Binding Spring Love

The Marquis of Chengyang's title is hereditary, and Jiang Xingjian should have been the last generation to inherit it. However, he and his father died on the border, and the current emperor could not bear to see the Jiang family suffer such a fate, so he bestowed the imperial favor and allowed the title to be inherited for another generation.

However, the Marquis of Chengyang's mansion only had one legitimate son, Jiang Xingjian. Although there were several other sons born out of wedlock, when Jiang Xingjian and the Marquis passed away, these sons were not yet capable of achieving anything, so the title was retained without a successor being chosen.

Now that Jiang Xingjian has returned, he may be able to directly inherit the title and become a rising star in the capital.

Such a joyous occasion should have been celebrated by going to the palace to express gratitude and to inform the Song family, but the Emperor, along with the concubines and Song Wan's father and brothers, went to the Summer Palace, so the matter of going to the palace was postponed.

Jiang Xingjian entered Song Wan's room and saw her writing. He guessed that she was writing a letter to Song Lan'an and Song Fu.

Without saying a word, he began to look around the room.

Strictly speaking, Song Wan should have lived in the main courtyard of Lanting, but perhaps not wanting to move his "relics," she lived in Longxiangzhai, east of the main courtyard, after marrying into the family. Now, the place is empty, with nothing but books covering an entire wall. The only thing that seems somewhat interesting is a row of zodiac wood carvings on the window.

Jiang Xingjian raised an eyebrow slightly.

He stepped forward and picked one up to examine it. He noticed that the wood carving was clumsy, with rough marks still faintly visible. But perhaps because it had been frequently handled and rubbed, the carvings had become smooth and glossy. He was moved and turned to look at Song Wan. Sure enough, he saw that the tips of her ears were slightly red, as if they had been tinged with a blush.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes, and after a moment put the wood carving back in its original position.

"You actually kept it."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan's cheeks burned even hotter, but she remained silent.

For some reason, seeing her like this, Jiang Xingjian suddenly felt some inexplicable thoughts. However, when a thousand thoughts were churning in his mind, all that came out of his mouth was a faint "I didn't know you would marry me."

Song Wan was somewhat dazed, and after a long while she lowered her eyes and said, "A husband has the right to remarry, but a woman has no right to remarry. The Jiang and Song families are old friends, and the marriage between the two families was arranged before we were even born. Whether for the sake of the Song family's reputation or for a woman's honor, I only have one path to take."

She looked up at Jiang Xingjian, uttered a curt "You shouldn't be unaware of this," and continued writing her letter. Jiang Xingjian's return to the capital was a major event for both families, and she had to write to her father and brother.

After writing the letter in a few strokes, Song Wan sealed it and handed it to her maid to send out.

Jiang Xingjian was still inside, and the two of them didn't know what to say to each other, so the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Fortunately, a large, sleek cat with glossy fur ran in from outside, and Song Wan managed a smile when she saw it. That smile was like winter snow melting, making the entire Longxiangzhai brighter.

The big fat cat meowed and nuzzled against Song Wan, its fluffy head rubbing against her. Song Wan then beckoned to her maids to bring her some meat soup.

"Eat some more."

"Meow..."

After finishing its meal, the big fat cat rolled over, revealing its white belly for Song Wan to rub. If the rubbing wasn't comfortable, it would let out a few protesting cries.

Jiang Xingjian was watching with great interest when Hengwu came in, lifting the beaded curtain.

"Sir, Miss Lin requests an audience."

Song Wan paused in stroking the cat, and Jiang Xingjian frowned as he walked out.

Lin Jiayue stood outside the door, looking into the house with some curiosity. However, there were two rather old women in front of her, as well as a little girl of about ten years old with her hair in a maid's bun staring at her. Feeling embarrassed, she could only purse her lips and turn her head away.

When Jiang Xingjian came out, he saw her fidgeting with her fingers, looking very impatient.

"Brother Xingjian."

Upon seeing Jiang Xingjian, Lin Jiayue laughed: "The Marquis's mansion is indeed luxurious, befitting its noble status. But why does your mother call you Yi'er, while you tell me your name is Xingjian? Could it be a fake name?"

"Jiang Yi is my given name, and Xing Jian is my courtesy name."

Seeing the smile in her eyes, Jiang Xingjian's tone softened: "Is there anything you're not used to? If you find anything inconvenient, I'll have my grandmother send two more maids to your courtyard."

"No need, I'm not used to having someone wait on me hand and foot."

Seeing that the other party didn't speak, Lin Jiayue blinked and teased, "I really didn't expect that you would have such a beautiful wife in your household. If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have come back with you. After all, I want to be with one person for life, and I have no interest in interfering in other people's marriages or being a third party."

Jiang Xingjian remained silent, seemingly unsure of what to say.

His reaction displeased Lin Jiayue somewhat, but she really liked the handsome and extremely classy man in front of her, so she couldn't bear to say anything too harsh.

"Hey, I'm only asking you whether the things you said to me before, the promises you made, still stand?"

Jiang Xingjian nodded: "Of course."

He truly didn't know at the time that the Song family would honor the marriage agreement, especially after he discovered the truth about his father's and his own deaths.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes in thought, but Lin Jiayue said, "It's good that you say so. It wasn't in vain that I traveled all the way to the capital with you."

She looked at Jiang Xingjian and lightly touched his hand, seemingly affectionately but also unintentionally: "Actually, I had something to ask you about."

"Just now, the maidservant from Old Madam Jiang's side brought me clothes and jewelry, asking me to attend the banquet with you tonight. However, the clothes she brought were all too flashy, either emerald green or bright red. I really don't want to wear them. Could you help me find another dress?"

"I'll have someone tell the embroidery workshop to make you a set."

Lin Jiayue bit her lip: "How can you possibly have enough time in just half a day? I noticed your wife is dressed very plainly; couldn't you have borrowed a dress from her?"

Jiang Xingjian frowned in displeasure.

His grandmother would never send her red clothes; he was not oblivious to Lin Jiayue's little scheme.

"Brother Xingjian?"

The little girl pursed her lips, her face flushed slightly. Jiang Xingjian's heart softened when he thought of her being all alone with no parents.

"I see."

After he finished speaking, he returned to Longxiangzhai.

Song Wan was teasing the cat with a brightly colored cloth ball in her hand. Her maid, Hengwu, stood in front of the beaded curtain. When she saw Jiang Xingjian return, she disdainfully gestured towards her sister, Hengzhi.

Hengzhi glared at her, then walked up to Song Wan and picked up the fat cat.

After the cat left, Song Wan's expression turned somewhat indifferent.

Jiang Xingjian said, "Jiayue would like to borrow a dress from you. Is that convenient?"

"Since Miss Lin wants to borrow it, why doesn't she just ask?"

Standing to the side, Zhao Mama, Song Wan's wet nurse, saw that her young mistress was indifferent and quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile: "The return of the young master to the mansion is a great joy, but before today, the madam was still a widow. This wardrobe is full of plain clothes, so how can we give them to our distinguished guests? If we really take them, it would be disrespectful to them."

"If that young lady doesn't mind, Hengwu and Hengzhi have some newly made dresses from the manor. Would this old servant like to bring them to you for a look?"

Jiang Xingjian looked at Song Wan's indifferent expression and felt inexplicably displeased: "Plain clothes are fine, but it's ultimately inappropriate to give Jia Yue servants' clothes."