Binding Spring Love

Xiao Jiyue held a black chess piece between his fingers, turning it over and playing with it, staring at Jiang Yan with a curious expression.

Having worked with Jiang Yan for many years, his impression of the man was that he was unpredictable, both righteous and wicked. But this was the first time he had ever had the leisure to eavesdrop on a woman's affairs.

He listened for a while but couldn't discern anything unusual about their identities. It wasn't until he saw their expressions that he realized it must be related to private matters.

"Has Miss Sun come of age yet?"

It was inappropriate to discuss marriage with unmarried girls, so Madam Sun had her maid lead them away before replying, "They won't reach that age until next year; they're at the age where they should be being mischievous."

"That's how it was when I was a child."

Madam Sun exclaimed "Oh dear!" and laughed, saying that if her daughter resembled Song Wan, she could die in peace.

After exchanging pleasantries, Song Wanfang got down to business: "I wonder what kind of man the Sun family prefers? Perhaps I know someone suitable."

Madam Sun smiled and said, "Although my husband's official rank is low, my son is quite talented in literature. Therefore, I think it would be best if Xiuxiu's future husband was also a scholar."

"Regardless of social status, those who are well-educated, polite, and gentle are the best choice."

Song Wan smiled and said, "I do know someone who is exceptionally talented, humble, and polite."

Madam Sun smiled: "Is the family harmonious? You know that families like ours are very particular about ethics and etiquette. I'm really afraid that some people in the family might have bad character or act out of line, which could lead to problems later on, and we'll end up being implicated."

Song Wan pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Madam Sun's words were clear: the Sun family didn't care whether Jiang Yan was born of the principal wife or a concubine, as long as he was literate and had a gentle temperament. However, the Sun family was also unhappy with Jiang Xingjian's decision to bring Lin Jiayue back to the Marquis's residence without a matchmaker.

"I also know that with so many people in a clan, it is unlikely that everyone is of upright character. But it is easier to deal with distant relatives. However, if a close brother or uncle has a bad character, then we can only live in separate residences."

Song Wan smiled faintly: "While parents are alive, the family remains the same; blood is thicker than water. How could one leave the household just to marry a new bride? Besides, if outsiders knew that marrying a daughter of the Sun family required separating the clan and the household, what would they think of Xiuxiu?"

Madam Sun's smile faded, and Song Wan continued, "For a young lady, finding a husband who understands and cares for her is better than anything else. Besides, she is a woman, and usually spends most of her time in the inner courtyard. Rather than choosing her future husband's brothers and uncles, she should take a look at the ladies and sisters-in-law in the mansion."

"If the mistress is kind and the sisters-in-law are gentle, Xiuxiu will feel at ease staying in the inner quarters."

"Well, that's true, but if the people in the household are restless, taking in an actor today and a concubine tomorrow, the whole inner quarters will be in chaos and a complete mess, which is the most annoying thing."

Madam Sun sighed, "Besides, tell me, if a man watches his elder brother flirting with women all day long, wouldn't his mind wander?"

"The most important thing is the family's character. No matter how good or well-educated a person is now, can they guarantee that they will always be like this? What will happen to the women when their beauty fades? That will depend on the men's character and bottom line in dealing with things."

Song Wan listened quietly, her heart inexplicably troubled.

However, because she was concerned about this marriage, she felt a little more genuine: "Since Madam Sun has said so, I will no longer beat around the bush. I'm sure you already know a bit about the temperament of our Second Master Yan."

"What outsiders say is true, but as a mother, I'm still worried."

"I dare not speak of other things, but regarding Second Master Yan..."

Song Wan paused slightly, as if she was thinking about something. Jiang Yan, on the other side, held the white pieces, his breath almost stopping.

His expression was solemn, and he remained curled up, motionless. Xiao Jiyue stood to the side with his eyebrows raised high, his eyes full of amusement.

The Second Master Yan of the manor... has come today to have Jiang Yan examined.

Judging from Jiang Yan's appearance, he didn't seem to care too much about who his future wife was; instead, he seemed more interested in the soft-spoken young woman.

Xiao Jiyue picked up a black piece from the table and threw it into the chess box. The slight clattering sound displeased Jiang Yan.

Song Wan spoke from outside the wall, and Jiang Yan turned his head to listen.

"I understand it to some extent..."

"In recent years, the Second Master has been in charge of both internal and external affairs of the mansion. Neither the servants in the mansion nor those outside have ever heard any foul language about him. It seems that the Second Master is a man of great social skills and a tactful approach to life."

"He was not seen indulging in frivolous relationships with maids in the inner quarters, and his room was clean and tidy, with nothing else to be found."

Song Wan paused slightly, thinking back on the few times she had interacted with Jiang Yan. Apart from the time when she had just arrived at the Marquis's mansion to become a widow, which was a bit special and hard to explain, Jiang Yan had always been polite, humble and gentle.

"I have been married into the Marquis's mansion for six years. I haven't spent much time with the Second Master, but I have seen him a few times during festivals and ancestral rites. If you trust me, I think he will be a good husband, or at least a kind and gentle man who respects and honors his wife."

Jiang Yan blushed deeply as she listened, her eyes filled with tenderness, which then gradually turned somber.

Xiao Jiyue narrowed his handsome eyes slightly and frowned, asking, "Your sister-in-law?"

Jiang Yan snapped out of his daze, his eyes filled with tender smiles: "She's my sister-in-law."

He emphasized the word "sister-in-law" with a suggestive and ambiguous tone, making Xiao Jiyue's hair stand on end. After a long silence, he coldly uttered, "You're truly inhuman."

The smile on his face vanished quickly, and Jiang Yan's complexion turned from red to white, then to ashen and utterly defeated. His fingers gripped the chess box even tighter, clearly on the verge of losing his composure as a gentleman.

Xiao Jiyue smiled faintly, leaned back lazily, and muttered, "Your sister-in-law is here."

The next second, Jiang Yan's emotions calmed down and his breathing slowed down.

"Tsk, how interesting."

Jiang Yan carefully rearranged the chessboard that had been messed up, and asked in a low voice, "Don't you think I'm disgusting?"

Xiao Jiyue scoffed, "Aren't there plenty of shady dealings among powerful families? What's so disgusting about lusting after your sister-in-law? I've seen countless cases of fathers and sons sharing a woman, such shameful acts. What's this compared to that?"

Jiang Yan murmured, "But she must have found it disgusting."

Madam Sun next door was still making things difficult for Song Wan, but Jiang Yan and Xiao Jiye could tell that Song Wan thought highly of the Sun family's daughter, and she spoke very humbly.

Jiang Yanru felt as if she were drinking honey and vinegar, her heart filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions.

He dared not reveal the slightest hint of his feelings within the manor, yet he couldn't help wanting the world to know that she treated him differently from others. After much thought, he decided that he could only let Xiao Jiyue, that reckless and unscrupulous man, know about such an outrageous matter.

"So what if she doesn't find it disgusting? Do you really want to have an affair with your sister-in-law? It's one thing to just covet a pretty face, but judging from your appearance, you don't seem like someone who can just play around."

Xiao Jiye raised an eyebrow, completely unconcerned, and said, "In the end, it's the woman who loses face in this kind of thing. If it really comes to light, the man will at most get a reputation for being a philanderer, but your sister-in-law will have to hang herself with a three-foot-long white silk ribbon. It all depends on whether you're willing to do that."

Jiang Yan's eyes were dark and his face was deathly pale.