Chapter 327: Coming to Visit

In order to meet Jiang Zhanwei, He Mingzhu took great care in grooming herself. She dressed in a more mature style, thinking that looking a few years older would resemble a mother-in-law. She adorned her hair with some of the most expensive hairpins, feeling that only by displaying wealth and status would she not lose face in front of her daughter.

Jiang Zhanwei had expected his mother-in-law and younger brother-in-law to be decent, but he didn’t anticipate how good they would be.

He politely invited He Mingzhu to take a seat, but she insisted and settled in the first chair on the right.

Jiang Zhanwei then knelt down respectfully, kowtowed to her, and said, “Respected mother-in-law, please accept this bow from your humble son-in-law.”

He Mingzhu was immediately pleased with Jiang Zhanwei. She thought her son-in-law was handsome, strong, and dependable—a reliable man.

Seeing her daughter’s husband, who came from a prestigious family and held a high position, showing her such great respect, He Mingzhu was touched. She shed tears of joy and, following tradition, handed him a red envelope as a token of appreciation. She said, “Son-in-law, please rise. You have endured hardships since childhood, but you are a good and kind person. Mother hopes that you will respect and love each other in the future, spending a lifetime together.” Then, she helped him up.

After Jiang Zhanwei stood up, he bowed to He Mingzhu and said, “Mother-in-law, please rest assured. Manman is a good woman, and we will respect and love each other for a lifetime.”

His sweet words deeply moved He Mingzhu.

He Cheng, He Mingzhu’s younger son, then made a respectful gesture towards Jiang Zhanwei, saying, “Younger brother He Cheng, I’ve met my brother-in-law.”

After exchanging pleasantries and a few words, Jiang Zhanwei’s younger brother and sister, Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, arrived after their midday rest.

Seeing the close bond between his siblings and He Mingzhu and Jiang Cheng, Jiang Zhanwei felt content. It seemed like they were one family, even more harmonious than when they interacted with others from the Jiang family at the Crane Hall, leaving him very satisfied.

Not long after, cries of Jiang Yue came from the east wing.

Lu Man quickly got up and went to the east wing. After comforting Jiang Yue, he brought her to the main hall.

Jiang Zhanwei’s behavior was excellent. Though not smiling broadly, his lips were always slightly upturned. He spoke quietly to He Cheng while occasionally also paying attention to He Mingzhu. Unlike how he appeared this morning at the Crane Hall, where he had a stern expression and hardly spoke unless directly addressed.

Jiang Yue caught sight of her father and quickly crawled into his lap, pretending to “fly” with him. After a few moments, she realized they were already close enough and hugged her father’s neck, planting kisses on his face, much to everyone’s amusement.

After sharing a tender moment, Jiang Yue hopped down to play with the cat and dogs, making the room even livelier.

As everyone enjoyed their time, Liu Xin suddenly requested to see Jiang Zhanwei, whispering a few words in his ear.

Jiang Zhanwei’s expression darkened as he stood up and said to He Cheng, “Brother Cheng, we have a guest in the front yard. Come with me to meet them.”

He Cheng rose, and the two left together.

Observing Jiang Zhanwei’s demeanor, Lu Man guessed the visitor might be Lu Fangrong. Perhaps he had first gone to the Yuling Courtyard to find He Mingzhu and her son, and upon not finding them, had come here.

Lu Fangrong was truly annoying. Just two days after returning, he had tricked He Cheng into going to his house on the first day and now came hobbling over himself on the second day. Who knew what he would do next.

He Mingzhu didn’t dwell on such thoughts. Seeing her son-in-law including her son in meeting guests indicated that they were not outsiders to him, which made her quite happy.

She quietly scolded Lu Man, “You said our son-in-law had a bad temper. You were completely wrong.” Then, with a sense of pride, she added, “I think this son-in-law is wonderful—polite, gentle, handsome, holding a high position. He’s truly a rare find…”

Just as Lu Man had suspected, the limping Lu Fangrong arrived.

More than two hours ago, Lu Fangrong, dressed in a new satin robe, adorned with a jade hairpin, neatly groomed with a short beard, carried a large box that contained some of the best spoils, including one item seized from Wanyan Tu.

He traveled to the Yuling Courtyard in a carriage, where he was greeted by Mr. Wu.

Although Mr. Wu didn’t recognize him, seeing a tall, handsome man in his thirties with a crutch, he quickly inferred who it was.

Mr. Wu also held a grudge against Lu Fangrong, following He Cheng’s instructions. He stood at the door, blocking Lu Fangrong from entering, and asked, “Who is this gentleman looking for?”

Lu Fangrong replied, “I’m looking for Mingzhu.”

Mr. Wu responded, “My mistress is not here. Please leave.” With that, he moved to shut the door.

Balancing on his crutch with one hand and holding the box with the other, Lu Fangrong leaned forward, preventing the door from closing.

He peered into the courtyard, only catching a glimpse of a brick wall from the east wing, a corner of the west wing, the old withered locust tree in the courtyard, along with a clothesline tied to it holding a dress and a skirt.

The sky-blue cotton jacket embroidered with intertwined magnolia flowers and the sky-blue skirt embroidered with red maple leaves were drenched in the intense afternoon sunlight, causing a halo to form around the garments, irritating Lu Fangrong’s eyes.

His Mingzhu adored these subtle colors. In his mind’s eye, he envisioned He Mingzhu wearing this outfit, smiling at him gently and peacefully…

Suddenly, a loud voice snapped Lu Fangrong out of his reverie, “You ungrateful scoundrel! Instead of looking for that shameless wench Bao Qin playing the zither, why are you here? Get lost!”

Following the voice, a tall, rough woman approached Lu Fangrong, pushing Mr. Wu aside with a loud slam, forcefully closing the courtyard gate.

Lu Fangrong instinctively pulled his head back just in time to avoid getting hit by the door. Enraged, he remembered this woman was another maid of He Mingzhu, named Fu Qin.

Initially coarse, she now seemed even rougher.

Lu Fangrong shouted, “How dare you! You insolent slave, how dare you treat me like this! Open the door, I must see Mingzhu.”

Despite Lu Fangrong’s anger, Mrs. Fu’s voice rang even louder, “I may be a servant, but I am not one of your people. Hah, a family that forgets favors, only cares about money, and disrespects people. My mistress is not here and won’t see you even if she were. Leave and stop embarrassing us at our doorstep, making my mistress and Master lose face.”

Fuming, Lu Fangrong’s nose was almost crooked with anger, but he hesitated to continue arguing with a servant woman at the door. Glancing around, he noticed a few passersby staring at him incredulously, causing him to blush.

He reasoned that Mingzhu was likely not at home. Otherwise, upon hearing of his arrival, she wouldn’t allow a servant woman to treat him in such a manner. If Mingzhu wasn’t home, she might have gone to her daughter’s house since Jiang Zhanwei had returned home yesterday and invited his mother-in-law to visit today.

Although Jiang Zhanwei hadn’t been very fond of him before, Lu Fangrong had performed exceptionally well in the Black Furry Camp over the past two years, displaying exceptional bravery in combat. Particularly, leading several critical missions flawlessly, ensuring the successful completion of the camp’s tasks. Lu Fangrong had noticed that Jiang Zhanwei was beginning to appreciate him more…