Binding Spring Love

Song Yuning was anxiously waiting in the palace, with Shen Qianbai sitting upright beside her.

Upon seeing Song Wan, the two of them stood up at the same time.

"Wan'er".

Song Yuning walked up to Song Wan and, before she could even curtsy, grabbed her and pressed her down: "Why are you dressed so plainly? Didn't your aunt give you a lot of jewelry and ornaments last time? Don't you like any of them?"

"Caiji, go to my dressing case and bring me that precious flower-shaped hairpin and the gilded flower crown..."

"And the palace gowns that were made yesterday, send them over as well."

Song Yuning stroked Song Wan's cheek, feeling extremely distressed.

Even in the palace, she heard the rampant rumors. The thought of the girl she had raised since childhood being bullied like this in the Marquis's mansion made Song Yun Ning's heart ache.

"Bai'er, come here and pay your respects to your elder sister."

"aunt."

Song Wan hurriedly pulled her hand away and hastily curtsied to greet the Third Prince.

"Sister, don't be so polite. We're all family. Such formalities only alienate us."

Although Shen Qianbai is not yet ten years old, he is very intelligent and quick-witted, and knows how to behave appropriately.

He helped Song Wanxu up and said with a smile, "If I accept this bow from my elder sister, I'm afraid I'll get a slap on the hand from my mother."

"You brat."

Touching the Third Prince's cheek, Song Yun Ning pushed Shen Qian Bai, urging him to find somewhere to play.

"Bai'er is cheerful and respectful to her aunt, much like her older brother when he was young."

"If only I could be as carefree as your elder brother."

Song Yuning led Song Wan to the dressing table, removed the hair ornament from her head, and then personally put the flower crown that Caiji had given her on her head.

Looking at Song Wan in the bronze mirror, her eyes suddenly reddened: "Your aunt forbade you to marry, but you insisted on marrying her. Do you regret it now?"

No regrets.

Song Wan smiled, her eyes filled with a coquettishness and tenderness that only appeared when she saw Song Yun Ning.

"The most useless thing in this world is regret. Wan'er never looks back, only plans for the future."

"And with her aunt protecting her, Wan'er has nothing to fear."

Upon hearing this, Song Yun Ning forced a smile and said, "If your aunt could protect you, you wouldn't still be wasting your time in the Marquis's mansion."

Knowing each other's difficulties, and not wanting to upset their loved ones, they could only swallow their bitterness.

Together with Caiji, Song Yuning helped Song Wan change into her palace attire. Song Yuning sighed, "What exactly happened when Lord Yin went to the Marquis's residence that day? How could he suddenly die? I heard from the palace eunuchs that when he was found, it was as if something had drained his life force, and he lost all his blood and energy overnight. His body was dry and shriveled, completely different from what it was like during the day."

Song Wan looked up in surprise, seemingly not expecting such a strange thing to happen.

She lowered her eyes and remained silent. Seeing this, Consort Yun dismissed everyone around her.

After recounting Duan Yiting's actions on the day he arrived at the Marquis's residence, and how she had soaked her shawl in safflower water, Song Wan finished speaking with considerable worry: "I wonder if it was because of me..."

"laugh."

Song Yunning sneered: "If you could bring Master Yin to such a state with just these tricks, he would have died countless times over the years. Don't be afraid, it has nothing to do with you."

"According to you, nothing unusual happened that day. It seems he was ambushed somewhere by someone. I wonder who was responsible for such a terrible scene."

Gently patting Song Wan's hand, Song Yun Ning said with worry in her eyes, "Even in the palace, everyone is on edge. How can your aunt be at ease knowing you're so far away in the Marquis's residence?"

"Wan'er has her own way of protecting herself, so Aunt, don't worry about her. On the contrary, Consort Jiang is becoming more and more favored, and sometimes she can even overshadow the Empress. Now that the situation has changed, we don't know how she will deal with you."

"You don't need to worry about things in the palace. Just take care of yourself."

After dressing Song Wan up again, the young girl now had rosy lips and bright eyes, looking more than a hundred times more beautiful than when she first arrived. Song Yun Ning felt a little better and pulled her out of Changxin Palace.

"Jiang Man couldn't defeat me in the palace, so she thought of extending her reach back to the Marquis's mansion to torment you. Wan'er, just watch how your aunt will help you vent your anger today."

Song Wan obediently followed behind her, and upon hearing this, she did not offer any words of comfort, letting Consort Yun vent her anger.

The Imperial Garden was filled with the fragrance of pink and white flowers. Not only were all the concubines of the six palaces present, but also the matriarchs of slightly higher-ranking families in the capital and young ladies of noble families were all dressed in their finest attire. It would not be an exaggeration to say that a hundred flowers were vying for attention.

