Binding Spring Love

When Jiang Xingjian arrived at Xiuyan Pavilion, he saw that Lin Jiayue was indeed seriously ill.

"Brother Xingjian..."

Lin Jiayue lay on the couch, her cheeks flushed from the high fever. She had become much thinner in just a few days, and her cat-like eyes looked even bigger and more moist. Jiang Xingjian felt a pang of pity for her.

"Why did you suddenly get sick?"

Lin Jiayue pursed her lips, staring at him with a look of wanting to cry but not being able to.

She was constantly hungry and sleepless, being beaten and scolded during the day and living in fear at night. How could she not fall ill? Before meeting Jiang Xingjian, she even hated him, but upon seeing him again, Lin Jiayue realized just how much she liked him.

"Jiang Xingjian..."

"I am here."

Lin Jiayue suddenly burst into tears: "I love you, do you know that? I've suffered so much for you because I love you, but did you even see it?"

"Because I love you, I came to the capital with you from Suhe. Because I love you, I stayed in the Marquis's mansion to learn those rules. Because I love you, I am willing to compromise myself."

"But Jiang Xingjian, are you worthy of my affection?"

Because of the high fever, her whole body ached. Lin Jiayue licked her cheeks, which were so taut they hurt, but showed no signs of injury, and cried even harder.

The rhinoceros horn ruler was thin and tough. When wrapped with a wet cloth, the wound on its surface was indeed not visible. However, she suffered from nerve pain every night. Her teeth ached, her head ached, her feet ached, and there was no part of her body that was not in pain.

No matter how much she learns etiquette, she can never become a refined lady like Song Wan. Even if Granny Li teaches her for ten years or even a hundred years, she will never become the noble lady they expect!

"I like you, but I can't live a life of being manipulated by others for the rest of my life because of you."

"Jiang Xingjian, where have you been these past few days? Where were you when I was sick and suffering? Were you with Song Wan?"

"Jiang Xingjian, I really can't stand life in the Marquis's mansion."

"I regret it, I regret it."

Lin Jiayue struggled to get up, her scalding tears falling into Jiang Xingjian's palm, burning his heart.

"Jia Yue..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you."

Jiang Xingjian put his arm around Lin Jiayue's waist and pulled her into his arms.

The girl in his arms had burning hot skin, her whole body flushed an unnatural red from the high fever. She kept crying, but didn't make a sound, only occasionally whimpering softly when she sobbed harder.

Lin Jiayue has always been cheerful and boisterous, and has never been so vulnerable before.

Jiang Xingjian carefully placed the person into the quilt and frowned, saying, "Why didn't you seek medical help from the imperial physician when Jia Yue is so ill?"

"The family physician is waiting in the courtyard. It was Concubine Lin who said that she hadn't seen the master and wouldn't let the physician in."

Jiang Xingjian glanced at the girl in the blanket and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Let him in."

The physician prescribed medicine for Lin Jiayue, and after she took the medicine, she finally fell asleep peacefully.

I didn't wake up until the middle of the night.

"You're awake?"

Lin Jiayue gave a soft "hmm" with a thick nasal tone.

Jiang Xingjian lifted the bed curtains and sat down beside her. Lin Jiayue turned away from him, but couldn't help but shed tears.

"I'm sorry, I've made you suffer."

She buried her head in the blanket, biting her lip to vent her pain.

Jiang Xingjian carried her out and held her tightly in his arms. He stared blankly at the spot in front of him and said in a low voice, "I know you love me, and so do I."

"But the marriage between the Jiang and Song families, with Song Wan carrying the memorial tablet into the Marquis's mansion and living as a widow for six years, is common knowledge in the capital. The Marquis's mansion would never divorce his wife and remarry now."

Lin Jiayue seemed to struggle, but Jiang Xingjian tightened his grip on her arm: "I promise you, I will do everything I can to give you what you want."

"You mean, I can have the position of the principal wife in the Marquis's household?"

Jiang Xingjian remained silent, but did not refuse either.

Lin Jiayue waited for a long time but he didn't speak, and her nose tingled with sadness: "Are you just trying to comfort me, or do you really have some plans? Can I still trust you?"

Trust me.

Jiang Xingjian gently stroked her hair and soothed her tenderly, "I will move into Xiuyan Pavilion tomorrow."

People like him and Song Wan, who are born into prominent families, are supported by the entire clan regardless of gender. They bear the responsibility for the rise and fall of their clan and would never abandon the safety of their clan for their own selfish reasons.

Moreover, the hatred for the murder of one's father cannot be forgotten, and besides, there will inevitably be a struggle among the three or five, so only one of the two prefectures of Jiang and Song can survive.

Regardless of who wins or loses in the future, he will make sure Song Wan is settled and protect her safety to preserve their childhood friendship.

That's all he can do.

Jiang Xingjian felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart upon thinking of this.

He believed that if Awan were in his position, she would have made the same choice. After all, sons and daughters of noble families are never in control of their own lives, let alone have romantic feelings for each other.

After coaxing Lin Jiayue to sleep, Jiang Xingjian went to his study alone.

He kept the painting of the Two Immortals of Harmony that Consort Yun had sent him in a brocade box. Jiang Xingjian took it out and examined it for a long time, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

The man's gaze traced the image carefully from top to bottom, his earnest expression suggesting he wanted to etch the picture into his mind.

"uncle."

Lingyun came in carrying a brass basin. Jiang Xingjian told her to put it on the ground and said, "Move my things into Xiuyan Pavilion tomorrow."

Lingyun looked up in surprise, but seeing that he had already made up his mind, she could only silently agree.

Jiang Xingjian still held the drawing in his hand. After examining it carefully, he picked up the candle on the table and lit it along the edge.

The flames quickly reduced the painting to ashes, and a masterpiece was lost forever.