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During the meal, the future Crown Princess, Xie Shu, appeared before everyone. She was currently being taught etiquette by the palace maids and preparing for her upcoming marriage. In just over two months, she would be marrying into the Eastern Palace. To ensure she stayed in the best condition, Lu Man had sent over various beauty recipes a few days earlier.
Xie Shu clearly had something to say to Lu Man, but with many people around and the etiquette maids present, she dared not speak.
After the meal, while others watched the play, Lu Man took Jiang Yue, Jiang Jiu, and Song Mo, along with Lady Min and Min Jiaming, to visit Lady Yang’s courtyard.
Along the way, Min Jiaming, held by the nursemaid, recited a poem recently learned to Jiang Yue, also held by the nursemaid, “Guanguan Juji, on the islet in the river, a slender and virtuous lady, a good match for a gentleman…”
Jiang Yue disliked Min Jiaming reciting poems and felt uneasy, almost wanting to hit him. Mama Li held her tightly, not allowing her to move.
It amused everyone greatly.
Just as they had managed to put the children to sleep, Xie Shu arrived. Shortly after, Xie Yu also appeared.
The changes in General Xie were far more drastic than those of Jiang Zhanwei. Jiang Zhanwei’s temperament had changed, but his skin tone and physique hadn’t altered much. In contrast, General Xie’s demeanor and appearance had transformed significantly. His face was dark as iron, skin rough, muscles visibly developed, feeling as hard as iron knots, with a long scar running from the middle of his forehead to the corner of his right eye. At that moment, he resembled a man of formidable strength, intimidating to behold.
Not only had General Xie undergone significant changes, but even Lu Fangrong and the soldiers who had gone to the border with Jiang Zhanwei had also changed immensely. The most noticeable difference was their skin, which had become notably dark and rough.
Lu Man thought that Jiang Zhanwei was naturally a handsome man, a delicate beauty with smooth skin. Even in such harsh conditions, his skin hadn’t roughened much, just darkened slightly. Moreover, his face bore no scars except for his hands, where any marks were hidden. It was unclear whether he was vain or simply fortunate to have such unblemished skin.
Seeing that the Xie family seemed to have something private to discuss with Lu Man, Lady Min gracefully excused herself, claiming fatigue, to rest in the small room where Min Jiaming slept.
Xie Yu blushed like a boiled prawn, his expression shy and awkward, a stark contrast to his bold appearance.
He first bowed to Lu Man and said, “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I spoke thoughtlessly, not realizing that my careless words were overheard by my immature sister and spread around, causing such a big misunderstanding between you and Zhanwei. If you two were to separate because of my words, then I would be greatly at fault…”
Xie Yu was extremely helpless. He hadn’t expected that a few casual words he said to his wife would be heard by his sister, then spread, eventually reaching the ears of those involved. He recalled how Jiang Zhanwei, upon arriving at the border, had angrily sought him out and even mentioned that if Lu Man ignored him, he would do the same…
Tears shimmered in Xie Shu’s eyes as she blessed Lu Man and said, “Sister-in-law, I’m sorry. It was all my fault, causing that trouble. My grandfather, my father, my older brother, even my mother, they all scolded me. Sister-in-law, you’ve been so good to me, yet I unintentionally hurt you…”
Xie Yu continued to explain, “Those were Zhanwei’s initial thoughts, spoken when he was drunk. Later, upon seeing your kindness, he believed you to be the best person in the world and changed his mind…” He then slapped his own head with a big hand, scolding himself, “I, a grown man, got involved in women’s gossip, nearly ruining someone’s marriage, especially my good brother and my son’s wife’s savior… It’s truly embarrassing.” After speaking, he bowed to Lu Man once more and walked away quickly, feeling too embarrassed to stay any longer. Shameful!
Lady Yang also took Lu Man’s hand and said, “Sister Lu, please don’t be angry with my husband and sister-in-law. They are also feeling guilty and remorseful…”
Xie Shu also kept apologizing.
Their gestures made Lu Man feel embarrassed. She said, “The conflict I had with Third Young Master before wasn’t just about those words. If he hadn’t had those thoughts, he wouldn’t have spoken to Big Brother Xie. I have grown wiser and more perceptive. Please stop worrying. Third Young Master and I are doing well now, and we currently have no intention of parting ways.”
Lady Yang disagreed, saying, “What do you mean by ‘currently’? Sister Lu, don’t overthink things. Brother Jiang is talented and virtuous, a rare find.”
Lu Man smiled but remained silent. She acknowledged the “talent” part but reserved judgment on the “virtue” aspect.
Lu Man then checked Xie Shu’s pulse and gave her a facial massage using milk.
In the early hours of the day, Lu Man took the children to the flower hall to meet with the Princess and others, preparing to bid farewell and return home.
To Lu Man’s surprise, the old Marquis Jiang was also present. His left cheek and nose bore two scratch marks, his attire different from the morning, and his hair neatly combed. He appeared excited, with an uncontrollable gleam in his eyes, resembling a mental patient who had just recovered from an illness.
Lu Man was taken aback and quickly asked, “Grandfather, what happened to you?”
Old Marquis Jiang touched the scratch marks on his nose and said in frustration, “It was old Wang who scratched me. That old man acts like a woman, always pulling hair and scratching people.” He chuckled and continued, “He didn’t get off easy, I pulled out a clump of his long beard, yanked out a strand of his white hair, and even made him wet himself. Hmph, he deserved it for insulting Changting and suppressing his grandson. I’ve wanted to teach him a lesson for a long time, and today I finally got the chance.”
The Wang family had been actively trying to sow discord between Princess Changting and Jiang Zhanwei, both privately and in public. They aimed to strain the relationship between the Princess and Jiang Zhanwei.
Lu Man quickly advised, “Grandfather, please refrain from getting into fights in the future. You are getting older, and if you were to fall again, the consequences could be dire.” That old Wang was not someone to shy away from retaliation.
Princess Changting was touched by the old Marquis’s actions. Ever since hearing that old Wang had spoken ill of her in the Golden Hall, the old Marquis had been restless, constantly wanting to confront him, but she had managed to dissuade him. Unexpectedly, seeing him actually engage in a fight today left her somewhat surprised.
However, Lu Man was right, if he were to fall and trigger a dissociative episode, that would be terrible. She further advised, “Look, even the talented granddaughter, agrees with what I’m saying. Ping, please listen to reason. If you despise someone, don’t fight them, just scold them! If you find it unsatisfying to scold alone, send someone to fetch me, and I’ll scold along with you.”
The old Marquis, being quite traditional, shook his head and said, “No, only men should fight for women, there’s no reason for women to fight for men.”
Jiang Yue, delighted, exclaimed loudly, “Fight, fight, good, good!”
The conversation among the elderly and the young ones left onlookers somewhat amused and bemused.