Chapter 32
Impropriety

Xiao Jiye rolled a black piece between his fingers, curiously observing Jiang Yan’s expression.

Having worked with Jiang Yan for many years, his impression of him was that he was unpredictable, both righteous and evil. But this was the first time he had seen him so leisurely eavesdropping on women.

He listened for a while but couldn’t discern anything unusual about the identities of the people next door. It wasn’t until he saw Jiang Yan’s expression that he realized it must be related to personal matters.

“Has Miss Sun come of age?”

Since it wasn’t appropriate to discuss marriage in front of an unmarried girl, Madam Sun had the maid lead her away before replying, “She will come of age next year. She’s still quite mischievous now.”

“We all went through that phase. I was the same when I was young.”

Madam Sun laughed and said that if her daughter turned out like Song Wan, she could die in peace.

After some small talk, Song Wan got to the point, “What kind of man does the Sun family prefer? Perhaps I know someone suitable.”

Madam Sun smiled, “Although my husband holds a low official position, my son has some literary talent. So I hope that my daughter’s future husband will also be well-read.”

“It doesn’t matter what his status is, as long as he is educated, polite, and gentle.”

Song Wan smiled, “I do know someone who is talented, humble, and courteous.”

Madam Sun smiled, “Is his family harmonious? You know, in families like ours, we value propriety and etiquette. We are really afraid of having someone with bad character and improper behavior influencing our daughter’s temperament and causing trouble in the future.”

Song Wan pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Madam Sun’s words were clear. The Sun family didn’t care whether Jiang Yan was legitimate or illegitimate as long as he was educated and gentle. However, they were unhappy with Jiang Xingjian bringing Lin Jiayue into the Marquis’ residence without proper mediation.

“I know that in a large family, it’s impossible for everyone to have a perfect character. But if it’s a close relative like a brother or uncle with bad behavior, they would have to live separately.”

Song Wan smiled faintly, “Parents don’t divide the family while they are alive. After all, we are of the same blood. Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. How could we separate just because of a new bride? And if outsiders knew that marrying a girl from the Sun family required dividing the family, what would they think of Miss Sun?”

Madam Sun’s smile faded, and Song Wan continued, “For a girl, finding a considerate husband is more important than anything else. Since women usually stay in the inner courtyard, it’s better to look at the ladies of the household rather than the brothers and uncles of the future husband.”

“If the mistress is kind and the sisters-in-law are gentle, then Miss Sun will be at ease in the inner courtyard.”

“Ah, that’s true, but if the people in the household are not well-behaved, bringing in actors today and concubines tomorrow, the entire inner courtyard will be in chaos, which is the most troublesome.”

Madam Sun sighed, “And if a man sees his brother constantly attracting women, won’t his thoughts be influenced?”

“The family atmosphere is the most important. No matter how good a person is now, how can we guarantee they will always be so well-mannered? When a woman’s beauty fades in the future, her life will depend on the man’s character and principles.”

Song Wan listened quietly, feeling inexplicably troubled. But she was concerned about this marriage, so she spoke sincerely, “Since Madam Sun has said this, I won’t beat around the bush. You must have heard about the character of our Second Master.”

“What outsiders say is not wrong, but as a mother, I can’t help but worry.”

“I can’t speak for everything, but as for Second Master …” Song Wan paused, seemingly deep in thought. On the other side, Jiang Yan held a white piece, his breath almost stopping. His expression was serious, his body slightly curled up and motionless.

Xiao Jiye, beside him, raised his eyebrows high, his eyes full of amusement.

Second Master of the household? So, today, she helped Jiang Yan evaluate. But looking at Jiang Yan’s demeanor, he didn’t seem to care much about who his future wife would be. Instead, he was more interested in the young lady with the soft and gentle voice.

Xiao Jiye picked up a black piece from the table and tossed it into the chess box, and the slight clattering sound annoyed Jiang Yan.

Outside the wall, Song Wan spoke, and Jiang Yan turned his head to listen.

“I have some understanding…”

“In recent years, Second Master has been managing the external affairs of the household. Whether it’s the servants in the house or people outside, no one has ever spoken ill of him. It seems that Second Master is a person who is skilled in dealing with people and handling matters smoothly.”

“In the inner courtyard, he has never been seen indulging in women or flirting with maids. His room is always clean and tidy, with nothing to criticize.”

Song Wan paused slightly, recalling her few interactions with Jiang Yan. Except for the time she first arrived at the Marquis’ residence to mourn, which was a bit special and hard to describe, Jiang Yan had always been polite, humble, and gentle.

“I have been married into the Marquis’ residence for six years and haven’t interacted much with Second Master. But during festivals and ceremonies, I have seen him a few times. If Madam Sun trusts me, I believe he would be a good husband, at least a respectful, loving, and gentle one.”

Listening to this, Jiang Yan’s face turned red, his eyes filled with tender emotions, and then gradually became sad.

Xiao Jiye narrowed his eyes and frowned, “Your sister-in-law?”

Jiang Yan came back to his senses, his eyes full of tender smiles, “Yes, my sister-in-law.”

The way he said “sister-in-law” was filled with lingering ambiguity, making Xiao Jiye’s hair stand on end. After a long silence, he coldly said, “You really are something else.”

The smile quickly faded from Jiang Yan’s face, turning from red to pale and then to a bleak gray. His grip on the chess box tightened, barely maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor.

Xiao Jiye smirked and leaned back lazily, saying in a low voice, “Your sister-in-law is here.”

In the next second, Jiang Yan’s emotions stabilized, and his breathing calmed.

“Tsk, this is really interesting.”

Jiang Yan carefully rearranged the chessboard that had been disturbed and asked in a low voice, “Don’t you find me disgusting?”

Xiao Jiye sneered, “Are there not enough scandals in noble families? What’s so disgusting about coveting your sister-in-law? I’ve seen far worse, like fathers and sons sharing the same woman. What you’re doing is nothing.”

Jiang Yan murmured, “But she must find it disgusting.”

Next door, Madam Sun was still making things difficult for Song Wan, but both Jiang Yan and Xiao Jiye could tell that Song Wan had a high opinion of Miss Sun and was being very humble in her words.

Jiang Yan felt a mix of sweetness and bitterness, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.

He dared not show signs in the household, but he couldn’t help wanting the world to know that she treated him differently. After much thought, he could only confide in Xiao Jiye, who was indifferent to such matters.

“Even if she doesn’t find it disgusting, what do you expect to happen with your sister-in-law? Just admiring her beauty is one thing, but you don’t seem like someone who can just play around and let it go.”

Xiao Jiye raised his eyebrows, unconcerned, “In the end, it’s the woman who suffers. If it really comes to light, the man might just get a reputation for being a playboy, but your sister-in-law would have to hang herself with a white silk ribbon. It all depends on whether you can bear it or not.”

Jiang Yan’s eyes darkened, his face turning pale.