As soon as Song Yuning entered, many people surrounded her to pay their respects and bow.

Jiang Man sat to the left of the Empress, coldly watching the two of them.

"Did Consort Jiang arrive so early?"

After paying her respects to the Empress and the other consorts, Song Wan approached Jiang Man and said, "This humble woman greets Consort Jiang."

Song Wan stood behind Consort Yun and bowed to Consort Jiang with a smile.

"Wan'er, why are you only arriving now? I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Jiang Fei affectionately pulled the person to her side and said with a smile, "You haven't been to the palace for a long time. It's harder for your elder sister to see you than to see the Emperor. Fortunately, you look well now, so your elder sister is relieved."

Consort Jiang had a palace maid bring an embroidered stool to her side, and with a friendly smile, invited Song Wan to sit down.

Song Yuning smiled brightly: "Consort Jiang still loves you much more than I, her own aunt. Even though you didn't pay your respects to Consort Jiang after entering the palace, she never complained about it."

"I know you are in poor health, and I don't want you to worry about the many things in the Marquis's mansion. Your concubines manage the business outside the mansion, and palace ladies-in-waiting take care of the inner quarters. Even I, your own aunt, cannot do this."

"Quickly, why don't you thank Consort Jiang? You've been married into the Marquis's household for so long and haven't even offered her tea. You truly have no manners."

A soft cushion was brought over by Caiji, and Song Yuning took it with a half-smile and tossed it in front of Consort Jiang.

Song Wan gracefully knelt down, lifting her skirt. Caiji then offered her a cup of tea: "Wan'er greets Consort Jiang, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings..."

Jiang Man's face was gloomy as she stared at the tea in front of Song Wanju for a long time without touching it.

The people around seemed to be busy with their own things, but they were all secretly watching this side.

When Song Wan knelt before Consort Jiang, several women from high-ranking families secretly thought that Consort Jiang was young, impetuous, and lacked composure.

Having only lost a few times to Song Yunning, he couldn't even be bothered to save face. To force someone to offer his sister-in-law tea, which should have been served six years ago, in such a setting was utterly foolish.

Then, considering that she was a married woman who had interfered in the affairs of the Marquis's household, they all felt disdain.

Jiang Man smiled awkwardly and took a sip.

"Aren't you going to help Lady Chengyang to her feet?"

Caiji helped Song Wan up, and Song Yuning sighed softly: "Consort Jiang loves Marquis Chengyang so much that she extends that love to him as well. Not to mention you, she treats even that promiscuous concubine in the manor with exceptional kindness. Not only did she not blame her for disgracing all women, but she also gave her money to open a shop."

"If His Majesty knew, he would surely be pleased that Consort Jiang was approachable and shared joy with the people."

Jiang Man narrowed her eyes, her displeasure evident.

It is not proper for imperial concubines to interfere in the affairs of merchants, and she had no way to defend herself.

Song Yunning continued to sigh, "It is said that the woman is quite skilled in some magical arts, which is why she is highly regarded by Consort Jiang and the Marquis. The things she makes are also of excellent quality."

"Making ice in the summer is one thing, but the things from Huanyanzhai are truly amazing. It's just that I heard they're not easy to get. No matter if you're from a royal family or a noble family, even if you bring money to their door, you might not be able to buy them."

Jiang Man's face gradually darkened: "If Consort Yun likes it, what's wrong with me giving you a set?"

Song Yuning said, "How can I take Consort Jiang's things for nothing? Besides, the Empress, Consort De, and Consort Xian are all here. How can I possibly bypass these ladies and take them all for myself?"

Jiang Man clenched her fists and forced a laugh: "What treasure in the world is there that Her Majesty the Empress cannot obtain? Huanyanzhai is just a small rouge shop, not worth the attention of the ladies. But since Consort Yun brought it up today, I will have some sent to a few ladies tomorrow so they can admire them."

"Thank you, Consort Jiang."

With a smile in her eyes, Song Yuning said to Song Wan, "Look, look, Consort Jiang has always been a cheerful person, and I really like her personality."

"The Marquis of Chengyang must have also received the true teachings of Consort Jiang. He suffered for six years on the frontier, barely escaping with his life. After returning to the capital, he could have stood out from the crowd, but he humbled himself and practiced martial arts every day. Now, he has finally seized the opportunity to rise up and went to the Divine Pivot Camp."

"Even with such a winding and circuitous path, he never showed any sign of difficulty. Your aunt is truly happy for you to have such a husband."

With a soft chuckle, someone burst out laughing. Seeing that the two had almost finished arguing, the Empress gently invited everyone to take their seats.