third-grade official position, yet you stand here making a scene in front of respectable women. Aren’t you afraid of being reported by the censorial officials?”
Lu Fangrong, upon seeing Lu Man, first complained, “Daughter, your old man survived against all odds and returned. Why didn’t you come to visit your father’s family?” Realizing the absurdity of his words, he quickly added, “Manman, please ask your mother to open the door. I have conditions to ensure a good life for your mother. She won’t need to use her dowry money to support the family, and I will compensate her…”
Lu Man waved her hand, saying, “Master Lu, please spare us the trouble. You have no sense of shame, but my mother, my brother, and I still have to uphold our reputations. Look…” she gestured towards the onlookers, saying, “People are already watching, causing unnecessary commotion.”
Lu Fangrong replied, “I don’t want to stand at the door like a spectacle either. If your mother opens the door, I can come in and talk, and others won’t be able to watch the drama.” He pleaded, “Manman, I’m your real father. Whether out of filial piety or for your mother’s sake, you should help your father and coax your mother over. Please, my good daughter, help your father, if your mother’s family prospers, your support will be even stronger…”
Lu Fangrong’s mindset was flawed, a common trait among many ancient men who thought having relationships with multiple women wasn’t a big deal. Lu Man had no patience left for him and never regarded him as a father. While Jiang Zhanwei might consider him a comrade-in-arms, she wouldn’t tolerate this talented yet morally lacking individual.
Frowning, Lu Man asserted, “Master Lu, let me repeat myself. My mother has no ties with you anymore. If you don’t listen, I’ll have the guards from Princess Changting’s residence ‘escort’ you off the premises. Don’t blame me for not warning you about losing face.”
The guards of Princess Changting belonged to the regular army, dispatched by the Household Department to protect the Princess. This area fell under Princess Changting’s jurisdiction, and the guards had a duty to maintain order.
Enraged, Lu Fangrong shouted, “You are my daughter, how can you be so unfilial!”
Lu Man retorted coldly, “Your daughter has already passed away. Since I came back to life, I no longer see myself as a member of the Lu family.” She instructed one of the guards, saying, “Go, bring the guards from over there.”
Despite his anger, Lu Fangrong couldn’t do anything to Lu Man. He then tried to coax her, saying, “We are having a celebration at home tomorrow. You and your brother should come for a meal.”
Lu Man shook her head, “My brother and I will send our congratulations for your successful career through someone else, but we cannot attend. Tomorrow, Duke Xie’s mansion is hosting a banquet, and we have already accepted the invitation.” Concerned that Lu Fangrong might bother He Mingzhu again, she added, “I will have our guards keep an eye on this place from now on. Remember that, Master Lu.”