Binding Spring Love

Jiang's mother rubbed her forehead, looking extremely uncomfortable: "What's it about this time, that you're arguing and ignoring the family?"

"It has nothing to do with Wan'er. It was Jia Yue who wrote an eulogy for the Marquis of Jinxiang and misspelled the deceased's name. The Marquis of Jinxiang sent people to scold Wan'er for most of the day."

Jiang Xingjian raised his hand and pinched his brow, looking exhausted. He said, "To express my apology, I will go to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence today to apologize. As for Wan'er... she will fast and bathe for the next few days to help Madam Cheng copy scriptures and recite Buddhist sutras, hoping that her spirit in heaven will forgive the Marquis's residence."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang's mother jumped to her feet: "That little harlot can even misspell the deceased's name! Has Song Wan gone mad to send this to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence?"

"It has nothing to do with Wan'er; Jia Yue herself slipped it into the letter and sent it to the gift room."

"That idiot!"

Jiang's mother trembled with rage, her hands shaking violently: "This foolish woman has ruined my son so much..."

Jiang Xingjian stepped forward to comfort his weeping mother. Seeing that they would be late if they didn't go to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence soon, he said, "I may not be able to return home for the next few days. I will trouble you to take care of the affairs of the household. Once Wan'er comes out of the small Buddhist hall, I will return the power of managing the household to her."

"I understand. Go ahead and apologize properly to the Marquis of Jinxiang's family."

As she spoke, Jiang's mother felt distressed again: "The century-old reputation of my Marquis's mansion has been completely ruined. How could there be such a fool and stupid person in this world?"

"Perhaps the ancestors of the Jiang family disliked my filial impiety and deliberately sent this thing to torment me."

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then left without a sound.

Jiang Xingjian thought the Marquis's mansion had already lowered its stance enough, but he didn't expect to be put in such a difficult position after arriving at the Marquis's mansion. Even after hearing that he had kowtowed and admitted his mistakes before the coffin, and that the Marquis's mistress had relinquished her power of managing the household and retreated to the small Buddhist hall, they were still not satisfied. They insisted that Jiang Xingjian agree to keep vigil at the Marquis's mansion for half a month before it would be over.

Jiang Xingjian felt that the Marquis of Jinxiang had gone too far, while the Marquis of Jinxiang felt that even if he were to die in the mourning hall to atone for his sins, it would not be enough to quell the hatred in their hearts.

The two sides were deadlocked, and Jiang Xingjian was eventually defeated.

Since you've already decided to apologize, it's not good to keep putting on airs. It's better to agree readily and you can at least gain a good reputation.

Jiang Xingjian was stuck at the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, while Song Wan, after copying the scriptures for the deceased, helped connect the Bai and Lan families.

Without the disturbance from Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue, she was quite happy for several days. Now that she saw that Madam Lan was satisfied with the Bai family's daughter, she was even more delighted.

"Miss, is the marriage between the Lan family and the Bai family considered settled?"

Song Wan said, "I can't say for sure that it will work out until the two families exchange birth charts, but there's always a 80% chance."

Xiangcao sighed, "Third Miss is really incredibly foolish. She could turn down such a good marriage with the Lan family, and now she's considering a marriage with that worthless Chen family. It's truly lamentable."

Why do you say that?

"Miss, you don't know, the day before yesterday, Aunt Lin invited Madam Chen to the mansion to admire the flowers, and also called the Third Miss over. Madam Chen inquired about the Third Miss's dowry in her words, and the Third Miss's face turned deathly pale."

Xiangcao frowned: "How can someone come to inquire about an unmarried young lady's dowry before anything is even settled? What's worse, Aunt Lin even discussed the dowry, betrothal gifts, and other wedding matters with Madam Chen for a long time in front of the Third Miss."

"I heard from the maids in Yu'an Courtyard that the Third Miss's face was terribly pale that day, and she cried for most of the day after returning to her room."

