Binding Spring Love

Song Wan didn't react much, but the maids in Zhao Mama's room were all unhappy.

Their young lady was, after all, the daughter of the Grand Councilor, who married with her husband's memorial tablet in hand and remained a widow for many years. Now, she has finally been blessed by the heavens and her husband has been brought back to life. How could this be the situation?

Hengwu pursed her lips, about to speak, but was interrupted by Song Wan: "Hengzhi, take the master to the dressing room."

Hengzhi nodded and led Jiang Xingjian out.

As soon as the two left, Hengwu immediately put her hands on her hips and started cursing: "What kind of thing is she? Jiayue, Jiayue, she's nothing but a lowly, ill-mannered slut. How come the master treats her like a treasure, pampering and fawning over her? Her servant's clothes are inappropriate; I think she's even worse than a servant! She doesn't even know what the meaning of 'propriety, righteousness, and shame' is!"

"Miss, you didn't hear what that little vixen was saying to the master outside."

"She told the old man that she wanted to be with him for life. What does she think she is? Not only did she announce her name to a man in public, but she also went home with him without any betrothal or marriage ceremony. Her frivolous behavior is worse than that of a lowly prostitute in a brothel."

Hengwu rolled up her sleeves, growing angrier with each word: "What decent girl would dare to have an affair with a man without any status or title? What's the difference between doing such a sordid thing and running off with a man? Even if we later bring her into our household in a sedan chair, it's still rape before marriage. She's the kind of person who wouldn't even be considered respectable in a poor, lowly family, let alone in our Marquis's mansion!"

"Miss, are you just going to let your son-in-law promote that despicable thing like this?"

Song Wan heard Hengwu's breathing become slightly heavier with anger, and helplessly pressed her temples.

Granny Zhao, who was both Song Wan's wet nurse and her governess, immediately scolded Hengwu upon hearing her words: "What nonsense are you spouting? You know perfectly well that that woman is of lowly birth and not presentable, yet you still expect the young lady, a woman of noble birth, to be jealous of her? What kind of person does that make the young lady?"

"Since ancient times, it has been a proper and common practice for men to take concubines. Now, you're trying to incite the young lady to become a jealous woman who is despised by everyone. What's the difference between a jealous wife and a thief who brings chaos to the family? In the future, don't say such unruly things in front of the young lady."

Hengwu was already feeling suffocated, and after being scolded by Granny Zhao, she felt even more sorry for her young mistress.

"A wise person does not speak ill of others behind their backs; let's not discuss these things anymore."

Song Wan spoke calmly, stopping the argument between the two with a single sentence.

Granny Zhao glared at Hengwu, then gestured towards the outside. Hengwu bit her lip and quieted down.

The Marquis's residence is not the Song residence after all. She doesn't feel comfortable speaking freely. If she makes a mistake in her words or actions, it will only implicate her mistress and give her a reputation for being unable to discipline her servants.

Seeing that she was still huffing and puffing, Song Wan laughed and said, "What are you huffing and puffing about here? If you're bored, go play with the golden tiger's embroidered ball. Just be careful not to let it run out of the yard and scare the old lady's myna bird."

Hengwu knew that her mistress cared about her, so she curtsied and quietly withdrew.

But she had no interest in playing with the golden tiger right now, and instead went to the dressing room in the master bedroom in a few steps.

She couldn't let the master give the young lady's things to that little slut.

As soon as she entered the dressing room, Jiang Xingjian pointed to a light coral-colored brocade skirt with silver embroidery and said it was nice.

"This one won't do."

Before Hengzhi could speak, Hengwu snatched the dress back and hung it back in the closet.

"Sir, didn't you notice that this entire wardrobe is filled with plain clothes, except for this silk skirt? Miss was widowed before she even reached marriageable age, and she can't wear anything with colors or use rouge and powder for the rest of her life. It was the old lady who felt sorry for her and gave her this dress on what should have been a grand coming-of-age ceremony."

