Binding Spring Love

After Jiang Xingjian explained things to Lin Jiayue, she indeed stopped worrying about Song Wan and instead focused on figuring out ingenious tricks and techniques.

Song Wan was busy discussing the Sun family and Jiang Yan's marriage, so she had no time to deal with the two of them. Only when Madam Sun softened her stance could she finally get some rest.

Having just finished bathing, Song Wan was having Hengzhi and Hengwu apply a skin-nourishing fragrance to her. Lvzhu also took the signature fragrance balm from Jinxiutang to nourish her hair.

The cicadas were chirping outside, but Song Wan felt drowsy and incredibly lazy because of the heat.

"Miss, this summer is just too hot. Even wearing the Xia Ying gauze makes me feel unbearably hot."

Song Wan lay half-reclined on the chaise longue, groggily humming in response.

"Miss, I heard that Aunt Lin's ice shop made a lot of money. A few days ago, Madam even sent some high-quality fruits to her courtyard."

Vanilla assisted Green Bamboo from the side, speaking cautiously.

Song Wan opened her eyes, slightly dazed, and after a moment said, "She really does have extraordinary qualities. I thought she shouldn't be so mediocre."

"Miss... I heard from Granny Liang that the ice shop earned one or two thousand taels of silver in just half a month. The principal given by the master has been recovered. Now even the madam looks at her differently and no longer speaks of her as cheap and worthless as before..."

"Miss, what should we do?"

Song Wan adjusted her clothes, her cheeks flushed slightly from the heat. She took the silk-embroidered lady-themed fan and fanned herself idly.

"What? She can earn money for the Marquis's mansion, isn't that a good thing for us?"

"Aren't our food and clothing expenses also paid for by public funds?"

"Miss……"

Xiangcao anxiously called out to Song Wan, who opened her eyes and said, "I know what you're worried about, but you must understand that one's reputation is always earned. If I'm incompetent and can't maintain the dignity befitting a wife of the Marquis's principal wife, how long can I rely on the Old Madam and the Madam's support?"

"Are we just supposed to watch Aunt Lin flaunt her power and seduce the master?"

Song Wan smiled faintly: "A person with ability is ultimately worthy of respect. If she really has the confidence to come and show off in front of me, I welcome her."

She got up, and Hengzhi, seeing this, quickly picked up the inner skirt made of cloud gauze that Consort Yun had sent a few days ago and helped Song Wan put it on.

"It's just an ice shop, it won't do much good. With Lin Jiayue's personality, it's really difficult for her to achieve anything significant without anyone helping her."

"Isn't it the old man who's backing us up now?"

Song Wan said calmly, "I'm not worried about him."

After getting dressed, Song Wan went to the study to read. Just as she was engrossed in her reading, Zhao Mama came looking for her.

"By imperial decree of Consort Jiang, the eldest master and Consort Lin have been summoned to the palace."

"Was it an imperial edict from Her Majesty, or did the master bring Concubine Lin along?"

Granny Zhao's face was grim: "It was Her Majesty's personal decree that she wanted to see Consort Lin."

Song Wan held the book in her hand, her brows furrowed.

That's all I was worried about, and now it's actually happened.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Lin Jiayue was overjoyed. She had always longed for the palace, and after learning about the struggle between the three emperors, she paid even closer attention to the court's movements. Now, in conjunction with Jiang Xingjian's words, Lin Jiayue felt that she could play a significant role.

"How do I look in this dress?"

Lin Jiayue held up a peach-colored floor-length dress in front of her, and Jiang Xingjian frowned as he saw this, saying, "No, entering the palace is not child's play. The rules and etiquette must not be neglected in the slightest."

Seeing her enthusiastic appearance, Jiang Xingjian only felt annoyed.

She changed into a pale yellow dress, still feeling down even after entering the palace. Fortunately, once inside Consort Jiang's Yanqing Palace, Lin Jiayue put on a bright smile.

