Chapter 99: A Good Solution

Lady Xie was so amused by Lu Man that she went from tears to laughter, remarking, “I may be old, but I still have a youthful spirit.” She continued, “Just now, my husband and I discussed and decided to have the child formally acknowledge you as his godmother. How does that sound?”

Lu Man was more than willing to become the child’s godmother. The Xie family’s power and influence provided a strong support, even in case of any future conflicts with Princess Changting’s residence.

However, this child was the precious heir of the Xie family. If the eldest son of the Xie family didn’t return alive, this child would be the only remaining bloodline. Thinking of the still unconscious old marquis, Lu Man chuckled, “Thank you, General Xie and Sister Yang, for your trust in me. I also adore little Pei. However, let’s wait until the old marquis wakes up. If he does, I’ll agree, if not… it’s better not to.”

Lady Xie also intended to wait until the old marquis woke up before proceeding. However, Xie Yu, inspired by Jiang Zhanwei’s request, believed that if the old marquis didn’t recover, and Jiang Zhanwei didn’t return, ensuring Lu Man’s safety was crucial to prevent her from being sent back to the Lu family.

Xie Yu thought that the best way to protect Lu Man was to have her become the child’s godmother. This way, the Xie family could assist her with a valid reason.

While Lady Xie was grateful to Lu Man, her primary concern was her child, who was a miracle after a near-death experience. Reluctantly agreeing to her husband’s arrangement, she still had reservations.

Moved by Lu Man’s proactive suggestion, Lady Xie’s eyes teared up again as she held Lu Man’s hand, saying, “Sister, we will remember your kindness for a lifetime.” In her heart, she planned that if the old marquis and Jiang Zhanwei didn’t survive, she would ask the grandfather to officially recognize her as a goddaughter. If the Jiang family rejected her, the Xie family would embrace her.

This declaration from Lady Xie made Lu Man feel a bit embarrassed. She responded, “Sister, your safety and well-being are not only because of me but also because of your strength. Little Pei is blessed to have you.”

At that moment, Lingzhi and a few maids from the Xie household returned with Jiang Jiu and the Xie sisters. Lingzhi mentioned that the play was over, and it was time to return to the mansion as the Princess and others were waiting in the main hall.

Jiang Jiu and the Xie sisters, Xie Ping and Xie Yan, had a great time playing together and pouted when they heard they had to part ways.

Seeing Jiang Jiu make good friends made Lu Man very happy. She suggested, “In the future, invite Ping and Yan to play at our mansion.”

Xie Ping also smiled and said, “In the future, I’ll invite Little Jiu to our mansion, and we’ll play more than we did today.”

Jiang Jiu was thrilled to hear about the future exchanges and visits between them.

Lu Man and the others bid farewell. Upon arriving at the main hall, they noticed the Princess looking calm while Madam Xie was happily accompanying her attentively. The Princess’s demeanor might have indicated that she had directly asked old Duke Xie or Madam Xie for something in Duke Xie’s absence…

Upon returning to the Princess’s residence, Lu Man saw that Jiang Jiu was already very tired. She instructed Jiang Zuankui to take his sister back to Qingfeng Courtyard to rest, while she planned to visit the Crane Hall again to check on the old marquis and comfort the old man.

Little Deyu was also tired and cried, asking his mother to take him back for a nap. Young Madam Han had been holding Princess Changting’s hand without letting go, reassuring, “Sweet son, Mommy has to take your Great Grandmother back to her room. Let the nursemaid take you back.”

The Princess added, “Granddaughter-in-law, I appreciate your filial piety, there’s no need to escort me. You must be tired, so take Little Deyu back to rest.”

Young Madam Han smiled again, “Granddaughter-in-law still wants to go to see my grandfather and my two children are still amusing grandfather so I need to check them.”

Third Madam bid farewell to the Princess and left with Third Master to their own residence.

Since the morning, Lu Man had noticed a hint of discontent in Young Madam Han’s gaze towards her, possibly stemming from her position as the heir’s wife stealing the limelight from the heir’s intended wife.

However, she had no choice. Old Duke Xie and Madam Xie were treating her with respect, and it would be ungrateful not to acknowledge their gestures. It was also amusing that Young Madam Han always rushed to assist Princess Changting, fearing that Lu Man might do it first.

Feeling slightly exasperated, Lu Man realized that her flattery towards the Princess wasn’t about seeking favoritism but rather laying the groundwork for a smooth departure from the Princess’s residence.

In the old Marquis’s room, the children, the three Masters, the Eldest Young, the Fourth Young Master, and the Fifth Young Master were all present, showing their respect to the old Marquis.

A servant was trying to administer medication, but it seemed the old Marquis was being quite uncooperative.

Lu Man took the medicine bowl and comforted the old child with gentle words, effortlessly coaxing him to finish the medication.

The Fourth Young Master chuckled, “Grandfather is quite strange, with Sister-in-law’s presence, even taking medicine becomes a breeze.”

Feeling exhausted, Lu Man perked up briefly to soothe the old marquis before focusing on massaging, while eavesdropping on the conversations around her.

It seemed that Princess Changting had expressed her wishes to old Duke Xie, who declined involvement in military personnel arrangements during this critical period, preventing any intervention or suggestions.

Princess Changting was displeased, exclaiming, “Zhanwei is just a seventh-rank minor official. It makes sense to assign him to a task he excels at in the central military camp. That old man, despite Zhanwei’s wife helping them so significantly, acts arrogantly towards me. It’s despicable.”

The Second Master sighed heavily upon hearing this. Uncertain about Zhanwei’s fate, he was further disheartened. If something happened to Zhanwei, what would they do? In frustration, he shot a disapproving glare at Lu Man.

The Marquis advised, “Perhaps old Duke Xie’s decision is based on the current situation, it’s not appropriate for him to intervene at this crucial juncture. Wait a bit longer and discuss this matter with Duke Xie when you have the opportunity.”

Feeling helpless, Lu Man pondered over Zhanwei’s secretive and unique assignment. Zhanwei’s task was shrouded in mystery, with even the experienced Lu Fangrong being involved in their journey to the desert. The ambitious Zhanwei seemed determined to succeed, awaiting Duke Xie’s orders to comply.

Feeling disheartened, Lu Man excused herself from the meal and returned to Orchid Pavilion.

After her bath, she retrieved the hairpin gifted by Jiang Zhanwei from her purse. It was a beautiful jade hairpin with a golden body and a lifelike bird head carving. Despite its beauty, as it was a gift from him, Lu Man decided not to wear it and placed it at the bottom of her dressing table.

Informing Mama Wang about Lu Fangrong’s return to the capital, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “Second Master Lu is finally returning. We can finally expose the misdeeds of Madam Xiao Chen and Bao Qin. I have been holding back my grievances for over a decade. Madam Xiao Chen, Bao Qin, I want to witness their downfall, see them atone for their misdeeds. And the Second Master, I want to see if he feels any remorse. Despite being affectionate with the former Second Madam, once she left, he married Madam Xiao Chen and took in Bao Qin, neglecting his daughter…”