Binding Spring Love

Fuhe Hall is the courtyard of Old Madam Jiang, the most prestigious place in the entire Chengyang Marquis's Mansion. It is located in the very center of the mansion, boasting not only the best location but also a vast area. Although the younger generation of the Marquis's family would come to pay their respects morning and evening every day, it was rare to see such a scene as today, with both the legitimate and illegitimate branches of the family from the east and west branches present.

As the eldest grandson's wife of the Marquis's family, Song Wan had to help her mother-in-law with the arrangements for such an occasion, so she arrived earliest.

As soon as they entered Madam Jiang's courtyard, they encountered other illegitimate sons from the Marquis's mansion who had come to pay their respects.

Seeing the handsome and dashing young man and the adorable and well-behaved young woman in the room, Madam Jiang was overjoyed.

"The boy in the lead is Yi'er's half-brother, Jiang Yan, who is only two years younger than Yi'er. This boy is well-behaved and polite, unlike the other boys who are naughty and annoying."

"The youngest one is Jiang Ang, who just turned ten this year. He's practically an adult now, but not as old as his two older brothers, Wenxiu."

"These three girls are your third, fifth, and sixth younger sisters. You should take them out with you when you have time. I will only feel at ease if they develop a gentle and docile nature like you."

Song Wan smiled and agreed, then went to see Jiang Xingjian's younger siblings.

In the past, as a widow, she was reluctant to see the male relatives of the household. Therefore, the old lady and Madam Jiang exempted her from the morning and evening greetings. As a result, even after six years of marriage into the Marquis's household, she was not very familiar with Jiang Xingjian's younger siblings. The only person she had met once or twice was Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan is two years younger than Jiang Xingjian, and should be of legal age by now. However, the old lady did not mention his courtesy name just now, so his birthday must not have come yet.

"Greetings to my sister-in-law."

"May my second brother, third sister, fourth brother, fifth sister, and sixth sister be well."

Song returned the gift and then gestured for Hengwu to bring over a large lacquered mother-of-pearl inlaid plate, distributing the auspicious items on it to the group one by one.

When Jiang Yan received the red envelope, he glanced up at Song Wan and then quickly lowered his head again.

Inside the house, the masters were having a lively conversation when a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door. Song Wan looked out and saw that Jiang Xingjian had also arrived at Fuhe Hall with Lin Jiayue.

Lin Jiayue was wearing her light coral-colored brocade skirt with silver embroidery. The skirt was elegant in color, and the jewelry she wore was also light and simple. Although it looked refined, it didn't suit Lin Jiayue's age.

Although the children were young, they were born into noble and wealthy families, unlike ordinary people. They were already sensible at the age of seven or eight. When they saw the two of them coming over, they all fell silent.

Lin Jiayue ignored the awkward atmosphere caused by her and walked gracefully to Old Madam Jiang, smiling obediently. Jiang Xingjian seemed to want her to get closer to the old lady as well, so he sat down next to her to keep her company.

Unable to bear watching the two of them behave, Song Wan led Hengzhi and Hengwu to the door and quietly admired the flowers and plants in the old lady's room.

"Sister-in-law."

Song Wan looked up and saw Jiang Yan standing next to her. She smiled slightly and gave up the seat next to her.

Jiang Yan stopped a step away from her.

Looking at the dignified and radiant woman before him, with her starry eyes that seemed to be filled with anger, Jiang Yan felt his blood boil. The surge of emotion made his hands tremble slightly.

However, he always restrained himself, suppressing the excitement flowing in his blood and heart, which was only expressed in two words lingering on his tongue.

"Sister-in-law..."

Song Wan nodded with a smile, her demeanor clearly distant.

Jiang Yan didn't mind. He shifted his gaze away from Song Wan, but his voice still carried a barely perceptible hoarseness: "My younger brother is coming of age this year and should also take a courtesy name. I've just thought of the name 'Yu Chi' these past few days. I wonder what my sister-in-law thinks?"

Song Wan was taken aback, not understanding why Jiang Yan would bring this up with her.

"Is it too late?"

She repeated it softly, and Jiang Yan's heart skipped a beat. He then revealed an extremely restrained smile.

"What are my second brother and my wife talking about?"

Jiang Xingjian walked up to the two of them without them noticing. He looked down at Jiang Yan and thought to himself that the other man had changed a lot.

When Jiang Yan left the manor, he was only twelve or thirteen years old. Although he was mature beyond his years, he was far from having such a demeanor.

Today, he wore a purple-gold floral-patterned robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves and light blue court boots. His black hair was tied up with a silver hairpin, making him look exceptionally neat and handsome. However, his complexion was too pale, and he was slightly thin. Although at first glance he had a gentle and refined scholarly air, Jiang Xingjian could see a hint of ambition and inexplicable fervor in his dark eyes.

"Your face is flushed; are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Xingjian raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression indifferent.

Jiang Yan bowed slightly: "Thank you for your concern, brother. I'm fine. It's just that there are too many people in the house, so I came here to get some fresh air."

The two spoke in a peaceful tone, appearing as if they were brothers. However, Song Wan suddenly thought that if Jiang Xingjian had not returned, the title of Marquis of Chengyang would inevitably have fallen to Jiang Yan, but now that was absolutely impossible.

The thought of potential infighting among the brothers in the household in the future made her feel somewhat disheartened.

"My husband and brother-in-law chat first, I'll go help my mother set the table."

Song Wan had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with them, so she led her wet nurse and maid to the inner hall. Inside, Old Madam Jiang, Jiang's mother, and Lin Jiayue were present. Jiang's mother was both angry and anxious looking at Lin Jiayue's clothes. Her ancestors were military men, and she had received little formal education in manners and etiquette from a young age. It was only after marrying into the Marquis's household that she developed a more refined temperament, unlike Old Madam Jiang and Song Wan, who were much more composed.

She glanced at Lin Jiayue and asked coldly, "Didn't the old lady give you clothes? Why did you have to take Wan'er's coming-of-age ceremony?"

Lin Jiayue didn't know what a hairpin ceremony was, but guessed that the clothes she was wearing must have some history. She only wanted to prove that in Jiang Xingjian's heart, she was more important than that wife who only had a title. As for Old Madam Jiang and Jiang's mother, she had no intention of offending them at all.

Therefore, Lin Jiayue said with a smile, "The clothes sent by Madam Jiang are naturally excellent, but they don't fit me very well, so Brother Xingjian helped me find another set."

"Using 'you' and 'me' in front of the old lady all the time, I don't know what kind of family raised such a habit."

Madam Jiang frowned as she looked at Lin Jiayue, her heart growing increasingly heavy. Noticing her mistress's displeasure, her maidservant stepped forward and said, "It's not Lin's fault. Coming from a humble family, she naturally doesn't understand the rules of our household. Madam, you don't need to worry. When I first entered the household, I was just as impetuous and ignorant of etiquette. I'll have the head maid teach me in the future."

Lin Jiayue had been smiling all day, but she couldn't hold back any longer after hearing these words. She looked at the maid and sneered, "Although my family is not a prestigious or scholarly family, we are still a reclusive clan in China. It's normal that you haven't heard of us, but I can't bear the title of a small and insignificant family."

As she spoke, Song Wan was walking into the inner hall. She was still dressed simply, but her dignified demeanor was incomparable to that of ordinary people.

Lin Jiayue felt stifled. She took a deep breath and said with a forced smile, "My family specializes in all sorts of unusual and ingenious skills, which are beneficial to scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Jiang Xingjian invited me to the Marquis's residence because he knows my abilities and specifically invited me here."