Binding Spring Love

The rain gradually subsided, and the two figures had long since disappeared into the darkness. Song Wan stood under the eaves and murmured, "Hengzhi, have you ever thought about getting married?"

"This servant does not want to get married, and even less does she want to leave Miss."

Hengzhi's eyes were red: "This servant only wants to serve Miss forever, and will not go anywhere else."

Hengwu, being quick-tempered, jumped up immediately upon hearing this: "Is it some heartless bastard from the outer courtyard who's after our good looks and's come here to beg for favors, Miss? Please don't fall for it, Miss!"

"Those stinking men actually dare to dream of taking advantage of us?"

"..."

She had been feeling somewhat uneasy, but Hengwu's words dispelled her worries, and she chuckled softly.

"If you're shameless, no one will come to you for help."

Song Wan wrinkled her nose slightly, her eyes full of laughter: "You're good at praising people. I think you should change your name and call yourself Granny Wang from now on."

Hengzhi smiled too, but she wasn't as carefree as Hengwu.

Song Wan returned to her room, sat on the bed, opened the nanmu box beside her pillow, took out the contracts of several people beside her and carefully stroked them until a thin mist appeared in her eyes, then she gently folded them and came out.

Hengzhi and Hengwu were whispering to each other, and Zhao Mama stood under the eaves, cursing loudly towards the Xiuyan Pavilion. The foul language was so offensive that Song Wan would never have believed it came from Zhao Mama, who reminded her of proper conduct every day, if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

"Why didn't you try to appease Granny Zhao? Why did she get so angry?"

She called the people back, and Song Wan sat in the room with Hengzhi, Hengwu, Xiangcao, Lvzhu, and Zhao Mama.

Her eyes reddened, and she pursed her lips, saying, "Fish thrive in deep waters, birds rejoice in lush forests; even birds, fish, and insects understand this principle. Why must we humans be trapped in a place that is only getting worse?"

"Miss……"

Hengzhi and Granny Zhao were the first to see through Song Wan's intentions, and their eyes instantly reddened.

"No matter what you do, Miss, this old servant will follow you. You were raised by this old servant, and you are even closer to me than my own daughter. This old servant cannot leave you alone in this lawless den of thieves where there is no distinction between superiors and inferiors."

"How could it be that serious?"

Song Wan smiled and said, "Let's go. You've reached the age where you should be enjoying your retirement. My grandmother gave birth to your grandson two years ago, so you should go back and take care of him."

Pulling out the contract and banknotes from the wooden box, Song Wan said, fighting back tears, "There's a thousand taels here, enough for you to live comfortably in the countryside..."

She handed the silver notes to Granny Zhao and said, "Keep the money safe and don't give it all away. Even relatives aren't always reliable. Nothing is worse than being poor in old age. If you have money, your children and grandchildren will always be filial to you."

"Miss!"

Granny Zhao hugged Song Wan and wept bitterly, so angry that she wanted to devour Jiang Xingjian's flesh and drink his blood.

"Xiangcao, I remember a few years ago your brother was spared by Father and went to work as a manager on the other side of the Hamchon River?"

Xiangcao shook her head, crying. Song Wan touched her cheek and said, "Go find your brother and ask him to find you a good family."

"Green Bamboo, I remember your mother arranged a marriage for you when you were young, isn't that right?"

After Jiang Xingjian's death, she went to the Marquis's mansion to live as a widow. Hengzhi, Hengwu, and the other three couldn't bear to see her living alone, so they came with her. Green Bamboo was born into a household, and her mother was also a servant in the Song family. Years ago, her mother had arranged a marriage for Green Bamboo, supposedly with a servant in the mansion.

"I inquired with Granny Lang a few days ago. He has not married all these years and is waiting for you."

When the topic of her childhood sweetheart came up, Green Bamboo's eyes welled up with tears, and she felt a pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry, but no one is more important than you, Miss. I won't leave."

Song Wan shook her head: "I'm not leaving. I'm going to be Jiang Xingjian's concubine in the future."

