Binding Spring Love

Lin Jiayue never imagined that one day she would be ridiculed by Song Wan, whom she considered pitiful and pathetic.

Her face turned pale and ashen, overwhelmed with shame and indignation.

Seeing her like this, Song Wan said indifferently, "Next time you're showing off, find out what's going on before you come back."

After she finished speaking and left, Lin Jiayue almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds.

"Go find Granny Li and tell her that Aunt Lin's manners are not up to par, and teach her what she can and cannot do."

Hengzhi nodded upon hearing this and went to Fuhe Hall to find Granny Li.

She even suggested that the eldest son's wife remarry; it seems that Aunt Lin has gone mad along with the eldest son.

Thinking of this, Hengzhi quickened her pace.

After seeing Lin Jiayue off, Song Wan sat alone at her desk, lost in thought. Zhao Mama overheard their conversation and, after calming herself down, comforted Song Wan.

"Grandma, there's no need to bother with that little harlot. Men are attracted to women, but she's just a plaything that uses her looks to please them. Once the novelty wears off, the master will see how good the young lady is."

Green Bamboo frowned and said, "If you, sir, are fond of beauty, you should be fond of Miss's beauty. Miss is far more beautiful than Concubine Lin."

"Yes, I wonder what the master likes about Consort Lin."

Xiangcao was also puzzled and muttered something under her breath. Song Wan blinked and pricked up her ears to listen.

Hengwu pondered for a moment and then suddenly realized: "I understand now. Master must like Concubine Lin's unruly, frivolous and dissolute manner. The third master in our mansion likes actors and prostitutes very much. Those women are just like Concubine Lin, with a petty and uncouth air about them."

"All he did all day was vent his jealousy and flaunt his power in front of Third Madam, and he would pester Third Master. Now that I think about it, there really are men who like that."

"Pah, pah, pah! What 'actresses' and 'prostitutes'? You're just a young girl, not even married yet, and you dare to say anything without any restraint. Just wait and see..."

"Tear my mouth apart."

Hengwu chuckled and picked up on Zhao Mama's words, which made Zhao Mama so angry that she went up and pinched her flesh.

Song Wan was stunned, wondering to herself if Jiang Xingjian really liked women who were unruly, frivolous, and rude.

As she was lost in thought, Hengzhi returned to report that the gatekeeper had delivered an invitation.

Whose is it?

"The Sun family's invitation requests that Miss go to Zhitong Temple to worship Buddha."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan smiled and said, "I thought the Sun family would reply to me. Now that they have asked to see me, they must have some feelings for the Second Master. Go and tell the old lady that I am going out tomorrow."

Hengzhi was overjoyed and hurriedly went to inform Old Madam Jiang.

After all, it was Jiang Yan's marriage, so Song Wan thought for a moment and sent someone to the second branch of the family to inform Qingzhai.

When Jiang Yan returned to his residence that evening, he was slightly lost in thought upon hearing about this matter.

"When Xiangcao came to find me today, Aunt Liu was also there. She asked a few questions and heard that the eldest mistress had rejected the Qi family after Duke Li. She was indignant all afternoon, saying that the eldest mistress had selfish motives and deliberately chose a family of lower social status for her master."

"In the evening, she even made a scene in the madam's courtyard. The madam was impatient with dealing with these matters, so she pushed Concubine Liu to the eldest mistress."

"She went looking for her?"

Qingzhai lowered his eyes and nodded, not daring to utter another word about "her".

Jiang Yan looked irritable, and his eyes gradually filled with gloom. Seeing that his hands were trembling uncontrollably, Qingzhai thought for a moment and retreated outside.

She stood by the door until the room became quiet before opening it again.

The study was in a mess, but Jiang Yan had regained his gentle demeanor. Only the sickly flush on his face, caused by venting his frustration, revealed a hint of unease in his heart.

Where does Liu Chengxiang work now?

"Last month, I went to Jiangnan to sell goods with the manager of Yuxifang."

Jiang Yan clenched his fists tightly, and his breathing became slightly rapid. Qingzhai saw this and said, "Liu Liansheng, Aunt Liu's nephew, is currently working in the porcelain warehouse."

"Break his legs and make him tell Liu Zhu to behave himself. If it happens again, send Liu Chengxiang's whole family to guard the herbal medicine shop in the south."

After saying that, Jiang Yan stood up and walked to the mahogany chef.

Qingzhai only saw him fiddling with his robes, but he was never satisfied.

"Are you going out tomorrow, sir?"

"Go to Zhitong Temple."

Qingzhai stepped forward and took out a dark blue Shu brocade robe: "This servant thinks this one is more elegant."

"elegant?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan took off his clothes, and Qingzhai helped him put them back on before stepping aside.

"Indeed, he is a man of refined taste and profound manners, possessing the demeanor of a true gentleman."

His eyes were bright, as if he were very happy.

"Would you like a carriage prepared at your residence tomorrow?"

Jiang Yan smiled and said, "No need."

Zhitong Temple is located in the suburbs of Beijing. Although it is not a popular place of worship, it is quiet and secluded. There is also a mountain path specifically for women, so the women of the inner quarters of various families in Beijing are willing to come here to worship Buddha.

Two rare guests had arrived at Zhitong Temple today, and Xiao Jiye was quite surprised when he entered the bamboo grove room.

"You're in a good mood today, finding me in such a quiet place."

He looked up at Jiang Yan and sneered, "This is the first time I've seen you dressed so well."

Jiang Yan lowered his head and asked with a smile, "Does it give you a rather dignified and gentle impression?"

"He has a rather hypocritical and despicable character."

Xiao Jiyue sat imposingly on the stone bench: "What do you want with me?"

He and Jiang Yan had some shady business dealings, and their cooperation over the past four or five years had been quite harmonious. Although they couldn't be described as having a life-or-death relationship, they could be considered close friends.

"I heard your elder brother has returned. Has that delayed your succession to the title?"

Jiang Yan shook his head. He was unusually calm today. He slowly took out the chess box and arranged the pieces one by one: "Play a game with me."

Xiao Jiyue raised an eyebrow slightly, stretched out his scarred hand, picked up the black pieces, and randomly placed them around.

Jiang Yan wasn't angry and continued playing until he heard voices coming from the side room next door. Only then did he smile.

Seeing that he was completely focused on the soft female voice, Xiao Jiye also became interested and listened quietly to the conversation next door.

"I haven't seen Grandma Jiang for many years, and I never expected her to have grown into such a beautiful young woman."

Song Wan handed the box in her hand to the Sun family's maid and said with a smile, "The last time I saw you was seven or eight years ago. I still remember the osmanthus candy you brought me."

"You have a very good memory, child."

Song Wan smiled, as if the half-hour she had waited for the Sun family at the foot of the mountain had never happened.

When it comes to marriage, it's normal for the woman to maintain a more reserved attitude, and she had no complaints.

"Greetings, Grandma Jiang."

A beautiful young girl greeted Song Wan. Song Wan turned her head and saw that Miss Sun was gentle, charming, and lovely.

The little girl had a round face and a pair of big, watery eyes that were very cute. When she looked at people, her eyes were always filled with a shy smile, and Song Wan liked her very much at first glance.

She received a jade box from Hengzhi and gave it to Miss Sun.

Upon seeing this, Madam Sun said, "This is too precious; I really cannot accept it."

Song Wan smiled gently: "I took a great liking to Miss Sun at first sight. It seems my sister and I are destined to meet. Why can't I accept something from my elder sister?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan, who was separated by a wall, had a look of mixed joy and sorrow in his eyes.