Chapter 35
Assist in managing

After leaving Yanqing Palace, Jiang Xingjian questioned Lin Jiayue about why she acted on her own.

Lin Jiayue laughed and said, “Do you not believe that I can manage the Marquis’ residence well, or do you not believe that I can earn more money for the Marquis’ residence?”

“Didn’t you see the success of the ice shop? Even the Consort believed in me and gave me five thousand taels of silver to open a new shop. What are you worried about?”

Jiang Xingjian’s face was gloomy. “Do you know that taking the Consort’s money means the business must be profitable?”

“How can any business guarantee profitability? The Consort is not unreasonable.”

Holding Jiang Xingjian’s arm, Lin Jiayue sweetly said, “But with me running the business, it will definitely succeed. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Xingjian shook off Lin Jiayue’s hand and walked away quickly.

When Jiang Man first met her, she must have thought Lin Jiayue was clever and smart, just like he did initially. But such cleverness cannot withstand the test of time. In the Marquis’ residence, he could cover for her mistakes, but under royal authority, any slip-up could bring down the entire Marquis’ residence.

Jiang Xingjian’s face looked increasingly troubled as he thought about Consort Jiang’s order for Lin Jiayue to co-manage the Marquis’ residence with Song Wan.

Jiang Man was not only his sister but also the mother of the Fifth Prince. While palace consorts didn’t need to run businesses to earn money, princes needed strong maternal families. Now that Consort Jiang had spoken, managing the household was no longer just a private matter for the Marquis’ residence, and he couldn’t refuse.

Seeing Lin Jiayue holding the five thousand taels of silver, Jiang Xingjian felt even more frustrated.

When they returned to the Marquis’ residence, Lin Jiayue busied herself with planning the business, while Jiang Xingjian, with a cold expression, went to Fuhe Hall.

“Your sister has always been strong-willed. Shu’er is not yet five years old, and she is already moving so quickly. She’s not afraid of overreaching.” The old madam of the Jiang family half-closed her eyes, slowly fiddling with the sandalwood beads in her hand.

Jiang Xingjian knelt beside her and said softly, “The palace is full of dangers. My sister struggles to navigate it. Our family should help if we can, and now that she has given an order, we can’t disobey.”

“You’ve been under your sister’s thumb since you were young…”

The old madam stood up, and Jiang Xingjian quickly helped her. The old madam said, “It’s good for siblings to support each other, but Man’er is too aggressive. I didn’t agree with her entering the palace back then. If she hadn’t entered the palace, you and Song Wan wouldn’t be in this mess today.”

“With a wise and intelligent girl like Song Wan as your virtuous wife, and your own talents and character, you could have maintained the glory of the Marquis’ residence for another hundred years. But now, you’re taking a risky path for an illusion…”

“I’m just afraid that in the future, you won’t gain wealth and honor but will end up in disgrace.”

Jiang Xingjian kept a stern face, but in his heart, he knew there was no turning back.

“Enough, enough. Since the Marquis’ residence is in your hands, you can make the decisions. How many more years do I have left? I don’t want to interfere and cause discord between you and your sister. I don’t want to become the villain.”

The old madam waved her hand, and the head maid, Bao Zhu, escorted Jiang Xingjian out.

After everyone left, the old madam sighed softly, “Throughout history, many princes and grandsons have died young. Now, for a five-year-old child, we are pitting the entire Marquis’ residence against the Song family. If Song Lan’an knew how foolish Jiang Man was, he would laugh out loud.”

“If the old madam knows it’s wrong, why not persuade the first master?”

A maid helped the old madam sit down and comforted her in a low voice.

The old madam said, “You’ve watched Jiang Man grow up. Don’t you know her temperament? Back then, I just said she was too arrogant to marry into a noble family, and she turned around and seduced the emperor to enter the palace.”

“Now she wants to interfere in household affairs. If I stop Yi’er, it will only create resentment and distance her from the Marquis’ residence.”

“She is from the Jiang family. If something happens, can the Marquis’ residence escape unscathed? It’s better to let Yi’er keep an eye on things.”

The maid sighed along with her, unable to think of any other solution.

After leaving the old madam’s room, Jiang Xingjian, looking troubled, went to the Lan Ting courtyard. When he arrived, the household maids were reporting accounts to Song Wan. They were all extremely respectful, and the account books in their hands were clear, detailed, and well-organized. Song Wan reviewed them for a while and then smiled as she signed the household vouchers.

“Young Madam, these are the kitchen expenses for this month.”

Song Wan took a look and saw that there were still several thousand taels of silver left, even though the month was not yet over.

“Young Madam, you manage the household so well. Everyone in the inner and outer courtyards praises you.”

Nanny Liang said, “Yes, yes. A few days ago, it was extremely hot. If it weren’t for Young Madam making mung bean soup to cool down the servants in the outer courtyard, a few of them might have fallen ill.”

“Just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.”

Song Wan quickly calculated with the abacus and saw that her previous changes to the household rules had indeed saved a lot of money, which made her feel relieved.

“Young Madam, how should we account for the Autumn Moon Over the Mountains painting you sent to the Sun family yesterday?”

Song Wan didn’t even look up. “No need to account for it. I gave it to Madam Sun as a personal gift.”

“Zhang Shaoqing’s original work?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xingjian walked up. The group of household maids quickly greeted him, and he waved them off, signaling them to stop talking.

“Using a woman’s dowry to supplement the husband’s family is not right. I’ll convert that painting into cash for you the day after tomorrow.”

“As you decide, husband.” Song Wan smiled at him and then went back to sorting the accounts. Jiang Xingjian thought for a moment and dismissed the maids, then sat in front of Song Wan.

“Do you have something to say, husband?”

“There is indeed something I need to… discuss with you.” Jiang Xingjian frowned, unable to speak for a long time.

Song Wan saw his difficulty and knew it must be related to Lin Jiayue. She didn’t urge him and continued organizing the household vouchers, not prying into his affairs.

After a long while, Jiang Xingjian finally said, “How is Jiang Yan’s marriage with the Sun family progressing?”

“Madam Sun still has some concerns. Although she hasn’t agreed yet, the discussions are almost complete. Once Miss Sun’s coming-of-age ceremony is over, it might be settled.”

“What concerns? Jiang Yan and Miss Sun are well-matched. The Sun family shouldn’t refuse this marriage.”

Song Wan said calmly, “Madam Sun doesn’t like families that act out of line and break the rules. She also fears that a large and chaotic household might bring trouble to Miss Sun.”

“The Marquis’ residence…”

Jiang Xingjian started to speak but then fell silent, realizing it was not the right time to mention having Lin Jiayue co-manage the household with Song Wan. He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Even after Song Wan finished the accounts for the day, Jiang Xingjian still hadn’t mentioned his intention.

Feeling uneasy, Song Wan said, “You’ve waited this long, so it must be important. It’s better to say it directly.”

Jiang Xingjian touched his nose and said softly, “I want Lin Jiayue to co-manage the household with you.”