Chapter 8
Jealousy

Song Wan said, “It’s late, husband. You should rest early. Tomorrow morning, you need to pay respects to Grandmother.”

After saying this, she instructed Heng Wu to fetch water and remove her makeup, ignoring Jiang Xingjian.

Having hit a soft nail, he didn’t press further and left the main room, somewhat displeased.

After removing her makeup and undoing her hair, Song Wan leaned against the red python-patterned cushion, lost in thought.

“Meow…” Jin Si Hu jumped up from the ground, sensing her mood, and kept rubbing its head against Song Wan. Its furry head kept nudging her palm, occasionally touching her palm with its warm little nose.

“Have you finished the meat soup? Or do you want me to play with you?”

Jin Si Hu was very intelligent, as if it could understand Song Wan’s words, and softly meowed twice. Having been together for many years, they had developed a certain tacit understanding. Song Wan touched its chubby little paws and held it in her arms. Jin Si Hu found a comfortable position and fell asleep with a hum.

Song Wan smiled and combed its fur with her fingertips, quietly listening to its purring. As her heart’s turmoil faded with each purr, Song Wan looked at a row of wooden carvings on the window. She casually picked one up and handed it to Heng Wu, saying, “Throw it away.”

Heng Wu was surprised, “Miss, you used to treasure this…”

“Give it to me.” Heng Zhi took the wooden carving from Heng Wu’s hand and quickly ran out, throwing it into the flower bed.

Seeing one less wooden carving, Song Wan felt a slight pain in her heart, but the warmth from Jin Si Hu in her arms inexplicably reassured her.

The next morning, she got up early and let the Heng sisters dress her and do her hair. While she was putting on makeup, a kind-looking nanny came to see her from outside the courtyard.

“Nanny Hao, you came so early?”

The old woman smiled and said, “We have your measurements in the embroidery room. I thought you usually wear plain clothes and don’t have many brightly colored dresses, so we had the girls work overnight to make a few sets. Also, the old madam and the madam opened the storeroom and let us choose the best fabrics for you.”

Heng Zhi took the clothes and shoes and then had Heng Wu bring out some money from the house, saying, “Thank you for your hard work. Please take this to buy some tea and fruits for the girls in the embroidery room.”

The nanny smiled as she took the money and left behind a few pieces of fabric that Song Wan had chosen. Because of this small matter, Song Wan and her servants were delayed for a moment, and by the time they reached the courtyard, Jiang Xingjian was already waiting there.

“Husband, you’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Song Wan bowed slightly and stopped half a step behind Jiang Xingjian: “Husband, please go ahead.”

Jiang Xingjian pursed his lips, somewhat displeased with her polite yet distant attitude. However, it was already late, and keeping the elders waiting was inappropriate, so he did not mention anything else.

Morning and evening greetings were a mandatory task for every junior in the Marquis’ residence. If the old madam kept them for a meal, it would delay them until after the hour of Si.

Lin Jiayue had been waiting in the Xiu Yin Pavilion for a long time without seeing the two of them return. She was already a bit jealous, and when she saw Jiang Xingjian and Song Wan returning together, the sight of the handsome man and the gentle, beautiful woman made her even more envious.

“Brother Xingjian.” As soon as the two of them passed through the hanging flower gate, Lin Jiayue called out loudly.

Huai Su glanced at her and sighed helplessly.

“Brother Xingjian, do you have any plans today? If not, how about taking Yue’er to the capital for a stroll?”

She felt suffocated staying in the Marquis’ residence for a day, and having Huai Su constantly remind her of what she could and couldn’t do was really annoying.

Jiang Xingjian had just freed himself from Lin Jiayue’s arm when Song Wan had already returned to the main courtyard. He pressed his temples and gave Huai Su a look.

“If you have nothing to do, how about I accompany you for a walk in the mansion?”

“What, I can’t go out?”