Who would discuss marriage in front of a young woman? Lin Jiayue may not understand Madam Chen, but she certainly does; her reaction simply shows that she doesn't take Jiang Jing seriously.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and said softly, "None of the three matriarchs of the family have come forward to preside over her marriage. They have only sent a concubine to handle the matter. How could Madam Chen think highly of Jiang Jing? Even if she asks about the dowry, it is only the Chen family that values ​​this marriage."

"Miss, the Chen family is so despicable, you really want to..."

Before Xiangcao could finish speaking, Hengzhi interrupted her: "Do you think Miss stopped interfering with Third Miss's marriage out of spite? But I have to tell you, Miss can't interfere with Third Miss's marriage."

"On the day of the grand banquet, the Begonia Garden was filled with ladies from various families. Who couldn't see that the Lan family had gone to find a match for the Third Miss? But what did she do? She directly refuted Madam Lan and the young lady's feelings. Those ladies were all shrewd and experienced; how could they not see through the Third Miss's intentions?"

"If a young lady openly picks and chooses her future husband's family in front of everyone, will those ladies allow her to enter their homes?"

"It's true that Miss is powerless. In the capital, the Third Miss can't find a good family to marry into. If we were to force her into any particular family, wouldn't that be inviting people to curse her behind her back?"

"But if we find someone from a poor family, that woman with long arms will definitely not be satisfied. With such a precious gem before her, how can she tolerate losing the golden ruyi and then finding a firewood stick? There will inevitably be another round of complaints."

Hengzhi sighed, "Since nothing we do will work, we might as well just leave it alone and let those who are eager to show off and stick their necks out manage it. Those with long arms and those who are eager to stick their necks out will collude with each other and be happy to get involved."

Vanilla's eyes widened at what she was told: "I see. It's only right that you ignore her, Miss."

Song Wan listened to the two bickering and smiled faintly: "Hengzhi is right, we really can't control it."

Moreover, compared to Jiang Jing, her brother's future is naturally more important.

"Can Madam hand over the token to Lin Jiayue?"

Green Bamboo said, "No, not at all. Aunt Lin has been busy with the affairs of her shops outside. I only found out that she is looking for workshops to make firecrackers. As for the management of the household, she has not yet taken over."

Song Wan asked, puzzled, "Making firecrackers? She wants to open a firecracker shop?"

Everyone shook their heads, and Song Wan, resting her chin on her hand, was also full of doubt.

"Never mind, we'll find out what she's up to eventually. The important thing now is to let her take control of the family."

Song Wan said, "Xiangcao, go and find out when Lin Jiayue goes to Jiangxiang Courtyard."

It seems that Jiang Xingjian had given instructions before leaving the mansion, asking his mother to temporarily take charge of the household affairs. However, now that four or five days have passed, Jiang Xingjian will probably be returning to the mansion soon. If we don't act now, we may miss our chance.

Xiangcao nodded in agreement and ran out in a flash, returning to Lan Courtyard at 3:15 PM.

"Miss, Aunt Lin and Huaisu are both at Jiangxiang Courtyard. Shall we go there now?"

"Go ahead. It's been a long time since I paid my respects to Madam. I should check on her condition today. Besides, Lin Jiayue hasn't made any moves yet, so I should lend her a hand."

After changing her clothes, Song Wan went to Jiangxiang Courtyard with Hengzhi and Hengwu.

In Jiang's mother's room, Huaisu and Lin Jiayue were both present. When Song Wan entered the room, the group was sitting around the table playing with flower cards. Laughter could be heard from time to time in the room. The scene of master and servants being confused and having no distinction between superiors and inferiors was quite jarring.

But the laughter and joy vanished the moment Song Wan arrived.

Huaisu stood up and bowed to her. Lin Jiayue lowered her head and fiddled with the flower cards in her hand, pretending not to see them. Jiang's mother, on the other hand, had a long face, her eyes full of displeasure at being disturbed.