Binding Spring Love

Hengwu bit her lip and angrily ran to the small kitchen. She returned shortly afterward with two maids.

"Miss, I've asked around, and it was these two little maids who caused all this trouble."

Seeing that Song Wan was about to handle matters in the courtyard, the physician pointed to the young apprentice to brew the medicine and then withdrew.

The two maids trembled with fear and knelt on the ground, crying, "Madam, we didn't mean to. Huan'er had a scalp sore and picked some goji berries to treat it. Who knew she would take them to the kitchen?"

"This thing looks very similar to scallions. I had never seen it before and mistakenly added it to Madam's meal. But I absolutely did not intend to poison you."

The two young maids were only teenagers and were the lowest-ranking servants in the courtyard. They were trembling with fear after what happened.

The two men knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, and soon a large patch of blood appeared on their heads.

"Get up. Let's leave it at that for today. From now on, you two will go to the yard to do sweeping and cleaning. Don't go into the kitchen."

She waved for the two to leave, then clutched her abdomen, enduring the pain.

Hengwu cried and said, "Miss, it's all my fault. I didn't manage the small kitchen well."

Song Wan shook her head: "It has nothing to do with you. The shortage of manpower in the hospital is not your fault."

The small kitchen was originally managed by Granny Zhao. After she sent Granny Zhao, along with Xiangcao and Luzhu, out of the mansion, there were not enough people in the courtyard. Moreover, Lin Jiayue had previously sold off many servants, which caused various courtyards to be short-handed and quite chaotic.

Furthermore, her mind hasn't been on Lantingyuan lately, so it's normal for her to make mistakes.

A little pain on the left or right side of the abdomen is nothing to worry about.

The only problem is that today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and she doesn't know if this will cause any delays.

"Help me up, let me comb my hair and do my makeup first."

"Miss……"

Hengzhi helped Song Wan up and took a soft handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead: "Miss, your condition hasn't improved even after taking the physician's medicine. What should we do?"

"It's alright, I can bear it."

The Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns were traditionally lit by the Emperor himself, to pray for peace and prosperity for the people. However, since Emperor Wenhui ascended the throne, the task of lighting the lanterns had been entrusted to the princes. This was one of the most important festivals of the year, and if Song Wan, as the wife of the Marquis of Chengyang, did not appear, it would surely cause controversy.

That's not the most important thing. What's more important is that she wants to take advantage of this grand banquet to see Song Fu. She has something to say to her brother.

Song Wan sat on the dressing stool and had Hengzhi help her with her makeup.

Hengzhi took a flower ornament and placed it on her forehead, but it was soon stained with cold sweat.

"Miss, this really won't do."

Who gets more and more in pain after taking medicine? At this moment, Song Wan was so weak that she could not sit up straight, not to mention her inner shirt which was soaked with sweat.

Autumn is already cool, and you'll definitely catch a cold if you go out.

Hengwu was pacing anxiously, just as Jiang Xingjian walked in from outside. As soon as he entered, he saw Song Wan with pale lips, looking extremely haggard and in pain.

Jiang Xingjian frowned: "The physician said you accidentally ingested poison. Are you feeling better now?"

"Thank you for your concern, husband. I feel much better after taking the medicine."

"He doesn't look much better."

Stepping forward and placing the rouge from Song Wan's hand on the dressing table, Jiang Xingjian said, "You should stay at home and recover. Don't go out today. It's a small matter if you're in such a state, harming your health is minor, but it would be a big deal if you were to be disrespectful to the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan lowered her eyes and remained silent.

It's understandable that Jiang Xingjian was worried that she might misbehave in front of the emperor. The Chengyang Marquis's mansion has been embroiled in one scandal after another recently, more dramatic than a traditional opera. He must be afraid that something else might go wrong.

Although she wanted to see Song Fu, Jiang Xingjian had already said so, and if she insisted on going, it would seem as if she had ulterior motives.

"Then I'll trouble you, my husband, to convey a message to the ladies: I am unwell and truly cannot go."

"I know, you should get some rest."

After saying that, Jiang Xingjian turned around and went to Xiuyan Pavilion.

Inside the Embroidered Pavilion, Lin Jiayue frowned as she looked at the dresses sent from the embroidery workshop.

This vibrant green color made her look like a wild onion come to life, which was really hard to like. If she hadn't been planning to publicly display her affection for Jiang Xingjian today and solidify his reputation for favoring his concubine over his wife, she would never have worn it.

Just as Lin Jiayue reluctantly put on the new dress, she saw Jiang Xingjian silently enter the room.

"Brother Xingjian."

She stood in front of Jiang Xingjian, holding the hem of her skirt, a sweet smile on her face: "Yue'er, isn't this dress beautiful?"

"Pleasing to the eye".

Jiang Xingjian sat on a mahogany armchair, carefully examining Lin Jiayue.

After a long while, he said, "There must be many people admiring the lanterns at Dongzhimen today. If we go too late, we might not be able to get in the carriage. If you get ready, the two of us can go ahead first."

Two people?

Lin Jiayue blinked: "Isn't Grandma going?"

"She ate something by mistake and can't go today."

After Jiang Xingjian finished speaking, he asked Lin Jiayue if they could set off. Lin Jiayue nodded blankly, but her heart was filled with panic.

In the past, she disliked Song Wan and thought that the other party was bad in every way. But times have changed, and now she has to admit that although Song Wan is aloof and cold to the point of being annoying, she is also exceptionally intelligent and resourceful.

Therefore, she simply did not believe that Song Wan, with her cautious nature, would eat the wrong thing on such an important day.

Lin Jiayue lowered her eyes, concealing the worry within them.

After thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "I'm all packed up. Let's go, Xingjian."

Lin Jiayue walked behind Jiang Xingjian, her expression growing increasingly solemn as she watched his back. Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, she reached her hand above her head and pressed her palm hard against the hairpin.

"Brother Xingjian, help me up."

The two walked to the sedan chair in the inner courtyard, and Lin Jiayue smiled and extended her hand.

Jiang Xingjian took her hand, preparing to help her into the sedan chair, but as soon as he turned around, he frowned and said, "Your skirt is dirty."

"Um?"

Lin Jiayue asked, puzzled, "Where?"

Jiang Xingjian's expression was grim, and he gestured with his eyes to indicate the spot that was stained.

"Ah... I've started my menstrual cycle."

Reaching behind her, Lin Jiayue quickly showed Jiang Xingjian the bloodstains on her hand: "I'm going to change my clothes."

"No need, you should rest well at home."

"Brother Xingjian, are you angry? Yue'er will be changed soon, wait for me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xingjian strode out of the inner courtyard.

Seeing him come out alone, Songyan approached him and asked, "Master, what happened today...?"

"The plan has changed. Let's cancel the archer and send him back."

Songyan nodded: "I understand."

Jiang Xingjian then asked, "Is everything else ready?"

"Everything is ready, and the guardrail has been moved outwards by several feet. It will not harm innocent civilians."

Jiang Xingjian nodded and mounted his horse.

Whether the victor is king or the vanquished is a matter of fate; we'll see what happens during today's lamp-lighting