Font Size:
Princess Chang’an took Shu Mingwei’s hand and said, “Alas, poor child, some things are not your fault, blame it on fate playing tricks on us.”
Princess Changting, standing beside them, also felt guilty towards Shu Mingwei. Comforting her, she said, “We all know you’re a good child. Alas, it’s our family that has wronged you.”
Upon hearing this, Shu Mingwei couldn’t hold back her tears, quickly wiping them away with a handkerchief. She forced a smile and said, “Princess, you’re being too kind. I am unworthy of your praise.” She then bowed to the elderly ladies and retreated.
Princess Chang’an whispered to Princess Changting, “Miss Shu has always gotten along well with my granddaughter, Sun Yuchen. Sun Yuchen told me that the Shu family recently tried to betroth her to a man in his forties as a concubine, but she refused and even considered becoming a nun, though her family dissuaded her from shaving her head. Sun Yuchen suggested that I adopt her as my granddaughter to give her a better status and make it easier for her in her in-laws’ household. I thought that poor child had a rough fate, she’s beautiful, kind-hearted, and has a good temperament, like a delicate flower. If she became a nun or married an old man near death, it would be a pity. So, I did it as an act of kindness and adopted her as my granddaughter…”
The other elderly ladies sighed in sympathy, and Princess Changting felt a tinge of guilt and reluctance.
When the family insisted on breaking off the engagement with the Shu family, Mr. Shu had petitioned at the Golden Hall, accusing them of being untrustworthy. With two legitimate grandsons yet to be betrothed, they unfairly forced their illegitimate grandson to break off his engagement and upset his bride-to-be… It was indeed a wrong move on their part, which not only led to Jiang Zhanwei joining the military but also disrupted Shu Mingwei’s marriage prospects.
Now, it appeared that Jiang Zhanwei marrying Lu Man was a great thing, a blessing for both the family and Jiang Zhanwei. If Jiang Zhankun or Jiang Zhanyu had married Lu Man instead, the family would still benefit from Lu Man’s good luck, but Jiang Zhanwei wouldn’t have had the opportunities that came after he joined the military…
Princess Changting turned to the elderly ladies present and said, “Miss Shu’s broken engagement wasn’t due to any fault of her character, it was because my husband was seriously ill and had to break off the engagement. Alas, it’s our fault. If any of your families have suitable grandsons or nephews, help make the connections, she’s a talented and well-mannered young lady…”
Madam Wang interjected, “Miss Shu is turning eighteen this year. At this age, aren’t most outstanding young men already married or betrothed?”
Listening to the sympathetic and praising words from the elderly ladies towards Shu Mingwei, Lu Man felt a sense of disdain. Shu Mingwei was truly skilled at deception, not only fooling these elderly ladies but even the astute Princess Changting.
Suddenly, the sound of a child crying outside reached them.
Lu Man quickly stood up and went out, she was most worried about her daughter causing trouble.
This time, it wasn’t just Jiang Yue involved in a fight, Jiang Yue, Kaipei, and Ming joined forces and made another boy cry.
“He was being naughty, trying to steal the toy horse.” Ming explained the reason for the fight.
“Trying to steal Sister Yue’s toy horse.” Xie Kaipei added.
“Steal, horse, hit.” Jiang Yue said angrily.
The boy was a bit older, over three years old, and he also wanted to ride the “big horse”. Seeing that among the children present, Jiang Yue was the only girl and the youngest, he cleverly attempted to snatch the “big horse” from her.
Although pulled away by the servants, Jiang Yue held a grudge and, with Kaipei and Ming, took the opportunity when the servants weren’t looking to hit the boy.
Lu Man, Lady Yang, and Lady Min kept apologizing to the boy’s family. The boy’s family couldn’t blame them and instead continued to scold the servants responsible for looking after the children.
Amidst the commotion, Lu Man heard a familiar meowing sound.
Jiang Yue also heard it and shouted, “Pea, Pea.”
A small yellow cat rushed over, and Jiang Yue happily picked it up.
Soon after, Song Mo entered the courtyard, followed closely by the old Princess He.
It turned out that Sweet Pea had gone to visit the Prince He’s Mansion. This little creature now had several places to visit, including the Yuling Courtyard, the Prince He’s Mansion, and Liu Xirui’s courtyard. It was treated as an esteemed guest in all these places, so it loved visiting them and sometimes stayed away from home for half a month.
Lu Man and the others paid their respects to the old Princess He. Song Mo, on the other hand, pulled on Lu Man’s skirt and started crying loudly, sounding as pitiful as an abandoned kitten.
“Sister-in-law, Brother Jiang is back, why don’t you want me anymore, sob… I miss you so much, but my father doesn’t allow me to visit you, sob… It’s been so long, you haven’t sent anyone to fetch me, don’t you want me anymore, sob…”
Since Lu Man detoxified Song Mo, for nearly two years, he would visit the Donghui Courtyard almost every month, staying for three days, typically once every ten days. However, with Jiang Zhanwei’s return this month followed by his return in the middle of the month and being busy comforting the elderly later on, Lu Man hadn’t had time to think about the little boy. Perhaps Song Ming knew she was busy, so he didn’t let his son cause trouble in the Donghui Courtyard.
Lu Man quickly comforted Song Mo, saying, “Oh, Sister-in-law didn’t come to pick you up because she asked Sweet Pea to keep you company, right?” She shamelessly used Sweet Pea in this situation.
Song Mo’s lamentations amused everyone, even leaving the old Princess He at a loss. The old Princess had long been aware of her son’s troubles and could see that Zhanwei’s return from the military had left him restless and visibly thinner.
The old Princess carefully observed Lu Man, who was consoling Song Mo, dressed in a large red embroidered silk cotton jacket, her eyes like autumn water, her face delicate and radiant. Even while comforting the crying Song Mo, her joyful expression couldn’t be hidden. She didn’t look like a discarded woman on the brink of divorce but rather a beloved young bride.
Indeed, many people were now saying that Princess Changting was a cunning fox while Jiang Zhanwei was a young fox. How could they bear to chase out Lu Man, a talented physician and a lucky charm? Moreover, Lu Man was stunningly beautiful—what man wouldn’t be fond of her?
While old Princess He maintained a calm exterior, inside, she mourned her infatuated and foolish son. She was more irritated by her young grandson, who was crying helplessly in someone else’s arms.
After promising to take Song Mo back to the Donghui Courtyard to spend the night, Lu Man finally stopped his wailing. He clung to her, not letting go, even neglecting his beloved Sister Yue.
Ignoring Xie Kaipei’s teasing about him being a “crybaby”, Song Mo’s heart was heavy. He thought, “Your family is always lively and cheerful, and now that your father is back, it’s even livelier. But my home is quiet and lonely, and I feel so alone. If I don’t cry now, perhaps even this beloved sister-in-law of mine won’t pay attention to me.”
Thinking this, Song Mo’s eyes welled up again, and he tugged harder at Lu Man’s clothes.
Seeing Song Mo like this, Lu Man felt an even greater sense of tenderness towards him. Regardless of whether Jiang Zhanwei was home or not, she resolved to let the little guy visit their home for a day every month.
Later, Lu Man was caught by several elderly ladies to check their pulses, and Song Mo stuck to her side, not letting go.