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Jiang Zhanwei smirked coldly, saying, “Not only was he making a scene, he was downright furious, displaying all kinds of ugliness. What can he do if he disagrees? Once grandmother agrees, it must be done. Tomorrow morning, I will go to the yamen to present her case. On the eleventh day, I will submit the documents to request the title for you and her. Grandmother will also visit the emperor in the palace. If the title is granted, the patriarch will record her name in the family genealogy. I will also go to Guangji Temple to consult a high monk for an auspicious date, then have her coffin taken out. Zhankun and Zhankui will take it to our ancestral home in Huzhou to be buried in the family tomb. To gain the approval of the clan elders, grandmother will not only donate ten thousand taels of silver to the family but also have Zhankun discuss with the elders. As long as it does not violate the law, they will try to meet their conditions…”
His expression was gloomy and cold, devoid of any joy from victory.
Lu Man said, “That’s good. Even if Aunt knew underground, she would be happy.”
Jiang Zhanwei’s fists clenched tightly. He continued, “He hit me, kicked me, threw teacups at me, called me a bastard of a chaotic family, saying I should have been thrown into the river to drown at birth. When hitting and scolding me didn’t work, he cried, begged me, saying he couldn’t betray Second Madam, couldn’t make her sad…
He is truly, inexplicably delusional, as if I ruined their marital bond, prevented him from being devoted to Second Madam. If he was truly devoted, why didn’t he resist the pressure from my grandmother and grandfather, why did he bring my birth mother into the mansion? He is useless himself but wants to blame others for his mistakes…
Second Madam is a woman, isn’t my birth mother a woman too? She gave birth to me, and grandmother and Second Master wanted to provide her with a dowry to remarry into a good family. Yet, for some reason, Second Madam insisted on keeping her in the mansion, offering no status, letting her live in that small courtyard without dignity for so many years…
I still remember that afternoon when I went to Qingfeng Courtyard to see her, Second Master stumbled out of the yard, she was crying heartbreakingly in bed… Manman, do you know, at that moment, I wanted to rush out and kill that villain… She died three months after giving birth to Zhankui and Jiu, still worried about the younger siblings in their swaddling clothes, holding my hand, asking me to take care of them, endure patiently, and wait for a good life after the division of the family… I was very young when I vowed to earn her the title of Concubine, but before I could, she passed away… This title was earned with my life, why shouldn’t he allow it…”
Jiang Zhanwei spoke intermittently, with uncontrollable sobs in between, first grabbing Lu Man’s hand that was helping him apply a facial mask, then pulling her into his arms, burying his head deeply in her neck, and finally, the two embraced on the bed. She could feel his hot tears and sense his past helplessness, as well as his current anger towards Second Master…
Lu Man also cried, for the hardships and helplessness of Jiang Zhanwei’s siblings, and for the misfortune of Miss Zhou. Second Master Jiang didn’t deserve to be a father, how could he treat his son and the woman who bore him three children in such a way.
She had been held by Jiang Zhanwei all along, one hand tightly wrapped around his waist. Occasionally, she would murmur “mm” without interrupting his words, showing that she was attentively listening. Her heart ached and softened, as if cradling a child.
They remained embraced until midnight, listening to Jiang Zhanwei’s narrative. It turned out that Jiang Zhanwei also had moments of verbosity and tearful helplessness.
The next day, news spread of the illness of Second Madam. Perhaps the Princess sent someone to have Jiang Zhanwei and his siblings pay respects to Second Madam to ease the tension between father and son, and to maintain the appearance of harmony in front of Second Master and Madam.
Jiang Zhanwei sneered twice, stating he had important matters to discuss with General Xie and needed to handle official business at the yamen, thus had no time. With that, he left.
Lu Man also believed that Jiang Zhanwei should not go. While Second Madam was currently distressed and embarrassed, Jiang Zhanwei and his siblings, along with Miss Zhou, had experienced deeper sorrow and humiliation. Second Madam had the comfort of Second Master, but what about them? Instead of receiving consolation, they faced abuse and neglect.
Yet, it was inappropriate for them not to go, given the ancient etiquette where Second Madam was considered a mother and must be respected, compounded by the presence of Princess Changting as the family matriarch.
Lu Man also prevented Jiang Zhankui from going, believing that the brothers should stay away. Instead, she took Jiang Jiu and Jiang Yue to the study, bringing along some herbal remedies, a bottle of willow bark pills, and ten yellow grams of sulfur.
Second Master did not go to the yamen, choosing to stay at home to care for the ailing Second Madam.
The hall was quiet, with the servants moving around noiselessly, only the faint sound of Second Master’s gentle words coaxing Second Madam to take her medicine could be heard from the bedroom.
Despite entering the room for a while, it was only Lu Man’s second visit. Unlike a noblewoman’s hall, it resembled more of a man’s study. Ancient paintings adorned the walls, with various books and writing utensils on display. The rosewood-inlaid jade Eight Immortals table resembled a desk, featuring a jade-carved bamboo pen holder filled with many brushes.
Jiang Yue disliked the oppressive atmosphere and was about to speak when Lu Man swiftly raised her index finger to her lips, signaling her to remain silent. The young girl reluctantly suppressed her words, pouting in displeasure.
Upon hearing of their arrival, Second Master rushed out.
It seemed as though he had aged overnight, appearing thinner, with swollen eyes, a melancholic expression, a strand of hair hanging by his ear, devoid of his usual handsome and neat appearance.
What a passionate person indeed!
Glancing at the group behind them, he sternly asked, “Where is that mongrel Jiang Zhanwei?”
His shout frightened Jiang Jiu, who started crying, while Jiang Yue was taken aback.
Despite not crying, Jiang Yue stared back and shouted, “Hit, hit, hit, hit…”
The young girl repeated the word “hit” numerous times.
Seeing the children scared, Lu Man was displeased. With a cold expression, she said, “My Third Young Master is going to the yamen to handle matters for Aunt.”
This reason infuriated Second Master, his eyes bulging as he raised his hand to strike, but he couldn’t hit any of the three people in front of him. Enraged, he swept the teacups off the table onto the floor.
One of the maids attending to Second Madam came out and said, “Third Young Madam, please take the Second Miss and the children back. Second Madam is worried that the illness may affect the children, which wouldn’t be good.”
Indeed, Second Madam knew how to handle situations well.
Lu Man bent her knees towards the direction of the bedroom, then turned and left with the two children.
Before they could exit the house, news arrived that Fifth Young Master had fallen ill again and was struggling to breathe.
This news startled everyone. Lu Man instructed a servant to take the children back to Donghui Courtyard while she headed straight to Jiang Zhanyu’s place, asking Lu Ying to bring her medicine box over.
Second Master’s arrogance vanished instantly as he hastily told Lu Man, “Daughter-in-law, you must take good care of Zhanyu’s illness. You are a good child and a skilled physician you will cure him. I still need to take care of my wife, I will come see him later.”