Chapter 78
Ruthless

As the rain began to subside, the silhouettes of Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue disappeared into the darkness. Song Wan stood under the eaves, murmuring, “Heng Zhi, have you ever thought about getting married?”

“I don’t want to get married, and I don’t want to leave you, Miss.” Heng Zhi’s eyes were red. “I just want to serve you forever and go nowhere else.”

Heng Wu, with her fiery temperament, jumped up upon hearing this. “Is it some scoundrel from the outer courtyard eyeing our beauty and coming to ask for favors? Miss, don’t be fooled.”

“Those stinky men, how dare they think they can have us?”

“……”

Song Wan, who had been feeling uncertain, was amused by Heng Wu’s words and laughed softly.

“Thick-skinned, no one is here to ask for you.”

Song Wan wrinkled her nose, her eyes full of laughter. “You flatter yourself. I think you should change your name to Wang Po.”

Heng Zhi also smiled, though not as carefree as Heng Wu.

Song Wan returned to her room, sat on the bed, and opened the nanmu box by her pillow. She took out the contracts of her servants and gently stroked them until her eyes filled with tears. She then folded them carefully and walked out.

Heng Zhi and Heng Wu were whispering about something while Nanny Zhao stood under the eaves, loudly cursing in the direction of Xiu Yan Pavilion. The harsh words were so shocking that Song Wan could hardly believe they came from the usually proper Nanny Zhao.

“Why didn’t you calm Nanny Zhao down? Why let her get so angry?”

Calling everyone back, Song Wan gathered Heng Zhi, Heng Wu, Xiang Cao, Lv Zhu, and Nanny Zhao in the room.

Her eyes were red, and she pressed her lips together. “Deep waters make fish happy, and well-tended forests make birds joyful. Even birds and fish understand this principle. Why should we humans be trapped in a place that’s going downhill?”

“Miss…”

Heng Zhi and Nanny Zhao were the first to understand Song Wan’s intention, and their eyes instantly reddened.

“No matter what you do, I’ll follow you. I raised you, and you’re closer to me than my own daughter. I can’t leave you alone in this lawless place.”

“Is it really that serious?”

Song Wan smiled. “It’s time for you to enjoy your old age. My foster brother had a grandson two years ago, and you should go back to take care of him.”

Taking out the contracts and silver notes from the box, Song Wan held back her tears. “Here are a thousand taels, enough for you to live comfortably in the countryside…”

Handing the silver notes to Nanny Zhao, she added, “Keep the money for yourself. Don’t give it all away, even to relatives. Poverty in old age is the worst. With money in your hands, your children and grandchildren will always respect you.”

“Miss!” Nanny Zhao hugged Song Wan and cried bitterly, wishing she could tear Jiang Xingjian apart.

“Xiang Cao, I remember your brother was given a position as a shopkeeper in Xianchuanjiang a few years ago?”

Xiang Cao shook her head, crying. Song Wan touched her cheek. “Go find your brother and have him find you a good family.”

“Lv Zhu, I remember your mother arranged a marriage for you years ago, right?”

When Jiang Xingjian died, she went to the Marquis Mansion to mourn, and Heng Zhi, Heng Wu, and the others followed her out of loyalty. Lv Zhu was born in the mansion, and her mother was also a servant there. Years ago, her mother arranged a marriage for her with a young servant in the mansion.

“I asked Nanny Lang about him a few days ago. He hasn’t married and is still waiting for you.”

Thinking of her childhood sweetheart, Lv Zhu’s eyes filled with tears, feeling guilty. “I’ve wronged him, but no one is more important than you, Miss. I won’t leave.”

Song Wan shook her head. “If you don’t leave, you’ll end up as Jiang Xingjian’s concubine.”

The maids brought by noblewomen as part of their dowry were naturally meant to serve the husband’s household. If she hadn’t come to the Marquis Mansion as a widow, she wouldn’t have brought Heng Zhi and the others. Since Jiang Xingjian’s return, one chaotic event followed another, leaving her no time to deal with these matters.

With no hope from others, she had to carve out her own path. Having too many people around made her uneasy.

Handing over the contracts and silver notes to the two, Song Wan looked at the Heng sisters. Heng Zhi smiled and said, “We have no parents or marriage prospects. Where could you send us, Miss?”

“Exactly. No matter what, we won’t leave you,” Heng Wu said firmly, her delicate face showing determination.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before nodding. They had nowhere to go, and she wouldn’t feel at ease even if she sent them away.

The room was filled with sorrowful girls and maids, but Song Wan bit her tongue, refusing to let the three stay.

The next morning, after sending Nanny Zhao away, Song Wan heard from Heng Zhi that Bao Zhu from the Old Madam’s room was looking for her and Jiang Xingjian.

She lowered her head, knowing why.

Before Jiang Xingjian returned, the Old Madam truly cared for her. But no matter what, she couldn’t surpass her grandson. Now, everything in the mansion revolves around Jiang Xingjian.

In the past, as a widow, she didn’t have to worry about the Marquis Mansion’s legacy. But now, things were different. Mother Jiang and Lin Jiayue couldn’t support the mansion, and to prevent future troubles, the Old Madam would do everything to make her take over the household management.

Composing herself, Song Wan turned and returned to Lan Ting Courtyard.

She needed to change clothes to see the Old Madam, and she walked to the large redwood wardrobe and stared at the intricately carved cabinet in a daze.

When she left the courtyard again, Jiang Xingjian was waiting for her. Song Wan approached and greeted him, softly suggesting he go ahead.

Jiang Xingjian’s face was stern, and he didn’t wait for her as usual, even quickening his pace.

When they arrived at Fuhe Hall, the Old Madam struggled to sit up to see them. Jiang Xingjian hurried forward and held her hand tightly. The Old Madam craned her neck to look and saw the ambiguous red marks on his neck, feeling relieved.

“Wan’er.”

“I’m here.”

Song Wan leaned closer to the Old Madam, who said, “As men age, their temperament settles. Once you have children, Xingjian will calm down completely.”

“The Marquis Mansion is yours… help Grandmother take good care of it.”

Jiang Xingjian said, “Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ve written to my sister, asking her to send a palace maid of suitable age to manage the household affairs.”

“Wan’er… why…” The Old Madam struggled to breathe, and Song Wan quickly reached out to support her. Her hand was bruised and swollen as if injured by something heavy. Jiang Xingjian frowned and held it in his palm, but Song Wan gently pulled it back.

“I accidentally hurt my right hand. My husband, worried about me, sought the Consort’s recommendation for a palace maid. Grandmother, please don’t worry.”

Her words were gentle, but Jiang Xingjian’s eyes were filled with anger.

Tears welled up in the Old Madam’s eyes, and she finally gave up the idea of having Song Wan manage the household again.

Years ago, when Song Wan, a young girl, dared to marry into the Marquis Mansion holding a memorial tablet, the Old Madam knew she was strong-willed. She had pitied her grandson for not being able to grow old with such a good girl. Now, Song Wan hadn’t changed, but her grandson could no longer have such a good girl.

She would rather harm herself than give the Marquis Mansion a chance. Wan’er… she truly hated them!