Chapter 7
Eliminate

He raised his hand and pressed his brow, his ten fingers distinct and slender, as long as jade. The young servant looked on with secret envy.

Just by looking at his hands, one could see the elegance and nobility of this person.

“How do you plan to repay me?” Jiang Yan leaned back, his tone carrying a hint of laziness. He didn’t even look at the young servant, but his gaze repeatedly swept over that pure white figure.

“Replying to Second Master, this humble servant only knows that in the past six years, you have managed the Marquis’ residence with hard work, if not merit. Why should the First Master easily pick up the title upon his return? For these years, it was clearly you who supported the residence. Now that the title is about to be conferred, it is truly a pity that First Master has suddenly intervened.”

Jiang Yan lazily chuckled, “You just think that I have a better chance of rising to power after managing the Marquis’ residence for six years compared to my elder brother. There’s no need to make it sound so grandiose.”

Seeing that unsightly oiled paper again, Jiang Yan seemed unable to bear it. He extended two fingers and pulled out the handkerchief, which still carried a faint scent of cold plum blossoms.

“As expected of Second Master, your actions are truly swift and decisive.'”

Jiang Yan ignored his empty words and flattery, carefully placing the handkerchief aside.

“Speak directly. I don’t have time to waste with you.”

Seeing Jiang Yan’s impatience, he hurriedly said, “This humble servant has thought it over. First Master will soon submit a memorial to inherit the title upon his return to the residence. He is the legitimate heir of the Marquis’ residence, so it is only right for him to inherit the title. However, this humble servant cannot stand this injustice and has come up with a way to prevent him from successfully inheriting the title.”

“Everyone knows that the Young Madam was personally raised by her aunt, Consort Yun. Over the years, Consort Yun has been the one who cares most for the Young Madam. Now that Consort Yun is highly favored, this humble servant thinks that if something were to happen to the Young Madam in the residence, First Master would inevitably be implicated.”

Jiang Yan looked up, unable to suppress a mocking smile, “Continue.”

“I think if Young Madam is discovered having an affair and is subsequently punished, it might provoke Consort Yun’s anger.”

“If Consort Yun later finds out that First Master orchestrated all these events to make room for the girl he brought back to the mansion, what do you think will happen, Second Master?”

“Let me guess?” Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly as if he was really contemplating the scene of Consort Yun’s anger and punishment of Jiang Xingjian.

The servant’s face was full of joy, as if he had already seen himself calling the shots and becoming the first person besides the Marquis of Chengyang.

“You seem quite eager. Which family are you from?” Jiang Yan stood up, picked up the plain handkerchief on the table, and walked to the washstand, gently rubbing and washing it. The servant looked puzzled but still said, “I am not a servant born in this mansion. I was bought by the chief steward two years ago. I usually serve in the attendants’ quarters and am quite familiar with the other servants in the various courtyards.”

After washing the handkerchief, Jiang Yan took down all the famous calligraphy and paintings from the pen rack and hung the handkerchief up to dry.

“What is your relationship with the fourth-class maid from today?”

The servant replied, “She is my sister. The chief steward is kind-hearted and allows us to enter the mansion together so we can look out for each other.”

Jiang Yan bent down slightly, smoothing out the wrinkles on the handkerchief bit by bit. When there was not a single crease left, he stood up. He walked to the treasure cabinet, took down a bronze incense burner the size of a football, and smashed it hard on the back of the servant’s head.

With a loud thud, the servant fell to the ground, lifeless.

Throwing the bronze incense burner on the ground, Jiang Yan called Qing Zhai in.

“Second…” Seeing a pool of blood spreading on the ground, Qing Zhai was scared out of her wits, but she didn’t dare to scream, only covering her mouth tightly.

Jiang Yan washed his hands and said, “Handle it carefully. There is still a fourth-class maid in the Old Madam’s courtyard who is related to him. Find an excuse to sell her off.”

“Yes… yes, master.”

Qing Zhai took a soft cushion from the room and wiped the bloodstains off the ground. Jiang Yan seemed completely unconcerned about the dead body in the study. He just took the handkerchief from the pen rack, carefully folded it, and held it in his palm.

Returning to the bedroom, Jiang Yan took out a white jade box from the bottom layer of the bookcase and placed the handkerchief inside.

No one knew what Jiang Yan was thinking. Yuling Studio was as quiet as ever, but Lan Ting Courtyard was quite lively tonight.

Red wedding candles, red wedding quilts embroidered with mandarin ducks, pomegranate red curtains, red porcelains, and even silver basins and buckets tied with red silk were continuously sent into Lan Ting Courtyard.

Song Wan looked at the main hall filled with items, her face expressionless, instructing Heng Zhi and Heng Wu, as well as Xiang Cao and Lv Zhu, to move them into the room.

Except for Nanny Zhao, none of the master and servants in Lan Ting Courtyard showed any joy on their faces.

“Miss, this quilt…”

Song Wan touched Jin Si Hu lying on its back and said indifferently, “No need to change it; just store it in the kitchen.”

“Miss.”

Nanny Zhao held the wedding quilt and frowned, “Today is your wedding night with the first master. How can you not change the wedding quilt? If he sees it later, he might think you are dissatisfied with him.”

After saying that, she went to the bed to arrange things by herself.

Song Wan guessed that Jiang Xingjian would not come tonight, so she didn’t bother to dampen the nanny’s enthusiasm.

The maid in the room saw that her mistress did not speak, so she followed Nanny Zhao’s instructions and moved the red bedding into the inner hall. As she was walking into the room, she ran into Jiang Xingjian.

A room full of maids and nannies stepped forward to greet him, but Song Wan, holding the listless Jin Si Hu, remained motionless on the beauty couch.

“Master…” Holding the red quilt, the little maid saw the room lit with wedding candles mixed with floral fragrance. Jiang Xingjian turned to look at Song Wan, only to see her sitting quietly in a moon-white gauze robe, showing no intention of sharing the bed with him. His eyes darkened, and suspicion arose in his heart. He lightly lifted his robe and sat in front of Song Wan, frowning as if he wanted to say something. But whether it was the room full of red silk creating an ambiguous atmosphere or the warm fragrance of the wedding candles making him dazed, the words he wanted to say suddenly stopped at his lips.

He sat too close, his tall and imposing figure creating a strong sense of oppression, causing Song Wan to unconsciously hold Jin Si Hu tighter. Her cheeks gradually flushed, and her fair neck showed a faint cherry pink.

This shy and charming appearance stirred Jiang Xingjian’s heart. He suddenly remembered the day he left six years ago when he invited her to see him off in his mother’s name. Before leaving, he gently placed a white jade plum blossom hairpin he had carved himself on her head.

At that time, Song Wan was also like this: her face was shy, but she still adhered to etiquette and did not dare to get close to him.

In his impression, she was both obedient and somewhat stubborn, like a child who wanted candy but was too ashamed to ask.

Jin Si Hu was held tightly, whimpering in protest. Song Wan, feeling sorry, quickly placed it on the bed.

Jiang Xingjian looked at the embroidered cat nest beside the pillow and frowned deeply.

“Does it sleep here?”

Song Wan stood up and moved away from Jiang Xingjian, speaking indifferently, “Do you have something to say to me, husband?”

Jiang Xingjian replied, “This is my room. Can’t I come here?”

Seeing that Song Wan did not answer, he restrained his expression and said seriously, “I do have something to discuss with you.”

“Jiauye doesn’t understand the etiquette of the Marquis’s mansion, nor does she know the usual manners. If you have nothing else to do, why not teach her the rules of conduct?”