Chapter 39
Letting go

Although her actions were not obvious, Jiang Xingjian could still sense a hint of unwelcome. He pressed his lips together slightly but had to suppress his displeasure.

“I met Madam Zhou and Jiang Jing in the courtyard. Did they have any business?”

“Madam Zhou came to discuss the third sister’s marriage. Now that the third sister is of age, it’s time to start planning her marriage.”

Jiang Xingjian nodded. “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“There is a high-ranking illegitimate son in the Lan family from Cangzhou. He has some connections with my brother. I was thinking of sending someone to ask if he is engaged.”

Upon hearing about the Lan family from Cangzhou, Jiang Xingjian thought for a moment and realized that this marriage would be excellent.

The Lan family has a good family tradition. Although their ancestors were demoted, the family is wealthy, and the person Song Wan mentioned is known to be steady and reliable. However, it is said that this person has a somewhat rebellious personality, which is why his marriage has not been settled in recent years.

“The head of the Lan family has a legitimate son who just came of age this year. It is said that this son is highly talented and has great potential. With the wealth of the Lan family, his future achievements will likely be significant.”

Song Wan smiled faintly. “With such a strict family tradition, it’s only natural that the Lan family produces outstanding children. It’s only a matter of time before the Lan family returns to the court.”

Jiang Xingjian secretly agreed, knowing that this marriage was very suitable. If they could indeed form an alliance with such a wealthy family as the Lan family, it would only benefit the two in the palace.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

Song Wan smiled and continued writing the letter to Madam Lan. After having Lv Zhu send it out, she asked Jiang Xingjian why he had come today.

“It’s nothing major. I just submitted a petition for the hereditary title today. If the title is granted, I’ll need you to take care of the household affairs.”

Upon hearing this, Song Wan lowered her eyes and said nothing.

If Jiang Xingjian inherits the title, she will not only have to manage the household but also interact with the various ladies of the capital. If it were in the past, it would be fine, but now with Lin Jiayue in the picture, she feels quite impatient.

“There’s one more thing. Sun Liang, the official in the Ministry of War, was promoted to Assistant Director today.”

“Miss Sun’s uncle?”

Jiang Xingjian replied, “Exactly.”

“This shows that the emperor intends to use the Sun family. Moreover, three or four families have already come to propose marriage today, but Madam Sun has turned them all down. It seems the Sun family agrees to the marriage alliance with the Marquis’ residence.”

“The second master is quite outstanding among the noble sons in the capital. The Sun family should recognize this.”

Jiang Xingjian raised his eyebrows, seeing Song Wan’s indifferent expression, and suppressed the inexplicable sourness in his heart.

“Madam Sun sent you a gift.”

Xiang Cao brought in a large rattan box. Seeing Jiang Xingjian, she greeted him briefly before placing the box in front of Song Wan. Song Wan picked up the small note on top, read it, and smiled, “It seems good things are coming to the household.”

She handed the note to Jiang Xingjian and opened the box.

Inside were pieces of thousand-layer cake, and as soon as the lid was opened, the fragrance of rice filled the air.

In a good mood, Song Wan picked up a piece and took a small bite, then instructed Xiang Cao to share it with everyone in the room.

Jiang Xingjian took a piece of the cake but didn’t eat it. Even after returning to Xiu Yan Pavilion, the image of Song Wan taking small bites of the cake lingered in his mind.

Jiang Xingjian chuckled and picked up his pen to write a letter to Jiang Man.

The marriage between Jiang Yan and the Sun family was the best choice the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence could make at the moment. Although the Marquis of Chengyang had a title, it held no real power, and Jiang Man’s status as a consort was both a blessing and a curse for the residence.

Without Jiang Man, Jiang Yan’s marriage prospects might have been higher, but as a relative of the imperial family, the residence couldn’t aim any higher for marriage alliances.

After some thought, Jiang Xingjian also mentioned Song Wan’s interest in the Lan family from Cangzhou in the letter.

After finishing the tasks related to the cosmetics shop, Lin Jiayue came to find Jiang Xingjian. Seeing him writing a letter to Jiang Man, she asked what he was writing.

Jiang Xingjian answered casually, and Lin Jiayue said, “According to you, the Sun family and the Lan family are good choices, but why is Song Wan being so kind? Can’t she see the future situation between the Jiang and Song families?”

Jiang Xingjian frowned slightly. “Marriage alliances are complex. Both the Sun and Lan families have some connections with the Song family. Regardless of how the Jiang and Song families develop in the future, she is still the main wife of the Marquis’ residence and wouldn’t make a fuss over such important matters.”

“Really?” Lin Jiayue sneered, showing disdain. She was tired of hearing Jiang Xingjian praise Song Wan for being sensible and good at everything.

“Hasn’t Song Wan been a widow in the Marquis’ residence for six years? How does she know both Madam Sun and Madam Lan? Could it be that she wasn’t idle during her widowhood and spent her days socializing?”

Seeing that Lin Jiayue’s words were becoming increasingly unpleasant, Jiang Xingjian felt impatient. “How many families are there in the capital? These families have been on good terms for generations. It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are all related. You wouldn’t understand since you don’t come from a noble family.”

“Are you looking down on my background?”

Not wanting to argue with her, Jiang Xingjian had the letter sent to the palace and then asked about the cosmetics shop.

“Don’t worry, everything is in order. The shop will be ready in half a month. You and Consort Jiang can just wait to collect the money.”

Lin Jiayue’s confidence reassured Jiang Xingjian.

The image of Song Wan holding the thousand-layer cake flashed in his mind again. Jiang Xingjian rubbed his temples, trying to dispel the image. When he looked up, he saw Lin Jiayue tidying up the clutter on his desk.

He sighed slightly, pulled her into his arms, and said, “I’m sorry.”

He felt guilty for being so impatient with her.

He had dragged her into this whirlpool, and Lin Jiayue was innocent. He couldn’t bear to use a girl who was wholeheartedly devoted to him, nor did he want to become a man who unscrupulously used women.

Holding Lin Jiayue tightly, Jiang Xingjian felt a bit more at ease.

“It’s okay, I know you’re troubled.”

Lin Jiayue murmured, “I know you have feelings for me, and I know you have feelings for Song Wan, but I’m not afraid. I can wait. As long as you continue to choose me as you do now, we can move forward steadily.”

Jiang Xingjian was a man of deep emotions, and she knew that. If he weren’t, she wouldn’t have fallen in love with him.

Childhood love couldn’t withstand the test of time. The Song Wan that Jiang Xingjian loved was a beautiful fantasy of his first love, while she was the one by his side.

Lin Jiayue believed she could surpass a woman with no worldly experience. She had confidence in herself.

“Love needs to be nurtured. As long as our hearts are together, everything will get better and better.”

Lin Jiayue smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss Jiang Xingjian’s chin. Seeing this, Jiang Xingjian lowered his head slightly and kissed her deeply on the lips.

Jiayue was right. As long as their hearts were united, he would eventually let go of Song Wan.