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After dinner, Xie Shu and Kaipei were sent off. As usual, Kaipei cried bitterly every time he returned home.
After coaxing Jiang Yue to sleep, Zhenzhu quietly spoke to Lu Man, “Reporting to Third Young Madam, Mama Qiao gave me two silver ingots today. She asked if Miss Xie is unwell and went to Donghui Courtyard to seek treatment from Third Young Madam. I told her I haven’t seen Third Young Madam treating her. Third Young Madam is usually busy, and Miss Xie mostly plays with our Miss Jiu or little Yue.”
Zhenzhu was a maid bought from outside, just turning twelve today. Lu Man thought she was mature and capable, so she assigned her to serve Jiang Yue. Perhaps Mama Qiao thought she was young and tried to gather information from her, this wasn’t the first time.
Mama Qiao was responsible for cleaning in the other mansion and had no connection to the esteemed Xie Shu. Most likely, it was at the orders of the eldest Madam.
The Wang and Hong families did not want Xie Shu to have children. Lu Man was skilled in gynecology, and they may fear her actually helping Xie Shu recover.
Intrigues, struggles for favor or inheritance, these internal conflicts were not feared. But involving someone who was not supposed to be involved was troublesome.
Lu Man sighed inwardly. Before the previous year, the eldest Madam merely followed Empress Wang’s words, wanting to drive Lu Man out of the Princess Changting’s Residence. After being sent back to her maiden home, feeling embarrassed, she even earned the Princess’ hatred. Now, she only wished for her maiden home to be powerful, so she could be strong in her in-laws. She didn’t consider that some actions might bring misfortune to her in-laws. If her in-laws suffered, could she escape unscathed?
This matter couldn’t be overlooked, she had to find a time to explain to the Princess clearly.
The next afternoon, when Lu Man woke from her nap, it was nearly evening. Little Yue was awake, not fussing, but trying to put her foot in her mouth.
Lu Man picked up Little Yue, kissed her, then asked Mama Li and Zhenzhu to come in and care for her. She took her and Jiang Jiu, to the Crane Hall, calling the old Marquis to row a boat in the lake. The Princess Changting’s Residence had a beautiful boat, and Jiang Yue especially loved playing on it.
Lu Man was going to the Yuling Courtyard and didn’t want the old Marquis to cause trouble by following.
One individual she wanted to bring along was missing – Sweet Pea. The little one had been missing since yesterday and hadn’t returned yet.
Lu Man had Liu Xin called over and whispered a few words to Mama Wang and Liu Ya in the room.
In essence, He Cheng’s involvement was minimal, he secretly treated a girl from the Duke Pingguo’s residence for a hidden ailment without informing her. As the treatment failed, the issue fell on her head. His younger brother had gotten entangled in this troublesome matter, leaving her, as the elder sister, no choice but to help resolve it by checking on the situation. This matter must remain confidential, otherwise, both He Cheng and Fourth Miss Liu’s reputations would suffer, and the Liu family wouldn’t spare He Cheng. Except for them, it must not be disclosed. If anyone dares to spread it, she won’t take it lightly…
The individuals quickly assured her.
Lu Man, accompanied by Mama Wang, Liu Ya, and two maids, rode in a carriage to the Yuling Courtyard.
He Cheng also stayed home and didn’t go out. Normally, he would be at Tongren Hall at this time.
The siblings conversed under the eaves, primarily discussing medical matters, while also listening keenly to the commotion outside the courtyard.
As the hour approached noon, they indeed heard the peddler’s drumming and calls again. He Cheng signaled Baizhi, who was handling herbs with Mr. Wu under the old elm tree, and Baizhi stood up, saying, “Second Master, I’ll go check the peddler to see if there’s anything I want to buy.”
Since He Mingzhu had only two children, they were ranked by birth, Lu Man was the eldest, and He Cheng was the second master.
He Cheng nodded, then left the house.
On the back street, the peddler was still loudly hawking his wares, with a few people already gathered around his cart. Baizhi walked over and began picking items leisurely.
An old midwife who He Cheng treated before recognized Baizhi and chuckled, “Young Bai, Master He is wealthy, he should be buying things from the shops on the main street.”
Baizhi smiled, “These aren’t for my master, they’re for my mother and younger brother.”
He carefully selected various items like embroidered shoe insoles, wooden combs, bamboo back scratchers, needles, pins, and a small bag of malt sugar. After making the purchases and paying, he saw the small gate open again from afar, and a maid stepped out – it was little Xi.
Xi was fourteen years old, with an average appearance and a petite figure but extremely clever.
Baizhi quickly walked back with the items. As he passed Xi, he dropped a crumpled paper on the ground, whispering softly, “Burn it after reading.” Without stopping, he continued on his way.
Xi seemed distracted and stumbled, hastily tucking the crumpled paper into her sleeve. When she reached the peddler, she had no interest in buying anything and simply stated that nothing caught her eye before hurriedly returning.
Back at the Yuling Courtyard, Baizhi cheerfully called out, “Mother, look at the things I bought for you. These are all for you, and the candy is for my brother.”
Baizhu went to a private school, returning only in the evening, a grace granted by He Mingzhu. Although Uncle Wu was a free man, Fu Qin was a servant, which should technically make their children servants too. However, He Cheng appreciated Aunt Fu’s family’s loyalty and granted Baizhu the status of a free man.
The Jiang family had rewarded He’s family generously, and He Cheng and his mother frequently bestowed gifts upon them. With their considerable wealth now, supporting Baizhu’s education at a private school posed no problem.
Mrs. Fu was busy in the kitchen and, upon hearing her son’s words, came out, teasing, “Always spending money recklessly.”
Mama Wang chuckled, “Baizhi is filial. Look at these items, aside from the candy, they are all for you.”
Baizhi unwrapped the candy packet, ate one himself, offered some to Mama Wang and Liu Ya, and then took some to He Cheng and Lu Man. He whispered, “It’s done.”
He Cheng nodded slightly, took a candy, and put it in his mouth.
Mrs. Fu quickly intervened, “Oh, Second Master, how can you eat candy bought from there?” She shot Baizhi a stern look.
He Cheng replied, “I’m not that noble. When we were in the countryside, we couldn’t even afford this type of candy.”
Lu Man reached out for some but was stopped by He Mingzhu, who scolded, “You’re the young mistress of the Marquis’ residence, you can’t eat such vulgar things.”
Lu Man smiled and let it go.
He Mingzhu said, “Stay for dinner here. Send Baizhi to pick up Zhankui, Jiu, and little Yue.”
He Cheng added, “We’ll have lamb stew tonight. Invite Steward Liu Xin over for a couple of drinks, he often assists us.”
Lu Man agreed with a nod.
In the evening, Baizhi went to fetch the three children and Er Gou, with Steward Liu Xin accompanying.
Liu Xin bowed to He Mingzhu and He Cheng, saying, “Thank you, Madam, Second Master, for remembering this servant and inviting me for the stew.”
After dinner, Lu Man mentioned she needed to stay to exchange medical skills with He Cheng, allowing the children to head home first.
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu wanted to stay longer to play but understood when their sister had matters to attend to. As long as Jiang Yue had her little uncle, little aunt, and the dog, Yue didn’t cling to her mother and happily left in the maid’s arms.