Chapter 83
Let go

Heng Zhi took the basin of ashes outside to dispose of it while Song Wan sat on the embroidered stool, silently contemplating the palace affairs.

It was still uncertain whether the Crown Prince’s awakening was a sign of recovery or a final burst of energy before death. If it was the latter, there would undoubtedly be a power struggle in the palace. If he was recovering, it was unclear what chaos might ensue. The First Prince had the support of the Empress and her family, and his wife came from a prestigious family.

However, the First Prince himself was not strong enough to stand on his own, but even so, the two families behind him would push him to fight for power.

Regardless of whether the Crown Prince lived or died, the Third and Fifth Princes would be thrust into the spotlight.

Song Wan lowered her eyes and touched the table in front of her, then said, “Heng Zhi, bring me my dowry list.”

Previously, she had sold her shops in the capital and converted everything into cash, which she sent to Song Fu. Now, there were still some items that were difficult to move, including those given to her by her aunt in the palace. Among them were countless precious jewels, gold, and silver, worth a fortune. She would not leave her aunt’s gifts to fill the Marquis Mansion’s coffers.

“Find an excuse to send my aunt’s gifts to Nanny Lang bit by bit and have her store them safely on an estate.”

“Miss, what are you planning?”

Song Wan sighed. “Regardless of the Crown Prince’s fate, Consort Jiang and my aunt will be at odds. If Jiang Xingjian and I were on good terms, perhaps the Marquis Mansion would be spared some trouble, and I wouldn’t be used as a pawn.”

“But now, if Consort Jiang falls out of favor or tries to suppress my aunt, she will undoubtedly use me as bait.”

“Miss, what should we do?” Heng Wu, panicking, knelt in front of Song Wan, holding her hand with a worried expression.

Song Wan stroked her hair and smiled gently. “If that day comes, I will ensure both of you are safe.”

She would find a way to send the Heng sisters out of the Marquis Mansion, allowing them to live peacefully for the rest of their lives.

With red eyes, Heng Zhi wanted to say something, but Song Wan waved her hand to stop them. “Keep your contracts safe. If the time comes… my dowry will be yours.”

“Miss, I don’t want it. I won’t go anywhere. Even if the Marquis Mansion tries to use me to threaten the Consort, I will die before you, never letting you face it alone.”

“Don’t say such ominous things.”

Heng Zhi glared at Heng Wu and pinched her arm. “How can you say such things in front of Miss?”

Gently touching Heng Wu’s arm, Song Wan said, “You don’t need to worry. I’m just preparing for the worst. I don’t think it will come to that, but having a backup plan is always good.”

Knowing their mistress’s temperament, the Heng sisters could only agree with red eyes.

The room still contained some items from the Song Mansion, and the two began slowly organizing them.

“Miss, where should I put the books Second Master gave you?” Heng Zhi asked, reminding Song Wan of the items Jiang Yan had sent her.

She flipped through them and suddenly exclaimed, “There are two rare editions!”

Heng Zhi said, “Steward Liu is much better than Madam Liu. He even knows about rare editions.”

Song Wan nodded. “Second Master’s literary talent, knowledge, and demeanor are among the best of the noble sons. It seems Steward Liu’s taste is not low either.”

“These books must have cost a lot. Later, take two hundred taels of silver and find an excuse to give it to Steward Liu.”

The books were exactly what she liked and had been searching for, though she didn’t know how Steward Liu found out.

These books were a perfect gift for her.

Carefully placing the rare editions into her collection box, Song Wan locked it securely.

“Miss, what should we do with these items?” Heng Wu pointed to several wooden carvings, a white jade hairpin, and some faded lantern hand strings on the dressing table. Song Wan glanced at them and pointed, “Put them all in that corner box.”

The box contained items of little value and difficult to dispose of, such as previous gifts from Consort Jiang and some tea bricks and Chengxin paper from Madam Song.

Heng Wu selected a wooden box and swept all the items into it, then tossed it into the corner box with a clatter.

The room instantly felt much tidier, and Song Wan sat on the chaise longue, feeling relaxed.

For some reason, even though she knew she might become a pawn for Consort Jiang to control the Song Mansion and her aunt, she wasn’t afraid. Instead, she felt a sense of relief and tranquility.

“Let’s take a walk in the courtyard.” Song Wan changed into a fresh, simple long dress and walked out with Heng Zhi and Heng Wu.

Perhaps because she was in a good mood, even seeing Lin Jiayue sitting in the courtyard didn’t stir any emotions.

Qian Bi and Qing Hong stood by her side, and Song Wan overheard Qing Hong saying, “Concubine, why are you still embroidering? Do you know that last night the Marquis…”

“What are you doing!” Lin Jiayue suddenly stood up, her temper flaring unexpectedly. “Can’t you see I’m embroidering? Why are you always chattering and disturbing me? Don’t tell me anything; you’re bothering me.”

She finished speaking and noticed Song Wan looking at her in surprise. Lin Jiayue’s heart trembled, and she grabbed her embroidery frame and walked towards Xiu Yan Pavilion.

In a daze, Song Wan saw that the embroidery frame was a mess, with strange shapes and colors, making it impossible to tell what it was supposed to be.

Song Wan frowned slightly and said softly, “Go ask the night watchwoman what the Marquis did yesterday.”

Heng Zhi nodded and quickly returned. “The night watchwoman said the Marquis drank with Second Master yesterday and spent the night in Huaisu’s room.”

“No wonder she was so upset.”

Song Wan suddenly remembered Lin Jiayue’s loud declaration when she first entered the Marquis Mansion, saying she wanted a lifelong, exclusive relationship. She lowered her eyes and suddenly understood why Madam Zhou’s death had caused such a reaction from Madam Zheng.

“Let’s go back. We need to prepare gifts for the Consorts for our palace visit in a few days.”

Song Wan lost interest in the scenery and turned back to her room.

On the day of the palace visit, Song Wan had Heng Zhi help her choose a goose-yellow gauze palace dress and wore a cloud-shaped enamel hairpin. Her makeup was not overly luxurious but very elegant.

Since it wasn’t the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Jiang Xingjian didn’t accompany her, and Song Wan enjoyed the freedom.

The palace, usually solemn, was filled with joy in August, with the usual undercurrents replaced by happiness and harmony.

Before reaching Changxin Palace, the sound of silk and bamboo music drifted through the air, making Song Wan feel even more at ease.

“The Marchioness of Chengyang has arrived.”

The young eunuch announcing her arrival had a joyful expression, and Song Wan smiled warmly at him. The last time she visited the palace, he had guided her to pay respects to the Consorts, and seeing him again felt familiar.

“Greetings, Eunuch.”

“No need for formalities. The Consort has been waiting for you. Please go in.”

With that, the young eunuch led Song Wan into Changxin Palace.