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Lu Man, accompanied by Xing and Tao, entered the Plum Forest, where they were greeted by a sight of golden hues and a rich, fragrant aroma, instantly lifting their spirits.
After walking a distance, they heard the distinctive and penetrating call of Sweet Pea. Perhaps it caught a whiff of their scent, leading to its exaggerated cries.
“Sweet Pea and Young Master Mo are over there.” Xing exclaimed joyfully.
In a mischievous mood, Lu Man suggested, “Let’s hide and see if Sweet Pea can find us.”
There was a large black-brown boulder nearby, towering two people’s height. Xing and Tao, being young and playful, covered their mouths and ran to hide behind the large rock.
After about half a moment, the cat’s meows grew nearer, accompanied by footsteps. Sweet Pea arrived at their hiding spot. Lu Man joyfully picked it up and noticed that not only was Song Mo following but also Song Ming.
Song Ming had been dragged along to the Fragrant Snow Tower by a few good friends. They hoped he might find a lady among the noble and talented women there whom he would fancy as his wife.
Listening half-heartedly to the poems recited by the literati, Song Ming spotted Song Mo, who had come along to spectate with his aunt. Seeing his father, both father and son showed little interest in the poetry and instead decided to enjoy the wax plum blossoms in the Plum Garden.
Suddenly, Sweet Pea seemed to detect something unusual. It leaped out of Song Mo’s arms, turned back, and meowed twice, pointing with a tiny forepaw towards the front.
Having spent several days playing with Sweet Pea, Song Mo understood its body language and realized it wanted to show him something interesting. He gestured to his father to be quiet and discreetly followed Sweet Pea. Song Ming shook his head but had no choice but to follow his son briskly.
Guided by Sweet Pea, they arrived behind the large rock and found Lu Man and her attendants hiding there.
As they shared a smile and were about to greet each other, they heard approaching footsteps.
Song Ming quickly covered Song Mo’s mouth, and Lu Man hurriedly covered Sweet Pea’s mouth. If they were caught “hiding” behind the rock, the situation could get complicated.
Thinking to wait for the person to leave before coming out, they soon realized that it wasn’t just one person but two.
Instead of leaving, the two individuals walked to the other side of the large rock and began to converse quietly.
One woman’s voice choked up as she said, “My life is too bitter. That Hu Silang, short and fat, can’t even pass the civil service exams. What future can he have? My father insists I marry him, claiming I’m a jilted woman and no good man would want me. I… I truly wish to become a nun.”
Oh, even the young ladies from ancient secluded chambers could be so strong-willed. Lu Man’s curiosity was instantly piqued.
Glancing at Song Ming, tall and noble, with his eyes lowered as if he wished to avoid such trivial matters, Lu Man suspected he was stuck there, unable to escape from the conversation.
Another woman’s voice intervened, “Sister Shu, please don’t speak such gloomy words. We just saw Hu Silang at the Fragrant Snow Tower, and he’s not as bad as you describe. He’s not that short or fat. It’s just that he doesn’t possess the tall and handsome appearance of Third Young Master Jiang. And he certainly won’t achieve such high ranks at a young age… Oh, Sister Shu, could it be you’re still thinking about Third Young Master Jiang?”
Repressed sobs followed.
Oh dear, how did the conversation shift back to her?
Lu Man realized the weeping girl must be Shu Mingwei, Jiang Zhanwei’s former fiance. No wonder she harbored such animosity towards her. It seemed she was still yearning for Jiang Zhanwei.
Casting a glance at Song Ming, whose dark eyes briefly scanned her before averting, they both instinctively tightened their grip on their respective companions (cat and child) to stifle any sounds.
Shu Mingwei softly sobbed, “Xia, I’ll tell you the truth. Ever since that year when I laid eyes on Brother Jiang, I couldn’t find room in my heart for any other man. I knew he felt the same for me, his eyes showed admiration. You see, I’ve prepared all my dowry, waiting to be his bride. But fate took a cruel turn. Brother Jiang was forced to break the engagement and marry another woman, one so despicable. She dared to reject Brother Jiang, even attempted suicide on their wedding night… Previously, Brother Jiang’s heart belonged to me alone. Otherwise, why would he flee on their wedding night, or enlist in the military… Last month, my elder brother approached him, expressing my feelings, stating I would wait for him until he divorced Lady Lu and came back for me. But he told me to forget him, Lady Lu had won over his grandfather, and he couldn’t divorce her… He must have been captivated by Lady Lu’s beauty and couldn’t let go.” Her sobs grew louder as she spoke.
If Lu Man had heard these words before last night, she might not have been so enraged. However, after experiencing such intense love with Jiang Zhanwei, even if it was just once, she was unwilling to have another woman thinking about him, longing for him. To hear someone speaking ill of her and waiting for Jiang Zhanwei to divorce her before considering remarriage was utterly disgraceful!
Moreover, there was another man standing with her, listening in on their conversation.
Feeling a mix of anger and embarrassment, Lu Man felt as though her family’s privacy had been unveiled in public, magnified and distorted. Despite her frustration, she had to bear it, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Observing Song Ming, who pretended to be nonchalant about the gossip but clearly is curious in it, Lu Man grew even more infuriated and shot him a fierce glare.
Feeling rather annoying himself, Song Ming was also embarrassed. He couldn’t help it, those words had been forced into his ears.
Then Xia’s voice was heard, “Sister Shu, don’t praise Lady Lu too much. While she may have good looks, she exudes a lower-class demeanor, clearly from a humble background. How can she compare to your grace and elegance? She struts around, associating only with the elite, even managing to charm the young master from the Prince He’s residence. Does she think by capturing the prince’s son, she’s secured a place in the Prince He’s residence?”
Lu Man grew even angrier. When had she ever sought to climb the social ladder by associating with the Prince He’s residence?
Prince Song Ming was now highly regarded, likely attracting the attention of many, causing them to step on her, thinking she was favored due to her relationship with his son.
Pouting slightly, Lu Man shot another glare at Song Ming and Song Mo.
Apologetically, Song Ming pursed his lips and shrugged. He couldn’t help it if someone found him charming and thought about him.
Shu Mingwei spoke sadly, “Although Lady Lu may lack in virtue and talent, she is the luckiest. She married Brother Jiang and became his wife.”
Her last words seemed to be muffled, as if she was holding back tears.
Xia intervened, “Just because Brother Jiang hasn’t divorced Lady Lu now doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. Sister Shu, I’ll tell you a secret. You can keep it to yourself, don’t share it with anyone. I promised Xie Shu not to divulge it, and she told me.”