Chapter 47
Intercept

Jiang Jing, accompanied by Xing’er, went to the opera stage.

In the opera set, Song Wan was conversing with the Madams: Sun, Bai, and Lan, with the daughters of the ladies and the young ladies of the household seated nearby.

Song Wan looked at Miss Bai and said, “Miss Bai, your embroidery skills are truly exquisite. I could never match them.”

The young girl had a hexagonal bell pouch hanging from her waist, embroidered with a delicate intertwined floral pattern. The design was small but extremely intricate, showcasing her embroidery skills.

Madam Lan looked up at Miss Bai and nodded to herself. However, she was there to evaluate Jiang Jing, so after a few compliments, she brought up another topic.

“Where is Third Sister? All the young ladies are here; why not let them meet? They can become friends and have more company in the future.”

“Yes, we haven’t seen the third young lady of the household yet. Seeing the grandeur of the Marquis’ wife, the third young lady must be equally impressive.”

Several ladies echoed the sentiment, and Song Wan turned to Heng Zhi, asking her to find Jiang Jing to greet Madam Lan.

Just as Heng Zhi was about to leave, Jiang Jing appeared with her maid, walking slowly. The young girl was wearing a blue iris long dress with a green ribbon at her waist, looking fresh and lovely.

Seeing her, Song Wan smiled. She really liked the young girl’s lively and charming appearance.

“Is this the third young lady of the household?”

Madam Lan’s eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Jing. She had no authority to decide on her younger uncle’s marriage, as it was a matter for the elders. Fortunately, she had carefully inquired, and the elder, who was much younger than her but of higher rank, had finally agreed. Only then did Madam Lan accept the olive branch extended by the Marquis’ residence.

Seeing Jiang Jing, she felt relieved. The young girl was fresh and beautiful, young enough not to overshadow her. If Jiang Jing was well-behaved, their family would only have to pamper her.

The more Madam Lan looked at Jiang Jing, the more she liked her. She waved and said, “Good girl, come over and let me have a look.”

Seeing Madam Lan’s reaction, Song Wan knew she was very satisfied and smiled at Jiang Jing.

Everyone was waiting, but Jiang Jing stood still in the distance as if she hadn’t heard Madam Lan.

“Ha, she has a personality.” Madam Lan withdrew her hand, and Song Wan’s smile faded as she frowned at Jiang Jing.

Perhaps due to the cold reaction from everyone, Jiang Jing timidly walked up to Song Wan, pretending not to see Madam Lan, and murmured, “Sister-in-law…”

“Third Sister is here? Go play with Miss Bai and Miss Lan. They are not familiar with the household, so take care of them.”

“Ah…” Jiang Jing was surprised. She hadn’t even refused the marriage, and her sister-in-law was already pushing her away?

While she was still puzzled, Heng Zhi led the young ladies to a small pavilion not far from Haitang Garden.

“This Huaxi Opera Troupe is famous in Jiangnan. Xiao Fengling has a good figure and excellent singing skills. Madam Lan, why don’t you choose a play for us to watch?”

Handing the playbook to Madam Lan, Song Wan smiled and had refreshments brought in.

The ladies had all noticed Jiang Jing’s behavior and shook their heads, knowing that it would be difficult to arrange a marriage for her in the future. Although she was beautiful, she lacked manners and awareness, making her unlikely to be of much help if married.

Madam Lan calmly accepted the playbook and smilingly chose “The Jade Hairpin.”

The marriage between the Lan family and the Marquis’ residence was never mentioned again, as if the idea had never existed.

“Fallen leaves startle the remnants of dreams, leisurely counting the fallen petals in the fragrant dust…”

The performer began to sing, and Song Wan signaled Heng Zhi with her eyes to find out what had happened earlier and why Jiang Jing had suddenly become so rude.

After the song ended, Madam Lan excused herself to go downstairs for a rest, and Madam Sun went to greet other noblewomen who had arrived later, leaving only Madam Bai with Song Wan. Madam Bai looked at Song Wan and suddenly smiled, saying, “They say a tiger father has no dog sons, and I think it also applies to a tiger brother having no dog sisters.”

Seeing Madam Bai mention Song Fu again, Song Wan knew she had something to say, so she invited Madam Bai to the Moon Gazebo in Haitang Garden.

“I heard from my husband that it was unusual for Young Master Song to go to the Ministry of Personnel. It really is a waste of his talent.”

Song Wan smiled and said, “My brother cares for me. He thought that by going to the Ministry of Personnel, he could support me, so he went against our father’s wishes. Otherwise, he would have stayed at the Imperial Academy.”

Her sincere words surprised Madam Bai, who then became serious.

“Mr. Song is a good brother. A girl with such a brother is truly fortunate.”

Although a woman is supposed to follow her husband after marriage, a husband is not the same as a father or brother. A woman without support from her natal family cannot stand tall in her husband’s family. In Song Wan’s case, with two foolish elders in the household and a cold-hearted, unfaithful husband, she would have a hard time without her father and brother’s support.

No wonder Lin Jiayue dared to ride roughshod over her today, and Song Wan didn’t seem anxious at all. If the Song family knew about today’s events, they wouldn’t let it go easily, so Song Wan didn’t need to hysterically defend her dignity.

Madam Bai had many thoughts and felt a bit sentimental.

“You are a good person, and Young Master Song is also excellent. But the Ministry of Personnel is really not suitable for him. If Old Master Song has a way, it would be better to transfer Young Master Song back to the Imperial Academy rather than let him waste his time in the Ministry of Personnel.”

Song Wan lowered her eyes slightly upon hearing this. She knew Madam Bai was trying to be friendly and that her brother would have a harder time in the Ministry of Personnel than at the Imperial Academy. But Madam Bai’s words had a deeper meaning.

Although Madam Bai’s husband was just a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel, not worth the Song family’s attention, Madam Bai’s father was the teacher of Guo Qing, the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Guo Qing had always respected his teacher and often visited Madam Bai’s father during holidays.

From the beginning, Song Wan had her eyes on Guo Qing’s connections, hoping to help Song Fu get close to him. Her brother was proud and disdainful of such things, but she had to plan for him.

After thinking for a moment, Song Wan said, “Is someone making things difficult for my brother?”

Madam Bai smiled faintly and did not answer.

Song Wan didn’t press further and instead brought up Miss Bai. “Miss Bai is talented and gentle. Her embroidery skills are so exquisite that I envy them. I wonder which family will be fortunate enough to marry such a girl.”

Madam Bai laughed heartily. “Several families have proposed in recent years, but I couldn’t bear to part with her, so the marriage has been delayed.”

“What kind of family does Madam Bai prefer? If I know someone suitable, I could help introduce them.”

Madam Bai warmly held Song Wan’s hand. “It doesn’t matter what official position they hold, as long as the man is of high rank. That way, my daughter won’t be restricted after marriage. Although she is gentle, she is also timid and follows the rules strictly. It would be best if the man is older and more stable.”

“……”

It seemed she had her eyes on the Lan family. The Bai family’s status was indeed low. Without a matchmaker, it would be difficult for them to marry into the Lan family, even though the Lan family was now just merchants.

Song Wan frowned slightly and said after a while, “My brother does know such a man. I need to ask him about it.”

Madam Bai was overjoyed. “Of course, of course. If Young Master Song helps my daughter find a match, our Bai family will be forever grateful.”

Song Wan smiled slightly. It seemed that the marriage between the Bai and Lan families could only succeed, not fail.