Binding Spring Love

"You little bastards, do you think you can run wild like this?"

The eunuch from Changxin Palace pointed at the bullies and shouted, and the bullies scattered and disappeared without a trace.

The eunuch pursed his lips, muttered that Consort Jiang was not strict in managing her subordinates, and then stepped forward to help the person on the ground up.

Are you alright?

"It's nothing."

The eunuch was hunched over, his back bent so low that he wore the lowest-ranking eunuch's robes in the palace, so dirty and worn that they were unsightly. Even his ankles and wrists were exposed, suggesting that no one had ever changed his clothes.

Serving in the palace varied greatly in terms of fate and treatment. If one was lucky enough to gain the favor of a palace master, one might rise to a position of power. However, if one was dull-witted, lazy, or unwelcome, one's fate would be no better than hell.

Song Wan looked at the eunuch's exposed hands and feet and felt a pang of pity.

His hands were covered with purplish-blue bloodstains and countless tiny wounds. His palms and the backs of his hands were also scarred from repeated frostbite. It was clear at a glance that this person was a poor soul who had suffered for many years and never had a moment of peace.

She had only ever seen such injuries in medical books before.

"Where do you work, and what are you doing here?"

The young eunuch said, "My name is Ji Rong. Today, I was instructed by Eunuch Wang of the Eastern Palace to come to Eunuch Changsheng of Yanqing Palace to get some things."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch from Changxin Palace explained, "These are all men whose names I have never heard of. I suppose these little bastards lost money gambling in private and sent him to ask for money back, which is why he was ambushed."

Seeing the bullied eunuch nod, Song Wan had Hengwu give him two taels of silver: "If you really have nowhere to stay in the palace, you can go to Changxin Palace to find my aunt."

His old wounds were indeed genuine, and his speech was not as smooth as that of an ordinary eunuch. Such a person would certainly not get along in the palace. Changxin Palace would not care about having another cleaning eunuch like him, but for Ji Rong, it might save his life.

To his surprise, he simply shook his head blankly upon hearing this: "I serve in the Eastern Palace."

"You little bastard, why are you refusing to listen to reason and instead choosing to suffer the consequences?"

Song Wan smiled faintly: "It's alright. As long as he has a place to stay, that's fine. Besides, I also respect His Highness the Crown Prince. There's nothing wrong with him staying in the Eastern Palace."

After these words were spoken, both Ji Rong and the eunuchs beside Song Wan were stunned.

The Crown Prince's position was practically meaningless after the Crown Prince's paralysis for half a year. Even the eunuchs couldn't help but show disdain when they mentioned the Crown Prince. They never expected that a noble lady like Song Wan would say something that showed respect for the Crown Prince.

After all, the Crown Prince had been sent to a neighboring country as a hostage when he was five years old, and when he returned, he was a cripple. He had little presence in the palace. On the other hand, the Third Prince, born to her aunt, was a hot candidate to become the next Crown Prince.

After Song Wan finished speaking, she turned and left, but Ji Rong murmured, "Why...respect the Crown Prince?"

Song Wan smiled and replied, "The king is born of Heaven and the mother of Earth. The crown prince is born of the emperor and naturally enjoys the same blessings and prosperity as the emperor. They have protected the country and its people for many years, which is why I respect the crown prince."

Ji Rong watched Song Wan's departing figure, feeling surprised.

He returned to the East Palace, only to find that the entire East Palace was no different from the Cold Palace. Not only was it cold and lonely, but the palace maids and eunuchs were also extremely lax and undisciplined.

"Where did you go? That thing inside peed on the bed again, it's so smelly, go clean it up."

Upon seeing him return, a palace maid sitting in front of the East Palace's sleeping quarters urged him sternly, and Ji Rong went inside.

The Crown Prince's palace, bright yellow everywhere, was filled with a foul stench. He walked to the golden bed, looked at the Crown Prince whose cheeks were sunken and whose body was emaciated, and said, "It wasn't all for nothing that you suffered. There are still people who remember your contributions."

Saying that blessings will be abundant and long-lasting is just an excuse.

The court was weak, and sending a five-year-old child to a neighboring country as a hostage was already a great disgrace. The current emperor used the crown prince's life to exchange for ten years of peace, but when the crown prince returned to the court, he was not greeted with honor and favor, but rather with contempt and disdain.

As long as the Crown Prince lives, the entire court, from the emperor to the ministers, will bear the name of incompetence. As long as the Crown Prince lives, no one will forget the unbearable fact that he sacrificed his life for the stability of the world.

Therefore, no one dared to say that the twelve years of peace were given by the Crown Prince, nor did anyone dare to say that they respected the Crown Prince.

Ji Rong looked at the Crown Prince, whose eyes were cloudy and who was making unconscious hoarse noises. She helped him up and quickly changed his bedding.

Everyone was waiting for the Crown Prince to die, but unexpectedly he survived for eight long years.

If it weren't for the fact that the Third Prince is still young and the First Prince is not truly capable of shouldering great responsibilities, His Majesty would probably have eliminated the Crown Prince long ago to eliminate this shameful thorn in his side.

Song Wan's words today not only shocked Ji Rong, but also resonated with the eunuch in Changxin Palace.

"Madam, please do not mention that person again."

Seeing him point to the east, Song Wan smiled and nodded.

The farce was over, and the group strolled around the small garden of Yanqing Palace. She did not see Consort Jiang again until she left.

As Jiang Xingjian emerged, Song Wan bowed respectfully to Consort Jiang through the Hundred Flowers Window.

"Song Wan is acceptable."

Jiang Man fiddled with her broken fingernails expressionlessly. A palace maid beside her said, "The master has admired the Song family girl since childhood. Since Your Majesty finds Song Wan acceptable, why break them up?"

Why?

Jiang Man sighed, "The Song family has blocked my path by giving birth to the third prince for Song Yun Ning."

"The old Marquis's affairs at the border..."

Jiang Man raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of ambition: "Whether Father was harmed by the Song family or not is not important. What is important is that the Third Prince and my Shu'er will inevitably have a battle in the future. When tigers and rhinoceroses meet, the outcome is still unknown. I cannot let Yi'er be distracted or have even the slightest possibility of being soft-hearted."

"Better a short pain than a long one. If two people are destined not to have a good ending, it would be better not to start at all."

Jiang Man watched Jiang Xingjian's retreating figure and murmured to herself. She only left after he walked out of the hall.

When Song Wan saw that Jiang Xingjian's expression had become somewhat indifferent after he came out of Yanqing Palace, and was not as gentle and warm as before, she felt disappointed and at a loss.

Jiang Xingjian walked ahead with a somber face, his eyes revealing a struggle and pain.

He knew that Song Wan was innocent, but he also understood that she was of one mind with the Song family. If the Song family had not plotted ahead, Song Wan would not have enjoyed such glory.

The woman was perceptive and sensitive. Seeing his cold demeanor, Song Wan knew that Consort Jiang must have said something. Looking at Jiang Xingjian, she suddenly felt a surge of courage.

He was her husband, and she couldn't let the two of them continue to be so distant.

Song Wan blushed and pursed her lips as she quickly took a few steps.

She looked at Jiang Xingjian's hand for a long time before finally mustering up all her courage and gently taking it in her hand.

To his surprise, Jiang Xingjian's arm stiffened. After a moment's thought, he shook her off and never looked back.