Chapter 33
Ambition

Song Wan’s words moved Madam Sun, but she still had concerns and spoke cautiously.

Song Wan also knew that marriage could not be settled in a day or two, so she mentioned a few points and then talked about other things. During this time, she also discussed needlework and musical skills with Miss Sun and then bid farewell to both of them.

Seeing that she was about to leave, Jiang Yan left early, leaving only Xiao Jiye in the guest room.

Today, it was unclear which lady’s carriage was blocking the road at the foot of the mountain, causing the Marquis’ carriage to be stuck for half a day. Feeling hot, Song Wan half-opened the curtain of the carriage to get some air.

While contemplating the marriage with the Sun family, she noticed a man in the shadows of the back mountain of Zhizhong Temple, staring at her intently.

The man stood in the shade, and although his face was not visible, his tall figure was noticeable. Through the dappled light and shadow of the trees, a pair of deep, dark eyes could be seen.

With just a moment of eye contact, Song Wan frowned.

The gaze was too intense, with an underlying scrutiny and sharpness that made her uncomfortable. She furrowed her brows and lowered the curtain.

Xiao Jiye’s eyes showed amusement, and he smiled indulgently.

After lowering the curtain, Song Wan said to Heng Zhi beside her, “The weather is getting hotter, and the Marquis’ carriage is still using Shu brocade, which is really stifling. Let’s have the household change it to soft gauze, so the masters won’t suffer like I did today.”

Heng Wu, hearing this, put more effort into fanning with the round fan in her hand.

When the group returned to the Marquis’ residence, they were about to report today’s events to the old madam at Fuhe Hall when they saw Jiang Yan coming out. Song Wan greeted him, “It’s a coincidence. I just returned to the residence.”

Jiang Yan asked gently, “Where did you go, sister-in-law?”

“A few days ago, I selected a few families. Today, I visited the wife and daughter of the Grand Academician Sun. Miss Sun is gentle and well-mannered. I think she would be a good match for you.”

Jiang Yan lowered his eyes, “Sister-in-law has a keen eye. The person you choose must be right.”

Song Wan smiled faintly, “Don’t look down on the Sun family’s low status, but…”

“How could I not understand your good intentions, sister-in-law? The Sun family is close to the emperor. Although Sun Zhengchun holds a low position now, it is only temporary. They are much better than the Qi family, who have noble titles but have declined over generations.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes were deep, and he said softly, “Madam Liu is short-sighted. Sister-in-law, don’t take her seriously.”

Song Wan showed a slightly relieved expression upon hearing this, which made Jiang Yan’s heart tighten.

“I trust Sister-in-law completely. In the future, Jiang Xing’s marriage will also need sister-in-law’s help.”

“There’s no need to talk about effort among family. The smoothness of your marriage and the harmony between husband and wife are the main things.”

Jiang Yan’s tone was gentle, “What Sister-in-law hopes for will definitely be achieved.”

His words sounded a bit strange, and Song Wan felt something was off, but she just smiled and excused herself to Fuhe Hall.

Standing behind her, Jiang Yan thought of Xiao Jiye’s words, “A foot of white silk to hang oneself.” He frowned, feeling a sudden pain in his heart.

Song Wan, unaware of Jiang Yan’s thoughts, let it go.

At Fuhe Hall, she briefly told the old madam about the Sun family’s attitude. The old madam valued the Sun family’s real power and saw them as potential support for Jiang Xingjian in the future. She praised Song Wan as a good household manager.

After a few words with the old madam, Song Wan returned to Lan Ting Courtyard. She rarely went out and hadn’t interacted with people for six years. The sudden socializing made her feel exhausted.

“Let the maid inform Xiang Cao to prepare hot water so that Miss can have a good soak and relax.”

Song Wan nodded and was just about to ask Heng Zhi to choose a bottle of magnolia flower dew when she heard a loud commotion coming from Xiu Yan Pavilion. She frowned slightly, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

“Miss…”

“Return to the main courtyard.”

For some reason, ever since Lin Jiayue confidently declared that she would get a divorce, Song Wan had grown tired of pondering the tangled mess between her and Jiang Xingjian.

“Tell me, is it true that noble families never have divorced women?”

The maids and old servants in Xiu Yan Pavilion shrank back in fear as Song Wan walked past, especially when they heard the word “divorce.” They didn’t dare to make a sound, afraid of displeasing Song Wan.

After all, the main wife managed the household, and these servants had to act according to her mood. None of them dared to intervene or speak up; they just stood there like wooden stakes that could only breathe.

Jiang Xingjian was being driven to a splitting headache by Lin Jiayue’s tantrum.

“Jiang Xingjian, you’re lying to me, aren’t you? Everything you said is a lie, isn’t it?”

Jiang Xingjian pressed his temples, feeling troubled.

“You don’t say anything, leaving me to guess on my own. But what can I guess?”

Lin Jiayue’s eyes were red from crying. “You let me fall in love with you, let me come to the capital with you, let Song Wan humiliate me, and you never asked if I was willing. You just made me a lowly concubine…”

“Jiang Xingjian, do you even have a heart?”

“I am an orphan, but you? You were born into a noble family with status and position. In the Marquis’ residence, you have your grandmother, your mother, and even a wife from a prestigious family.”

“But what about me? I only have you. I can only rely on you. But what did you do?”

“You let Song Wan bully me, and not only did you not help me, but you also deceived me with her. Why didn’t you tell me that you and Song Wan could never get a divorce?”

“When did I ever lie to you?”

“Yes, you didn’t lie to me. You just hid the truth and let me guess and imagine on my own. What you did was nothing. You are noble, you are innocent, and the most foolish one is me!”

Lin Jiayue cried hysterically, filled with anger at the injustice of the world, resentment towards Jiang Xingjian, and a bit of unwillingness she didn’t want to admit.

Jiang Xingjian frowned, not knowing how to explain.

When he was with Song Wan, he didn’t need to explain everything he said and thought. But Lin Jiayue… she couldn’t see the situation clearly, nor did she understand his intentions. Her entire mind was focused on romantic feelings, which left him feeling inexplicable.

After thinking for a long time, Jiang Xingjian said, “I didn’t want to tell you this to prevent you from getting entangled in these matters in the future. I’ll make it clear today.”

He briefly mentioned the connections and conflicts between the third and fifth princes and the Jiang and Song families. Jiang Xingjian said, “In the future, one of the Jiang and Song families will be harmed. Regardless of who wins or loses between the third and fifth factions, Song Wan and I…”

Jiang Xingjian felt a sharp pain in his heart. “It’s absolutely impossible.”

Lin Jiayue didn’t notice his expression and instead showed a hint of excitement.

“The Marquis’ residence is going to participate in the struggle for the throne? I see.”

Lin Jiayue wiped away her tears, her eyes full of ambition. “As long as the Marquis’ residence wins, Song Wan and the Song family…”

“Brother Xingjian.”

Lin Jiayue smiled charmingly. “I understand everything you said. Don’t worry, I will help you.”