Chapter 64 Regret

“Miss, there’s been a lot of commotion at Xiu Yan Pavilion these past few days.”

Heng Wu half-knelt on the ground to help Song Wan put on her shoes, while Heng Zhi stood by with a lacquered tray holding a warm, damp towel.

After wiping her face with the towel, Song Wan lazily asked, “It’s been quiet for a few days. What’s going on now?”

“According to Nanny Liang, Concubine Lin has gathered all the stewardesses from the inner and outer courtyards and given them a roster.”

Xiang Cao handed a thin piece of paper to Song Wan, who glanced at it and saw terms like absenteeism, early departure, and job performance ratings.

“What is this?”

Xiang Cao shook her head, “I don’t know either. Nanny Liang couldn’t explain it clearly. She just said they have to fill it out every month, except for the courtyards of the masters. Everyone else has to do it.”

Song Wan looked at the paper up and down for a long time, not understanding its purpose.

“Never mind, it has nothing to do with us. Let her be.”

Casually crumpling the paper, Song Wan asked, “Has the Marquis returned to the mansion?”

“A message came during the second watch last night. You were asleep, so I didn’t wake you.”

Heng Zhi handed a letter to Song Wan, who opened it and frowned slightly, “It says that the chickens and ducks at the Shanglin Garden Breeding Office have caught a plague, and most of them have died. He has to stay at the Shanglin Garden Breeding Office for a while and can’t return to the mansion.”

“This…”

Seeing Heng Wu’s curiosity, Song Wan explained, “The Marquis just took office and this happened. He has to handle it personally to show his dedication. If he ignores it, he might be accused of disrespecting his superiors and being dissatisfied with his position.”

The rest of the letter, which included gentle reminders and comforting words, she only skimmed before putting it away.

“This might be for the best,” Heng Wu said casually. “It gives Concubine Lin time to cause trouble in the Marquis Mansion.”

Song Wan nodded and continued her breakfast.

The marriage between the Bai and Lan families had been arranged, and Madam Lan invited her to visit, wanting to thank her for her matchmaking efforts. Song Wan had agreed in advance, so she began to dress and prepare gifts as soon as she got up.

“Miss, how about this peach-colored silver-patterned top with the Ruyi pleated skirt?”

Song Wan nodded and let Heng Zhi help her change.

Since she was going to meet an old friend, Song Wan asked Lv Zhu to style her hair in a relatively simple bun and casually added two gold-tipped bamboo hairpins before preparing to leave. However, as soon as she stepped out of Lan Ting Courtyard, Jiang Jing stopped her.

Jiang Jing’s eyes were red and filled with tears. “I’m sorry, sister-in-law. I was immature before and misunderstood your intentions.”

“Now I realize my mistake. I hope you can forgive me.”

Song Wan replied gently, “There’s nothing to forgive. You mustn’t lose the grace and dignity of a noble lady.”

Handing her a handkerchief, she smiled softly, “A young lady crying is not beautiful.”

Jiang Jing wiped her tears and mustered her courage. “Yesterday, I heard from Madam that you are going to see Madam Lan today. Could you give me another chance to meet her?”

When Concubine Lin introduced Madam Chen to her, and Madam Chen kept asking about the dowry, Jiang Jing realized how foolish it was to lose the marriage with the Lan family.

Concubine Lin praised Madam Chen’s straightforward nature, saying she wouldn’t be a difficult mother-in-law. Even when discussing the dowry, Concubine Lin praised her, saying that clear discussions would prevent future worries.

Thinking about it, Jiang Jing suddenly burst into tears. “I know a well-mannered young lady shouldn’t talk about marriage or choose her in-laws, but I have to think about my future.”

“I only had my mother. How can I reassure my mother if I marry into a chaotic family like the Chen family?”

“Sister-in-law…” Jiang Jing tried to kneel, but Heng Wu and Heng Zhi held her back.

“Sister-in-law… I beg you, just let me meet Madam Lan. Whether it works out or not, I won’t trouble you again.”

