Chapter 2: Hairpin and Skirt

The Chengyang Marquis’s mansion held a hereditary title, and Jiang Xingjian was supposed to be the last generation. However, he and his father encountered misfortune at the frontier, and the current emperor, feeling compassion for the Jiang family’s plight, granted the mansion another generation of the title.

Jiang Xingjian was the only legitimate heir of the Chengyang Marquis’s mansion. Although there were a few other sons, they were not yet of age when Jiang Xingjian and the Marquis passed away, so the title remained unclaimed.

With Jiang Xingjian’s return, he could now directly inherit the title and become a new noble in the capital. This joyous event required a visit to the palace to express gratitude and inform the Song family. However, since the emperor, the consorts, and Song Wan’s father and brothers were all at the summer resort, the palace visit was postponed.

Jiang Xingjian walked into Song Wan’s room and saw her writing a letter, guessing she was writing to Song Lan’an and Song Fu. He didn’t speak and instead observed the room.

Song Wan was supposed to live in the main courtyard of Lan Ting, but perhaps not wanting to move his “relics,” she had been living in the eastern part of the main courtyard, Long Xiang Zhai. Now, the room was empty except for a wall of books. The only thing of interest was a row of zodiac wood carvings on the window.

Jiang Xingjian raised an eyebrow. He picked up one of the carvings and saw that the carving technique was rough, with visible marks. However, the frequent handling had made the marks smooth and glossy. He felt a stir in his heart and turned to look at Song Wan, noticing her ears turning slightly red.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes and, after a moment, put the carving back in its place.

“You still kept it.”

Song Wan’s face grew hotter at his words, but she remained silent.

For some reason, seeing her like this, Jiang Xingjian felt a mix of emotions. When he finally spoke, it was a simple, “I didn’t know you would marry over.”

Song Wan was a bit dazed and, after a while, lowered her eyes and said, “A husband can remarry, but a wife cannot. The Jiang and Song families have been friends for generations, and our marriage was arranged before we were born. For the sake of the Song family’s reputation and my own, I had no other choice.”

She looked up at Jiang Xingjian and said, “You should have known,” before continuing to write her letter. Jiang Xingjian’s return to the capital was a significant event for both families, and she had to inform her father and brothers.

After quickly finishing the letter, Song Wan sealed it and handed it to the maid to send out.

Jiang Xingjian was still in the room, and neither of them knew what to say, making the atmosphere awkward.

Fortunately, a large, sleek-furred cat ran in from outside, and Song Wan finally smiled. Her smile was like melting snow, brightening the entire Long Xiang Zhai.

The fat cat meowed and rubbed its furry head against Song Wan’s lap. She called the maid to bring some meat broth.

“Eat some more.”

“Meow…”

The fat cat finished eating and rolled over, exposing its white belly for Song Wan to pet. If the petting wasn’t to its liking, it would protest with a few meows.

Jiang Xingjian found it amusing until Heng Wu lifted the bead curtain and entered.

“First Master, Miss Lin requests to see you.”

Song Wan’s hand paused while petting the cat, and Jiang Xingjian frowned as he walked out.

Lin Jiayue stood outside, curiously looking into the room. However, two nannies and a young girl with a maid’s hairstyle were staring at her, making her feel embarrassed and turn her head away.

When Jiang Xingjian came out, he saw her fiddling with her fingers, looking very impatient.

“Brother Xingjian.” Seeing Jiang Xingjian, Lin Jiayue smiled and said, “The Marquis’s mansion is indeed luxurious, worthy of nobility. But why did your mother call you Yi’er when you told me your name is Xingjian? Is it a fake name?”

“Jiang Yi is my given name, and Xingjian is my courtesy name.”

Seeing her smiling eyes, Jiang Xingjian’s tone softened, “Is there anything you’re not used to? If you find anything inconvenient, I can ask Grandmother to send two more maids to your courtyard.”

“No need. I’m not used to having someone serve me closely.”

Seeing him remain silent, Lin Jiayue teased, “I didn’t expect your mansion to have such a beautiful lady. If I had known, I wouldn’t have come back with you. After all, I want a lifelong, exclusive relationship and have no interest in being a third party in someone else’s marriage.”

Jiang Xingjian remained silent, unsure of what to say.

His reaction dissatisfied Lin Jiayue, but she really liked this handsome and gentlemanly man in front of her, so she couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh.

“Well, I just want to know if the things you told me and the promises you made still count?”

Jiang Xingjian nodded, “Of course.”

At that time, he didn’t know the Song family would honor the marriage contract, especially after discovering the truth about his and his father’s misfortune.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes in thought, while Lin Jiayue said, “I’m glad to hear that. It wasn’t in vain that I traveled all the way to the capital with you.”

She looked at Jiang Xingjian and, seemingly accidentally, lightly touched his hand, “Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

“Just now, a maid from Old Madam Jiang’s side brought me clothes and jewelry, asking me to attend the banquet with you tonight. But the clothes are too flashy, either bright green or red, and I really don’t want to wear them. Can you find me another dress?”

“I’ll have someone notify the embroidery room to make you a set.”

Lin Jiayue bit her lip, “There’s only half a day left. How can they finish in time? I saw your wife wearing a very plain dress. Can’t you ask her to lend me one?”

Jiang Xingjian frowned in displeasure. His grandmother would never send her red clothes. He understood Lin Jiayue’s little schemes.

“Brother Xingjian?”

The young girl pursed her lips, her face slightly red. Thinking of her being alone without parents, Jiang Xingjian softened.

“I understand.” He said and returned to Long Xiang Zhai.

Song Wan was playing with a brightly colored cloth ball, teasing the cat. Her maid, Heng Wu, stood by the bead curtain and, seeing Jiang Xingjian return, disdainfully nudged her sister, Heng Zhi.

Heng Zhi glared at her and walked over to Song Wan, taking the fat cat away.

With the cat gone, Song Wan’s expression became indifferent.

Jiang Xingjian said, “Jiayue wants to borrow a dress from you. Is that convenient?”

“If Miss Lin wants to borrow something, why doesn’t she ask herself?”

Song Wan’s nurse, Nanny Zhao, stood by and, seeing her mistress’s cold attitude, quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, “First Master’s return is a great joy, but before today, the mistress was still in mourning. The wardrobe is full of plain clothes. How can we give them to an honored guest? If Miss Lin doesn’t mind, Heng Wu and Heng Zhi have some new clothes made by the mansion. Shall I bring them for you to see?”

Jiang Xingjian looked at Song Wan’s indifferent face and felt inexplicably annoyed, “Plain clothes are fine. It’s inappropriate to give Jiayue the servants’ clothes.”