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Lu Ying was sold at a very young age, with no knowledge of her parents’ whereabouts. Lu Man had to take on more responsibility for her affairs.
With modern ideals, Lu Man believed Lu Ying should choose her own marriage partner. When asked several times, Lu Ying blushed, stating she hadn’t found the right person yet and needed more time.
As February arrived, the weather gradually warmed up, with several red plum trees in the courtyard blooming beautifully, and the willow branches sprouting fresh green leaves.
Spring had come. Did He Mingzhu and He Cheng already set off? The thought of them filled Lu Man’s heart with sweetness.
Almost every day, Mama Wang would mention Madam He and her son. She had prepared two sets of clothes and two pairs of embroidered shoes for He Mingzhu.
Lu Man teased her, “What if my mother gains weight and can’t fit into them?”
Since she didn’t know He Cheng’s height and size, Lu Man had selected some suitable satin for young men but had yet to have them tailored. However, she had bought plenty of accessories suitable for young men, including several stylish folding fans that even young gentlemen liked. Of course, her mother’s jewelry collection was not overlooked.
Mama Wang chuckled, “Madam and Third Young Madam are both natural beauties. Even if they gain weight, it won’t be noticeable.” Her gaze turned distant, reminiscing about the past. She remarked, “Madam was as beautiful and gentle as Third Young Madam when she was young. Oh, suitors lined up for her. It’s a pity she married into the Lu family…”
Lu Man instructed her staff to address He Mingzhu as Madam rather than Second Madam as she no longer had any relation to Lu Fangrong.
On the eighth day of February, Lu Man informed Song Ming that all remaining toxins in Song Mo’s body had been removed, and he only needed to continue with herbal soup for a while to adjust his body.
Upon hearing he was to be sent back home, Song Mo cried inconsolably. He was attached to the place, not only for his beloved sister-in-law, Sweet Pea, and sister, but also for the silly Uncle, the endearing Qichang, the beautiful Sweetheart, and the older brothers, Zhankui and Zhanyan. He found the place lively and fun. Though he longed to see his grandmother and father, he only wished to visit and return.
Song Mo crying and lamenting, said, “Poor Mo lost his mother, and his sister-in-law doesn’t want me anymore, wu wu wu…”
Unable to bear his distress, Jiang Jiu tearfully pleaded, “Sister-in-law, let Mo stay a while longer at home, please.”
It’s not right to keep someone else’s child from going back home.
In the end, Lu Man agreed that Song Mo could come to play at their home for a day every ten days. His visits weren’t just for fun but also for follow-up checkups.
Later that afternoon, Song Ming arrived with gifts.
Lu Man had already heard about the tragic events involving Concubine Wei’s mother’s suicide and her father’s dismissal from the capital due to being unaware of the situation.
Today, Song Ming appeared restored to his former self, with no signs of the previous despondency.
He bowed deeply to Lu Man and said, “I am deeply grateful for your great kindness. If Third Young Lady Lu has any tasks in the future, I will gladly assist in any way I can.”
Upon entering, Song Mo’s lower lip quivered again. Upon hearing Song Ming’s words, he burst into tears once more. Aware that his sister-in-law was expecting, he didn’t dare approach her and instead clung to Jiang Jiu, who also ended up in tears.
Lu Man reassured, “Didn’t I promise to have you over to play for a day every ten days? Ten days will pass quickly.”
Song Ming, also emotionally affected, said, “Does our son only think about his sister-in-law and not his father and grandmother? Grandmother is in tears thinking about you going home today. She’s prepared many of your favorite foods. She knows how you feel and will be upset.”
After hearing this, Song Mo reluctantly agreed to return home. With teary eyes, he turned to Lu Man and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t hurry to have a son and daughter until I return.”
Song Ming only just learned about Lu Man’s pregnancy. His gaze swept over her quickly before averting his eyes.
Sensing his scrutiny, Lu Man felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She didn’t want to see this man because every time she did, memories of the humiliating and manipulative incident at Lu Residence would resurface.
Now, carrying the child of that man, she felt even more uncomfortable.
Seeing Lu Man’s discomfort, Song Ming quickly excused himself, saying, “I must bid farewell.” He coughed and added, “Third Young Lady, it should be he who feels ashamed, not you.”
Song Ming led Song Mo away, taking with them many of the items Lu Man had given Song Mo, including food, toys, six sets of clothes, and six pairs of shoes.
Jiang Jiu asked Lu Man, “Sister-in-law, what did the Prince mean? Jiu doesn’t understand.”
Lu Man sighed deeply and said, “It’s all so mysterious. I didn’t understand it either.”
Since Sweet Pea had accompanied Song Mo for so many days, Lu Man gave it a long break once Song Mo left.
Lu Man arranged for her mother to stay in the East Wing of the fourth courtyard and prepared the West Wing of the second courtyard for He Cheng. As Jiang Zhanwei also resided in the second courtyard, a couple of brick walls were built in the middle of the second courtyard with small doors on each wall, creating a passageway called the “Chuan Hall” connecting the first and third courtyards. Although it made the area slightly cramped, Jiang Zhanwei and He Cheng each had their own small courtyard without interfering with each other.
With these household changes, Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu were thrilled to hear that Lu Man’s mother and brother were soon to arrive. In their hearts, Lu Man’s family members were like their own mother and elder brother, much closer than those in the larger courtyard to the west.
In the larger courtyard, aside from Princess Changting and Jiang Zhanyu and Jiang Zhanyan, the younger siblings didn’t have a close relationship with anyone. While Jiang Jiu had initially tried to get closer to the Second Master, she eventually realized it was easier to bond with her fifth brother, choosing not to persist in seeking closeness with the Second Master.
Despite the old Marquis frequently visiting Donghui Courtyard, the younger siblings had complex feelings toward him—both fearful and reluctant to engage with him, unable to express their doubt.
Later that afternoon, while Lu Man was resting, Mama Wang woke her up. The guard who had been sent to the border with a letter for Jiang Zhanwei had returned, and Princess Changting wanted Lu Man to come to Crane Hall promptly.
Upon hearing this, Lu Man got up, summoned Jiang Jiu, and they both headed to Crane together.
As Lu Man entered the East Wing, Princess Changting waved with a smile, saying, “Come see, this is a letter from Zhanwei to you, Zhankui, and Jiu.”
Young Madam Han exaggeratedly remarked, “Once thought of as aloof, Third Brother-in-law turns out to be quite sentimental. Look at this stack of letters for his siblings. Oh my, how many heartfelt words must he have written!”
Princess Changting chuckled and teased, “You seem jealous. We should have Zhanju go serve in another region and write you an even thicker letter in return soon.”
Lu Man chuckled and accepted the letters.