Binding Spring Love

Upon learning that Jiang Xingjian had saved his eldest son, Song Fu felt as if the river in the Chengyang Marquis's mansion had burst and the fish were rotten, and there wasn't a single good piece of wood left to be found from top to bottom.

He was already worried about Song Wan's situation, and now he has completely given up any hope that Jiang Xingjian will see the error of his ways.

Jiang Xingjian was even capable of protecting his eldest son, which suggests that he had long harbored thoughts of breaking with the Song family.

In any case, he didn't want Wan'er to stay in the Marquis's mansion any longer.

Previously, Jiang Xingjian had repeatedly humiliated the Song family, causing Wan'er to lose face. He wanted to take Song Wan away from the Marquis's mansion at all costs. If his father hadn't come to the door and Jiang Xingjian had sworn oaths in every way, how could he have let the matter go so easily?

Suppressing his anger, Song Fu hurriedly went to the study in the mansion to find Song Lan'an.

Song Lan'an was handling official business when he saw him enter and leisurely put down the folding book in his hand.

"What is it?"

Song Fu asked, "Does Father know that Jiang Xingjian and that concubine have a son born out of wedlock, and that they intend to have him?"

"This child will never be born; you are overthinking it."

"Why is Father so certain? What if he insists on keeping the pregnancy?"

Song Lan'an's face darkened: "Even if Jiang Xingjian wanted to protect him, that person in the palace wouldn't let him stay. You're so impetuous these days, how can you not even see through such a small matter?"

"You should focus more on your career advancement, rather than paying too much attention to matters within the Marquis's household."

Upon hearing this, Song Fu pursed his lips, feeling disappointed.

When he learned that Jiang Xingjian had died on the border, he asked his father to cancel the marriage with the Marquis of Chengyang, but his father refused, citing his mother's dying wish.

It was from that time that Song Fufang learned that Wan'er could not withstand her father's ambition and the importance of official title and prestige.

Song Fu's face darkened, and after a moment he said, "Neither Jiang Man nor Jiang Xingjian takes the Song family seriously. They have repeatedly disregarded Wan'er's reputation and life. What use is such a marriage alliance? Moreover, the situation in the palace has changed, and everyone knows that Wan'er is my aunt's weakness. If in the future..."

Raising her hand to interrupt Song Fu, Song Lan'an's eyes darkened: "You keep mentioning Wan'er, but how come Wan'er is your sister, while Song Yao and Song Nian aren't?"

"Where have you placed the entire Song family, including Song Ni and Song Zhao from the second and third branches, as well as the children of your cousins?"

"For the sake of my daughter, Song Lan'an, you've ruined the reputation of nearly a hundred daughters across generations of the clan. How do you think outsiders will view me, the head of the Song clan?"

Upon hearing this, Song Fu said, "It would be inappropriate for my Song family to destroy the good relations between the two families without cause, but now that the Marquis's family has been rude and unrestrained, if my Song family were to stand idly by and ignore it, wouldn't that further damage the integrity of the Song family?"

"If this precedent is set, wouldn't it be tantamount to telling the world that the daughters of the Song family can be bullied at will after marriage?"

Song Lan'an asked, "Then, in your opinion, what should be done with Wan'er?"

"I wish to gather the relatives of both families to witness Jiang Xingjian writing a letter of divorce."

Song Lan'an looked at Song Fu without saying a word.

"With the Crown Prince awakened, the situation in the palace has changed. Although the Fifth Prince is not yet a child, Consort Jiang is ambitious and will surely make a move. Father has been delaying the affairs of the Marquis's residence. Is he trying to get Consort Jiang or Jiang Xingjian to take action against Wan'er, thereby showing the world that Consort Jiang is ruthless and morally flawed, even capable of harming her brother's wife?"

"So, the Song family can become invincible without lifting a finger?"

Once Consort Jiang resorts to such despicable means, she will surely lose the hearts of the people. If Father wants to win without a fight, he might even push things along and personally force Consort Jiang to take action against Wan'er.

Whenever Song Fu thought of this, he felt an overwhelming sense of indignation and wished he could immediately bring Song Wan back to his residence.

Seeing her eldest son's harsh words, Song Lan'an narrowed her eyes slightly: "Is this how you speak to your father? Have you forgotten everything you've learned from the classics?"

"Or do you think that by entering the Ministry of Personnel and becoming a fifth-rank official, you can distance yourself from the Song clan and establish your own independent faction?"

"I wouldn't dare."

"Don't dare? I think you're quite bold."

Song Lan'an scoffed, "A mere fifth-rank official like you dare to be so arrogant and defiant, even challenging your father? Do you think this position was given to you for nothing?"

"If you weren't from the Song family, how would you have ended up in this position?"

Song Fudao asked, "Father, do you mean this position of physician is arranged by the clan?"

Song Lan'an snorted coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"It's not difficult to get Wan'er to leave the Marquis's mansion."

Closing the memorials before him one by one, Song Lan'an stood up: "As Wan'er's father and the head of the Song clan, how can I implicate the Song clan for my own selfish reasons? Your thinking of me truly disappoints your father."

"Furthermore, as the eldest son of the Song family, the responsibility of this clan will be entrusted to you in the future. If Wan'er returns home now, how will you conduct yourself? And how can your marriage be considered suitable for a woman from a high-ranking family?"

"You will be taking over as the clan leader in the future, and you will need to support the family. Therefore, the next matriarch of the Song family must come from a humble background."

"Do you think your father doesn't consider these things?"

Song Fu lowered his eyes, unsure whether his father truly meant it or was using Wan'er to control him regarding his marriage.

He stood with his hands hanging down, letting Song Lan'an do as he pleased.

Song Lan'an said calmly, "I already have someone in mind for your marriage. Once the two families have settled things and the Song family has no more worries, then we can discuss everything else."

"I wonder which residence Father prefers?"

"What do you think of the ninth young lady, the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Duke of England's family?"

Song Fu raised his eyes to look at Song Lan'an, and after a long while, nodded slightly: "Father, please make the decision."

The Duke of Yingguo was originally the son of the Duke of Qi. Both father and son perished in the great war against Nanqing forty years ago. The Duke of Yingguo's wife is the current emperor's paternal aunt, the Grand Princess Yihe.

The Grand Princess had two sons and one daughter. The Ninth Miss was born to the Second Prince. However, the Second Prince died young, and the Ninth Miss's mother committed suicide out of grief. Therefore, the Ninth Miss of the Duke of Ying's mansion was raised in the Grand Princess's room.

Rumors circulated in the capital that the Ninth Miss was greatly favored by the Grand Princess, and that her maternal uncle, Yan Tongfu, the Vice Minister of War, also doted on her immensely.

Such a status was far beyond what the Song family could match, yet no one in the capital had ever seen this Ninth Miss. It was said that she suffered from a speech impediment and spoke with difficulty. The Grand Princess, not wanting her to be ridiculed, never allowed her to go out to receive guests.

No matter how good a woman's background is, it is impossible for her to become the mistress of a household. However, the Grand Princess is domineering and has extremely high standards, and very few young men from noble families in the capital can catch her eye.

Not to mention the pampered rich kids and illegitimate children.

It must have taken considerable effort for my father to connect with the Grand Princess and arrange this marriage.

Song Fu lowered his eyes to conceal his expression: "My marriage is already arranged. Can Wan'er be brought back to the manor? If it is inconvenient here, I can arrange for her to stay elsewhere."

Song Lan'an smiled faintly: "After your wedding, you will be able to stand on your own and handle these small matters by yourself."