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Lu Man remarked, “It’s said that beautiful women fear persistent suitors. Mother’s nature is gentle, and I truly fear that she won’t be able to withstand Lu Fangrong’s shameless persistence.”
He Cheng shared the concern, asking, “What should we do then? If Mother re-enters the Lu family, there might be trouble again.”
Lu Man whispered, “Let’s talk to Mother about it today. Uncle Li is a good match, refined, gentle, kind, and loyal. They have known each other since childhood, and Uncle Li has waited for Mother for so many years. Marrying him will surely bring her happiness.”
He Cheng hesitated, saying, “Sis, I’m not brave enough to say this to Mother.”
In the past, his hints had made his mother cry.
While Jiang Zhanwei could understand Lu Man’s resentment towards the Lu family and Lu Fangrong, instigating their divorced mother to remarry was something he couldn’t accept.
Shocked, he looked at Lu Man and disagreed, “Manman, your approach is disrespectful to your mother. She will be heartbroken, and others will criticize you for being unfilial. Whether or not she remarries should be her decision alone, and children shouldn’t interfere.”
Jiang Zhanwei pondered further and felt a sense of unease. It seemed that if he perished in battle, Manman would likely not uphold her widowhood for him.
Unaware of Jiang Zhanwei’s inner thoughts, Lu Man glanced helplessly at the two elders before her. Her actions, meant to ensure a happy later life for her mother, were in line with her considerations from her past life. However, in ancient times, the notion of a woman remarrying after widowhood was not widely accepted, even though it wasn’t prohibited in that era.
With a wry smile, Lu Man chuckled twice, realizing that bridging the gap of centuries wasn’t a matter of a few words.
This matter needed to be discussed with He Mingzhu after dinner, otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy a peaceful meal.
The family gathered around the table for dinner, with even Jiang Yue being lifted onto the table by Mama Li. He Cheng got up to pour wine for Jiang Zhanwei and himself, serving a vintage Blue Flower Carved Tribute Wine.
Pointing to the empty wine cup in front of her, Lu Man asked, “What about mine?”
Previously, when Jiang Zhanwei was absent, He Cheng would conscientiously pour wine for Lu Man.
Seeing her sister request wine, He Cheng furrowed his brow, glanced at Jiang Zhanwei, as if to remind her, “Sister, is it appropriate to drink more wine when your husband returns and you’re in a good mood? The fruit wine is over there, I’ll pour it for you right away.”
In this era, gentle women typically did not consume such strong spirits.
He Mingzhu, fearing Lu Man’s usually spirited nature might emerge, potentially upsetting her son-in-law, quickly interjected, “Manman, didn’t you used to drink this kind of fruit wine like me?”
Jiang Zhanwei chuckled, “It’s fine. If Manman is happy, let her have some of this wine.”
Seeing her son-in-law indulging her daughter so much, He Mingzhu smiled warmly.
After dinner, Jiang Zhanwei took the children to play in Jiang Jiu’s small courtyard, leaving only He Mingzhu and her two children.
He Cheng then recounted Lu Fangrong’s visit and his words. Lu Man supplemented the information, mentioning Lu Fangrong’s arrangements regarding his “affairs” in case of his death, expressing his desire for He Mingzhu to return to the Lu family.
Upon hearing this, He Mingzhu burst into tears, covering her face with a handkerchief, cursing, “That despicable and selfish man, only thinking of himself and never considering others. He allowed his mother to abandon me, let Manman be mistreated, took other wives and concubines, yet he acts as if nothing has happened. Coming to his son-in-law’s house, causing embarrassment, and even daring to ask me to return to the Lu family to be his widow! How dare he! Shameless and despicable scoundrel. You did the right thing, drive him away, let him go as far as possible. I don’t want to see him again…”
Even the gentle He Mingzhu resorted to swearing, showing that she had truly seen through Lu Fangrong and harbored no further attachments.
Lu Man was satisfied with He Mingzhu’s response and added, “Mother, from Lu Fangrong’s actions, he doesn’t seem to think he’s done anything wrong. He believes that you and us siblings have simply been slightly wronged. He thinks that if he humbles himself and seeks your forgiveness, you will set aside your grievances and accept him again.”
Sitting beside He Mingzhu, Lu Man continued, “Mother, if Lu Fangrong holds onto this idea and keeps pestering you without reason, it will be quite bothersome.” She cleared her throat and continued, “Mother, Uncle Li is actually a good man, refined, kind, and he has waited for you for so many years…”
He MIngzhu abruptly lifted her head, tears swelling in her eyes as she looked at Lu Man, sorrowfully exclaiming, “Manman, you are my daughter, how can you harbor such ill thoughts? Am I an obstacle to you? To He Cheng? If I am, I will become a nun.” With that, she covered her face and wept bitterly.
She was overly sensitive.
Lu Man quickly embraced her, saying, “Mother, please don’t cry. You are not a hindrance to anyone, you are our mother, and we cannot live without you. My words were simply to ensure your remaining years are happy and to prevent you from being deceived by that man.”
He Cheng added, “Mother, please don’t worry. Sister is incredibly filial, and you should have noticed that. She only speaks such words because she genuinely wants your happiness and is willing to say what others dare not. Her intentions are clear, and we will not bring up this matter again.”
Lu Man interjected, “Yes, Mother, if you don’t want it, we won’t bring it up again.”
Since He MIngzhu was so resistant to remarriage, they had to respect her wishes.
The siblings exchanged many kind words, with He MIngzhu embracing Lu Man and He Cheng, shedding tears before finally calming down.
After freshening up, Lu Man saw them off and then headed to Jiang Jiu’s small courtyard.
The snow had ceased, leaving a delicate layer of snowflakes on the ground, rooftops, and tree branches, shimmering under the bright starlight.
Entering the small house, a warm ambiance enveloped them. Looking ahead, the sight of Jiang Yue and the children cozying up on the bed warmed the heart. Jiang Yue sat on her father’s lap, while Jiang Jiu and Jiang Zhankui squeezed in on either side.
Jiang Zhanwei was holding a small handkerchief that Jiang Jiu had specially embroidered for her brother. Although it only featured two small flowers and a few leaves, he praised it extensively.
Upon Lu Man’s arrival, Jiang Zhanwei remarked, “You have done well, teaching sister so effectively.”
Lu Man smiled, sat down, and listened to Jiang Zhankui reporting on how Jiang Yue had been getting into fights, even making their grandfather afraid. Jiang Zhankui was both proud and concerned about his niece’s hobby. He was proud she wasn’t like him and his sister, who had often been scorned and bullied growing up. However, he worried about her future marriage prospects.
“Although Song Mo, Xie Kaipei, and Min Jiaming are all good to Little Yue, and willing to accommodate her, Song Mo is too senior to marry her. Kaipei is temperamental, and I don’t want Yue to marry him. Min Jiaming cries easily, which isn’t good either. What should we do?” Jiang Zhankui furrowed his brow, expressing his concerns, a sentiment he had shared with Lu Man numerous times before.
Amused by his brother, Jiang Zhanwei remarked, “Don’t worry, with my lovely daughter and my capable self, she won’t struggle to find a match. Besides the three you mentioned, there are plenty of good men in the world.”