Chapter 51: Leaving the Mansion

Upon witnessing the old Marquis’s reaction, Lu Man was delighted and teasingly remarked, “Grandfather seems to be craving something, even drooling.” With that, she picked up a handkerchief from the bedside and gently wiped his clean mouth corner.

The court physician, Fu, chuckled softly beside them, “I can’t help but notice that old Marquis seems to particularly enjoy conversing with Third Young Madam. Whenever she speaks, his expression brightens up a lot.”

Glancing around and seeing no outsiders nearby, Lu Man joked in a low voice, “I just want the old man to see how understanding and pleasing his adopted granddaughter-in-law is. If the little granddaughter comes, she will charm him even more.”

Physician Fu shook his head with a smile.

Shortly after, Mama Qian approached Lu Man to discuss, “Third Young Madam, it’s Xiao Cai’s turn to perform today. But Princess Changting is feeling unwell, having performers might not be appropriate.” She hesitated, “However, if we don’t have performers, the Princess might feel that we neglected the Old Marquis, which could upset her more.”

After a moment of thought, Lu Man suggested, “Can we arrange for two musicians from the opera troupe to play instruments instead? This way, there won’t be singing, yet it will still be lively here for grandfather.” She wasn’t sure about the instruments used in Kunqu opera, only recalling that Beijing opera mainly featured Jinghu.

Mama Qian nodded, “That’s the best we can do.”

She sent someone to explain the situation to the troupe and asked the Madam and the Third Madam to come and persuade Princess Changting. She dared not invite the Second Madam, she neither admitted mistakes nor enjoyed talking, which might only further irritate Princess Changting.

After discussing the old Marquis’s condition with the two physicians, Lu Man excused herself from Crane Hall once she realized there was nothing urgent for her to attend to.

At the entrance Gate, she encountered the Madam and the Third Madam. Lu Man gave a slight bow, sensing a change in the Madam’s gaze towards her. Previously it was disdain, but today, it seemed more like dislike. The Third Madam, however, remained unchanged and chuckled a couple of times.

Lu Man was puzzled, she hadn’t offended the eldest Madam. It was only when they reached Orchid Pavilion that she remembered they had entered the palace yesterday. Her maternal grandfather was executed for offending the Empress… Could it be that the Empress, being in such a high position, was holding a grudge against them, descendants of He Huang?

It seemed unreasonable for someone in such authority to have issues with a minor criminal’s granddaughter…

Her maternal grandfather was a court physician skilled in women’s health…the harem is where the most secrets lie…could it be that her grandfather knew some secrets and was harmed because of it?

Lu Man was startled by her own speculation. Even if her grandfather did know what the Empress had done in secret, she had already silenced him, and she knew nothing. Having crossed over here, she didn’t want to recklessly endanger her life. She shook her head, eager to wake the old Marquis and leave this place far behind.

She worked even harder, displaying a better attitude towards the old Marquis, hoping he would suddenly spring back to life.

On the sixteenth day, Lu Man finally got a chance for a stroll outside.

In the morning, she arrived at Crane Hall, where she overheard Princess Changting instructing Mama Li to buy a type of wine called Xiaochunyang from the Drunken Spring Pavilion. The reason being that she had dreamt last night of the old Marquis waking up and expressing a desire for Xiaochunyang from the Drunken Spring Pavilion.

Everyone was joyous and congratulatory, deeming the dream an auspicious sign. The imperial physician Fu even mentioned that a few days ago, Third Young Madam joked with the Old Marquis, saying he looked as if he had a bit of wine.

Princess Changting, upon hearing this, became even more delighted, believing that the old Marquis had heard Lu Man’s words and sent her a dream to buy the wine.

Volunteering, Lu Man said, “Grandmother, let me personally go buy the wine for Grandfather. Let the heavens see my filial piety and sincerity, and may Grandfather wake up soon.”

Princess Changting agreed with a nod, expressing her satisfaction, “Good child, you’ve thought this through. You are the granddaughter-in-law who married in to bring good fortune to the old Marquis. It’s only fitting for you to go yourself.”

Princess Changting was increasingly pleased with Lu Man. Since she arrived, the old Marquis’s health had been improving. Especially after using the medical book passed down in the He family and following its methods for treatment, the old Marquis’s condition had significantly improved, with even the imperial physicians mentioning a high chance of him waking up.

Apart from the incident of attempted suicide, everything Lu Man had done was satisfactory. Moreover, her appearance, demeanor, and speech were no less than those of any noble lady. She was articulate and could chat with the old Marquis for hours without tiring, much to her delight.

As for the Empress’s displeasure at marrying He Huang’s granddaughter to bring good fortune, there was nothing to be done. Master Xinghai had said that Lu Man could successfully bring good fortune to the old Marquis, so she had to be married into the family. With the surname Lu and not He, the sins of the He family could not be attributed to the Lu family’s daughter. While others feared the Empress and the Wang family, she did not…

Princess Changting kindly smiled, “My dear granddaughter-in-law, it’s rare for you to go out. Buy some of your favorite treats as well.”

Lu Man thanked her with a bow. Although she couldn’t freely roam the streets this time, being able to get some fresh air and see the outside world was still nice.

Maintaining her professional ethics, she first went to the old Marquis’s bedside to have a chat, “Grandfather, Grandmother knows you wish to drink, so she specially sent me to buy it. Don’t worry, be patient, I’ll go buy it now.”

At that moment, another miracle occurred— a silver thread appeared at the corner of the old Marquis’s mouth.

Seeing this, Princess Changting teared up. She wiped the saliva with a handkerchief and said, “Husband, Zhanwei’s wife will go buy Xiaochunyang and will return by noon. Please wait.” She then urged Lu Man to hurry.

Accompanied by Li Ma and the maid Xiao Huan from Crane Hall, Lu Man took a carriage to the West Corner Gate of the outer courtyard, where they transferred to a luxurious horse carriage. The carriage rolled out of the gate, accompanied by the sounds of many hooves and occasional male voices.

Realizing she had quite a few bodyguards with her, Lu Man experienced the might of being a young madam in a wealthy household for the first time.

She lifted a corner of the curtain and saw endless vermilion walls, with roofs peeking through lush green bamboo and trees. Beyond these vermilion walls and a stone-paved road lay more vermilion walls.

Xiao Huan whispered, “This is the residence of Duke Pingguo Liu. In front of Dongqu Hutong is Balin Hutong, where Minister Jiang resides, as well as Duke Qing Guoxie’s residence.”

Lu Man lowered the curtain.

After about a quarter of an hour, the bustling noise grew louder gradually.

Lu Man lifted the curtain once more and saw a wide road bustling with traffic and numerous pedestrians. On either side were shops, mostly two or three stories high, with red lacquered carved doors and windows, blue-green walls, and a few pink walls. Not far away was a river with many boats floating on its shimmering waters.

Xiao Huan smiled, “This is Changlin Street, and that river is the Chunjiang River. The water in our mansion’s Mirror Lake is brought in from the Chunjiang River…”