Chapter 79: Whereabouts

Jiang Zhankui climbed onto the bed and quietly whispered in Lu Man’s ear, “Sister-in-law, my elder brother knows that we can’t keep Mama Gu by my sister’s side for too long. He said once he finds a more suitable nursemaid, he’ll send Mama Gu away and will ask sister-in-law to instruct my sister on etiquette. He wants me to take care of my sister and spend more time with you.”

After speaking, he gazed at Lu Man with sparkling eyes, as if expecting praise.

Although Lu Man didn’t want to get too close to the young siblings, she couldn’t bear to push them away after recalling how they cried so miserably and spoke so warmly to her when she was gravely ill.

Lu Man recalled a senior female acquaintance in her past life who married a man with a daughter from his previous marriage. Despite the man’s flaws, the senior got along very well with the stepdaughter. Years later, when the man cheated and they divorced, the stepdaughter chose to live with the stepmother. The senior was a postgraduate student in the 1980s, guiding the stepdaughter to success, even getting her into a prestigious university. The girl maintained a close relationship with the stepmother, surpassing even her biological parents, even after getting married and having children.

At that time, many couldn’t understand or even thought the senior was foolish for raising someone else’s child, especially the child of a problematic man.

Now, Lu Man finally understood. When she saw the pure and trusting gaze of the children, how could she bear to push them away?

Sometimes, good relationships between people aren’t solely based on blood ties but also on the goodness of the heart.

In this alternate world, gaining the warmth of these two hearts was truly a pleasant surprise.

Lu Man gently pinched his chubby cheeks and said, “Eighth Young Master, you’re so smart. Have you been praising the good deeds of Mama Gu to the Third Young Master?”

Jiang Zhankui’s eyes curved into crescents as he whispered, “Of course, I’ve mentioned everything I remembered, including how you don’t like her.”

After speaking, he slid off the bed and quickly ran out, leaving the room quiet without the children and the dog.

Lu Man instructed someone to light a candle, watching the flickering flame. It reminded her of an old song from her past life called “Mother in Candlelight.” When one is unwell, it’s the most fragile time, also the time when one longs for their mother the most.

She asked Tao to bring some charcoal from the kitchen stove. With a knife, she carved it into strips and, recalling her mother’s appearance from her past life, she sketched her mother’s portrait on a piece of paper. Though not an exact likeness, it captured about seven or eight points of resemblance. Her mother had curly hair and wore a Swarovski double heart necklace. It was a necklace she had bought years ago, now outdated but much cherished by her mother.

From her university days, her mother had a habit of picking up items Lu Man discarded, whether clothes or jewelry, claiming it was eco-friendly, stylish, and cost-effective. She enjoyed the process.

As Lu Man caressed the portrait, she felt a mixture of sadness and bitterness. In an era without cameras, phones, or computers, this was her way of remembering and preserving her mother’s memory. After a while, she kissed the portrait and placed it in a small drawer under the bed, beneath a book titled “Record of Revival.”

In the future, whenever she missed her mother, she could retrieve the portrait and reminisce. In this world, when she missed her mother, her mother would still live on through these memories.

She then instructed Liu Ya to have her father go out and inquire about the cost of a glass frame measuring three inches by two inches.

That night, Jiang Zhanwei didn’t return to Orchid Pavilion but sent over ten pounds of snow pears. He mentioned that Little Jiu liked them, suggesting Lu Man keep a few pounds to taste and give the rest to the young siblings.

This left the maids disappointed. Lu Ying remarked, “The Third Young Master came back the day before and yesterday, why not today?”

Liu Ya responded, “Perhaps there are still some matters to attend to…”

The next morning, the Princess, upon hearing of Lu Man’s improved condition, sent word for her not to rush and to recover fully before visiting the Crane Hall. Additionally, she arranged for tonics like donkey-hide gelatin to be sent over and instructed the kitchen to prepare nourishing meals for Lu Man daily.

Deeply moved, Lu Man kneeled in gratitude towards the Crane Hall, thanking the Princess for her care. Liu Ya then presented a purse containing silver ingots to the maid.

Due to the special attention from the Princess, Orchid Pavilion’s status rose a few notches.

At noon, when Lu Ying’s father reported back, he revealed that due to the expensive nature of glass, along with using quality wood, the large glass frame would cost fifty-six taels of silver.

Lu Man was astonished by the price but gladly handed over the silver, instructing Lu Ying’s father to proceed with the project.

During her midday break, Lu Ying informed Lu Man that Liu Xin was waiting to see her in the hallway.

Quickly dressing, Lu Man entered the hall where Liu Xin bowed and greeted her, “Servant Liu Xin pays respects to Third Young Madam.”

Liu Xin was Jiang Zhanwei’s long-term follower, always running errand for him, entrusted with handling some matters for Jiang Zhanwei both in the manor and in the capital. A tall, fair-faced young man of seventeen or eighteen, he exuded a certain charm.

Lu Man had Lu Ying deliver a purse as a reward.

Liu Xin graciously accepted it and continued, “Third Young Madam, I have gathered information on Wang’s family. Mama Wang and her family of six, except for the eldest grandson who was sold and settled by Manager Li, the rest of the family, due to Mama Wang’s poor health, she was sold to Jiaodong not far from the capital, Uncle Wang was sold to Huzhou, the eldest son Wang Dawang and his wife Zhou were sold to Xianghan, and the three-year-old granddaughter, still unsold, fell ill and passed away while in the hands of the broker.”

Tears welled up in Lu Man’s eyes. Loyalty was truly difficult, Mama Wang’s family had been devastated.

Liu Xin added, “The Third Young Master has arranged for search parties. They’ll depart early tomorrow. Jiaodong is closer to the capital, so they should return within a month if all goes well. However, Huzhou and Xianghan are thousands of miles away, taking at least three months or more. If they end up being sold into the mountains, it’ll take even longer.” Seeing Lu Man tearful, Liu Xin reassured her, “Third Young Madam, don’t worry. The Third Young Master has arranged for assistance, and with their letters, the local officials will help. As long as Mama Wang’s family is alive, they will be found. The Third Young Master also mentioned not to fret too much, as a war is brewing in the north, your father will soon send back a concubine and two children. When the time comes, you can settle any issues with your father, and the Third Young Master will support you.”

Through this ordeal, Lu Man gained even more respect for Jiang Zhanwei’s capabilities. Even if they couldn’t locate Mama Wang’s family, with Manager Li, Hong Ling, and the concubine Bao Yin, they would settle all accounts.