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Seeing no one else around, Jiang Zhanwei smiled at Lu Man and said, “Sit down, I have some great news to tell you.”
Lu Man was delighted and asked, “Is it news about my mother?” She quickly sat down.
Jiang Zhanwei took out a letter from his pocket and said with a smile, “This is a letter from your younger brother.”
“My younger brother?” Lu Man was astonished.
Jiang Zhanwei explained, “When your mother left the capital, she discovered she was pregnant. After returning to Shu Region, she gave birth to your younger brother and named him He Cheng.”
Lu Man was overjoyed. Not only was her mother alive, but she also had a blood-related younger brother, a truly unexpected surprise. She hastily took out the letter. The handwriting was neat, and it was addressed to “Elder Sister Man”.
Upon seeing the words “Elder Sister”, tears welled up in Lu Man’s eyes. In those tears, she seemed to see a handsome young man smiling at her. In this life, she finally had a blood relative besides her mother. As for Lu Fangrong and the others, she never truly considered them as blood relatives.
The six-page letter mentioned that upon hearing news about his elder sister and learning that she was doing well and had married into a good family, both he and his mother were moved to tears of joy. However, due to his birth causing his mother’s illness and her constant thoughts of her elder sister, her health had been deteriorating. Although they both wanted to set out immediately to meet her upon hearing about her, the journey to the capital was long and arduous, especially in the harsh weather conditions. They decided to wait for slightly warmer weather before setting off.
He shared that they were living well in the countryside, residing in a courtyard with ten acres of land. He was studying diligently, had achieved success in the imperial examinations, had some medical knowledge, and occasionally earned money through medical practice.
He urged Lu Man to take care of herself, not to worry, and promised a reunion in the spring.
The letter was signed, “Your respectful younger brother, Cheng.”
Lu Man cried, “What do you mean ‘living well’, living in the countryside with only ten acres of land, and a child of twelve or thirteen having to earn money by treating people? When my mother left, she had so much money with her, it must have been swindled away again…”
Jiang Zhanwei watched Lu Man with a mix of smiles and tears, and when she finally calmed down, he said, “General Li sent a letter mentioning that when your mother sought refuge with her relatives, her uncle was reluctant to take them in for fear of trouble. However, suspecting that your mother had money, he temporarily accommodated them. After nearly exhausting the money through coercion and intimidation, he was about to drive them out. At that time, your mother was over eight months pregnant and close to giving birth. Her maternal grandmother couldn’t bear it and forced her uncle to set up thirty acres of land in the countryside, build a house, providing a place for your mother to stay… Her maternal relatives had moved to another county, so it took some time to locate them… Rest assured, my people will always be with your mother and younger brother. General Li will also take care of them, and by next spring, they will come to the capital.”
It’s already the end of the year, just two more months until spring. It’s coming soon.
This was truly an unexpected joy. Lu Man wiped her tears and said to Jiang Zhanwei, “Third Young Master, thank you.”
Jiang Zhanwei poured another glass of wine for Lu Man, raised his glass, and said, “Manman, I wish you and your mother and younger brother an early reunion.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” Lu Man happily raised her glass and finished it in one gulp.
Jiang Zhanwei poured another round for himself and Lu Man, raising his glass and asked, “Manman, do you have any blessings for me?”
Lu Man quickly picked up her glass and sincerely said, “I wish Third Young Master a triumphant journey, success at every turn, and a victorious return.”
“Thank you for your good wishes.” Jiang Zhanwei grinned broadly, downing his drink in one go.
While Jiang Zhanwei ate, Lu Man reread the letter multiple times. She focused intently, trying to glean more than just words from it. Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Zhanwei had been discreetly observing her while eating.
Delighted by what he saw, Jiang Zhanwei was thrilled that Lu Man had learned about her mother and brother’s plans to come to the capital. Her happiness made him forget himself. He was genuinely happy for her, with her mother and brother’s company in his absence, her days would surely be better.
After a few drinks, Jiang Zhanwei’s thoughts wandered even more. He looked at her longingly, contentedly, and compassionately, unable to take his eyes off her.
Being alone, just the thought of the name “Manman” made his body feel like it was on fire, as if it were slowly burning him away. Especially during military training in the icy wilderness, the thought of her, the beautiful, gentle, and extremely intelligent wife waiting for him at home, dispelled the cold, filling him with inexhaustible strength, urging him to complete his tasks quickly to make time to return home.
Then there was Lu Fangrong, who had ignored such a good daughter for years, causing her endless grievances. And yet, he dared to plead for that wretched concubine who had harmed her. In the camp, he had not hesitated to settle his personal scores with him, relieving her of her anger. But he had also ignorantly caused her distress. How could he settle his own score and relieve her anger?
In the candlelight, her skin was as tender and rosy as March peach blossoms. Her big eyes glistened with moisture, her lips slightly curved, and two shallow dimples formed on either side… Such a beauty, she was his wife.
For so long, he wondered if she had figured things out, if she could let go of those shadows, temporarily set aside those grievances, and accept him again…
Lu Man read the letter many times, then looked up to see Jiang Zhanwei gazing at her deeply.
Caught in the act, Jiang Zhanwei blushed, smiled shyly, raised his glass, downed it, put down his chopsticks, and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
“Finished eating?” Lu Man asked, then felt foolish for asking and lowered her head.
Jiang Zhanwei looked at Lu Man and said, “Yes, I feel a bit dizzy and thirsty.”
Lu Man quickly put down the letter and got off the kang, saying, “Third Young Master must be drunk. I’ll go have someone prepare sobering soup.”
Getting off the kang as well, Jiang Zhanwei approached Lu Man and said, “I don’t want sobering soup. It’s not the alcohol that’s making me intoxicated…” He took her hand and continued, “Manman, I have to leave early the day after tomorrow. I need to rush back to the camp, and the next day, we’re moving out…”
Thinking of him going to fight at the border in such dreadful weather, Lu Man felt a pang of sadness too. She raised her head and said, “Take care, Third Young Master. Be safe, go well, return safely…”
Jiang Zhanwei embraced her, whispering softly, “For you, I will take care. If, by any chance, I don’t return, you must take care of yourself…”
With her head resting on his shoulder, tears streamed down Lu Man’s face. She didn’t want him to die, didn’t want this vibrant life to be lost forever.
Seeing her tears soak her clothes, Jiang Zhanwei felt heartbroken. He gently chuckled and comforted her, “I said ‘if’. I won’t die so easily. That telescope you gave me is amazing. With it, we are like tigers with wings. It’s just that such a valuable item will surely attract the attention of the higher-ups. I wonder if I can keep it safe.”