Chapter 36
Helper

“I didn’t hear what you said clearly, husband. Could you repeat it?”

“I…” Jiang Xingjian looked up and saw the disappointment in Song Wan’s clear, shimmering eyes. The second half of his sentence got stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t say it.

For the first time, Song Wan was relentless, coldly asking, “What did you just say, husband? I didn’t hear it clearly.”

Although her temperament was usually cold, she had always been gentle and agreeable. She had never been so aggressive before.

After much thought, Jiang Xingjian explained, “I went to the palace with Jiayue and the Consort…”

“Jiang Xingjian.” Song Wan stood up, looking down at him with an icy expression. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“The Consort met Jiayue and liked her very much. She has elevated her to the status of an honored concubine. Seeing that Jiayue has some talents, she suggested that Jiayue co-manage the household with you. The household affairs are numerous and complex, and having an extra person to help you share the burden is not inappropriate.”

“Not inappropriate, you say.” Song Wan’s hand holding the handkerchief trembled violently.

She was a proper young lady from an official family, having lived eighteen years without suffering any grievances. Now, she had been humiliated by Jiang Xingjian multiple times. How could she bear it?

“In the entire world, you probably won’t find another family where three generations of main wives are present, yet a concubine is in charge of the household. If I had known that the Marquis’ residence disregarded propriety and ethics, my Song family would never have allied with it.”

“I will return the household management token to the old madam today. Whoever manages the household in the future has nothing to do with me. I don’t want any dirty or messy affairs to be blamed on a daughter of the Song family.”

Song Wan turned and left, with Heng Zhi and Nanny Zhao quickly following her. Heng Wu looked at Jiang Xingjian, whose face was alternating between green and red, and spat, “Disgraceful.”

The maids and old servants in the Lan Ting main courtyard scattered, leaving Jiang Xingjian alone, unable to express his bitterness.

“Miss…”

Seeing Song Wan picking up a brush to work on the account books as soon as she entered the room, Nanny Zhao felt a pang of sadness. “Miss, what are you doing? Are you really going to hand over the household management to that little harlot?”

Song Wan’s hand paused, but she quickly resumed her work. “Compile all the vouchers and tokens from these days. Xiang Cao, bring me my dowry list.”

“Miss…”

Song Wan’s eyes were red, but she said calmly, “Do you think Lin Jiayue can manage the Marquis’ residence well?”

“Of course not. She is reckless and doesn’t follow the rules. Who knows what trouble she will cause in the future.”

“Exactly, so I can’t manage the household with her.” Song Wan’s knuckles turned pale as she gripped the brush. She took a deep breath to calm her agitation.

“Who knows Lin Jiayue? If the household management fails, all the blame will fall on me, Song Wan. I cannot tarnish the reputation of the Song family.”

“But Miss, if Concubine Lin gains the master’s favor and manages the household, your life will be even harder. You are still so young. Do you really want to suffer under that little harlot?”

“Don’t worry, Nanny.” Song Wan suppressed her thoughts. “As the saying goes, the higher you climb, the harder you fall.”

“The Consort initiated this matter, and the Marquis’ residence cannot disobey. If I stubbornly hold onto the household management, it will only arouse suspicion. It’s better to hand it over and see if Lin Jiayue really has the ability to manage the household.”

“Just because she opened one or two shops, people think she has great talent. If I don’t let her try, others will keep thinking about her merits. No matter how well I do, people will believe Lin Jiayue can do better.”

“I’ll give her this opportunity; let’s see if she can handle it.”

With trembling hands from anger, Song Wan took her dowry list and made some marks. “Except for the bedding, fabrics, and furniture I’ve selected, send all the medicinal materials, cash, and properties to my brother.”

“What is Miss doing?”

“Tell my brother to buy all the properties in the capital that he can, even if it means paying ten to twenty percent above market price.”

Nanny Zhao still didn’t understand, but she started moving.

Song Wan then took out a list of valuable jewelry given to her by Consort Yun.

Items bestowed by the palace couldn’t be sold privately, and she was reluctant to part with them. Song Wan examined them briefly and then set them aside.

Managing a household is not easy. Lin Jiayue has some small talents but lacks the virtues of a true gentleman. If she were to take charge, the Marquis’ residence would be in chaos within three months. Song Wan had to prepare in advance.

After organizing everything, Song Wan had Heng Zhi carry the household tokens and account books with her to Fuhe Hall. As she passed by the embroidery couch, she saw eight wooden carvings on it and casually threw one out the window.

In Fuhe Hall, both the old madam and Mother Jiang were present. Seeing Song Wan carrying the account books, they sighed softly.

“Good child, you’ve been wronged.”

Song Wan smiled, “What’s there to be wronged about? Now that my husband has returned to the residence, I can only enjoy life. There’s no grievance.”

The old madam pressed her lips together, saying nothing, while Mother Jiang blushed with embarrassment.

“Grandmother.”

Song Wan turned and saw Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue walking in together. Lin Jiayue smiled sweetly at her and gently greeted the old madam and Mother Jiang.

Song Wan’s expression was indifferent as she had Heng Zhi place the account books on the table.

“Even Consort Jiang in the palace knows that I am not managing the household well. I am truly ashamed. Since there is someone capable in the household, I am happy to yield.”

The old madam looked at the smug Lin Jiayue and felt a lump in her throat. If this person truly had talent, it would be one thing…

“Nonsense!”

Mother Jiang frowned tightly. “How can a concubine manage the household over three generations of main wives? If this gets out, people will think all the legitimate women of the Marquis’ residence are dead.”

Jiang Xingjian’s forehead veins bulged, and the old madam sighed deeply.

“I am aware of the household’s situation. Wan’er, you manage the household very well. Don’t mind what others say.”

Mother Jiang held Song Wan’s hand and said, “Mother knows your hardships, but the household is in a difficult situation now. This is not the time for you to be willful.”

“It’s not that I am being willful…”

“Enough.” The old madam interrupted, beckoning Song Wan closer. “I understand your concerns. Your mother is right about one thing: the household is in a difficult situation. For the sake of the six years I’ve treated you like my own granddaughter, you can’t abandon the Marquis’ residence.”

Song Wan felt a pang of sorrow, seeing the old madam’s white hair.

The old madam had indeed treated her well over the years. Whether it was genuine or not, Song Wan could always tell.

“Grandmother is getting old and can’t handle these trivial matters. A household can’t have two masters, but we can’t disobey the Consort’s orders either.”

The old madam said to Jiang Xingjian, “The household will still be managed by Wan’er. As for Concubine Lin… let her assist Wan’er and be her helper.”

Mother Jiang nodded. “That’s a good idea. Concubine Lin can be of some use. In the future, she can work with Wan’er to find more businesses like the ice shop and help alleviate the Marquis’ residence’s urgent needs.”