Chapter 49
Scheming

The grand banquet ended before it even began, and Jiang Xingjian’s face was dark with anger. He strode towards the back courtyard, ready to confront Lin Jiayue. Just as he entered the gate, she rushed towards him.

“Jiang Xingjian, you need to control Song Wan!”

Lin Jiayue, tugging at his sleeve, complained, “I don’t know if she’s jealous of me or afraid that I’ll earn money for the Marquis’ residence. Before I could even start, Song Wan drove all the guests away. I told you she had bad intentions, yet you always defend her…”

“Enough.” Jiang Xingjian grabbed Lin Jiayue’s wrist and said sternly, “What did you do with today’s banquet? Why were the dishes placed in the courtyard, and why were there no tables or chairs?”

“You’re hurting me.”

Shaking off Jiang Xingjian’s hand, Lin Jiayue said, “It’s a buffet. Buffets help people interact more freely. They can talk to whoever they want without being confined to a chair.”

Jiang Xingjian gritted his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Lin Jiayue smiled. “I wanted to surprise you. So, were the guests happy?”

Jiang Xingjian was about to explain the importance of etiquette in hosting guests, the rules for seating and movement, and the significance of respecting elders and juniors. Her actions had not only embarrassed the Marquis’ residence but could also lead to serious repercussions.

Before he could speak, Song Wan approached from a distance.

Lin Jiayue’s face darkened, and she was about to speak when Song Wan interrupted, “I have something to say. Let’s go to Lan Ting Courtyard.”

Jiang Xingjian pursed his lips, feeling a sudden heat on his face as he looked at Song Wan.

A few days ago, Jiang Xingjian had confidently assured Mother Jiang and Song Wan that Lin Jiayue could handle all the household affairs. Who could have expected such a swift and harsh slap in the face?

Jiang Xingjian took a deep breath and followed quickly while Lin Jiayue, pouting, reluctantly walked over.

As soon as the three of them arrived at Lan Ting Courtyard, Madam Zhou and Jiang Jing joined them. Madam Zhou, anxious, protectively asked Jiang Jing in a low voice, “What’s going on?”

After instructing the maids to serve tea, Song Wan said, “I called Madam Zhou here today to discuss Third Sister’s marriage with the Lan family.”

“What’s wrong with Jing’er’s marriage to the Lan family? Is the Lan family dissatisfied?”

Song Wan replied, “Madam Lan is very pleased with Third Sister, but I don’t understand why Third Sister herself rejected the marriage.”

“I… I didn’t.”

Madam Zhou grabbed Jiang Jing, who timidly said, “I didn’t reject the marriage. I just… I just…”

“Third Sister, there’s no need to be nervous.”

Song Wan calmly said, “I arranged the marriage with the Lan family. Whether it succeeds or not, the household needs to be informed. There’s no need to be afraid.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou, furious, slapped Jiang Jing twice. “Apologize to your sister-in-law! How could you reject such a good family as the Lan family? Do you know how much effort your sister-in-law put into arranging this marriage? Do you think it’s easy to secure a marriage like this? What were you thinking?”

Madam Zhou, though of humble origin, had only one daughter, Jiang Jing. After hearing that Song Wan had arranged the marriage with the Lan family, she spent all her money to gather information about the Lan family and Young Master Lan. Though she only heard bits and pieces, she knew it was an excellent match. If Song Wan didn’t genuinely care for them, she wouldn’t have chosen such a good family.

Now, Song Wan’s words clearly indicated she was washing her hands of the matter. Who else in the household could arrange a better match for Jiang Jing than the Lan family?

Madam Zhou’s only wish was for her daughter to marry well and not follow in her footsteps. Now that her hopes were dashed, she burst into tears in front of everyone.

Seeing her birth mother cry, Jiang Jing’s eyes reddened. “Mother, don’t cry. Think about it. How could such a good marriage fall to me? Why would such a good marriage fall to me?”

