Binding Spring Love

This summer was exceptionally hot, and Lin Jiayue's ice shop saw its income increase day by day. A steady stream of money flowed into the Marquis's mansion, which made Jiang's mother and the old lady of the Jiang family look at her in a different light.

These past few days, Jiang Xingjian has been taking Lin Jiayue with him every morning and evening for his daily greetings. Previously, Jiang's mother would say a few words about it, but these days she just pretends not to notice.

"Jia Yue's rouge shop is about to open, and she has selected a few names for the old lady to review."

Jiang Xingjian took out a red invitation card and handed it to Baozhu, but Old Madam Jiang pushed it directly to Jiang's mother: "You choose one."

Song Wan sat to the side as if everything was unrelated to her, quietly fanning herself with a round fan, but she was quite puzzled.

She had Granny Zhao keep an eye on Lin Jiayue's rouge shop, but she didn't see her collect any medicinal materials related to rouge recipes, nor did she see her take out any recipes. Why was she opening for business so soon?

"This Huanyanzhai is quite good. You can tell what it does just by looking at it, Wan'er, what do you think?"

Jiang's mother handed over the list, and Song Wan glanced at it and smiled, "Mother's choices are certainly excellent."

Lin Jiayue smiled upon hearing this, a hint of confidence in her eyes.

These past few days, she and Jiang Xingjian have been inseparable, their relationship incredibly sweet. Now, she no longer finds Song Wan as unpleasant as before. Moreover, the better her relationship with Jiang Xingjian is, the more pitiful Song Wan feels.

Considering that Jiang's mother had sent things to her courtyard several times in the past few days, Lin Jiayue didn't mind Song Wan choosing a name for her shop.

"Since Mother thinks it's good, then Yue'er will use the name Huanyanzhai."

Upon hearing the word "mother," Song Wan raised an eyebrow to look. She saw that although Jiang Xingjian frowned slightly, he did not say anything to stop her. Jiang's mother and the old lady seemed not to have heard her at all, and she couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

The rules of this Marquis's mansion are breaking down more and more severely.

The others who came to pay their respects also lowered their heads upon seeing this, not daring to look at Song Wan again. Only Jiang Yan had a furrowed brow and an angry expression.

Song Wan had no intention of wasting time here. After saying goodbye to Old Madam Jiang and Jiang's mother, she left Fuhe Hall with Hengzhi and Hengwu.

"Miss, this..."

"We'll talk about it when we get back."

The group returned to Lan Courtyard, and Hengzhi asked, "What exactly do the Old Madam and Madam mean? Lin Yiniang has only earned some money, yet she dares to call Madam 'Mother'? Has the Marquis's mansion truly fallen so low? For the sake of money, they've forgotten even basic rules and moral principles?"

"Putting that aside, what's going on with that rouge shop? I haven't heard that she's acquired any recipes, so why is she opening a shop in just a few days?"

"This servant doesn't know either. This servant will go find Granny Zhao."

When Granny Zhao returned, Song Wan was gazing out the window, lost in thought. Seeing this, Granny Zhao said with concern, "Miss, this old servant had people keep an eye on things for several days, and they certainly didn't see that little harlot accept any raw materials."

"Alright, once her shop opens, have someone buy some for me to see."

Song Wan wanted to see how Lin Jiayue started her rouge shop, but before she could even send someone to buy any, a maid from Xiuyan Pavilion brought over a large box of rouge and face powder.

"Madam, this was sent by my master. He said it's for you and the ladies in the main courtyard to play with."

The maid opened the red velvet box, and Song Wan saw that inside were boxes within boxes, a very complicated arrangement.

The largest and most valuable box was made of Phoebe zhennan wood. Inside was a complete set of rouge and face powder, with seven or eight different colors of lip rouge alone.

What's even more different from the past is that both the boxes for holding face powder and the pure gold cloisonné bottles for holding lip rouge are extremely luxurious.

Adorned with pearls and gemstones, its exquisite and intricate craftsmanship was so striking that even Song Wan had to admit it was incredibly eye-catching.

"These are for Hengzhi, Hengwu, and the other older sisters."

After opening the most valuable-looking set of boxes, the maidservant opened several other, more ordinary sets. While these sets weren't as luxurious as Song Wan's, the boxes and bottles themselves were still quite unusual.

"My master gave the eldest mistress this set called 'Face Cleansing,' which has the effect of repairing dull skin and fading spots and whitening. The set given to the other ladies is called 'Youth Preservation,' which has..."

The little girl talked on and on, and Song Wan stepped forward, picked up the most eye-catching gold-embroidered powder box, opened it, and gently sniffed it.

A strong fragrance made her frown slightly.

It wasn't that it smelled bad, but she preferred a light and elegant scent and didn't really like this smell.

Song Wan picked up a small piece with her fingertip and smeared it on the back of her hand.

The powder was delicate and clear, and it adhered perfectly to the skin, making it smooth and white.

"It's good stuff."

The maidservant beamed with delight: "It's a wonderful thing! My mistress said that the set given to the eldest mistress costs six hundred and sixty taels of silver, and there are only twenty sets in the entire capital. Even the sets given to the older sisters cost two hundred taels each. Apart from the maids in the old lady's and madam's rooms, only Sister Hengzhi and a few others in the entire Marquis's mansion have them."

Upon hearing this, Hengzhi stepped forward, picked up her own set, and handed it to the maid: "Since you like it, I'll give you mine."

The little girl was flustered and tried to push him away, but Hengzhi coaxed her away.

Seeing this, Song Wan smiled and said, "Since it's for you, why not just accept it?"

"This servant doesn't want her things."

Seeing this, Hengwu and Xiangcao also took their own sets and distributed them to the maids in the courtyard.

"A gentleman does not promote a person based on their words, nor does he reject words because of the person who said them; this principle also applies to things."

Song Wan laughed and said, "Alright, then use it. Why be so picky about things?"

Xiangcao said, "No matter how good something is, if it comes from that little harlot, I won't want it."

Helpless, Song Wan followed the others.

She then began to ponder the rouge and face powder that Lin Jiayue had sent her.

According to the maid, Lin Jiayue didn't open her rouge shop on a whim, but rather after careful planning. Her explanation of how to fade spots and whiten skin was quite eloquent, suggesting it was an ancient formula she'd found somewhere.

Song Wan opened the watercolor box again, sniffed it carefully, but still couldn't figure out a single clue.

"No wonder Granny Zhao didn't find out about her purchasing. She must have been very careful to keep the recipe a secret and didn't let a word out."

Upon hearing this, Granny Zhao said, "I underestimated that little hussy; she's quite cunning."

As the master and servant were studying face powder and rouge, they saw Green Bamboo hurriedly walk over with the lowest-ranking maid in the courtyard.

"Miss……"

Green Bamboo's face turned deathly pale: "Miss, Aunt Lin from Embroidery Pavilion is trying to harm you; this powder is poisoned."

Song Wan saw that Green Bamboo was holding the little girl's hand and extending it in front of her, and the area on it that had been smeared with face powder was completely black.

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The high-quality audio drama "Bound by Spring" has concluded, starring Shen Nianru. With cinematic quality, it's a must-watch!

In addition, my new book, "The Cage of Love," is now complete. It's a revenge-themed suspense novel, so you can happily jump into the pit!