Chapter 27: Humble

As Mama Qian sat down, she smiled at Lu Man, “Congratulations, Third Young Madam, best wishes from the respected Princess to redecorate the bridal chamber. Oh, Third Young Madam is blessed, not only is our Third Young Master handsome, but he’s also cultured and talented…” After praising Jiang Zhanwei, she pointed to the attendants and said, “They are here to serve the Third Young Master and Third Young Madam at Orchid Pavilion.”

Among them were five maids and four servant women, likely servants who had previously been punished due to the former Lu Man’s actions.

They knelt and bowed to Lu Man, collectively exclaiming, “We pay our respects to Third Young Madam.”

Lu Man smiled and said, “Please rise.”

Her demeanor was welcoming, a stark contrast to how the former Lu Man had treated them.

Mama Qian pointed to a maid in her mid-teens and two younger maids aged thirteen or fourteen, saying, “She is called Liu Ya, and these two are Tao and Xing. They used to work in the Third Young Master’s study, but now they are here to serve.”

Judging by their sash, Liu Ya was the head maid, while Tao’er and Xing were junior maids. The other two were kitchen assistants.

With the introductions complete, the staff got busy. The kitchen assistants and the youngest maids headed to the courtyard and kitchen to clean and prepare water, as the large courtyard needed attention due to its size and limited staff. There were many fallen leaves and dust on the veranda railing.

Under Mama Qian’s direction, Liu Ya, along with Xing, Tao, and Lu Ying and Hong Ling, tidied up the rooms, hung up colorful lanterns, changed the curtains, and arranged the bedding.

Lu Man watched them work diligently, seemingly unfazed.

Around the end of the afternoon, Mama Qian took Lu Man for a bath.

Observing Lu Man’s lack of the typical bashfulness of a bride and her expressionless demeanor, Mama Qian felt quite displeased. She thought Lu Man was quite dull and lacking in the expected joy of a new bride. Despite her inner frustration, she maintained a smiling facade, “Third Young Madam is naturally beautiful. With a little more preparation, the groom might not be able to walk straight.”

As her words trailed off, the other maids in the room burst into laughter.

Sitting in the large tub, Lu Man was surrounded by mist rising from the water, floating rose petals, and a gentle floral scent lingering in the air. She closed her eyes weakly, running her fingers over the copper pendant on her chest. The pendant, the size of a fingertip, half an inch long, featured a circular top with a star shape inside. Lu Man had worn it since childhood, a memento left by her birth mother, Madam He.

Because it was from her mother, Lu Man had never taken it off. Its simplicity, being made of copper, had never caught anyone’s eye. Whenever Lu Man felt wronged, she would touch the pendant and cry, seeking solace and comfort from her mother.

Continuously twirling the pendant, Lu Man hoped to find some strength. After a while, feeling physically drained, she remained in the tub for nearly half an hour, the water now tepid, yet she was reluctant to get up.

Outside, an anxious Mama Qian called out, “Young Madam, it’s getting late, you should come out now.”

Collecting herself, Lu Man reluctantly stood up and was dressed and adorned by Hong Ling and Lu Ying. She noticed that when the maids helped her fasten her belt and adjust her clothing, they kept the ties loose, likely for convenience.

Emerging from the bath, Lu Man looked like a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace, with rosy skin, almond-shaped eyes glistening with moisture, a bright red mouth, lustrous black hair, and a graceful figure. Every smile and movement exuded radiance.

Mama Qian was momentarily stunned. Having served the princess for many years in various grand residences and the palace, she had seen many beauties. Lu Man was not the most beautiful, but she had a distinctive charm. It was difficult to describe in words. How could this dull girl be so enchanting?

Such a captivating figure tarnished by rumors? Yet, she was the one who had attempted suicide. Her previous dull demeanor didn’t seem deceptive.

Despite her confusion, Mama Qian maintained a smile and assisted the maids in arranging Lu Man’s attire and accessories. She remarked, “Third Young Madam is truly stunning, not inferior to the palace ladies.”

Lu Man replied with a polite smile, “Oh, you flatter me, Mama Qian.”

In the evening, after a small bowl of porridge, Lu Man changed into her bridal attire, adorned with a phoenix crown, and sat on the bed, gazing at the festive candles, feeling anxious about the night ahead.

To survive in this unfamiliar world, she dared not resist today. This body was technically his wife, and she had no grounds for rebellion.

She speculated that the Third Young Master’s disdain and hatred towards her were likely due to his aversion to any physical intimacy with her, given his avoidance of the military camp. It seemed he was compelled by filial duty, despite his reluctance.

The prospect of such an intimate act between two people who despised each other felt utterly repulsive.

Although Lu Man had never been married in her past life, she understood the pain of a first time. She hoped he would approach the situation with a softer heart, devoid of excessive hate and resentment, showing some compassion towards the woman, even if she didn’t have his affection…

Reflecting on her own lowly desires, she felt anger and disdain towards herself. At this moment, she was just a powerless woman, lacking the means to escape her predicament, devoid of any support to be willful. Her only option was to endure this humiliation.

The yard and the house were eerily quiet, each sound magnified. As the clock struck the evening hour, there was finally movement outside. A maid in the yard announced, “The Third Young Master has returned.” followed by footsteps heading towards the main room.

Though the steps were light, they felt like a heavy weight pounding on Lu Man’s heart.

Mama Qian and Liu Ya welcomed him in the side room, bowing respectfully, “Congratulations, Third Young Master.”

Ignoring them, Jiang Zhanwei entered the bedroom. He glanced at Lu Man expressionlessly and took a seat beside her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Man saw him. Despite wearing festive red attire, there was no joy in his expression. Tall and imposing, with tightly pressed lips and a cold, stern gaze, he exuded a powerful and aloof aura. His presence was more intimidating than the surroundings, causing her to shiver, stiffening up next to him.

Undeniably handsome, with a cold and stern demeanor, he lacked the humility and gentleness expected of an illegitimate son. He exuded a sense of strength rather than weakness.

Could a man like him have a soft heart? Could a man pushed by his family be willingly accepting of this situation?

Any lingering hope Lu Man had vanished into thin air.

To her confusion, Lu Man felt a faint sense of familiarity towards Jiang Zhanwei. It wasn’t just his chin and thin lips from the former Lu Man’s memories, his entire face seemed oddly familiar. She battered the former Lu Man’s memories, knowing she hadn’t seen him before entering the Princess Changting’s residence. Why did he seem so familiar?