The maids brought by a noblewoman as part of her dowry were meant to serve as attendants to her husband's family. If she hadn't married into the family and become a widow, why would she have brought Hengzhi and the other three maids with her? After Jiang Xingjian returned to the mansion, one chaotic event after another occurred, leaving her no time to deal with these matters.

When others offered no hope, she decided to forge her own path.

She was worried about having too many people around her.

After handing the indenture and silver notes to the two women, Song Wan looked at the Hengzhi sisters. Hengzhi smiled and said, "Hengwu and I have neither parents nor marriages, so where can you send us, Miss?"

"That's right, no matter what I do for the Marquis, I will never leave Miss." Hengwu gritted her teeth, her charming face showing an unusually firm expression.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before finally nodding.

The two of them had nowhere to go, and even if they were released from the manor, she would not feel at ease.

The young ladies and nannies in the room were heartbroken, but Song Wan stubbornly insisted on keeping the conversation going, refusing to let the three of them stay.

The next morning, just after seeing off Granny Zhao, Song Wan heard from Hengzhi that Baozhu from the old lady's room had come looking for her and Jiang Xingjian.

She lowered her head, knowing why.

Before Jiang Xingjian returned to the manor, the old lady truly doted on her. However, no matter what, she could not surpass the status of someone else's own grandson. Therefore, now the entire manor naturally prioritizes Jiang Xingjian in all matters.

In the past, she was a widow, and she didn't have to worry about the century-old foundation of the Marquis's mansion. But now it's different. Jiang's mother and Lin Jiayue can't shoulder the burden of the Marquis's mansion. In order to avoid future troubles, the old lady will definitely do everything she can to make her take over the power to manage the household.

Composing herself, Song Wan turned and returned to Lan Courtyard.

Seeing that the old lady needed to change her clothes, she walked to the mahogany wardrobe and stared blankly at the mahogany carved begonia-shaped cabinet with silver legs.

When she came out of the courtyard again, Jiang Xingjian was standing there waiting for her. Song Wan stepped forward and bowed, saying softly as usual, "Husband, please go first."

Jiang Xingjian's expression was solemn. He did not wait for her as usual, and even deliberately quickened his pace.

Upon arriving at Fuhe Hall, Old Madam Jiang bowed deeply, eager to see the two. Jiang Xingjian quickly stepped forward and firmly grasped her hand. Old Madam Jiang craned her neck to look and saw the ambiguous red marks under his ears, which reassured her.

"Wan'er".

"Wan'er is here."

Song Wan approached Madam Jiang, who said, "When a man gets older... his temperament becomes more settled. Once you two have a child, Xingjian will completely change his ways."

"The Marquis's mansion will ultimately belong to both of you... Please help your grandmother protect it well."

Jiang Xingjian said, "Grandmother, there is no need to worry. I have already written to my elder sister and asked her to select a female official from the palace who has reached the age to return home. From now on, the female official will take care of everything in the mansion."

"Wan'er... Wan'er, why..."

Old Madam Jiang was breathing heavily, and Song Wan quickly reached out to support her.

The back of her outstretched hand was purplish-red, as if it had been injured by a heavy object. Jiang Xingjian frowned and clenched his fist in his palm, but Song Wan gently withdrew it.

"It was Wan'er who accidentally injured her right hand. My husband felt sorry for her, so he asked the Empress to recommend a female official in the palace. Grandmother, please don't worry."

She spoke gently, but Jiang Xingjian's eyes were filled with dark clouds and rage.

Tears welled in Old Madam Jiang's eyes, finally giving up the idea of ​​letting Song Wan manage the household again.

Back then, she was just a young girl, barely out of her teens, yet she dared to marry into the Marquis's mansion carrying a memorial tablet. This showed that Song Wan was a woman of strong character. At that time, she felt only regret for her grandson, who couldn't grow old with such a wonderful girl and stay together for life.

Now, Song Wan remains unchanged, but her grandson will never find such a good girl again.

She would rather be so ruthless to herself than give the Marquis's mansion even the slightest chance. Wan'er hates them to the core!