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Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Lu Man couldn’t help but complain that the person saved was the original Lu Man, while the one harmed was herself. Regardless of his past actions, he was no longer the kind young man, and she wasn’t the helpless original Lu Man. Their relationship was not one of rescue and being rescued, it was merely a mutually beneficial contractual marriage.
Moreover, he could turn on a dime and was adept at deception. Who knew what was truly on his mind. Almost everyone in Princess Changting’s Mansion had been deceived by him, let alone herself. To avoid further harm, she needed to keep her distance from him and not be swayed by his false facade.
She decided to stick to the plan, to be a competent contractual wife. He would do his best to help her, and she would do her best to assist him, aiming for a win-win situation.
As for the Lu family, they would have to settle accounts. Unfortunately, as Jiang Zhanwei suggested, they could only deal with Mrs. Xiao Chen and Bao Qin for now. They would have to wait to address the matter fully. The old lady and her two sons couldn’t be allowed to enjoy the He family’s wealth without consequences, especially after enabling the culprit to harm the original Lu Man and still aiming for promotion and wealth.
After deciding on her course of action, Lu Man finally got out of the tub.
Lying in bed, she saw Jiang Jiu sleeping with a flushed little face, occasionally breaking into a smile. What sweet dreams was the young girl having?
As you sow, so shall you reap. Jiang Zhanwei had once saved the original Lu Man, and now she was looking after Jiang Jiu, repaying the debt in a way.
And the lovely Qichang, such an intelligent dog. After all these years, it still recognized her. Animals sometimes have better memories and gratitude than humans.
Turning restlessly in bed, Lu Man eventually drifted off to sleep as the night grew late.
Just as Lu Man was in deep slumber, she was gently awakened by Mama Wang’s voice, “Third Young Madam, it’s time to get up.”
Lu Man instinctively thought she could skip the morning visit to Crane Hall and head straight to the Xie Mansion. Then, she remembered that Jiang Zhanwei had returned the previous night and was staying in the eastern wing. This realization brought her fully awake.
Mama Wang helped her dress, whispering, “Third Young Master rose early and is practicing boxing in the backyard with Eighth Young Master.”
After finishing her morning routine, Mama Guo helped dress the sleepy Jiang Jiu. With a bit of morning grumpiness, Jiang Jiu half-closed her eyes, her little mouth pouting high. Seeing Jiang Zhanwei walk in with a light sheen of sweat on his face, she brightened up, jumping up and greeting, “Third Brother.”
Jiang Zhanwei smiled at her, cast a glance at Lu Man, and led Jiang Zhankui into the cleansing room, while Tao and Lingzhi went in to assist.
Seeing Qichang follow, Lu Man walked over, smiling as she ran her hand along its fur, “Qichang, you’re so clever. Even after all this time, you still remember me.”
Qichang seemed to understand, happily nuzzling and licking Lu Man, making her giggle.
During the meal, Lu Man noticed that Jiang Zhanwei’s gaze held a hint of warmth and his voice was not as cold as before. This change made her uncomfortable, and she ate her meal with her head down, avoiding looking up at him.
If the original Lu Man were still alive, she and he would indeed share a special bond. Despite any past harm he had caused her, the warmth that had the power to melt her heart would have supported her to forgive and move forward.
But she wasn’t the original Lu Man, the pain from past hurts cut deep into her heart, chilling her to the bone.
Jiang Zhanwei had thought about the young girl for most of the night, waiting for Lu Man to bring up the matter herself. However, Lu Man seemed to have forgotten about it entirely, not mentioning it. Unable to contain himself, he asked, “What about the jade pendant I gave you?”
Lu Man replied, “I lost it two days after I returned home. I suspect Mrs. Xiao Chen took it.” She lifted her head, “I’m sorry. I was upset for a long time after losing that jade pendant.” She almost said “the original Lu Man”.
Initially, she wanted to mention how the original Lu Man had come to Eastern Alley looking for him, but she decided against it.
Jiang Zhanwei tried to comfort her, “It’s just a small jade pendant, nothing to worry about…”
Lu Man then remembered the hunter brother, Zheng Qiang, and asked, “What about Brother Zheng? Have you visited him again?”
Jiang Zhanwei smiled faintly, “I’ve visited him a few times. Brother Zheng has gotten married, has two sons, and they’ve built several large tile-roofed houses. Whenever I visit, he and Brother Zheng’s mother scold me for not bringing my sister along to play.” Seeing Lu Man’s longing gaze, he added, “When we have time, I’ll take you there.”
Jiang Jiu innocently interjected, “Third Brother, whose house is that? Why didn’t you take me to play?”
Jiang Zhanwei smiled, “Sure, next time I’ll bring you and Zhankui along.” He glanced at Qichang lying on the ground and added, “And Qichang, its mother has given birth to two more puppies.”
Jiang Jiu didn’t notice anything amiss, but Zhankui did. He looked at his brother, then at Lu Man, his mouth slightly agape, but he restrained himself from asking further.
After the meal, Jiang Zhanwei instructed Liu Ya to inform the Foreign Affairs Office and deliver a note to the Lu family, as Lu’s Second Young Miss and Son-in-law were to visit the next day.
Jiang Zhankui didn’t want to go to school, he wanted to accompany Jiang Zhanwei to the Xie Mansion. Originally, only Third Sister-in-law was taking his sister, and he felt awkward joining them. However, with his Third Brother’s return, his interest was piqued.
Jiang Zhanwei sternly said, “If you can’t resist this small temptation, how can you handle bigger matters?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhankui straightened his little chest, obediently took Lingzhi and Qichang to the outer courtyard for lessons. Qichang usually didn’t accompany him to class, but today, to prevent it from running off, Jiang Zhankui took it along.
By the time of the Hour of the Si (9:00 AM), Lu Man, Jiang Zhanwei, and Jiang Jiu were ready.
Seeing Lu Man in a pomegranate-red brocade dress, exuding grace and beauty, Jiang Zhanwei couldn’t help but feel moved. He said, “What about the hairpin I gave you last time? It would complement your outfit today, as well as your complexion.”
Speechless, Lu Man found the words uncharacteristic of his usually reserved demeanor. She had to sit back down, open the bottom drawer of the vanity, and retrieve the hairpin from the very bottom. She had Liu Ya help her put it on.
Noticing how deeply she had hidden the hairpin, Jiang Zhanwei’s expression darkened.
They all took a sedan chair to the outer courtyard. Before leaving, Lu Man took the opportunity to educate Jiang Zhankui for a while.
The Eldest Madam, Madam Hong had already arrived at the outer courtyard. Seeing Jiang Zhanwei and Lu Man arriving together like celestial beings, she paused, sensing that their relationship seemed less distant than before, with a newfound understanding between them.
Jiang Zhanwei and the others paid their respects to her. Madam Hong nodded and took Lu Man and Jiang Jiu in a carriage, while Jiang Zhanwei rode on horseback.
Upon arriving at the Xie Mansion, Jiang Zhanwei took the Princess’s gifts and the twenty sets of baby clothes Lu Man had sent to the outer courtyard, while Lu Man and the others took a sedan chair to the inner courtyard.
The sedan chair went directly to the main residence where Madam Xie lived.
As Lu Man and her group alighted from the sedan chair, Madam Xie, Lady Xie, Ping, and Yan came out to greet them.