Chapter 66
Foundation

After returning from the Lan family, Jiang Jing fell ill and remained bedridden.

Song Wan had Heng Wu send medicine and food a few times, but after the doctor assured her that Jiang Jing would recover, she stopped—some things Jiang Jing needed to figure out on her own.

Lin Jiayue was quiet for a few days, and only then did Song Wan understand what the thin paper Lin Jiayue had given to the stewardesses in each courtyard was for.

“I heard that five or six people have already been sold, and a few others have been expelled from the mansion.”

Heng Zhi frowned, looking worried. “Miss, the Marquis Mansion has never sold servants in its hundred-year history. Now, Concubine Lin has introduced some kind of rotation system, which has caused many people to be unsure of their duties. According to Nanny Liang, things are already chaotic, but the masters of each courtyard are still unaware.”

“Selling servants?” Song Wan frowned, puzzled.

Families like the Song and Jiang households, which are known for their scholarly and literary traditions, would never sell servants who had served multiple generations unless the family’s foundation was completely gone.

“Does Madam know about Lin Jiayue’s actions?”

“Probably not.” Heng Zhi said, “Madam gave her the token, and now she uses it to intimidate others. The servants have no choice but to obey. Selling servants isn’t done overnight. The thin paper Concubine Lin handed out was used to evaluate the servants’ performance. Those rated poorly were sold.”

“The stewardesses, who often have conflicts, are now going crazy to eliminate their rivals.”

“Everyone is on edge, and the stewardesses are busy placing their own people. This has led to chaos. Concubine Lin doesn’t usually go around, so the stewardesses easily deceive her.”

“According to the laundry room maid, the lowest-ranking maids and young girls are now behaving badly. They don’t dare to cause trouble openly, but they do all sorts of dirty and messy things in secret.”

Song Wan lowered her eyes, frowning in thought.

Great families never sell their servants, not only to showcase their benevolence and magnanimity but also because these people cannot and should not be moved. Even in prosperous and illustrious nations, there are always some unspeakable secrets. If it involves an official’s family, there are inspections from the court above and enemies watching closely below, making it even more dangerous to act rashly. Although Consort Jiang’s temperament cannot be described as overbearing, the word “flamboyant” is not enough to describe her. Such a personality must have offended many other consorts.

Moreover, the Fifth Prince is already a target…

If someone with ill intentions were to take the Marquis Mansion’s servants and fabricate some baseless rumors or scandals, it would cause great trouble.

In a short moment, Song Wan thought of many things.

After a while, she murmured, “I thought she would stir up some trouble, but I didn’t expect her to always strike at the heart of the matter.”

“Miss, if Concubine Lin continues to act so recklessly, it will surely implicate you.”

Song Wan replied, “From the day I married into the Marquis Mansion, whether I like it or not, I must share its fate. If the Marquis Mansion prospers, so do I; if it suffers, so do I. How can we talk about being implicated?”

“And when I handed over the household management to Lin Jiayue, I anticipated this day would come. I just didn’t expect it to come so quickly and catch me off guard.”

Feeling a bit frustrated, Song Wan propped her chin on her hand, frowning as she pondered her next move. She had originally thought of some countermeasures, but Lin Jiayue’s unexpected actions were truly astonishing. If she weren’t a concubine of the Marquis Mansion, she would have applauded and cheered.

“No, nothing can be done.”

Song Wan’s tone carried a hint of disdain, “Heng Zhi, tomorrow spread the word about the reason why the Marquis is staying at Jinxiang Earl’s mansion for half a month and that Madam has given her token to Concubine Lin, allowing her to manage the household fully.”

“Also, say that the Old Madam’s illness has not yet improved, and I am worried. I have decided to move into the small Buddhist hall for half a month to pray for her recovery.”

“Heng Wu, go and tidy up Long Xiang Zhai. Tonight, you will move in with me. As for the main courtyard of Lan Ting…”

“Seal it off and ignore everyone.”

If she couldn’t confront them, she could at least avoid them.

Lin Jiayue made mistakes first, and Mother Jiang gave her the token later. With the Marquis Mansion handling things this way, if she stayed out of it, people would only say she couldn’t bear the humiliation and chose to retreat. Although it might sound cowardly, those who gossiped would still show some leniency and not tarnish the reputation of the Song family women. She no longer cared about her own reputation as long as she didn’t drag down her father, brothers, aunt, and the women of her clan.

After giving her instructions, Song Wan busied herself with moving into Long Xiang Zhai with Nanny Zhao and Heng Wu. Once inside, she instructed them not to see anyone from the mansion.

For the next few days, she peacefully copied Buddhist scriptures, praying for the Old Madam’s recovery.

Madam Zhou came to see Song Wan many times, but she refused to meet her. With no other option, Madam Zhou went to find Lin Jiayue to inquire about the character of the Chen family’s young master.

Lin Jiayue assured her that the young master was gentle and refined, not a lazy and idle noble. Although Madam Zhou was still worried, she had no other choice but to agree to the marriage.

When Song Wan heard the news, she sighed and thought that if Jiang Jing could be strong in the future, she might still have a good life.

She stayed in Long Xiang Zhai for more than ten days. The Old Madam was increasingly less conscious, and Mother Jiang, worried that the servants might not take good care of her, stayed in Fuhe Hall day and night, afraid something might happen.

Now, with one of the three generations of mistresses seriously ill, one constantly caring for the sick, and one avoiding everyone, the entire Marquis Mansion had indeed become Lin Jiayue’s domain. She was busy every day, dismissing and selling servants, and in just half a month, nearly a hundred people were gone.

Bored, Song Wan read the “Platform Sutra” while Heng Zhi brewed tea and ground ink beside her, accompanied by the sound of cicadas outside the window.

Xiang Cao hurriedly entered with a bowl of iced lily and snow lotus soup. After setting it down, she anxiously said, “Miss, the mansion is in complete chaos.”

“Yesterday, one of the sold servants was Nanny You’s granddaughter.”

Song Wan couldn’t recall who Nanny You was, so she asked casually.

Xiang Cao lowered her voice, “Nanny You was the Old Madam’s maid. It’s said that when the old Marquis contracted smallpox as a child, Nanny You took him to a countryside estate and cared for him alone for twenty-seven days.”

“Unfortunately, although the old Marquis recovered, Nanny You fell ill. To prevent bringing the illness back to the mansion, she sent the old Marquis away and then set herself and the estate on fire.”

“The Old Madam, remembering Nanny You’s kindness, valued her son greatly. Nanny You’s son grew up with the old Marquis and served him all his life. Later, he and his wife went to the border with the old Marquis and never returned.”

“Nanny You’s son only had one daughter, who is mentally challenged.”

“But the Old Madam has been taking care of her all these years, giving her a job in the main kitchen to look after the fish. She only had to feed the live fish that were not yet to be killed. But now, with the chaos, someone coveted her job and persuaded Concubine Lin to sell her…”