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Jiang Zhankui finished school and upon hearing that his sister and young niece were bullied, he clenched his fists in anger, comforting them. Through gritted teeth, he said, “It’s a shame Sweet Pea, isn’t around, otherwise, I would have made it scratch that wicked woman’s face.” He also expressed some resentment towards Jiang Jiu, “Sister shouldn’t have pulled Qichang, letting it bite that wicked woman.”
Jiang Jiu mumbled, “I was afraid Qichang would hurt someone and be killed. Last time, it almost got killed even without hurting anyone.”
The little girl was good in every way, except she was timid and overly kind.
Lu Man said, “It’s right not to let Qichang bite, but it should scare that woman. You are the Princess’s granddaughter, if your dog scares a ‘Miss’, who would dare harm you? Last time, it was your sister who prevented the dog from attacking. Remember, if you get into trouble, your sister will help you sort it out, and the Princess and the old Marquis will support you. There is nothing to fear.”
She didn’t intend to corrupt the little girl, she just needed to boost her courage.
The little girl nodded fearfully, clearly still apprehensive.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yue continued to shout loudly, “Hit, hit.”
If these two girls could complement each other, that would be ideal.
Lu Man then patted Jiang Yue’s bottom again, scolding, “Little girls shouldn’t be thinking about fighting all the time.”
Jiang Zhankui suggested to Lu Man, “Sister-in-law, let’s go talk to Grandma. This is their estate, we should move out tomorrow.”
Lu Man agreed, sharing the same sentiment.
As predicted, the servant keeping an eye on the estate’s activities reported that the Princess and the old Marquis had returned.
Lu Man stood up and led a few servants to the Crane Hall.
Jiang Zhankui wanted to take Jiang Jiu and Jiang Yue with him, suggesting causing a scene, much like how they had protected Qichang before.
Lu Man whispered, “This time is different from the last. There are many important figures in this household, and we must consider everything carefully. Even if we have to act as a tool for someone else, we cannot allow them to wield it so easily. This matter concerns the Marquis’s reputation, if it causes trouble, it would be embarrassing for the Marquis, and the Princess wouldn’t be pleased. We would become the target of criticism, and the masterminds behind the scenes could benefit. By conveying the message privately, we uphold the Marquis’s reputation, and the Princess will see that we are considering the bigger picture…”
Jiang Zhankui seemed to understand and nodded, saying, “Sister-in-law, I understand.”
Upon reaching the Crane Hall, the old Marquis was playing with the magpie bird in the corridor. Seeing Lu Man, he initially looked pleased but then frowned when he glanced behind her. He asked, “Zhanwei’s wife, why didn’t you bring little Yue? I can’t bear a day without seeing her, I miss her terribly.”
The magpie flapped its wings a few times and called out in the old Marquis’s voice, “Little Yue, Little Yue…”
Lu Man chuckled, “I thought Grandma and Grandpa were tired after a long day, so I didn’t bring her to disturb you.”
Old Marquis Jiang hurriedly said, “Not a disturbance, not a disturbance.”
Lu Man continued with a smile, “Grandpa isn’t bothered, but Grandma might be.”
With that, she entered the main room.
Seeing Mama Qian guarding the door of the eastern room, Lu Man approached and asked in a soft voice, “Is Grandma resting?”
Mama Qian softly chuckled, “Yes, the Princess is a bit tired, resting on the Buddha bed.”
Lu Man acknowledged with an “Oh” and continued softly, “I thought I’d come to check Grandma’s pulse for her well-being. Early tomorrow, I’ll be taking people to tidy up the mansion, we plan to move there in a few days. I won’t have time to visit in the morning, so I wanted to see her now.”
Mama Qian paused, about to inquire further, when the Princess’s voice came from inside, “Zhanwei’s wife, come in.”
Mama Qian quickly lifted the beaded curtain, allowing Lu Man to enter.
The Princess sat up from the yellow embroidered pillow, and Lu Man sat beside her, checking her pulse, then proceeded to massage her shoulders and head.
Princess Changting smiled, “Much more comfortable now. You’ve been teaching the girls for so long, but they never do it as well as you.”
Mama Qian chimed in with a smile, “If we could massage as well as the Third Young Madam, we would become a miraculous physician too.”
Lu Man chuckled, then discussed with Mama Qian the Princess’s recent diet preferences before taking her leave to return.
Princess Changting urged, “It’s already this late, stay for dinner here and have the three children brought over. The old Marrquis has been uneasy not seeing little Yue all day.”
Lu Man replied with a smile, “Thank you, Grandma, but not today. We have invited my mother and brother to dine at Donghui Courtyard tonight.”
Exiting through the Flower Curtain Gate, Lu Man saw Second Madam, Third Madam, Fourth Young Madam, and even the eldest Young Madam, with Jiang Zhen being carried by her nursemaid.
Unlike Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, Jiang Zhen never missed an appearance whenever the main family members were present.
Lu Man greeted Second Madam, Third Madam, and Fourth Young Madam with a smile, nodding to the Eldest Young Madam and Jiang Zhen.
Young Madam Han, feeling a bit guilty, warmly said, “Oh, it’s almost dinnertime, why leave before eating?”
Lu Man retorted, “We are branches, you are the main family. I am not worthy to dine with you. Young Madam Han, you’re embarrassing me.” With that, she walked away, leaving them behind.
Second Madam, Third Madam, and Fourth Young Madam were stunned by Lu Man’s usually gentle demeanor. How could she speak like that? Everyone, being astute, noticed the eldest Young Madam’s flushed face and refrained from further questions.
At that moment, Mama Qian approached.
Bowing slightly, Mama Qian said with a smile, “The Princess is waiting for you.”
Mama Qian circled back towards the Crane Hall. By the time she returned, the lights were on, and the masters had finished their meal, chatting with the Princess and the old Marquis in the eastern room.
Mama Qian leaned in to whisper a few words to the Princess, causing her expression to darken, followed by a nod.
After some laughter, Princess Changting said, “Eldest, stay back and help me with something. The rest of you may leave.”
Once everyone had departed, the old Marquis was directed to rest in the western room. Turning to the Marquis Jiang, Princess Changting remarked, “Your father feared chaos caused by illegitimate children, hence the rules he established. But due to certain circumstances, he broke his word, bringing back Miss Zhou and leading to the birth of the Zhanwei’s siblings. Later, you brought back Miss Rou, resulting in Jiang Zhen’s birth.” She raised her voice, “Are you trying to emulate your grandfather and create chaos with these women?”
Startled, Marquis Jiang immediately knelt down, “I dare not.” Puzzled, he inquired, “Mother, what do you mean by that?”
Seeing her son’s confusion, Princess Changting realized he was truly unaware. After taking a sip of tea, she said, “As you’re getting older, there are things I can’t say directly. I want you to think and understand on your own. But instead of understanding, you let these women cause chaos, inviting ridicule from the younger generation, and you’ve lost your dignity…”