Chapter 58
Fool

Mother Jiang held her forehead, looking extremely unwell. “What is it this time, making such a fuss about not managing the household?”

“It has nothing to do with Wan’er. Jiayue wrote a eulogy for the Jinxiang Earl Mansion and got the deceased’s name wrong. The Jinxiang Earl Mansion sent people to scold Wan’er for half an hour today.”

Jiang Xingjian raised his hand to pinch his brow, exhausted. “To show our apology, I will go to the Jinxiang Earl Mansion to apologize today. As for Wan’er… she will fast and bathe for the next few days, copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist sutras for Madam Cheng, hoping her spirit will forgive the Marquis Mansion.”

“What?” Mother Jiang got out of bed with a swish. “That little harlot even got the deceased’s name wrong. Has Song Wan gone mad to send this to the Jinxiang Earl Mansion?”

“It has nothing to do with Wan’er. Jiayue herself slipped it into the letter and sent it to the ceremonial room.”

“That fool!” Mother Jiang trembled with anger, her hands shaking violently. “This foolish woman has caused my son no end of trouble…”

Jiang Xingjian stepped forward to comfort his crying mother, knowing that if he didn’t leave for the Jinxiang Earl Mansion soon, he would be late. “I may not be able to return home for the next few days. Please take care of the household affairs. Once Wan’er comes out of the small Buddhist hall, she will take back the household management rights.”

“I understand. Go and properly apologize to the Jinxiang Earl Mansion.”

As she spoke, Mother Jiang felt even more distressed. “The hundred-year reputation of our Marquis Mansion has been ruined. How could there be such a fool in this world?”

“Perhaps the ancestors of the Jiang family think I’m unfilial and sent this to torment me.” Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then left without a word.

He thought the Marquis Mansion had shown enough humility, but when he arrived at the Jinxiang Earl Mansion, he was still given a hard time. The other party was not satisfied with him bowing and apologizing in front of the spirit, nor with the Marquis’s wife handing over the household management rights and retreating to the small Buddhist hall. They insisted that Jiang Xingjian agree to guard the spirit for half a month before they would be satisfied.

Jiang Xingjian felt that the Jinxiang Earl Mansion was being unreasonable, while the Jinxiang Earl Mansion felt that even if he died in front of the spirit, it wouldn’t ease their hatred.

The standoff continued, and in the end, Jiang Xingjian conceded.

Since it was decided to apologize, it was not appropriate to be pretentious. It would be better to agree straightforwardly and gain a good reputation.

Jiang Xingjian was stuck at the Jinxiang Earl Mansion, while Song Wan, after copying the scriptures for the deceased, helped to connect the Bai and Lan families. Without the harassment of Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue, she enjoyed a few happy days. Now, seeing Madam Lan satisfied with the Bai family’s daughter, she felt even more joyful.

“Miss, is the marriage between the Lan and Bai families settled?”

Song Wan replied, “It’s not certain until the two families exchange the betrothal letters, but there’s an eighty percent chance.”

Xiang Cao sighed, “The third young lady is really foolish. She pushed away such a good marriage with the Lan family and is now considering the Chen family. It’s really lamentable.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Miss, you don’t know. The day before yesterday, Concubine Lin invited Madam Chen to the mansion to admire the flowers and called the third young lady over. Madam Chen was inquiring about the third young lady’s dowry, and her face turned pale.”

Xiang Cao frowned, “How can someone inquire about an unmarried young lady’s dowry before the marriage is even confirmed? What’s worse is that Concubine Lin discussed the dowry and betrothal gifts with Madam Chen in front of the third young lady.”

“I heard from the little maid in Yu’an Courtyard that the third young lady’s face was terribly pale that day, and she cried for most of the afternoon after returning to her room.”

How could they discuss marriage in front of an unmarried girl? Lin Jiayue might not understand, but Madam Chen certainly does. The fact that she acted this way shows she doesn’t respect Jiang Jing.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and said softly, “None of the three generations of main wives in the household came forward to arrange her marriage, only sending a concubine to handle it. How could Madam Chen think highly of Jiang Jing? Asking directly about the dowry shows that it’s the only thing the Chen family cares about in this marriage.”

“Miss, if the Chen family is so unworthy, should you…”

Heng Zhi interrupted Xiang Cao’s words: “Do you think the Miss stopped managing the third young lady’s marriage out of spite? Let me tell you, the Miss can’t manage the third young lady’s marriage.”

“On the day of the grand banquet, the Haitang Garden was full of ladies from various families. Who couldn’t see that the Lan family was there to consider the third young lady? But what did she do? She directly embarrassed Madam Lan and the Miss. Those experienced ladies could easily see the third young lady’s intentions.”

“An unmarried girl openly picking her future husband’s family in front of everyone—would those ladies allow her into their homes?”

“The Miss saying she is powerless is the truth. In the capital, the third young lady can’t find a good match anymore. If she is forced into a marriage, wouldn’t people curse the Miss behind her back?”

“And if she finds a family of lower status, that long-armed one won’t be satisfied. With jewels in front of her, how could she tolerate losing a golden opportunity and settling for less? It would only lead to more complaints.”

Heng Zhi sighed, “Since nothing will turn out well, it’s better to leave it alone and let those who want to take charge handle it. The long-armed one and the one who wants to take charge are happy to meddle together.”

Xiang Cao’s eyes widened, “So that’s how it is. The Miss ignoring her is the right thing to do.”

Song Wan listened to their bickering and smiled faintly, “Heng Zhi is right. I really can’t manage it.”

Compared to Jiang Xing, her brother’s future is naturally more important.

“Has Madam handed over the household management token to Lin Jiayue?”

Lv Zhu replied, “Not yet. Concubine Lin has been busy with the shop outside recently. I only found out that she is looking for a workshop to make firecrackers, but she hasn’t taken over the household management yet.”

Song Wan was puzzled, “Firecrackers? Is she going to open a firecracker shop?”

Everyone shook their heads, and Song Wan rested her chin on her hand, full of confusion.

“Forget it. We’ll find out what she’s up to eventually. For now, the important thing is to let her take over the household management.”

Song Wan said, “Xiang Cao, go find out when Lin Jiayue goes to Jiangxiang Courtyard.”

It seemed that before Jiang Xingjian left the mansion, he had instructed Mother Jiang to manage the household temporarily. Now that four or five days had passed, Jiang Xingjian was likely to return soon. If they don’t act now, they might miss the opportunity.

Xiang Cao nodded and ran out quickly. She returned to Lan Ting Courtyard at the appointed time.

“Miss, Concubine Lin and Huai Su are both at Jiangxiang Courtyard. Should we go now?”

“Let’s go. It’s been a while since I paid my respects to Madam. Today is a good day to check on her health, and since Lin Jiayue hasn’t made any moves yet, I should give her a helping hand.”

After changing her clothes, Song Wan went to Jiangxiang Courtyard with Heng Zhi and Heng Wu.

Huai Su and Lin Jiayue were in Mother Jiang’s room. When Song Wan entered the room, they were sitting around the table playing flower cards, and the room was filled with laughter. The scene of masters and servants mingling without distinction was quite striking.

However, the laughter instantly disappeared when Song Wan arrived.

Huai Su stood up and greeted her while Lin Jiayue lowered her head and fiddled with the flower cards, pretending not to see her. Mother Jiang pulled a long face, clearly displeased by the interruption.