Chapter 28
Marriage

“Since we are talking about this today, I also have something to say to you.”

Song Wan said, “The Marquis’ residence is not an ordinary family. Temporary gains and losses cannot solve the root of the problem. Whether it’s increasing income or cutting expenses, it’s not the most important thing.”

She hadn’t slept for several days, pondering countless possibilities for the Jiang and Song families, and finally came up with a foolproof plan to preserve their foundation.

“People say wealth is like honey, but I think wealth is like a sharp blade. Wealth and nobility are still the same.”

As soon as she spoke, Jiang Xingjian understood what Song Wan meant.

The power of the Consorts, the Third and Fifth Princes, was like flowers on brocade, like cooking oil on a raging fire. It seemed infinitely glorious, but who could say when it might collapse overnight? Whether they could preserve their lives was uncertain, let alone make a living. Moreover, the Crown Prince had been lingering on his last breath for many years, with the possibility of sudden death at any time. The struggle for imperial power was imminent. How to preserve the foundation of the two families was the most important thing.

Jiang Xingjian was also anxious about this but couldn’t think of a good solution.

Preserving the foundation of a family was not an easy task.

He looked up, wanting to know what Song Wan thought.

“The foundation of a family lies in the cohesion of its descendants and the continuous reproduction of good offspring.”

“In this way, even if the Marquis’ residence faces any changes in the future, as long as the descendants are there, the bloodline of the ancestors will be preserved.”

Jiang Xingjian said, “As long as the ancestral tomb is there, the family will not disperse.”

“Even if the ancestral tomb is there, without any support, it won’t work. If the Marquis’ residence loses its immense wealth, the descendants might not have the strength to worship, and over time, they will gradually neglect it and no one will take care of it.”

Jiang Xingjian frowned, knowing that Song Wan was right.

“Do you have a solution?”

Song Wan said, “Although the Marquis’ residence is gradually declining, it still has the ability to purchase sacrificial fields. If the family has permanent property, it can ensure that the Jiang family’s bloodline will not be scattered everywhere without a place to settle.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingjian raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Song Wan more seriously.

Sacrificial fields could indeed ensure the ancestral worship throughout the year, but more importantly, the laws of the court clearly stipulated that ‘tomb fields are not subject to confiscation,’ so even if the Fifth Prince failed in the future and the Jiang family was exiled or their property confiscated, the sacrificial fields would not be nationalized. With land in the family, the clan members would not starve to death.

Jiang Xingjian’s fingertips trembled slightly. What Song Wan said today was to make the final arrangements for the Marquis’ residence.

“Secondly, we must provide opportunities for the children of the clan to read and write, to know honor and disgrace, and to understand reason.”

“Clan school.”

Song Wan looked at Jiang Xingjian with a gentle smile.

Jiang Xingjian felt his heart pounding.

The Jiang family’s east and west residences, the legitimate and illegitimate branches, had hundreds of male descendants. As long as they could preserve one branch, let them have a roof over their heads and food to eat, and the men could study and understand human relations, the family would not be considered defeated. There might even be a day of resurgence. His hands couldn’t help but tremble, and he looked at Song Wan with deeper and deeper eyes.

Song Wan felt uncomfortable being stared at by him, so she smiled faintly and said she had other matters to attend to, then left gracefully.

Jiang Xingjian felt a weight lifted off his heart and went to find someone to handle the sacrificial fields. He had been worried about how to preserve the family’s foundation during this period. As for the temporary imbalance in the Marquis’ residence’s income and expenditure, it was not a problem at all.

Leaving the Lan Ting Courtyard, he headed towards the Yu Ling Studio.

When Jiang Yan heard that he was visiting, he was a bit puzzled. Although the two were not exactly at odds, they were not on friendly terms either.

“What advice do you have, Brother?”

After telling Jiang Yan about Song Wan’s suggestions regarding the sacrificial fields and clan school, Jiang Xingjian said, “This is a major matter for the clan, and I thought of discussing it with you. Over the years, you have been managing the Marquis’ residence. Do you know which branch of the east and west residences has children with good character who can manage the supply of money and grain?”

Jiang Yan pondered for a moment, also understanding the importance of this matter. He carefully considered a few people and then briefly described their actions and lives to Jiang Xingjian. After listening, Jiang Xingjian couldn’t help but sigh, “Brother, your thoughts are deep and your worries far-reaching. I admire you.”

“It’s not what I thought of…” Jiang Xingjian slightly curled his lips, “Your sister-in-law thought it through and told me today.”

Mentioning Song Wan, Jiang Yan’s throat moved slightly, and a tingling sensation spread through his fingertips. He said hoarsely, “Sister-in-law is wise, truly a model among women.”

Seeing Jiang Xingjian smile with pride, Jiang Yan felt full of envy.

That person was too noble and beautiful, so beautiful that even though he felt Jiang Xingjian didn’t cherish her and was unworthy, he didn’t dare to have any improper thoughts.

“A Wan, she…” The smile reached his lips but was suppressed by Jiang Xingjian. He looked at Jiang Yan and said, “You are now of age, and your marriage should be on the agenda. I feel guilty for delaying it.”

Jiang Yan’s marriage shouldn’t have been delayed until now, but because he was born of a concubine and had the possibility of inheriting the title, it was difficult to choose a suitable bride. Families of high status didn’t value him, and the Marquis’ residence did not favor families of low status, so it had been delayed until now. Now that he had returned to the residence, this matter was even more troublesome.

“I don’t know what kind of girl you like. If you have someone in mind, you can tell your sister-in-law. She often interacts with noblewomen and can handle it properly.”

Jiang Yan smiled gently, “If I could find someone like sister-in-law, that would be the best.”

Jiang Xingjian was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud. After laughing, he murmured, “A girl like A Wan is hard to find.”

Jiang Yan’s smile faded a bit, and his eyes became slightly deep.

“If you have time, talk to her. With her help, you won’t go wrong.”

“I know.”

Jiang Yan’s marriage shouldn’t have fallen on Song Wan’s shoulders, but the old madam of the Jiang family only cared about Jiang Xingjian, who had come back to life, and Mother Jiang was not very involved in family affairs.

Although Jiang Yan had a biological mother, she was just a concubine and had a lower status in the household than the more prominent stewards. Thus, this task eventually fell to Song Wan.

So when Jiang Yan approached her, she wasn’t surprised.

“If it weren’t for my brother’s orders, I wouldn’t dare to trouble sister-in-law. I hope sister-in-law doesn’t mind.”

Jiang Xingjian went to the clan today to discuss the clan school and sacrificial fields, so he wasn’t by Song Wan’s side. Jiang Yan waited in the front yard of Fuhe Hall for a long time without showing any impatience.

“There’s no need to talk about trouble, brother-in-law. You’re being too polite.”

Song Wan stood aside, seemingly pondering suitable noble ladies, while Jiang Yan quietly stood by her side, smiling as he watched their elongated shadows on the ground.

As he watched, he suddenly moved a step. The two shadows on the ground overlapped due to his movement, making it look as if they were intimately close, whispering to each other.

Jiang Yan stared blankly, his smile growing more pronounced.

“I haven’t attended a banquet for a long time. Although I have thought of a few suitable families, I don’t know the character of the young ladies. If you’re not in a hurry, allow me to take a few more days to consider and meet them.”

“After all, marriage is a major event and cannot be taken lightly.”

Listening to Song Wan’s gentle voice, Jiang Yan looked up, his eyes full of tenderness.

He looked into Song Wan’s eyes and said softly, “I’ll leave it all to sister-in-law.”