Hearing this, Song Wan paused with the teacup in her hand while Heng Zhi was infuriated by Jiang Jing’s words. “What are you saying, Third Miss? Are you implying that my lady deliberately chose a lowly family to humiliate you? What makes you think you’re so important that my lady would go to such lengths for you?”

“What’s going on? Has Jiang Jing’s marriage with the Lan family been called off?”

Jiang Xingjian frowned, and Song Wan looked up with a slight smile. “You might want to ask Concubine Lin directly.”

Lin Jiayue snorted coldly. “Yes, I was the one who had Third Sister call off the marriage with the Lan family. So what?”

“I’ll tear your mouth off!” Madam Zhou, who had been crying, suddenly rushed at Lin Jiayue, her face twisted with rage. They say a mother becomes strong for her child, and this woman, who had been weak all her life, finally showed some backbone today.

Lin Jiayue, frightened, hid behind Jiang Xingjian. “Are you out of your mind? Song Wan arranged the marriage between Jiang Jing and the Lan family just to do a favor for Song Fu. Do you think she really cares about Jiang Jing?”

“What are you talking about? Are you crazy?”

As Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue started arguing again, Song Wan coldly interjected, “Enough talking. I called you here today just to inform you that the marriage with the Lan family is off. Don’t ask me about it again. As for Third Sister’s marriage…”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t find a better match than the Lan family.”

“If you want to argue or make a scene, do it elsewhere. Just not in my courtyard.”

Putting down her teacup, Song Wan said, “See the guests out,” and returned to her room alone.

Outside, Madam Zhou continued to cry and plead. Jiang Jing tried to console her, and Lin Jiayue shouted that she would find a better match for Jiang Jing. Jiang Xingjian watched the chaos, feeling his temples throb, unsure of which issue to address first.

With a stern face, Heng Wu drove away those who needed to be driven away and persuaded those who needed to be persuaded. When she returned to Song Wan’s side, Song Wan was already lying on the chaise longue, resting with her eyes closed.

“Miss, what should we do about Concubine Lin causing such a scene today?”

Song Wan raised her head and pressed her temples. “The Marquis Mansion… is falling apart.”

“I thought Lin Jiayue was just foolish and would only cause harmless jokes, but I didn’t expect her troubles to become more and more difficult to handle.”

Lv Zhu stepped forward to massage Song Wan’s head and neck gently.

“After this incident, the Marquis probably won’t trust Concubine Lin anymore, and Consort Jiang… probably won’t support her either, right?”

Song Wan pursed her lips, lost in thought. After a long time, she murmured, “Madam Bai said my brother is struggling in the Ministry of Personnel. Apart from Jiang Man, no one would make things difficult for a low-ranking official.”

Looking at the crooked wooden carvings by the bed, Song Wan was silent for a moment before saying, “Spread the word that Consort Jiang elevated Lin Jiayue and let her manage the household affairs of the Marquis Mansion. Make sure to tie them together tightly.”

“Miss.” Nanny Zhao disapproved. “You should take this opportunity to get rid of Concubine Lin. It would be best to report to the old madam and have that little harlot kicked out of the mansion. That way, you and the Marquis can live happily ever after.”

“Why tie that little harlot to Consort Jiang? Wouldn’t that only boost her arrogance?”

Heng Zhi murmured, “Miss… is doing it for the eldest young master.”

Song Wan held Heng Zhi’s hand and smiled gently.

She was doing it not only for her brother but also for her aunt and the Third Prince.

Lin Jiayue was a disaster. Tying her to Consort Jiang would only drag down the Marquis Mansion and Jiang Man in the future, especially since the issue of Huan Yan Zhai using lead powder hadn’t been exposed yet.

If Consort Jiang fell, her aunt and brother would be better off.

As for her future with Jiang Xingjian…

Song Wan lowered her eyes. It was better not to think about it.