Chapter 66: Stand Still

Upon learning that his incompetent illegitimate son’s dog had once again frightened someone, the Second Master erupted in anger.

Young Madam Han quickly intervened, saying, “It’s also Deyu’s fault. He’s too fascinated with that large dog, and the dog didn’t even bite him.”

Disapprovingly, Madam Hong retorted, “It’s easy for you to say. If it had bitten someone, it would have been a serious matter. That dog is large and fierce, very intimidating. If it had injured someone, it would be too late for regrets.”

The Second Master cursed, “Those two troublemakers always cause problems. Someone, take the dog outside and put it down.”

The maid by madam Hong’s side, Shen, stepped forward to carry out the order. Seeing the Madam’s disdain for the dog and its impact on Deyu, Shen saw this as an opportunity to gain favor. She respectfully addressed the Second Master, “I will follow the order and have a few people take the dog outside to be put down.”

Shen was a steward maid in Madam Hong’s courtyard and seldom accompanied Madam Hong, but she was present today due to a last-minute issue with Madam Hong’s usual attendant…

In front of everyone, Shen pointed out the Second Master, who admitted, “Indeed, I instructed her to go.”

Lu Man interjected, “Shen, my father-in-law ordered you to handle Qichang. Did he tell you to mistreat Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss?”

Quickly, Shen defended, “Even if I had the courage of a lion, I would never mistreat Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss…”

The other maids continued to protest their innocence.

Lu Man coldly stated, “Your audacity is astonishing. Despite the evidence, you dare to deny it.”

Stepping forward, she addressed the Princess, “Grandmother, please observe. The maids injured Eighth Young Master while attacking Qichang. He has a large bump on his head, torn clothes, and Second Young Miss lost her voice from crying. They did not stop to console the family, only focused on harming Qichang. Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss ran after them, crying and pleading to wait while I interceded for Qichang, but they turned a blind eye. In their eyes, Eighth Young Master and Second Young Miss were not treated as masters!”

The Princess, witnessing the distress of Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, and learning of the maids’ actions, was furious. Despite being illegitimate children, they were still the masters, her own grandchildren. She thundered, “These wretches have truly overstepped their bounds, acting against all decency. Drag them out and give them twenty lashes.”

The maids wailed in protest upon hearing this command. Shen, hoping for mercy from her mistress, saw her stern expression and realized she was also angry. Desperately, she called out to the Second Master, “Sir, please spare me. I was following your orders to capture the large dog…”

Before she could finish, she was dragged out of the hall.

With the disobedient maids gone, only Jiang Zhankui, Jiang Jiu, and the large dog lying on the ground remained in the center of the hall.

Jiang Zhankui bowed to the Princess again, choked with emotion, pleading, “Grandmother, Qichang is very well-behaved. Though it looks fierce, it has never bitten anyone…”

Madam Hong didn’t intend to speak, but she found Jiang Zhankui’s untrue statements exasperating. She remarked, “Zhankui, despite your youth, honesty is essential. Deyu was nearly bitten by the large dog, and those maids were indeed bitten. We witnessed it all.”

Jiang Zhankui explained, “Aunt, Qichang didn’t bite Deyu it only barked loudly, scaring him. It didn’t actively bite the maids either, it was trying to protect me. I was pushed down and stepped on by the maids, and it only bit in defense.”

Enraged, Madam Hong didn’t believe him but refrained from engaging in a debate with a child. Fuming, she remained silent.

The Second Master, infuriated by Jiang Zhankui’s offense against Madam Hong, shouted, “Regardless of whether the dog was protecting you, if it has injured someone, it cannot stay. Take it away and put it down.”

Terrified, Jiang Jiu began to cry, pleading, “Father, please, don’t kill Qichang. It’s very good and without it, Jiu and Brother will be even lonelier…”

Jiang Zhankui also began to cry out, “You can’t kill Qichang, it’s the companion my brother gave to me and my sister. It’s intelligent and wouldn’t harm anyone…”

Witnessing two maids approaching to take Qichang away, Lu Man shouted, “Stop.”

The two maids were startled by Lu Man’s command, looking at the Second Master and the Princess, unsure of what to do.

The Second Master, infuriated, exclaimed, “Insolent! Who gave you the audacity? You married into our family, first attempted suicide, then led your younger siblings to cause chaos in the Crane Hall, openly defying your elders.” He then yelled at the standing maids, “What are you waiting for? Drag the dog out and slaughter it.”

As the maids moved to take Qichang away, the dog whimpered, tears streaming down its face.

The cries of the two children grew louder. Even Deyu ran out, pleading, “Don’t kill Qichang, don’t kill Qichang.” His nursemaid hurriedly carried him away.

Lu Man reiterated, “Don’t touch it!” Then, she turned to the Princess, “Grandmother, I have enough reasons to prevent Qichang’s death.”

The Marquis intervened, “Oh, what reasons do you have?” He was displeased with the second household and the conflict arising from a mere animal.

Though the Princess was angered by the disregard for her grandchildren, the chaos caused over a dog was also disheartening. Her expression darkened as she demanded, “Speak, what reasons do you have?”

Lu Man first wiped the tears of Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, soothing them, “Crying won’t garner compassion and respect. Only through self-improvement and self-respect can you earn the respect of others.”

After calming the children, she stood upright and continued, “Grandmother, to you, Qichang is just a dog, an animal. But to Eighth Young Master and Jiu, it is their best companion, the most loyal guardian, and the best gift from their respected brother. In that serene courtyard, Qichang has been their joy, eradicating their loneliness, becoming their closest companion. In their moments of vulnerability, it was Qichang who protected them. Imagine the consequences if they witness Qichang being killed. It would cause immense sadness. Emotionally, it could have lifelong repercussions.”

The Second Master retorted, “We can’t let a dog scare people in the inner courtyard just because they cherish it.”

The Marquis and the Third Master shook their heads, moved by Lu Man’s words, while the Second Master remained firm.

Seeing Madam Hong’s displeasure, the Zhanju quickly intervened, “Perhaps we could keep it in the Third Brother’s study to prevent it from scaring the women and children in the inner courtyard.”

Touched by Lu Man’s words, the Princess relented. Unable to ignore her second son’s stance while also preserving her grandson’s sentiments, she agreed to spare Qichang, ensuring the children’s happiness and the peace of the inner courtyard.