Outside Lan Ting Courtyard, many servants were gathered, and for some reason, Song Wan felt that the Marquis Mansion was particularly chaotic today. It seemed as if no one knew what they were supposed to be doing, and they were wandering around aimlessly.

Frowning, Song Wan saw Jiang Jing crying like a tearful doll and sighed, “Wipe your tears, I’ll take you to the Lan family.”

Only by letting Jiang Jing see with her own eyes that the Lan family had already chosen a new bride would she give up. Otherwise, no matter what Song Wan said, Jiang Jing would think she was deliberately making things difficult.

Song Wan didn’t fear being misunderstood, but she was tired of these constant interruptions.

On the way, Jiang Jing, with Heng Zhi’s help, tidied her clothes and makeup. Song Wan sat quietly, occasionally offering gentle words of comfort when Jiang Jing nervously asked questions.

Entering the Lan family’s gate and being invited into the backyard, Jiang Jing finally let go of the handkerchief she had been clutching and put on a sweet and charming smile.

“Greetings to the Marquis’s wife.” Madam Lan greeted Song Wan with a warm smile. When she saw Jiang Jing following her, she paused and quickly looked her up and down.

Seeing the girl’s red eyes, wrinkled handkerchief, and slightly creased dress, she knew that Jiang Jing hadn’t been brought by Song Wan willingly but had insisted on coming.

Madam Chen had visited the Marquis Mansion to discuss a match with an aunt, and Madam Lan had heard about it. In a place like the capital, everyone knew each other.

Madam Lan quickly realized that Jiang Jing regretted her decision and was now trying to make amends.

“Please call me Wan’er so we can be closer.”

Taking the eight-sided box inlaid with precious stones and flowers from Heng Zhi, Song Wan handed it to Madam Lan. “I made some snacks myself. Please enjoy them with the other ladies.”

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Song Wan led Jiang Jing into the Lan family’s garden with Madam Lan.

The Lan family was wealthy, and their mansion was grand. The garden had a warm pavilion with glass windows engraved with the character for “fortune.” When the sunlight passed through, the light and shadows were beautiful, like a misty haze.

Jiang Jing’s heart ached as she looked around. The Marquis Mansion couldn’t afford such expensive glass windows.

“Greetings to the Marquis’s wife.”

Madam Bai led her daughter to greet Song Wan. The Bai family’s young lady was shy and full of gratitude. Madam Bai warmly introduced several other ladies to Song Wan. Given her background, it was difficult for her to become acquainted with someone like Song Wan. But thanks to Song Fu’s care, Song Wan took the initiative to make friends and even arranged a good marriage for her family. Madam Bai understood the importance of reciprocating.

The ladies present today were of similar backgrounds, but their husbands held positions in the Ministry of Personnel, or their fathers and brothers had influence there.

Song Wan accepted Madam Bai’s goodwill. She was naturally sociable and adept, and after a few exchanges, the group became very familiar and soon started laughing together. Jiang Jing could only stand aside, smiling awkwardly and occasionally helping Heng Zhi serve tea and water to Song Wan, looking very dutiful.

“This isn’t something young ladies should be doing. Go, play with your sisters.”

Madam Lan smiled and called her two daughters over to take Jiang Jing away.

The two girls were only twelve or thirteen years old and full of energy. Eager to please, Jiang Jing carefully flattered them, and by the time they reached the greenhouse filled with rare plants, they were very close.

Before they could enter, they saw a young girl bending over to smell a pot of golden daffodils under the glass window.

The seventh young lady of the Lan family covered her mouth and laughed, “Isn’t that the future wife of our ninth uncle? Such a delicate and quiet girl; she seems to be a perfect match for him.”

The older Lan girl glared at her, “Don’t tease your elders. If Mother hears, she’ll scold you.”

The young girl seemed scared and begged for mercy, but Jiang Jing felt a wave of regret and pain.

Had the Lan family indeed chosen a new bride?