"You've never worn this one piece of clothing in all these years, and you still want to take it?"

Jiang Xingjian was displeased to be spoken to by a maid. He narrowed his eyes and was about to speak when Hengzhi said, "Hengwu is quick-tempered, sir. Don't take it to heart. It's not as serious as she makes it out to be. Compared to this, it's disrespectful to our distinguished guests that's truly impolite."

Hengzhi picked out the Luo skirt from a row of plain clothes, and then took out Song Wan's only set of jewelry and headdress from the makeup box and handed it to Jiang Xingjian.

"It takes a woman some time to comb her hair, sir, you'd better hurry up and go."

The maid behind Jiang Xingjian took the clothes, and the two of them walked away.

When Hengwu saw her sister give away the young lady's things, she shouted angrily, "You, you, you... did you get some wicked thoughts after seeing the master come back, that's why you've become so scheming?"

Hengzhi blushed at her words, and, both amused and exasperated, poked her head with her finger: "I used to not want to listen when Granny Zhao said you were brainless, but now I see it's true."

"I had my reasons for giving that dress to you, sir. What are you yelling about? Hurry back and help the young lady comb her hair and change her clothes."

Even after the two returned to Longxiangzhai, Hengwu was still muttering things like, "Miss has no clothes to wear except for plain clothes." Even while combing Song Wan's hair, her little mouth kept babbling like popping beans.

Song Wan smiled and waved for the two to leave so she could change her clothes.

Once the room had quieted down, she sat on the futon and drifted off into a daze.

Hengwu said that Jiang Xingjian knew it was her coming-of-age ceremony dress, and the only dress she could wear to receive guests besides plain clothes, yet he still gave it to Lin Jiayue...

Outside, the sun was blazing, but Song Wan felt that Longxiangzhai was too quiet and empty. She got up and walked to the small couch by the window and sat down. Looking at the row of zodiac wood carvings placed beside her, she stretched out her slender, fair fingers and gently pushed one over.

Jiang Xingjian returned home. Tonight, Old Madam Jiang invited everyone from the East and West Mansions, as well as the direct and indirect branches of the Jiang family, to a banquet at Fuhe Hall. Although everyone knew that Song Wan had been a widow before, she still could not wear plain clothes on such a joyous occasion.

She chose a plain-colored long robe, and then went to Hengzhi's cabinet to take out a light yellow embroidered begonia soft gauze jacket to wear over it. Although it still looked a bit bland, it was not as oppressive as before.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Song Wan casually took out two small hairpins with pearls from Hengzhi's makeup box and put them on her head.

When Hengzhi entered the room, she couldn't help but tear up when she saw her young mistress in such a state.

Their young lady was pampered in the Song family for more than ten years, but she suffered so much just because she married Jiang Yi. Who could swallow such a humiliation?

"You didn't cry because you saw me wearing your clothes, did you?"

Seeing Hengzhi secretly wiping away tears, Song Wan gently comforted her, "How about I give you a complete set of gold-inlaid jade jewelry sometime in the future?"

"Miss is always mocking me."

Hengzhi was amused, but felt even more uncomfortable.

Song Wan knew she was worried about her, but she didn't know how to comfort her. After thinking for a long time, she said gently, "I know your intentions, but the Marquis's mansion is not the same as my own home. There are hundreds of servants in Lan Courtyard. With so many people, there will be a lot of gossip. Please give Hengwu some advice so that she doesn't give anyone something to talk about. If someone finds something to use against her in the future, I may not be able to bear it."

Hengzhi nodded, understanding what she meant.

A woman marrying out of her family is tantamount to leaving her mother's clan; she must live at the mercy of her husband's family. If she is respected by her husband, she can barely get by. But judging from the way her son-in-law is praising Lin Jiayue today, I'm afraid the young lady will have a hard time in the future.

Upon thinking of this, Hengzhi suddenly had a very disrespectful thought.