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Lu Man didn’t know how to explain, ignoring Mama Wang’s muttering, she put on her clothes and headed to the bathing room.
As she sat at the dressing table doing her makeup, Jiang Zhanwei returned from morning exercises. He went into the bedroom and then directly to the bathing room.
Looking at his reflection in the glass mirror, Lu Man noticed his expression, though slightly serious, was not as icy and terrifying as before. She couldn’t help but feel relieved. Why had his temper suddenly improved?
Thinking ahead, with him returning to camp early the next day, needing to inspect the house, meet with the staff, and handle accounts, there was no room for arguments or delays.
During the meal, Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu joined them in the main room. They all gathered around the heated brick bed. Lu Man eagerly took on the tasks usually done by Liu Ya and Xing, handing Jiang Zhanwei a pair of chopsticks and serving him a bowl of congee along with a pan-fried beef bun, his favorite, on a delicate porcelain plate.
Jiang Zhanwei’s slightly serious expression softened as he nodded in approval.
Upon hearing that they would be visiting their new house in the morning, Jiang Zhankui, reluctant to attend school, pursed his lips. Seeing his brother’s serious demeanor, he wisely remained quiet.
Jiang Zhanwei turned to Lu Man and said, “As the mistress of this household, you no longer need to address Zhankui as Eighth Young Master. Just use his name.”
Lu Man respectfully replied, “Yes, I’ll follow your lead, Third Young Master.”
Jiang Zhankui’s face lit up with a smile as he remarked, “My sister-in-law should have addressed me by my name long ago. Calling me Eighth Young Master was too formal. I’m also your brother after all…”
As they enjoyed their meal, Jiang Jiu suddenly slapped her forehead and exclaimed, “Oh! I almost forgot about Grandma’s instructions.”
Curious, Lu Man asked, “What instructions?”
Both Jiang Zhanwei and Jiang Zhankui looked at her, puzzled.
With a mischievous air, Jiang Jiu swayed his body playfully, then solemnly said, “Grandma instructed me to remind Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law about something very, very important. She said it’s time for you to have a son.”
Jiang Zhanwei blushed slightly, pretending to be stern as he remarked, “Young lady, what are you talking about? Don’t be so shameless.”
Lu Man blushed and shot her a glance, deciding to stay quiet and focus on her meal.
Jiang Jiu playfully tugged at Lu Man’s sleeve, saying, “Sister-in-law, I really like nephews, and even nieces do too. Please, give me a nephew, pretty please.”
Although Mama Wang enjoyed hearing such banter, seeing Lu Man embarrassed, she quickly intervened and served Jiang Jiu a crystal dumpling, diverting the conversation to house arrangements.
Jiang Jiu’s attention shifted, asking Lu Man if she could move some furniture from her room to the new house. She agreed, emphasizing that her new room would be larger, suggesting they decorate it nicely.
After the meal, Jiang Zhankui went to school, and Jiang Zhanwei led the way to Donghui Courtyard. Lu Man, along with Jiang Jiu and Mama Wang, headed to Crane Hall.
Upon arriving at Crane Hall, they saw ten girls aged between fourteen and seventeen standing in the courtyard. They were all beautifully dressed and exuded elegance, even in the cold winter. Their outfits accentuated their graceful figures, making them appear like vibrant flowers in the chilly wind.
Among them was Wuqin, a maid from Young Madam Han’s side, looking slightly troubled compared to the other girls. Several other faces seemed familiar but couldn’t recall which household they belonged to.
Lu Man, feeling puzzled, went to the main room, while Jiang Jiu turned to the recovery room, and she headed to the bedroom in the west wing, where she found Third Madam already present.
Approaching the Princess, Lu Man kneeled and said, “Grandmother, I’m sorry. It’s all because of me that you’ve faced embarrassment, had to go to the palace, and endure hardships and indignities.”
Princess Changting responded, “It’s not just for you. It’s also for the sake of my dignity. They dared treat you this way, disrespecting me as well. They think I’m too soft and easy to bully. Hmph, they’ve underestimated me for too long.”
The old lady’s words were filled with authority.
Lu Man gently held the Princess’s arm and advised, “No matter what, Grandmother, please take care of your health. You’re getting older, and getting angry can harm your health. It’s best not to take things too seriously… Also, it would be good to have some nourishing soup to keep your energy up. I’ll make a bowl of Ten Tonic Soup for you to have when you return.”
Mama Qian chimed in, “I’ll make sure of it.”
With the maids attending to the Princess’s makeup, Lu Man quietly inquired about the girls in the courtyard.
Third Madam Huang chuckled and explained, “Among them is Wuqin, the eldest granddaughter-in-law’s maid. The other six are performers from the opera troupe, and the remaining three were bought as beauties.”
Confused, Lu Man asked, “What are they doing here so early in the morning?”
Seeing Lu Man’s bewilderment, the Princess laughed and revealed, “Those ten girls are actually some pretty maidservants from the households of our daughters-in-law and granddaughters. Some were specially acquired beauties. I’m taking them to the palace to have the Empress pass them on to those two troublemakers, Wang Haobai and Song Xian, asking for their mercy and to spare me…”
Impressed by the Princess’s handling of the situation, Lu Man was at a loss for words, feeling admiration for her.
As the Princess prepared to leave, a servant from the front yard reported that Duke Zhou, the Duchess of Zhou, and their son Song Xian, who had been injured, requested an audience.
The Princess coldly responded, “I won’t see them. Tell them to leave. Also, make it clear to the gatekeeper that no one from the Duke of Zhou’s household should enter our premises again.”
After seeing off the Princess and Third Madam, Lu Man watched as they led the maids and the ten beauties out of the side building before turning her gaze away.
She couldn’t help but worry about the old lady’s well-being.
Returning to the recovery room, she found the old Marquis diligently performing his rehabilitation exercises. Young Madam Han wasn’t there with the children as usual, this morning, Madam Hong was returning to her maternal home for recuperation, and Young Madam Han was seeing her off.
After some exercises, the old Marquis took the herbal soup offered by the imperial physician.
Lu Man smiled and said, “Grandfather, once we settle into the new house, we’d love to have you as a guest.”