Binding Spring Love

Hengzhi took the basin of ashes out and cleaned it up, while Song Wan sat on the embroidered stool, silently considering matters in the palace.

Whether the Crown Prince's awakening is a sign of improved health or a final burst of energy before death remains unknown. If it is a final burst of energy followed by a sudden death, there will undoubtedly be a power struggle within the palace. If his health has improved, who knows what kind of trouble will ensue? The First Prince has the Empress and her maternal family backing him up, and his wife also comes from a prestigious and illustrious family.

However, the eldest prince himself is not a reliable figure, but even so, the two clans behind him will push him to compete for power.

Whether the crown prince lives or dies, the third and fifth princes will also be thrust into the spotlight.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and touched the table in front of her, then said, "Hengzhi, go and get my dowry list."

Previously, when she acquired the shops in the capital, she had sent everything that could be converted into cash to Song Fu. Now, there were still some items that were difficult to move, which were those bestowed upon her by her aunt in the palace.

Among them were countless jewels, jewelry, gold, silver, and valuables, truly priceless. She, of course, would not leave her aunt's possessions to replenish the Marquis's mansion.

"Find an excuse to send the things my aunt gave me little by little to Granny Lang, so she can find a safe estate to store them."

"Miss, what's wrong?"

Song Wan sighed: "No matter what the Crown Prince is like, Consort Jiang and my aunt will both fight. If Jiang Xingjian and I are on good terms, perhaps the Marquis's mansion can still save face and not make an example of me."

"But now, if Consort Jiang falls into a disadvantageous position or wants to suppress my aunt, she will definitely use me as bait."

"Miss, what should we do?"

Hengwu hurriedly knelt in front of Song Wan, holding her hand with a worried expression.

Song Wan gently stroked her hair and smiled softly: "If that day ever comes, I will definitely protect both of you."

She would find a way to send the Hengzhi sisters out of the Marquis's mansion, so that the two could live out the rest of their lives in peace.

Hengzhi, her eyes red, was about to say something more, but Song Wan waved her hand to stop them: "Keep your indentures safe. If in the future... I will give you both my dowry."

"Miss, I don't want to go anywhere. Even if the Marquis's mansion captures me to threaten Your Highness, I will die before you and never let you go alone."

"Pah, pah, pah."

Hengzhi glared at Hengwu angrily, then grabbed her arm and pinched it: "Why are you saying such unlucky things in front of Miss?"

Song Wan gently touched Hengwu's arm with concern and said, "You don't need to worry. We've just prepared for the worst. Although I don't think it will come to that, it's always good to have a backup plan."

Hengzhi and Hengwu knew their young mistress's temperament, so they could only agree with red eyes.

There were still some items brought from the Song family in the room, and the two began to slowly tidy them up.

"Miss, where did you put these books that the Second Master gave you?"

Hengzhi spoke up, and Song Wan then remembered that Jiang Yan had given her something.

She stepped forward and flipped through them, then suddenly exclaimed, "There are two rare copies!"

Hengzhi said, "This Steward Liu is much better than Aunt Liu; he even knows about rare books."

Song Wan nodded: "Second Master's literary talent, knowledge, character and demeanor are all above average among the young masters of noble families. I imagine Steward Liu's standards are not much lower either."

"However, these books will cost quite a bit. Later, find a reason to send two hundred taels of silver to Steward Liu."

The books in her hands were ones she usually liked but had been searching for for a long time, and she didn't know how Steward Liu knew about them.

These books really touched her heart.

Carefully placing it into her collection of rare and unique books, Song Wan locked the box again.

"Miss, what should we do with these things?"

Hengwu pointed to several wooden carvings and white jade hairpins stored in the dressing table, as well as some faded lanterns and bracelets, and asked Song Wan about them. Song Wan glanced at them and held up her finger: "They're all stored in that box in the corner."

The box contained some worthless and difficult-to-dispose-of items, such as the previous gifts from Consort Jiang and some tea bricks and paper brought by Madam Song.

Hengwu casually picked out a wooden box, and with a wave of her hand, she threw all her things inside, tossing them into the corner of the box with a click.

The room instantly felt much cooler, and Song Wan sat on the chaise longue, feeling relaxed.

For some reason, although she knew that she might become a target for Consort Jiang to control the Song family and her aunt, she was not afraid. Instead, she felt a sense of ease and tranquility, as if she was about to be freed.

"Let's go for a walk in the courtyard."

Song Wan changed into a light and simple long dress and went out with Hengzhi and Hengwu.

Perhaps because she was in a good mood today, she didn't feel a ripple in her heart when she saw Lin Jiayue sitting in the courtyard.

Qianbi and Qinghong stood guard beside her. Song Wan only heard Qinghong say, "Why is Aunt still embroidering? Do you know that the Marquis came last night..."

"What are you doing!"

Lin Jiayue suddenly stood up, her temper flaring up abruptly: "Can't you see I'm embroidering here? Why are you constantly muttering and disturbing me? Don't tell me anything, you're bothering me."

After she finished speaking, she noticed that Song Wan was looking at her with some surprise. Lin Jiayue's heart trembled, and she grabbed the bamboo embroidery stand in her hand and walked towards Xiuyan Pavilion.

In a daze, Song Wan saw only a messy embroidery on the stand, not only strange in shape but also strange in color, and she couldn't tell what it was embroidered at all.

Song Wan frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Go ask the old woman on watch what the Marquis did yesterday."

Hengzhi nodded and left, then quickly returned: "The old woman on watch said that yesterday the Marquis drank with the Second Master, and after getting drunk, the Marquis stayed in Huaisu's room."

No wonder she was so out of control.

Song Wan suddenly recalled how Lin Jiayue had loudly proclaimed her desire for a lifelong, monogamous relationship when she first entered the Marquis's mansion. She lowered her eyes and suddenly understood why Aunt Zheng had reacted that way after Aunt Zhou's death.

"Let's go back. We'll be going to the palace to pay our respects to the ladies in a few days, so it's time to prepare gifts for them."

Song Wan lost interest in appreciating the scenery and turned to go back to her room.

On the day she entered the palace, Song Wan asked Hengzhi to help her choose a pale yellow gauze palace dress. She wore a cloud-shaped enamel hair ornament on her head. Her makeup was not particularly extravagant, but it was very elegant.

Today is not the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, so Jiang Xingjian did not accompany us, and Song Wanle was able to enjoy his leisure.

The palace, which used to be solemn and strict, was filled with joy in August. The undercurrents of the past were replaced by happiness and peace.

Before even reaching Changxin Palace, the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted over, which Song Wan found delightful and uplifting.

"The Lady of Chengyang Marquis has arrived."

The young eunuch who delivered the message looked delighted, and Song Wan smiled gently at him. The last time she entered the palace, he had taken her to pay her respects to the Empress in various palaces, and seeing him again now felt very warm.

"Greetings, Father-in-law."

"Madam, please don't stand on ceremony. Her Highness has been waiting for a long time. Please go now."

After saying this, the young eunuch escorted Song Wan into Changxin Palace.