Chapter 59: Eruption

Among the gifts, Lu Man particularly adored the jasmine fragrance sent by the Second Madam. According to the maids, the Second Madam had crafted it herself in her spare time.

The slender-necked porcelain bottle bore faint lotus leaves and a delicate lotus flower. Upon uncapping it, a light jasmine fragrance wafted out, incredibly pleasant, instantly dispelling the summer heat.

While not knowing much about the Second Madam, Lu Man was filled with curiosity and admiration for this woman. To live so freely in ancient times, almost detached from worldly matters, with the weight of Princess Changting’s mother-in-law towering above her, was quite remarkable.

After dinner, Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu personally returned the empty bowls. The young siblings seemed to adore the shaved ice, both smiling brightly, even softening the usually stern Jiang Zhankui’s demeanor. However, the nursemaid accompanying them, Mama Gu, appeared uneasy, likely feeling compelled to accompany them.

Jiang Jiu eagerly tugged at Lu Man’s skirt and exclaimed, “Third Sister-in-law, I have good news to share! I just received a letter from my third brother’s messenger, he will be back next month.”

This news wasn’t exactly joyous.

Lu Man forced a smile and replied, “Oh, that’s great! Little Jiu will get to see his brother again.”

Just then, the Ninth Young Master, Jiang Zhanyan, arrived. At five years old, he was incredibly endearing, with his smiling eyes, white teeth, red lips, and even two dimples when he smiled.

He was brought in by his nursemaid, Mama Song.

Blushing, Mama Song said, “Third Young Madam, the Ninth Young Master loved the shaved ice and requested more. However, when the servants made it with ice and fruits, he said it wasn’t as delicious as yours. That’s why he’s here causing a commotion.”

The unexpected arrival of this young guest amused Lu Man. She replied, “Oh, we’re out of ice.” Seeing Jiang Zhanyan’s disappointment, she added, “But we have some yogurt left, we can make a fruity yogurt version, though it won’t be as refreshing.”

Lu Man instructed Tao to prepare three small bowls of yogurt with fruit dices in the kitchen. As the children sat down to eat, they didn’t seem very engaged.

Observing closely, Lu Man noticed that Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Zhanyan weren’t close. They rarely spoke and didn’t even exchange glances. Only Jiang Jiu was warm and friendly, enthusiastically offering yogurt from her own bowl to her younger brother.

Considering that the two boys were only a year apart and studied together in the morning, their relationship should have been strong.

Perhaps the Second Master and Madam’s disdain for their illegitimate children had affected young Jiang Jiu. It could also be that Jiang Zhankui felt inferior and suppressed, intentionally keeping his distance from his legitimate siblings.

Lu Man’s intuition leaned towards the latter possibility. She genuinely hoped that this little rascal wouldn’t end up like his brother, burdened and shadowed by insecurities.

The sweet and innocent Jiang Jiu might have been well-protected by his brothers and possessed fewer complexities, innocence, and fewer thoughts. Even if excluded and suppressed, he didn’t exhibit the same inferiority complex as his brothers, and he didn’t develop oppositional feelings. Instead, she seemed eager to integrate into the group that excluded her.

Innocent children, unaware of the complexities of the adult world, yearning for acceptance, evoked sympathy. On the other hand, Jiang Zhankui, understanding the harsh realities at such a young age, was truly heart-wrenching.

Thinking this, Lu Man smiled at Jiang Zhanyan, “I’ll make some other special treats next time. When Third Sister-in-law isn’t busy, we’ll have the Ninth Young Master over for a meal.”

She hoped to foster a good friendship between Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu.

“Okay.” Jiang Zhanyan replied sweetly.

After the children finished eating, they left contentedly. Before departing, Jiang Zhanyan licked his lips and said, “Third Sister-in-law, I’ll come back for more tomorrow.”

Mama Song chuckled, “Young Master, you’re quite shameless, talking about your cravings like that.”

Lu Man reassured him, “If you like it, feel free to come.”

Despite her words, she knew she needed to send yogurt and fruit to them more often. She was currently swamped and didn’t have much time for them. Once she sorted out some matters, she planned to invite the children over frequently, providing the young siblings with more friends.

The next day, in the early hours of dawn, Lu Man was still half-asleep when she heard urgent knocking on the door, followed by Xing’s voice and Hong Ling’s commotion. Hong Ling rushed from the back room to find Lu Man, but was intercepted at the door by Xing, the night shift servant.

Xing lowered her voice, sounding displeased. “Hong Ling, you’re asking for trouble. It’s only the fourth hour, Third Young Madam hasn’t even woken up yet.”

Anxious, Hong Ling insisted, “I have an urgent matter to discuss with Third Young Madam. Move out of the way.”

Unfazed by Hong Ling’s urgency, Xing blocked the door, retorting with a smirk, “Watch your words. Disturbing the mistress’s rest will get you punished. I suggest you report to the steward, you might end up getting a beating.”

Growing louder, Hong Ling retorted, “You little troublemaker, getting cocky after a few days of success. When I served Third Young Madam, I didn’t even know where you were…”

Lu Man intervened loudly, “Xing, I’m awake. Let Hong Ling in.”

Giving a dismissive huff, Hong Ling pushed past Xing and rushed into the bedroom, quickly shutting the door behind her. Her hair disheveled and clothes untidy, she knelt at Lu Man’s bedside, tears streaming down her face.

Surprised, Lu Man asked, “What’s wrong? Get up and speak calmly.”

Through tears, Hong Ling whispered, “Madam, something’s wrong. I have developed several small bumps all over my body, densely packed. Third Young Madam, you know about medicine, please help me and don’t send me away.”

Terrified, Hong Ling didn’t know what she had contracted. If it was a severe skin condition, she might be banished from the estate. This was unacceptable, after working hard to serve the Third Young Master, and now facing possible rifts between him and Third Young Madam, being expelled would mean losing everything.

Lu Man, alarmed, quickly got up and instructed, “Come to the window, let me have a closer look.”

Hong Ling approached the window and lifted her clothing.

With the light still dim, Lu Man opened the window wide and examined her closely. Hong Ling had numerous small red bumps all over her body, alarming in their massiveness.

Startled, Lu Man asked a series of questions, “Do you have a headache? Any fever or itchiness?”

“It itches.” Hong Ling replied, “and in some places, I’ve scratched until I bled. My head doesn’t hurt, but I do have a slight fever.”

After a thorough examination, Lu Man breathed a sigh of relief. “Although the symptoms resemble a rash caused by cold, I’m certain it’s a rash, fortunately not severe.”

Hong Ling had never heard of this condition but felt relieved that it wasn’t serious. Curiously, she asked, “What is a rash? I’ve never heard of it.”

Lu Man improvised, “Of course you haven’t heard of it, I only came across it in medical texts recently. A rash is a seasonal ailment caused by inhaling a specific flower’s scent, resulting in a rash. It’s just starting on your body, in a couple of days, it might spread to your face and hands. While it resembles a cold-induced rash, this condition won’t be severe. However, if it’s noticed and reported, you might be expelled.”