Chapter 10
Lowly concubine

The maids in the courtyard all turned their heads away except for Lin Jiayue, who cried, “I didn’t know it would be like this; I really didn’t know.”

Xiang Cao glared at her and quickly went back into the house.

Inside, Song Wan was still holding Jin Si Hu, not letting go, while Heng Wu stood by with red eyes, not daring to speak.

“Miss…”

Heng Zhi brought a nanmu box, inside which were small cushions, cloth bells, and other items that Song Wan had sewn herself, each with Jin Si Hu’s name embroidered on the corners.

Jiang Xingjian saw the maids calling out “Miss” repeatedly, feeling displeased but unable to express it. He could imagine what kind of life Song Wan had lived these past six years.

A woman in her prime, who should have been enjoying the care of her family and the love of her husband, was instead lonely and widowed, with only an animal for company. It was truly difficult for her.

“Don’t be sad. I’ll find another one just like it for you.”

Jiang Xingjian’s words only made Song Wan turn her head away, refusing to look at him.

After a long time, she choked out, “Send First Master out,” while holding the stiff, cold body.

Given the order to leave, Jiang Xingjian had to stand up. As he walked to the carved window, he saw Lin Jiayue sitting outside, crying with her face covered.

Jiang Xingjian stopped and said softly, “Jiayue didn’t mean it. I asked the little maid who brought the medicine, and she misunderstood Jiayue’s instructions and got deworming medicine for horses from the stable…”

“First Master has been busy all day. Please rest in Xiu Yan Pavilion.” Heng Zhi stood in front of him, blocking his view.

Jiang Xingjian raised an eyebrow, seeing that all the girls in the room had red eyes, and forced himself to suppress his anger.

After he left, Song Wan, comforted by Xiang Cao, placed Jin Si Hu into the nanmu box.

“Miss, please don’t cry.”

Nanny Zhao also had red eyes but said, “First Master’s return is a joyous occasion. You must not cry in front of others. At best, it will make you seem inconsiderate; at worst, it will bring bad luck. If the old madam hears about it, it will be even worse.”

“Those who know will say you are kind, but those who don’t may spread rumors that you are unhappy about his return.”

“Nanny, let the young lady rest alone. All of you, come with me.” Heng Zhi called the people in the room to leave the bedroom, and only then could Song Wan cry freely.

She packed Jin Si Hu’s toys, the fish jerky freshly baked in the kitchen, and the small clothes she had sewn but not yet finished into the box, along with the sutras and eulogies she had written.

It wasn’t until nightfall, after Nanny Zhao urged her several times to eat, that she closed the box and instructed Heng Zhi to bury Jin Si Hu in the flower bed under her window.

Song Wan leaned against the window, watching numbly as the two sisters filled the soil. Seeing the remaining eleven wooden carvings, she casually grabbed three and threw them out the window.

The next day, Song Wan waited early at the courtyard gate. Jiang Xingjian saw her looking as usual, with only slightly red eyelids, and couldn’t help but admire her as a well-bred girl from the Song family.

“Please, husband, go first.” Song Wan bowed and invited Jiang Xingjian to go ahead. As they approached Fuhe Hall, she suddenly said, “A few days ago, you mentioned wanting Miss Lin to learn more manners. Was that sincere?”

“Of course.”

Lin Jiayue’s lack of manners had caused so much embarrassment that even he felt it was quite improper.

“I understand,” Song Wan replied.

Song Wan accompanied Jiang Xingjian into Fuhe Hall. After they greeted Old Madam Jiang and Mother Jiang, the Old Madam brought up Jin Si Hu: “It’s truly unfortunate… Such a pity for that little thing. But it’s gone now, and perhaps you were only meant to have it for these few years. Wan’er, remember not to be too sad and take care of yourself.”

“Grandmother is right, I understand,” Wan’er replied.

Mother Jiang was quite indignant: “Isn’t it just unfortunate? That girl from a small household, how can she not control her hands? She liked one of Wan’er’s dresses, and now she likes the cat too. I’ve never seen someone so shallow in my life.”

Jiang Xingjian remained silent while Song Wan said, “Since Miss Lin has already entered the marquis’s residence, it’s not appropriate for her to live here as an outsider every day. Such behavior, without giving her a proper status but still keeping her in the house, is truly improper. If word gets out, people will say the marquis’s residence lacks decorum.”

Mother Jiang nodded: “That’s a fair point.”

“Although my husband hasn’t given Miss Lin a status, as the legitimate wife, I can’t just sit by and let her continue without any rules.”

Song Wan raised her head and said calmly, “According to tradition, since Miss Lin saved my husband, she should be given a high position. But since she and my husband didn’t have a proper matchmaker and made a private agreement…”

Before she could finish, Mother Jiang frowned: “A high position? A lowly girl who eloped with someone else, and she wants a high position? If women could enter the marquis’s residence through such shameless behavior and get a high position, what would the marquis’s residence become?”

Jiang Xingjian didn’t expect Song Wan to suddenly propose making Lin Jiayue a concubine. He was caught off guard and couldn’t refute it.

He and Lin Jiayue indeed lacked moral integrity, and he couldn’t say anything more. Without Song Wan, he could have persuaded his grandmother and mother to let him marry Lin Jiayue. But now… discussing it further would only tarnish Jiayue’s reputation.

“So, Wan’er thought it would be better to take advantage of the joyous occasion of my husband’s return to the residence and handle the matter of taking a concubine at the same time. It would also add to the festivities.”

Song Wan took out two thin cards from her sleeve with the names and birthdates of the women written on them: “Since we’re taking in Miss Lin, Huai Su’s status should also be given.”

Old Madam Jiang sighed: “Let’s do it all at once. That child Huai Su has been waiting just as anxiously as Wan’er.”

In noble families, the girls who served the masters closely often had to take this path.

Song Wan handed the two pink cards to Mother Jiang, who looked at them with joy: “Wan’er is truly virtuous. Yi’er is fortunate to have such a good match.”

Mother Jiang continued: “According to tradition, Huai Su could be promoted to a concubine, but since she came from the old madam’s household, it’s not appropriate to give her such a low status. I think we should promote Huai Su to a proper concubine. What do you think, Wan’er?”

Song Wan replied, “Huai Su is gentle and meticulous, so your suggestion is very fitting.”

Mother Jiang nodded with a smile: “Miss Lin lacks virtue and is unworthy of a high position. If we gave her the same status as Huai Su, wouldn’t that imply they have similar virtues?”

“No, no.” Mother Jiang waved her hand and handed the pink card to the attendant beside her: “Promote Huai Su to a proper concubine and take Lin Jiayue as a lowly concubine. Their allowances and monthly silver will be given according to the usual standards of the residence.”

“Mother.” Jiang Xingjian looked at Mother Jiang disapprovingly, but she smiled and said that men shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of the inner courtyard, brushing him off.

Women from small households often think they can rely on a man’s favor to suppress the legitimate wife, but they don’t realize that noble families consider more than just one person. She had previously been lenient with Lin Jiayue, thinking that although she was reckless and unruly, she didn’t really affect her. It wasn’t until yesterday that she realized she shouldn’t have been soft-hearted.

Lin Jiayue’s talk of lifelong love was shameless and laughable.

Seeing Jiang Xingjian’s expression, Song Wan thought to herself that he was already feeling sorry for her even though she hadn’t mentioned her true purpose for today.

With this in mind, Song Wan calmly said, “Grandmother, mother, I have one more request.”