Chapter 89
Destiny

After Song Fu’s engagement to Ming Xiang, the ninth young lady of Duke Ying’s family, was finalized, no one informed Song Wan. She only learned about it when the marriage was already set in stone, and the two families exchanged betrothal gifts.

It was during Consort Yun’s birthday celebration, when Song Wan was invited to the palace for a small gathering, that a eunuch from Changxin Palace conveyed Consort Yun’s message, revealing the engagement arranged by her father for her brother.

Recalling the current state of Duke Ying’s family, Song Wan couldn’t help but frown.

Heng Zhi’s expression was also somewhat grim, lost in thought.

Heng Wu couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, do you know the ninth young lady of the Duke of England’s family?”

Song Wan nodded. “The ninth young lady is considered a late-born child. It is said that the second branch’s wife of Duke Ying’s family had no children for many years after marriage. However, she and her husband were deeply in love, and the second master never took a concubine. It wasn’t until they were nearly thirty that they finally had the ninth young lady.”

“After the second master’s death, the second wife followed him the next year, leaving the ninth young lady to be raised by the old lady. It is said that she has some speech issues and was mocked by the family’s servants when she was young. She has not come out to meet guests for many years and has been well protected by the Grand Princess.”

Heng Wu glanced at Heng Zhi and murmured, “Such a girl… why would the old master arrange her for the eldest young master?”

“The ninth young lady’s maternal uncle is Yan Tongfu, Lord Yan. Father has his own calculations.”

Song Wan clenched her fists slightly, unable to hide her disappointment.

She always knew that as a noblewoman, her only role was to secure a good marriage for the family. Therefore, she never complained about her father’s decisions.

Life is difficult for women, but all daughters in the world face the same challenges, so she never envied or resented anyone.

But Song Fu was different. Her brother would have to support the family in the future, both in the court and at home. Without a capable wife to manage the household, he would face more troubles than joys.

Although few people were as troublesome as Lin Jiayue, even someone with Mother Jiang’s temperament was enough to cause concern.

Moreover, the ninth young lady was not good at socializing, which would reduce her brother’s support in his official career.

Song Wan clutched her skirt, feeling stifled.

“The Grand Princess is already in her seventies, and the ninth young lady has just come of age. She has likely been pampered and loved, with little opportunity to learn household management skills.”

“Although she was born into a noble family, she lacked the guidance of strict parents and may not know how to…”

Song Wan’s mother passed away early, and she had no one to teach her proper behavior and etiquette. If it weren’t for the difficult days in the Marquis Mansion, forcing her to study and learn, she wouldn’t know what kind of person she would have become.

Having experienced the lack of guidance herself, Song Wan did not have high hopes for this marriage.

Even if her father valued the Grand Princess’s status and Lord Yan’s connections, he shouldn’t have exchanged the position of the Song family’s mistress for it. The Grand Princess was getting older, and it was uncertain how much favor the Emperor would show Duke Ying’s family after her passing.

Moreover, Lord Yan was only the ninth young lady’s maternal uncle. The Yan family had numerous female relatives, including three or five of Lord Yan’s own daughters. Song Wan doubted how much attention he would give her brother.

This marriage brought limited benefits to the Song family and her brother.

“I don’t know what Father is thinking.” Song Wan’s brows furrowed with a hint of sorrow, but now that the marriage was set, everything else was futile.

Since she had to enter the palace with Jiang Xingjian for Consort Yun’s birthday, Song Wan felt even less enthusiastic. Seeing her mistress and Heng Zhi both downcast, Heng Wu didn’t dare to say much and quietly prepared the clothes for Consort Yun’s birthday celebration.

That night, after Song Wan went to bed, Heng Wu pulled Heng Zhi aside on the embroidered couch and whispered.

“Sister, the eldest young master is getting married. Are you…”

“Stop talking nonsense. Never mention this again.”

Heng Zhi pulled the quilt over Heng Wu and then curled up in the corner, secretly wiping away her tears.

It was natural for a girl to be attracted to a young master as handsome as gold and jade. But she always knew that no matter how chaotic the world was, no one would take their sister’s maid as a concubine. So Heng Zhi always understood that all her feelings were just empty dreams. She pulled the quilt over her head and cried secretly for a while, then stopped thinking about it.

On the day they entered the palace, the weather had turned cooler. After Song Wan finished arranging her hair and makeup, she saw Jiang Xingjian waiting outside.

It had been some time since they last saw each other, and today she noticed that Jiang Xingjian had become very thin. She didn’t know what had caused this.

She had no intention of asking, and Jiang Xingjian had no desire to bring it up. The two of them remained silent throughout the journey, their cold demeanor making them seem like strangers.

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes and saw that Song Wan’s back was straight, her hands resting cautiously on her knees. He suddenly remembered the last time they entered the palace together when their knees had touched in the carriage.

That day, the emotions in the carriage had made his heart restless.

But now, Song Wan avoided him like the plague, no longer showing the gentle affection of that day.

The same carriage, the same road, but their feelings were completely different.

It wasn’t until they entered Changxin Palace that they both forced smiles, pretending to be a loving couple, inseparable and harmonious.

Song Wan and her husband arrived early. After paying their respects to Consort Yun, Jiang Xingjian followed the eunuch from Yanqing Palace to see Consort Jiang. He had originally invited Song Wan to join him, but she refused.

“Today is Aunt’s birthday. It’s fine if you’re not here, but it wouldn’t be right for both of us to be absent.”

“You don’t usually get a chance to catch up with Consort Jiang. Why not take this opportunity to spend more time with her? There’s no need to rush back. Aunt won’t blame you.”

Jiang Xingjian hesitated for a moment, then turned and left.

Jiang Man was waiting for Jiang Xingjian in Yanqing Palace. The last time Song Yunning had embarrassed her in front of everyone, she had found it unbearable. If it weren’t for the bigger picture, she would have found an excuse to deal with her.

“How is Grandmother?”

Jiang Xingjian shook his head. “She probably won’t last a few days. Do you have any way to delay it?”

Jiang Man waved her hand irritably. In the deep palace, how could she manage Grandmother’s life and death?

Seeing that Jiang Xingjian had recently become very thin, she felt sorry for him. “Try to delay it for a few more days. If it doesn’t work, hide the old madam’s body in the ice cellar and find an excuse not to open the coffin when the time comes.”

“I have some arrangements in the palace. Song Yunning and Shen Qianbai…” Jiang Man lowered her eyes, not finishing her sentence. “Don’t worry too much. If you get sick, it will be my fault.”

Jiang Xingjian said, “I should be the one telling you that.”

The siblings shared a knowing smile, and Jiang Man said softly, “I know Concubine Lin is pregnant. This child shouldn’t be kept, but since it’s your first child, if you want to keep it, go ahead.”

“Send her to a remote place to raise the baby. When the situation stabilizes, you can bring her back.”

Jiang Xingjian replied, “I know what to do. I have my own plans.”