Chapter 80
Gifts

Three days after returning from the barren mountain, Jiang Xingjian was indeed transferred to the Shen Shu Camp by the Emperor.

Lin Jiayue, unable to keep the firearms’ secrets any longer, wrote down the complicated process of making firecrackers and the modified gunpowder ratio for Jiang Xingjian.

With the information he needed, Jiang Xingjian immersed himself in his new duties at the Shen Shu Camp and didn’t return to the mansion for several days.

Since his departure, Lin Jiayue spent her days sitting idly in Xiu Yan Pavilion, a stark contrast to her previously restless nature. Occasionally, Song Wan passed by and felt uncomfortable seeing her in such a state.

Heng Zhi fanned Song Wan while Heng Wu sat nearby, embroidering flower shoes. The room was quiet, far from its usual lively atmosphere. With Nanny Zhao, Xiang Cao, and Lv Zhu having been sent away from the mansion, Song Wan often felt a pang of sadness when she thought of them.

“Young Madam, a young monk from Pingcui Nunnery has come. It seems there’s news regarding your previous request.”

“I’ll go see.” Song Wan got up and invited Master Lingyu from Pingcui Nunnery into the mansion.

Although Lingyu was a monk, she was well-versed in worldly matters due to the mansion’s patronage, making her very tactful and accommodating.

Song Wan had Heng Zhi prepare tea and invited Lingyu to the inner hall. “Has Master Qingshuang responded to my inquiry from a few days ago?”

“Madam, Master Qingshuang asked me to give you this. I don’t know anything else.”

Song Wan opened the thin paper Lingyu handed her, revealing an address to a dilapidated nunnery. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“Thank you, Master. I’ll have the maids send incense and offerings later.”

Lingyu left with a smile, but Song Wan sat on the bed, feeling quite desolate.

She had hoped to seek Master Qingshuang’s help to temporarily escape the chaos of the mansion through spiritual practice. However, even the monks had their limits and bluntly refused her request.

They didn’t even offer a vague excuse like “your fate is not yet sealed” or “your worldly ties are not yet severed.” Instead, they plainly told her that if she could leave, there were places where she could practice with her hair still intact.

Throwing away the paper, Song Wan finally admitted she had no way out.

“Forget it. I knew there was no hope from others.”

Composing herself, Song Wan and Heng Zhi lived a semi-reclusive life in Lan Ting Courtyard.

With Jiang Xingjian at the Shen Shu Camp, the Old Madam gravely ill, and Mother Jiang exempting everyone from morning and evening greetings, she stayed alone in Fuhe Hall. Lin Jiayue sat idly in the corridor all day, no longer causing trouble, making the mansion feel dull.

Consort Jiang sent a managing maid from the palace to handle the mansion’s affairs with Huai Su, making Song Wan feel like she had returned to her widowhood days. She cherished the current tranquility, as she had always preferred quiet.

However, time flew by, and with August approaching, the mansion had to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The most important task was sending festival gifts to Chief Eunuch Duan Yiting and visiting the palace to pay respects to the Empress and the Emperor.

Normally, such matters wouldn’t involve Song Wan. In previous years, the mansion’s steward would deliver the gifts to Duan’s residence and exchange a few auspicious words with the gatekeeper. But this year, for better or worse, the mansion received a message from Eunuch Duan himself, saying he wanted to visit the old lady in person.

Duan Yiting was once a destitute scholar with some knowledge of classical texts. However, after suffering a blow in his youth, he became a eunuch. He was meticulous and perceptive, skilled at manipulating people, and trusted by both the previous and current emperors.

It was said that he had fiercely competed with Eunuch Wan of the Eastern Depot years ago and had not been seen in public for a long time. Now, for some reason, he had taken an interest in the Marquis Mansion.

Unlike other men, palace eunuchs could enter the inner courtyard. Since Duan Yiting wanted to visit the Old Madam, the mansion had to host a banquet.

This meant that all the women, especially Song Wan as the matriarch, couldn’t avoid it.

The mansion was busy making clothes and shoes for everyone, cleaning every corner meticulously. Despite the preparations, Song Wan felt anxious as the day of Duan Yiting’s visit approached.

“Miss, my hairpin skills are not as good as Lv Zhu’s.”

“No matter.” Looking at her heavily made-up reflection in the bronze mirror, Song Wan slowly drew a graceful and gentle smile.

But the smile only lasted a moment before fading away.

“Miss, Eunuch Duan has been recuperating in the palace for a long time. Except for paying respects to the Emperor on the first and fifteenth of each month, he hasn’t appeared for a long time. Why would he suddenly come to the Marquis Mansion?”

Heng Zhi, half-squatting, helped Song Wan put on her jewelry, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked.

Song Wan shook her head. “I don’t know either.”

Duan Yiting was cunning and suspicious by nature, with a volatile temper that had only worsened with age.

One day, he could be chatting and laughing with someone, and the next, he could ruin their family. Conversely, he could ignore you one day and suddenly favor you the next, elevating your entire household. But whether it was the former or the latter, it was not good news for Song Wan.

“The rest is manageable, but I’m afraid Consort Jiang has done something to bring Eunuch Duan on board.”

Eunuch Duan’s visit to the Marquis Mansion might be a signal. With his support, the Fifth Prince’s chances would increase.

“Where is the smoke gauze scarf I asked you to prepare a few days ago?”

“It’s ready. I’ll fetch it.” Heng Wu brought a soft, lightweight scarf, and Song Wan lowered her head to sniff it, detecting a faint floral scent.

Years ago, someone had gifted Duan Yiting two rare peonies, but they caused him to break out in a painful rash. In a fit of anger, he found a pretext to exile the gift-giver to the south, where they still hadn’t returned.

To avoid currying favor with Duan Yiting, Song Wan had soaked the scarf in a mixture of red and blue flower water used for dyeing nails. Whether it would work was uncertain, but it was better than nothing.

Song Wan stood up and had Heng Zhi help her dress, then gracefully walked out of Lan Ting Courtyard.

The Marquis Mansion was bustling with activity today. All the masters, big and small, were in the main hall, including Lin Jiayue and Huai Su, accompanied by their maids.

The place was lively with people coming and going.

Jiang Xingjian waited in the outer courtyard to receive guests, while Jiang Yan sat by the door, chatting with the younger members of the family still attending the clan school.

Before Song Wan entered, she saw him listening attentively to the children’s chatter, his expression gentle.

The children’s innocent words were amusing, but Jiang Yan’s eyes were full of seriousness and patience. Seeing this, Song Wan couldn’t help but smile.

“Sister-in-law…”

The children greeted her one by one as she entered, and after returning their greetings, Jiang Yan said, “Sister-in-law, please wait.”

“A few days ago, Steward Liu returned from Jiangnan with some fine items. I’ve already distributed them to the various rooms in the mansion, and this is for you.”

Jiang Yan picked up a stack of books from the table, gently stroking them before handing them to Qing Zhai behind him.

Song Wan glanced around the room, seeing several maids holding ink and brushes, and signaled Heng Zhi to accept the gift. She then smiled and said, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Second Master. Please thank Steward Liu for me.”

Jiang Yan pressed his lips together, suppressing a smile and his excitement, and nodded warmly. “I will, Sister-in-law.”