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Lu Man pondered another perspective—seeing how badly the Jiang family’s patriarch had been treated by his stepbrother indicated his father was despicable. Could it be that the Jiang family ancestor intentionally raised his own grandson, the patriarch’s father, poorly to prevent royal indifference and ensure an easier path for future generations? Perhaps the patriarch’s reluctance to have his descendants join the military was also based on the ancestor’s considerations…
These complex thoughts gave Lu Man a headache, so she shifted her focus and shared her idea of taking Jiang Zuankui and Jiang Jiu to visit.
The Princess nodded in agreement, “Go ahead. Those two children have suffered a bit due to the issues between the patriarch and his stepbrother. Zuankui has hardly left the house, and Jiu hasn’t even stepped beyond the second gate. Grandmother can see your kindness and intelligence, treat them well. They have no mother, their father is single-minded, and their stepmother is unsociable. Show them kindness, and they will remember your favor. Zhanwei will remember your kindness too.” She added, “Zhanwei wants to find a nanny for Jiu, however, the ones around me are older, over fifty. I’ll have to look for a former palace maid who can educate Jiu and accompany her to her in-laws in the future.”
Lu Man expressed gratitude, Jiang Jiu did need a nanny, particularly for future visits to her in-laws where such help would be crucial.
As for expecting gratitude in return, it wasn’t on Lu Man’s mind. She treated them well not for their gratitude but because of the contractual relationship with Jiang Zhanwei. By being kind, she hoped Zhanwei would reciprocate and aid her more earnestly. Her main motivation, though, stemmed from her genuine liking and sympathy for them, wishing for a happy childhood for the siblings, devoid of the hardships that had affected Jiang Zhanwei and the original Lu Man’s character.
After requesting permission from the Princess, Lu Man explained that she needed to prepare herbal ointment for Lady Xie, leaving the task of massaging the old marquis to the servants.
The Princess agreed.
When Lu Man sought permission from the old marquis, she noticed his eyebrows raising slightly and quickly reassured him with a smile, “Oh, Grandfather, you’re being stingy. You’ll be teased by Ninth Master and Young Master. Let’s just postpone it until the afternoon, and,” thinking of the upcoming visit the next day, she added, “we’ll make it up to you for half a day tomorrow. Don’t be upset. Another day, I’ll make a special delicacy just for you to enjoy, no one else…” She playfully shook his arm while sweet-talking him.
Seeing the slightly flushed face of the old marquis, the Princess chuckled, “He’s truly a big kid.” She then expressed her concern, “My Husband seems better, but he just won’t fully wake up. I wonder how much longer we’ll have to wait.”
Regarding this issue, neither Lu Man nor the royal physicians had a solution and were at a loss. Perhaps he needed some significant event to completely awaken him?
Helplessly pinching the old marquis’s arm, Lu Man remarked, “Yes, what else do you want us to do to make you wake up? It’s quite frustrating…”
After settling the old marquis and the Princess, Lu Man hurried back to Orchid Pavilion. She headed straight to the kitchen in the rear pavilion, where Lu Ying had everything prepared.
Stirring the herbs, boiling the oil, adding lead powder, and other ingredients, Lu Man continuously stirred until it formed an ointment. She then cooled it in cold water to remove any residual heat. Working until evening, she finally spread the ointment on pieces of dogskin and packed them into porcelain boxes. Lu Man tried a bit of the ointment on her hand, it felt cool and soothing.
Due to the limited quantity of herbs, she could only fill a small porcelain box, the same one she had used to store aromatic ointments.
After finishing her bath, Jiang Zuankui, Jiang Jiu, and Qichang arrived at Orchid Pavilion. Not only did they insist on staying for dinner, but they also wanted to spend the night, claiming they needed to prepare for the visit the next day, with Jiang Jiu wanting to dress up nicely.
Amused and exasperated, Lu Man found herself unable to refuse the children’s request. They had become quite attached to her, always finding reasons to stay over, leaving her no choice but to agree.
Upon hearing that they would be staying, Mama Wang and Liu Ya busied themselves in earnest to cater to their needs.
The next morning, as Lu Man opened her eyes, she found Jiang Jiu staring at her intently.
Rubbing the young girl’s dark hair, Lu Man asked with a smile, “Why are you awake so early?”
Jiang Jiu replied, “I woke up a while ago but didn’t want to disturb you, so I waited.”
Lu Man chuckled, understanding how children eagerly anticipate outings, unable to sleep well the night before.
After dinner, Lu Man and Lingzhi began to dress up the young girl.
Dressed in the new outfit, with a small carnelian hairpin adorned with a pearl pendant, and a subtle touch of makeup, the young girl looked unbelievably beautiful. Lu Man couldn’t resist planting two quick kisses on her rosy cheeks, causing the young girl to giggle gleefully.
Even Jiang Zuankui couldn’t contain his excitement, praising her with wide eyes, “Sister looks so pretty, just like Sister-in-law.”
Lu Man, in a more understated attire with a light makeup look, gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Despite her modest appearance, the lady in the mirror exuded the essence of a peach blossom—her eyes like autumn water, her aura like an orchid, stepping out as if from a painting.
It wasn’t vanity on Lu Man’s part, she genuinely appreciated her own appearance.
The two children, naturally sweet-tongued, showered Lu Man with compliments, especially Jiang Zuankui, who even went as far as saying, “From afar, as bright as the rising sun amidst the morning haze.”
Lu Man teased, “Eighth Young Master, with such sweet words, your future wife will feel like she’s always on cloud nine.”
Jiang Zuankui earnestly replied, “If my future wife isn’t as beautiful as you, I won’t praise her like this.”
Lu Man imparted some wisdom, “Judging by appearances isn’t ideal. If someone is beautiful inside, they deserve even more praise.”
Jiang Zuankui chuckled silently, thinking to himself, “If she’s not pretty, why would I marry her.”
Qichang, knowing he wasn’t allowed to accompany his masters to the event, felt saddened to the point of tears. There was no way they could bring such a fierce dog to the ceremonial bath or the inner courtyard.
Jiang Zuankui tied Qichang up in the courtyard, giving him two braised pork bones, and reassured him, “Don’t be upset, I’ll find a way for Third Brother to take us to play in the mountains. It’s vast and open there, you can run as much as you want without reaching the edge…”
They then proceeded to the Crane Hall. On their day off, the old masters, the young masters, and the fourth and fifth masters were lined up to pay respects.
Seeing the trio of the young girl and the two children, the Princess chuckled, “Oh, they look like characters from a painting. Jiu is so lively, and Zuankui…” She held back her thoughts and sighed softly.
The eighth grandson and the third grandson resembled the second son, who in turn resembled the marquis. Looking at Jiang Zuankui reminded one of the marquis in his youth, while Jiang Zhanwei evoked the marquis’s younger days. Even their expressions of anger, furrowed brows, and pursed lips mirrored the marquis’s, yet he remained indifferent towards them.
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