Chapter 75
Listening to Father

Jiang Xingjian pressed his lips tightly together, not responding to Song Lan’an’s words.

The Marquis Mansion could not withstand any more turmoil, and Song Wan could not leave at this time.

Moreover, Jiang Xingjian was personally unwilling to let Song Wan go.

He lowered his voice and said, “The Marquis Mansion is in a difficult situation, and my grandmother is ill. It would not benefit Wan’er or the Song family for her to leave now.”

“I understand your concerns, Father. I promise to take extra care of Wan’er in the future and ensure that such incidents never happen again.”

Placing the teacup beside him, Song Lan’an remained silent, simply sitting quietly.

Madam Song was led into Lan Ting Courtyard by the servants of the Marquis Mansion. Having received the news, Song Wan had already changed into her guest attire and was waiting.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Madam Song warmly took Song Wan’s hand. “My dear, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you, and you’ve lost so much weight.”

Song Wan smiled gently. “Mother, you worry too much. Just the other day, Heng Zhi said my old clothes were half an inch tighter. It seems I’ve gained a bit of weight in the peaceful Marquis Mansion.”

The mother and daughter shared a warm and affectionate moment, and their bond was evident.

Madam Song had her maid give some money to the servants of the Marquis Mansion, and Song Wan exchanged a few kind words. The servants, delighted, praised the deep bond between mother and daughter before reluctantly leaving.

After welcoming Madam Song into the Lan Ting Courtyard, Song Wan had Xiang Cao and Lv Zhu prepare tea and snacks in the small kitchen.

With the servants gone, the atmosphere between Song Wan and Madam Song turned cold. One sat quietly drinking tea on an embroidered stool while the other gazed out the window.

After a long silence, Madam Song said, “Your father took your marriage contract from the study when he came today.”

Song Wan’s hand tightened under the table. After a moment of thought, she said, “This summer has been particularly hot. I remember we have a small estate in the suburbs. Though not large, it’s quite exquisite and by a river.”

“That estate has mountains and water nearby, making it a good place to escape the heat. It’s self-sufficient, so there’s no need for the family to worry.”

Madam Song lowered her eyes. “There is such an estate, but it’s only a few steps away from the capital. Even with a river, how cool can it be? The place is cramped, the surrounding villages are chaotic, and it’s not as spacious and comfortable as the Marquis Mansion.”

“Mother is right.” Song Wan smiled slightly, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

Madam Song sighed. “Your two younger sisters are now of age and ready to be matched. Song Yao is easy to match. With her gentle temperament, a scholar would be a good match.”

“But Song Nian is a headache. She’s read a few books and has a straightforward personality. If she were a man, it would be fine… but a woman with such a personality is not suitable.”

“My sisters are naturally beautiful, kind, and good-hearted. Their marriages will not be difficult. Mother, don’t worry.”

Madam Song smiled. “Wan’er, you always know how to comfort people.”

After a pause, Madam Song continued, “Your sisters are girls, so their marriages are easier to arrange. Your father is now worried about your elder brother’s marriage.”

“Your elder brother went to the Ministry of Personnel against your father’s wishes, causing a great deal of conflict between them. You know your father’s temperament; he cannot tolerate such things in the family.”

“But your elder brother is stubborn, and they haven’t spoken in a long time. I don’t know how to mediate.”

“Don’t blame your father for being angry. I don’t know what’s gotten into your brother. He left a good position at the Imperial Academy to become a low-ranking official at the Ministry of Personnel, being ordered around like a servant. It’s humiliating.”

“I don’t understand why Fu’er is enduring such hardship, wasting his talents.”

Song Wan’s face was pale, and she said nothing.

Madam Song sighed. “Recently, your father took a liking to the granddaughter of Lord Shang Chongshang. He said she inherited Lord Shang’s teachings and wanted to arrange a marriage with your brother. But when they heard your brother is now a deputy at the Ministry of Personnel, they never mentioned it again.”

Song Wan clenched her handkerchief tightly, her eyelids lowered.

“Well, if it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. The girl from the Shang family has an aunt with a serious illness who has never married and lives in their household. This is not good for the family’s status or fortune, and noble families value this.”

“In recent years, the marriages of the Shang family’s descendants have indeed been troubled.”

Xiang Cao brought tea and snacks, and Heng Zhi poured tea for the two of them. Madam Song took a sip and said regretfully, “But you can’t blame her for that. She didn’t want to have a serious illness, and if given a choice, how many women in the world would want to burden their families?”

“Mother is absolutely right.”

Madam Song had two pieces of snacks and praised them before saying, “Did you like the estate you mentioned earlier? If you truly like it, I’ll have the deed sent to you tomorrow.”

“I just thought of it suddenly; it’s not that I particularly like it.”

Madam Song nodded. “I have another estate with more land and fields, which was part of my dowry. If you want to enjoy the scenery, you can have that one, though it’s a bit farther away near Yancheng.”

Song Wan chuckled. “Mother, I haven’t seen you in so long. How could I ask for your things as soon as we meet? My two younger sisters probably don’t have such good estates. How could I, as their elder sister, compete with them?”

“Those two girls can’t compare to you.”

“Mother, you’re too modest. You’ve raised my sisters very well, and everyone in the capital knows it.”

Madam Song smiled faintly and chatted a bit more before saying that Father Song was waiting outside and asked if Song Wan wanted to see him.

Song Wan nodded and followed Madam Song to the garden.

Someone went to inform them, and after a while, Song Lan’an and Jiang Xingjian appeared.

Song Wan greeted her father with restraint and propriety and inquired about his recent diet and daily life, and Song Lan’an answered lovingly.

After a while, Song Lan’an said, “There are some rumors outside…”

Song Wan covered her mouth and laughed lightly. “Father, since when do you believe in rumors? These are all baseless things. It’s my fault for making you worry about such things.”

“That’s good to hear.” Song Lan’an gave them a few more instructions, telling them to have children soon and for Jiang Xingjian to focus on court affairs before leaving with his wife.

Watching Song Lan’an’s back as he walked out of the gate, Song Wan suddenly felt a pang in her nose.

Jiang Xingjian, feeling uncomfortable, said softly, “I truly apologize…”

“I noticed that Concubine Lin was quite frightened that day. Have you had the imperial physician check on her?”

Jiang Xingjian pressed his lips together. “Of course, but it’s not looking good.”

“Perhaps that physician isn’t skilled in this area. I’ll write a note when I return to my room and see if we can invite Old Master Xu to check on her.”

As they stood in the garden talking, Ling Yun hurried over.

“Greetings, Marquis and Madam…”

“The Old Madam is looking for both of you. She wants you to go to Fuhe Hall immediately.”

Jiang Xingjian frowned. “Is there a problem?”

Ling Yun lowered her voice and said, “The Old Madam… isn’t doing well.”