Binding Spring Love

"Miss, things have been quite turbulent at Xiuyan Pavilion these past few days."

Hengwu knelt on the ground to help Song put on her shoes, while Hengzhi waited by the side with a large lacquered mother-of-pearl tray filled with a soft towel dampened with warm water.

After carefully washing her face with a handkerchief, Song Wan lazily asked, "What have you been so busy with after being quiet for a few days?"

"According to Granny Liang, Aunt Lin summoned all the stewardesses from both the inner and outer courtyards and gave them a roster."

Xiangcao handed Song Wan a thin piece of paper. Song Wan glanced at it and saw that it said something about absenteeism, leaving early, and whether the job performance was excellent or poor.

"What is this?"

Xiangcao shook her head: "This servant doesn't know either. That old woman Liang couldn't explain it either. She only said that they had to fill out a form every month. Everyone except the masters' courtyards had one."

Song Wan looked at it from top to bottom for a long time, but still didn't know what it was for.

"Forget it, it's none of our business anyway, let her have her way."

Song Wan crumpled the thin paper into a ball and asked, "Has the Marquis not returned to the manor yet?"

"A message came at midnight yesterday, and since Miss had gone to bed, I didn't wake you up."

Hengzhi took out a letter and presented it to Song Wan. Song Wan opened it and frowned slightly: "It says that the chickens and ducks raised by the breeding department of Shanglin Garden have contracted a plague and most of them have died. He will have to stay at Shanglin Garden for a while and will not be able to return home."

"this……"

Seeing what Hengwu wanted to ask, Song Wan said, "This matter happened as soon as the Marquis took office. He should personally take charge to show his loyalty and duty. If he ignores it, he may be impeached for disrespecting his superiors and being dissatisfied with his official position."

She only glanced at the rest of the letter, which contained details about managing the household, gentle instructions, and comforting words, before putting it away.

"That's fine too," Hengwu said casually, "It gives Concubine Lin time to cause trouble in the Marquis's mansion."

Song Wan nodded and began to eat her breakfast with peace of mind.

The marriage between the Bai and Lan families was settled, and Madam Lan invited her to her residence to thank her for acting as matchmaker. Song Wan had agreed in advance, and now, as soon as she got up, she began to style her hair, put on makeup, change her clothes, and prepare gifts.

"Miss, how about this peach-colored top with silver patterns paired with the auspicious pleated skirt?"

Song Wan nodded and let Hengzhi change her clothes.

Because she was going to see an old friend, Song Wan had Green Bamboo tie her hair into a relatively simple bun, and then casually picked up two Liang-style bamboo-shaped hairpins with gold-plated ends to wear, before preparing to go out. However, as soon as she stepped out of Lan Courtyard, she was stopped by Jiang Jing, who was guarding the side.

Jiang Jing's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face as he said, "I'm sorry, sister-in-law. I was ignorant before and misunderstood your intentions."

"Now that Jing'er knows her mistake, I hope you will forgive her."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan said gently, "How can you talk about forgiveness? And you must not lose the dignity and composure of a young lady from a noble family like this."

She handed the handkerchief to Jiang Jing and smiled gently, saying, "It's not pretty for a young lady to be crying like that."

Jiang Jing wiped away her tears and mustered her courage: "I heard from Madam yesterday that you are going to see Madam Lan today? Could you please give me another chance and let me see her too?"

When Lin Jiayue introduced Madam Chen to her, and when Madam Chen kept asking about the dowry in front of her, Jiang Jing realized how foolish she had been to lose the marriage with the Lan family.

Aunt Lin kept saying that Madam Chen was a generous and forthright person, and that she would definitely not be a mother-in-law who tormented her daughter-in-law in the future. Even when discussing dowry and betrothal gifts in front of her, Aunt Lin praised her highly, saying that it was important to discuss things clearly and thoroughly to avoid any worries later.

As she thought about it, Jiang Jing suddenly burst into tears: "Jing'er knows that proper young ladies shouldn't talk about marriage, let alone be picky about their husbands' families, but Jing'er has no choice but to plan for herself."

"In the Marquis's mansion, Jing'er and Aunt Zhou are all alone. If she marries into a chaotic and disorderly family like the Chen family, how can Aunt Zhou feel at ease in the future?"

"Sister-in-law..."

Jiang Jing was about to kneel down when Hengwu and Hengzhi held him back tightly.

"Sister-in-law... Jing'er begs you, please just take me to see Madam Lan. Whether it succeeds or not, Jing'er will not bother you again."