"This humble woman, Lin Jiayue, pays her respects to Consort Jiang."

"Get up. Thanks to you, Yi'er was able to save her life. I haven't thanked you yet."

Jiang Man, dressed in palace attire, possessed an ethereal elegance. Her face was gentle and graceful, and her eyes were full of affection, making Lin Jiayue extremely fond of this kind older sister.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Xingjian is also Yue'er's beloved. Saving one's beloved..."

Lin Jiayue blushed: "It's only natural."

Jiang Man smiled faintly and offered seats to Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue, and they began a family banquet in the palace for only the three of them.

During the meal, Lin Jiayue used all her charm to make Jiang Man very happy.

"You're a good girl, it's Yi'er who wronged you. That ice-making method is truly amazing, I never expected you to have such ability at such a young age."

"It's just an ice-making shop. If I wanted to, I could earn as much money as I could."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingjian unconsciously frowned, while Jiang Man simply gave a faint "oh".

Lin Jiayue said with certainty, "It's not that I'm being arrogant, but if the Marquis's mansion were managed by me, it would definitely turn a profit within six months. As for businesses like ice shops, if I wanted to, I could open ten or eight more, no problem at all."

Jiang Xingjian's hands were clenched tightly under the table. If Jiang Fei hadn't been there, he probably would have stuffed a mouthful of osmanthus cake into Lin Jiayue's mouth.

Although Jiang Man was his elder sister, once she entered the palace, she became a member of the royal family. Anything that was related to imperial power was not so simple.

Today you speak so arrogantly; in the future, the Marquis's mansion will not only be able to do so, but will also need to do it even better.

If I can't do that... my life might be in danger.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes, feeling increasingly regretful.

With her own calculations in mind, Lin Jiayue naturally didn't care what Jiang Xingjian thought. She finally understood today that whether it was love or power, she had to fight for it herself, and Jiang Man was the support she needed to secure for herself.

"It's a pity that I'm a woman of low status and have no say in the Marquis's mansion. Even if I see the mistakes of the mistress of the household, I can't say anything to correct her. I can only worry to myself."

Picking up a piece of candied jujube, Jiang Xingjian said, "You usually love sweets, why don't you try the cooking of the imperial chefs?"

Lin Jiayue smiled shyly and took Jiang Xingjian's hand.

"Really? What mistake did the mistress of the Marquis's mansion make? Why don't you tell me?"

Jiang Man spoke calmly, and Jiang Xingjian felt a chill run down his spine.

"Although I am not from a prominent family, I have seen a lot. To manage the inner quarters, one must use ruthless methods. Only in this way can one establish the authority of the person in charge. Seeking only a good reputation and clean name will only make one feel constrained."

Jiang Man nodded in agreement: "Seeking fame and fortune is not advisable; you have some truth to it."

After a moment's thought, Jiang Man said, "You have done a great service to the Marquis's mansion, so the position of a lowly concubine is indeed too insulting. I will write to my mother today to elevate you to the rank of noble concubine. As for..."

Jiang Man glanced at Lin Jiayue sideways and said with a half-smile, "If you make great contributions to the Marquis's mansion in the future, I may ask the Emperor to grant you the position of a secondary wife."

Second wife...

Lin Jiayue felt completely refreshed upon hearing those two words.

The Song family and Song Wan will inevitably fall from power in the future, but she can't forget the way Song Wan coldly called her ridiculous that day.

She wanted to see what kind of expression Song Wan, who had vowed to be the Marquis's primary wife for life, would have on the day she became Jiang Xingjian's secondary wife.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will do my utmost to assist the Marquis's residence and Your Highness in the future."

Jiang Man smiled gently: "That's fine too. The Marquis's mansion shouldn't be controlled by outsiders..."

"Yi'er, when you return to the manor today, tell Song Wan to let Jia Yue manage the household affairs with her. With the two of them complementing each other, they will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."