Chapter 74: Scared Ill

Jiang Zhanwei glanced at Lu Man, who was smiling and chatting with the Princess and the sick old Marquis, and recalled the night of their act when she was helplessly trembling, her eyes filled with tears, seemingly unable to stand steadily. How had she managed this in just two months?

Rigidity leads to breakage, kindness is like water…

As Jiang Zhanwei pondered this, he heard the Second Master ask in a low voice, “You’ve been on a lengthy inspection tour in the northern territories with Duke Xie. Do you think our Dachun will really go to war with the Dajin?”

This was no longer a military secret.

Jiang Zhanwei nodded, “Although the border seems calm for now, reports from our scouts indicate that Dajin is mobilizing troops from various regions. A war is inevitable.”

The Princess was taken aback and quickly remarked, “If a war breaks out, the Elite Camp will surely be deployed. Zhanwei, you shouldn’t stay there, go serve in the palace.”

A hint of a smile appeared on Jiang Zhanwei’s stern face as he replied to the Princess Consort, “I heard that as of yesterday afternoon, all personnel movements in the Ministry of War have been frozen, and soldiers heading north are not allowed to be freely transferred into the troops guarding the capital.”

Shocked, the Princess held Jiang Zhanwei’s hand, saying, “What are we going to do? Our children are so precious; how can they go to war? Oh, it’s all my fault, I’ve burdened you…”

She glanced at Lu Man but didn’t continue. Despite her concern for her grandson, she also held a deep fondness for her granddaughter-in-law and couldn’t bear to scold her further.

Lu Man blushed, knowing what the Princess had held back from saying.

The Second Master scolded loudly, “Reckless child! Knowing there might be a war, why would you seek to join the Elite Camp? Even if you manage to get in, you should have left earlier.” Pointing at Lu Man, he continued, “Just for this woman, you’re willing to risk your life. I’ve said it before, if you truly don’t like…”

Jiang Zhanwei hurriedly said, “Grandmother, Father, as I’ve mentioned before, joining the military has always been my wish, and it has nothing to do with Lu Man. A man should stand tall and resolute, ready for any challenge, even if it means facing death on the battlefield…”

Before he could finish his words, the sick old Marquis suddenly coughed violently, his face turning red, and his body experiencing slight spasms.

Everyone was frightened. Lu Man inwardly thought that this would happen, whenever Jiang Zhanwei made bold statements, he would rile up the old Marquis.

The imperial physician hurried over to administer treatment, urging, “Please, Your Highness and all the esteemed guests, speak elsewhere. We mustn’t agitate the old Marquis. Provoking him will have adverse effects.”

Jiang Zhanwei had no choice but to leave the bedroom first. Once the old Marquis calmed down, the others followed him to the room on the west side. Before the Second Master left, he shot a fierce glare at Lu Man. The Princess wore a pained expression, even though Jiang Zhanwei was an illegitimate grandson, she couldn’t bear to send him to the front lines to die.

Lu Man had initially thought Jiang Zhanwei’s trip to the northern borders was for a routine exchange or deployment, never anticipating it would involve actual combat. Knowing he was aware of the camp’s move to the north implied an impending conflict.

The prospect of marrying her off had evidently stirred intense emotions in him, he was willing to risk his life to achieve success, take control of his destiny, and eventually rid himself of her, the unwanted wife forced upon him.

His hatred towards her, or perhaps his resentment towards his illegitimate status, ran deep and fierce.

This turn of events left Lu Man feeling uneasy. Jiang Zhanwei going off to war not only damaged the favorable impression she had built with the Princess but also raised the unsettling possibility that blame might fall on her if something happened to him.

Unlike other scions of prestigious families who sought glory from the safety of the rear, Jiang Zhanwei was determined to seek achievements on the front lines, even at the cost of his life…

Unanticipated by Lu Man, while the old Marquis was still ailing, she found herself burdened with another life. She lamented her foolishness and regretted her earlier efforts to secure various advantages for the siblings…

This scoundrel, this villain, this despicable person…

Lu Man felt a mix of hatred, anger, and fear, overwhelmed with sadness. Her heart felt hollow, her usual resilience vanished in an instant, leaving her weak and teary-eyed.

Observing her distress, the imperial physician could sense her inner turmoil. Having witnessed Lu Man’s efforts to improve her situation and the old Marquis’s slight improvement, as well as the Princess and others shifting from hatred to acceptance of her, her path seemed to be widening. However, this incident threatened to undo her progress and return her to square one.

The imperial physician sighed sympathetically, saying, “Third Young Madam, the old Marquis is stable now. You should rest.” He advised, “Think positively and don’t dwell on the negative.”

Lu Man nodded, eager to leave the room. As she passed through the hall, she could still hear the Second Master’s scolding and the Marquis and Third Master trying to calm him down.

On the way, Lu Ying noticed Lu Man’s unusual mood and comforted her, “Third Young Madam, fate has a plan for everyone. Third Young Master will be fine.”

Lu Man didn’t respond but whispered softly, “I haven’t wronged anyone, yet I’m burdened with two lives… I’m so tired, I miss my mother, I want to sleep, I want to go home…”

Her words trailed off, and she began to cry like a child.

Lu Ying was frightened and quickly reassured her, “Alright, let’s go back and rest. Don’t worry, Third Young Master promised to help find Mama Wang, he will come back safe.” She wanted to suggest staying at this place rather than returning to the Lu family, but she held back.

Once in the bedroom, Lu Man lay down on the bed.

The maids heard about Jiang Zhanwei heading to the front lines and were terrified. During lunch, Lu Ying saw Lu Man sleeping soundly and decided not to disturb her. By early evening, she tried to wake her for dinner and to attend to the old Marquis’s massage.

However, Lu Man didn’t respond to her calls. Upon closer inspection, Lu Ying found Lu Man’s face flushed, lips dry and cracked, and her forehead burning up.

Terrified, Lu Ying cried out, “Oh my, Third Young Madam is sick, her fever is high.”

Huang in the courtyard rushed in, felt Lu Man’s forehead, and also started crying, saying, “This is serious, she’s burning up. Third Young Madam may not make it.”

Having seen much in her life, Huang’s words caused the maids to burst into tears. Lu Ying hurried to report to Crane Hall and fetch the imperial physician for Lu Man.

Meanwhile, the Princess and others sat in the room on the west side, engaged in a serious conversation. Suddenly, Lu Ying burst in, her face streaked with tears. She knelt before the Princess, crying, “Your Highness, Third Young Madam is unconscious and near death.”

Everyone was shocked.