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Upon hearing He Mingzhu’s words, Lu Man smiled. It seemed that He Mingzhu genuinely no longer cared about Lu Fangrong.
However, given Lu Fangrong’s nature, even with He Mingzhu’s return, would he still value Bao Qin? If he didn’t, Bao Qin and her son would face tough times ahead. Previously, messengers from the Lu family were accompanied by Lu Chang or Lu Feng, the two brothers from the same father. But since He Mingzhu and her son’s return, Lu Chang and Lu Feng had not been sent to the Donghui Courtyard. They had become the grandmother’s abandoned grandchildren.
That wretched old woman always prioritized her own interests.
Lu Man found this situation preferable to Bao Qin entering a nunnery. Denying greedy individuals what they desire, slowly losing what they once had, would be more agonizing than feeling utterly defeated.
Regarding Lu Fangrong, if Bao Qin had entered a nunnery back then, he might have felt remorse, and Bao Qin might have remained a lingering memory. But now, if he returned and saw the woman who had captivated him for over a decade reduced to such a state, with a radiant and beautiful He Mingzhu as a comparison, would he still hold Bao Qin in his heart?
Glancing at He MIngzhu, Lu Man observed her as someone blessed with a carefree demeanor, seemingly untouched by the passing years. It was almost unfair how someone like her didn’t show signs of aging.
However, Lu Man never expected He Mingzhu to let go of Bao Qin so easily, even saying “Bridge returns to the bridge, road returns to the road.”
Lu Man inquired, “Mother, can you truly let go of Bao Qin so easily?”
He MIngzhu nodded slightly and replied, “The path she chose falls short of the one I promised her initially. With her limp, loss of dignity, reduced to a mere concubine, residing in a house that isn’t hers, unable to be called ‘mother’ publicly by her son, with old lady Lu still scheming against her, and the man she obtained by all means… As for me, my daughter and son are well, living joyfully, faring better in every aspect than her…”
Such a simple-minded woman, unaware that her true daughter was long gone.
Lu Man chuckled, “I can’t simply let go of Bao Qin like that. If Lu Fangrong returns and rejects her, or their relationship turns sour, I’d be pleased. But if Lu Fangrong still favors her, I won’t be content, I’ll meddle.”
He Mingzhu, hearing her daughter speak so candidly, playfully tapped her daughter’s head with her index finger and smiled.
On the first day of June, Lu Man had finished organizing and recording all the experiences. Considering the timeframe, Zheng Qiang and his group had been in the mountains for nine days. Lu Man felt a sense of urgency, according to Zheng Qiang’s calculations, they should have completed their search within ten days for such a vast area. If they didn’t return within twelve days, it likely meant they had found nothing. Despite not having high hopes of finding the flower, if they returned empty-handed, Lu Man would be deeply disappointed.
That afternoon, Lu Man was awakened from her nap by the commotion of children.
“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, how could you come out to play alone? It’s not right at all… *sob*…”
Still sleepy, Lu Man heard the voice of Song Mo. How could he be here? Was she dreaming of him?
As she sat up, Mama Wang entered, smiling helplessly, “It’s Mo, the young master from the Prince He’s residence.”
Then, a subdued voice from He Mingzhu came, “Mo, speak softly, Sister-in-law is still resting.”
“Why is he here?” Lu Man murmured as she dressed.
Mama Wang explained, “He was brought by the Prince himself, who’s waiting in the outer courtyard.”
Lu Man stepped out of her room and saw He Mingzhu holding Song Mo in the courtyard, trying to soothe him while Jiang Jiu comforted him quietly.
Upon seeing Lu Man, Song Mo opened his mouth wide and exclaimed, “Sister-in-law, why did you sneak out to the estate without me? Do you not like me anymore? Do you really not like me anymore…” Sliding down from He Mingzhu, he ran to hug Lu Man’s leg, crying.
Lu Man wiped his tears and said, “Alright, alright, it was wrong of me not to bring Mo. But don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you, I even got you a gift…”
After calming him down, she took him and Jiang Jiu to the outer courtyard.
Inside the main hall, Song Ming was sipping tea, with Wang Dabo standing by his side.
Embarrassed, Song Ming smiled at Lu Man’s arrival, “Ever since the twenty-sixth, Mo has been insisting on going to the Donghui Courtyard to find you. When he heard you were at the estate, he kept demanding to see you. After days of nonstop fussing, mother couldn’t handle it, so she allowed me to bring him here to play with Third Young Lady for a couple of days…”
Song Mo became upset, tugging at Lu Man’s skirt, saying, “Father didn’t tell the whole story, he scolded me. I wasn’t just causing a fuss to see you, but also because Grandmother wanted to talk to Father about a bride for him. Father didn’t want it, and Grandmother cried and cried all day.” His face clouded with sadness as he continued, “Not only does Father not like the bride, but I don’t like the stepmother either. What if they try to harm me again?” He claimed that when Grandmother and Father argued, they blamed his illness on poisoning by Father’s new wife.
Song Ming blushed, frowning at the boy, “Are you a bit foolish, talking about family affairs so carelessly?”
Pouting, Song Mo replied, “I’m not talking to strangers, I’m talking to Sister-in-law.”
Just then, a servant arrived to announce that the food and drinks were ready.
After a meal, Song Ming hurried back to the capital, leaving Song Mo behind.
Lu Man arranged for Jiang Jiu and the servants to take Song Mo to play at the Zheng family’s house in the village, where they had two young sons, along with various animals, making it a more enjoyable place than the estate.
As the third of June arrived with no sign of their return, Lu Man grew more anxious. After dinner, she took Song Mo, Jiu, Sweetheart, He Mingzhu, and a few servants for a leisurely walk around the estate to aid digestion.
Beyond the walls of the estate lay a winding path, lined with wildflowers and lush greenery extending to the foothills, connecting with the verdant mountain peaks.
Suddenly, the sound of dogs barking echoed from the mountains.
“It’s Qichang!” Jiang Jiu exclaimed.
“It must be Zheng and the others returning.” Lu Man said, smiling as she gazed towards the hills. She found it odd that the voice of Sweet Pea that was louder than Qichang’s couldn’t be heard—why hadn’t she heard Cat’s meow?
With a heavy belly and delicate children, they decided not to venture towards the mountains but waited in place.
As the barking drew nearer, two large dogs emerged from the forest—one was Qichang, and the other was his brother, Gouzi.
Soon after, Zheng Qiang and five guards emerged from the woods, striding towards them. Spotting Lu Man, they quickened their pace.