Outside the Lan Courtyard, a number of servants were gathered together. For some reason, Song Wan felt that the Marquis's residence was unusually disorganized today. It was as if no one knew what they were supposed to do, and they were all wandering around aimlessly.

Song Wan frowned, then looked at Jiang Jing, who was crying her eyes out, and sighed, "Wipe your tears, I'll take you to the Lan family."

Only if Jiang Jing sees with his own eyes that the Lan family has already chosen a new bride will she give up. Otherwise, no matter what she says, the other party will only think that she is deliberately making things difficult for him.

Song Wan wasn't afraid of being misunderstood, but she was really tired of being disturbed by these unexpected incidents all the time.

Throughout the journey, Jiang Jing tidied his clothes and makeup with Heng Zhi's help. Song Wan sat quietly by his side without saying a word. Occasionally, when Jiang Jing asked quietly if he was feeling uneasy, she would offer a few words of comfort.

After entering the Lan family's gate, Jiang Jing was invited into the backyard by the host. Only then did she release the handkerchief she had been clutching the whole way, revealing a sweet and charming smile.

"Greetings to the Marquis's wife."

Madam Lan smiled broadly upon seeing Song Wan.

She stepped forward to greet him, but when she saw Jiang Jing beside her, she stopped and quickly scanned him from top to bottom.

Seeing that the little girl's eyes were red, her handkerchief was crumpled, and her clothes had some creases that shouldn't have appeared, Song Wan knew that she was not brought by Song Wan on her own initiative, but rather she had begged to come without permission.

Madam Chen had once visited the Marquis's residence to discuss marriage with a concubine. She had also heard about it. Both families were frequent visitors to the capital, so who wouldn't know each other?

After a moment's thought, Madam Lan realized that the young girl had regretted her decision and now wanted to make amends.

"Madam, you may call me Wan'er; that's how we can be more intimate."

Taking the octagonal box inlaid with precious stones and depicting flowers and birds from Hengzhi, Song Wan handed it to Madam Lan: "I personally prepared some tea and snacks; please enjoy them with the ladies today."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries with smiles, and then Song Wan pulled Jiang Jing and Madam Lan into the Lan family garden.

The Lan family was wealthy, and their mansion was extremely grand. In the garden, there was a warm pavilion with glass windows inlaid with the character "福" (fortune) on all four sides. When the sun shone through, the light and shadows shimmered, creating a beautiful scene like a hazy sunset.

Jiang Jing's gaze fell upon him, and a slight pang of sadness gripped his heart.

Even the Marquis's mansion could not afford such expensive glazed windows.

"Greetings to the Lady of Chengyang."

Madam Bai led Miss Bai forward to greet Song Wan. Miss Bai was shy and bashful, her eyes filled with gratitude. Madam Bai also warmly introduced several other ladies to Song Wan.

Given her background, it would have been difficult for her to become acquainted with a noble lady like Song Wan. However, thanks to Song Fu's patronage, Song Wan took the initiative to befriend her and even arranged a good marriage for her family. Madam Bai naturally knew how to reciprocate.

Although the ladies who came today were of similar humble origins as she was, either their husbands' families held positions in the Ministry of Personnel, or their fathers and brothers in the Ministry of Personnel were quite influential.

Song Wan accepted Madam Bai's kind offer.

She was naturally tactful and experienced, and after a few words, the group became very familiar with each other, soon laughing and joking together. Seeing this, Jiang Jing could only stand aside and smile awkwardly, occasionally helping Hengzhi serve tea and water to Song Wan, looking quite virtuous.

"This is not something young ladies should do. Go and play with your sisters."

Madam Lan smiled and beckoned to her two daughters, instructing them to take Jiang Jing away.

The two girls were only twelve or thirteen years old, in the prime of their lives. Jiang Jing, wanting to please them, carefully flattered them all the way. By the time the three of them arrived at the greenhouse full of rare and exotic plants, they had become very close and intimate.

Before the three of them could even push open the door, they saw a little girl bending down under the glass window, smelling a pot of marigold orchids.

Upon seeing this, the seventh young lady of the Lan family covered her mouth and smiled: "This must be the future Ninth Uncle's wife, right? She has such a delicate appearance, and she seems to have a gentle and quiet personality, which is a good match for Ninth Uncle."

The slightly older Miss Lan glared at her: "Making fun of your elders, if Mother hears you, she'll slap you."

The little girl seemed frightened and shook her head, begging for mercy. Jiang Jing, however, felt a sudden darkness before his eyes and was filled with regret and pain.

The Lan family actually has a new bride in mind?