Chapter 34
Noble Concubine

After Jiang Xingjian clarified things with Lin Jiayue, she indeed stopped obsessing over Song Wan and instead focused on her skills.

Song Wan was busy discussing the marriage between the Sun family and Jiang Yan, so she had no time to manage the two of them. Only when Madam Sun softened her stance could Song Wan finally rest.

After bathing, Song Wan was having Heng Zhi and Heng Wu apply skincare lotion to her. Lv Zhu also took out the signature hair balm from Jinxiu Hall to care for her hair.

The cicadas were buzzing outside, but Song Wan only felt drowsy and lazy from the heat.

“Miss, this summer is really too hot. Even wearing Xia Ying gauze feels unbearably hot.”

Song Wan half-lay on the beauty couch, drowsily responding with a hum.

“Miss, I heard that Concubine Lin’s ice-making shop has made quite a bit of money. A few days ago, the madam even sent some premium fruits to her courtyard.”

Xiang Cao, assisting Lv Zhu, spoke cautiously.

Song Wan opened her eyes, slightly lost in thought, and after a moment said, “She indeed has some talent. I thought she shouldn’t be so mediocre.”

“Miss… I heard from Nanny Liang that the ice shop made one or two thousand taels of silver in half a month. The master has already recouped his initial investment. Now, even the madam looks at her differently, no longer calling her lowly and insignificant…”

“Miss, what should we do?”

Song Wan adjusted her clothes, her face slightly flushed from the heat. She took the silk fan and fanned herself lazily.

“What do you mean? If she can earn money for the Marquis’ residence, isn’t that a good thing for us?”

“Aren’t our food and clothing expenses also covered by the public funds?”

“Miss…”

Xiang Cao called out anxiously, and Song Wan opened her eyes and said, “I know what you’re worried about, but you must understand that reputation is earned by oneself. If I am incompetent and cannot maintain the dignity of the legitimate wife of the Marquis’ residence, relying solely on the old madam and the madam’s support, how long can that last?”

“Do we just have to watch Concubine Lin show off and entangle the first master?”

Song Wan smiled faintly, “A person with real ability is always respected. If she truly has the confidence to show off in front of me, I welcome it.”

She stood up, and Heng Zhi quickly picked up the inner skirt made from the cloud gauze material sent by Consort Yun a few days ago and helped Song Wan put it on.

“An ice-making shop alone won’t make much of a difference. With Lin Jiayue’s personality, it’s difficult for her to succeed without help.”

“Isn’t the first master supporting her now?”

Song Wan said calmly, “I’m not worried about him.”

After getting dressed, Song Wan went to the study to read. Just as she was getting absorbed in her book, Nanny Zhao came to find her.

“Consort Jiang has issued an edict, summoning the first master and Concubine Lin to the palace.”

“Is it an edict from the Consort, or did the first master take Concubine Lin?”

Nanny Zhao’s face looked troubled, “It’s an edict from the Consort, specifically requesting to see Concubine Lin.”

Song Wan clenched the book in her hand, her brows furrowing. She had been worried about this, and now it had happened.

Receiving the edict, Lin Jiayue was overjoyed. She had always longed for the palace, and after learning about the struggle between the Third and Fifth Princes, she paid even more attention to court affairs. Now, with Jiang Xingjian’s words, Lin Jiayue felt she could play a significant role.

“How do I look in this dress?” Lin Jiayue held a peach-colored floor-length dress in front of her, and Jiang Xingjian frowned, “No, entering the palace is not a game. You must follow the rules and etiquette.”

Seeing her excitement, Jiang Xingjian only felt annoyed.

Reluctantly, she changed into a light yellow dress but was still unhappy when she entered the palace. However, upon entering Consort Jiang’s Yanqing Palace, Lin Jiayue put on a full smile.

“Commoner Lin Jiayue pays respects to Consort Jiang.”

“Rise. Thanks to you, Yi’er was able to save his life. I haven’t had the chance to thank you yet.”

Jiang Man, dressed in palace attire, exuded an ethereal elegance. Her gentle and graceful demeanor, paired with her affectionate eyes, made Lin Jiayue very fond of this gentle sister.

“Your Highness is too kind. Xingjian is also dear to my heart. Saving the one I love…”

Lin Jiayue blushed, “is only natural.”

Jiang Man smiled faintly and granted seats to Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue, hosting a private family banquet with just the three of them in the palace.

During the meal, Lin Jiayue used all her charm to please Jiang Man, putting her in a good mood.

“You are a good girl. Yi’er has wronged you. The ice-making method is truly impressive. I didn’t expect you to have such skills at a young age.”

“It’s just an ice-making shop. If I wanted, I could earn even more money.”

Jiang Xingjian frowned unconsciously at her words, but Jiang Man responded with a faint “Oh.”

Lin Jiayue, full of confidence, said, “I’m not boasting. If the Marquis’ residence were managed by me, it would turn a profit within half a year. Businesses like the ice-making shop, if I wanted, I could open ten or eight more.”

Jiang Xingjian’s hand clenched tightly under the table. If Consort Jiang weren’t present, he might have stuffed Lin Jiayue’s mouth with a piece of osmanthus cake. Although Jiang Man was his sister, once she entered the palace, she became a member of the royal family. Anything related to royal power was never simple. Today, Lin Jiayue’s boastful words meant that the Marquis’ residence would have to achieve even more in the future.

If they failed… their lives would be at risk.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes, increasingly regretful.

With her own calculations in mind, Lin Jiayue didn’t care what Jiang Xingjian thought. She realized today that whether it was love or power, she had to fight for it herself, and Jiang Man was her support.

“It’s just a pity that I am a commoner with little influence in the Marquis’ residence. Even if I see mistakes made by the household manager, I can’t point them out and can only worry in silence.”

Picking up a piece of candied jujube, Jiang Xingjian said, “You love sweets. Why not try the palace chef’s handiwork?”

Lin Jiayue shyly smiled and held Jiang Xingjian’s hand.

“Really? What mistakes has the household manager made? Why don’t you tell me?” Jiang Man asked calmly, making Jiang Xingjian feel a chill in his heart.

“Although I am not from a noble family, I have seen a lot. Managing the inner courtyard requires a firm hand to establish authority. Seeking only a good reputation is too restrictive.”

Jiang Man nodded in agreement, “Seeking fame is not advisable. You have a point.”

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Man said, “You have indeed done a great service to the Marquis’ residence. Being a lowly concubine is too insulting. I will write to my mother today to elevate you to the status of an honored concubine. As for…”

Glancing at Lin Jiayue with a half-smile, Jiang Man said, “If you make significant contributions to the Marquis’ residence in the future, I might ask the emperor to grant you the status of a secondary wife.”

Secondary wife…

Hearing these words, Lin Jiayue felt a sense of satisfaction throughout her body.

The Song family and Song Wan would eventually fall, but she couldn’t forget the way Song Wan coldly called her laughable that day.

She wanted to see the expression on Song Wan’s face when she became Jiang Xingjian’s secondary wife after confidently declaring she would always be the legitimate wife of the Marquis’ residence.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will do my utmost to assist the Marquis’ residence and Your Highness.”

Jiang Man smiled gently, “That’s good. The Marquis’ residence cannot be controlled by outsiders…”

“Yi’er, when you return to the residence today, tell Song Wan to manage the household affairs with Jiayue. With their complementary skills, they will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.”