Huai Su replied, “It is indeed inappropriate for women of the inner residence to go out and show their faces, and there is also a rule that women should not look out of the middle gate without reason. These are the rituals passed down by our ancestors and cannot be broken.”

Lin Jiayue’s face stiffened, and she sneered, “So, the women of the entire Marquis’ residence can’t leave the courtyard?”

“Unless there is an important matter, that is indeed the case.”

“Brother Xingjian…” Lin Jiayue pursed her lips and looked at Jiang Xingjian, “Can’t you really take Yue’er out for a walk? What if Yue’er just wants to go out today?”

Jiang Xingjian did not answer, and Huai Su said, “Miss Lin, it’s not impossible for you to leave the mansion, but there are many rules in the inner residence of the Marquis’ residence. The old madam and madam will not tolerate any lively thoughts. For the sake of the other women in the Marquis’ residence, if Miss Lin goes out, it might be difficult for you to return to the inner residence.”

“Heh.” Lin Jiayue sneered, “You keep saying there are many rules in the Marquis’ residence, but how come a servant like you speaks before the master?”

Huai Su replied, “I have overstepped my bounds.” After saying this, she retreated behind Jiang Xingjian and did not speak again.

Lin Jiayue did not see any sign of remorse from her.

Jiang Xingjian said displeasedly, “Huai Su originally served in the old madam’s room. Since she came from the old madam’s room, her status is different from other servants.”

Huai Su was supposed to be promoted to a concubine, but due to sudden changes in the mansion, this status was not officially recognized when Jiang Xingjian left. Now, it is not appropriate to bring it up.

If we were to be precise, Lin Jiayue should call her sister. But Huai Su has always been prudent and has no intention of being jealous of Lin Jiayue, so she has never mentioned it.

Seeing Lin Jiayue biting her lip and looking aggrieved, Jiang Xingjian said, “Since you are not used to living in the Marquis’ residence, how about I buy a house for you outside?”

“I don’t want that.”

If she left the Marquis’ residence, wouldn’t she become a mistress?

Lin Jiayue’s eyes turned red, “Brother Xingjian, don’t you want that gunpowder formula?”

Jiang Xingjian glanced at her and did not mention buying a house outside again.

This farce was thus put to rest.

Jiang Xingjian had many matters to attend to after leaving the capital for six years. He instructed Huai Su to continue teaching Lin Jiayue the rules of the Marquis’ residence and then went out to visit friends.

Huai Su knew that Lin Jiayue did not like her, so she called two maids, Xie Yi and Ling Yun.

“Madam has something to discuss with me today. You two accompany Miss Lin and take good care of her.”

The two nodded, and Huai Su went to Mother Jiang’s courtyard.

“One left, and two more came to monitor me.” Lin Jiayue felt annoyed and found a place to sit down. Xie Yi wanted to give her some advice but was stopped by Ling Yun.

The two of them were second-class maids by Jiang Xingjian’s side. They had been very busy these past two days, and now they had to watch over Lin Jiayue, who was always causing trouble, which naturally made them unhappy.

Seeing that no one else was in the courtyard, Ling Yun became lazy and hid in the rockery to cool off. Xie Yi told her to keep an eye on Lin Jiayue while she busied herself with other tasks.

After sitting in the corridor for most of the day, Lin Jiayue finally felt a bit more comfortable. She was about to return to her room to drink some water to cool off when she saw a big, chubby orange cat wobbling towards her in the corridor.

The orange cat was so chubby that its cheeks were round, and with its big eyes, it looked adorable.

Lin Jiayue was delighted to see Jin Si Hu and quickly picked it up, intending to take it back to her room. Just then, Ling Yun rushed out from the rockery.

“Miss Lin, this Young Madam’s beloved pet, the kind she holds in her arms all day. Please be very careful not to hurt him.”

Lin Jiayue’s mood, which had just improved, instantly turned cold again. She said with a sullen face, “Why can’t I touch something she raises?”