Shen Qianyu nodded, his eyes filled with helplessness.
He too was a man, so naturally he could understand Wan Xiao’s approach. If he were Wan Xiao, he would make the same choice.
However, Song Wan shook her head, not agreeing with how Wan Xiao handled this matter.
“Jinshu’s family paid a great price searching for Wan Xiao. Doing it this way seems insincere, and for Jinshu it’s also very frivolous.”
“Though I know he means well, what will Jinshu do if she learns the truth in the future?”
“Jinshu won’t find out.”
Shen Qianyu said, “Though I’ve never discussed the inside circumstances with Wan Xiao in detail, I know his character. Precisely because Jinshu’s family sacrificed so much for him, he made this choice. This is already the best outcome.”
“The two separated when they were young—to say they have much affection would be an exaggeration. Moreover, when Wan Xiao’s clan met with disaster, Jinshu was still a mud-playing child who couldn’t even speak clearly. What could she understand?”
“What Jinshu seeks is not Wan Xiao, but the husband she was betrothed to since childhood.”
“As long as her husband respects her for a lifetime and cherishes her for a lifetime, for Jinshu that is enough.”
“Then what about Wan Xiao? And what if that man doesn’t treat Jinshu well?”
“Wan Xiao…”
Shen Qianyu smiled bitterly and didn’t speak.
Wan Xiao’s character was most similar to his own. If not for this, the two of them wouldn’t have supported each other until now. But precisely because they were alike, Shen Qianyu could very much understand Wan Xiao’s thoughts and actions.
“Wan Xiao is not important—what’s important is Jinshu.”
Jinshu’s family had sacrificed too much searching for Wan Xiao. How could he delay her entire life as well?
If he were in Wan Xiao’s position, he too would let Song Wan go, even if it meant protecting her smoothly from the shadows, even if she never knew.
Just like… Jiang Yan.
Shen Qianyu raised his hand to gently stroke Song Wan’s hair, his heart peaceful and tender.
They were grown men. As long as the person they cherished in their hearts lived happily, they were happy. Everything else didn’t matter.
“That man will treat Jinshu well. If he treats her well, Wan Xiao can ensure him a lifetime of high office and generous salary, without worry for food or clothing. If he doesn’t treat her well, his head will be the price.”
“So he will treat Jinshu well.”
Song Wan grasped Shen Qianyu’s hand and shook her head lightly. “Wan Xiao cannot make decisions for Jinshu, regardless of the purpose.”
“This matter should be left for Jinshu herself to choose. If she knew, she might not necessarily not choose Wan Xiao…”
“Not ‘might not’—she definitely would.”
Shen Qianyu chuckled softly. “I’ve always felt that Jinshu’s strength to lift water vats was traded for her simple heart. Jinshu’s family is the same.”
“Such people, such families are too precious and too admirable.”
“Wan Xiao knows that Jinshu would choose the most difficult path without hesitation, which is precisely why he’s going to such great lengths to personally create a smooth road for her.”
“Not knowing anything, Jinshu will be happier instead.”
Shen Qianyu drew her into his embrace and spoke warmly. “You need not worry about the two of them. Wan Xiao is not an impulsive and ignorant child. He will arrange everything properly.”
With Wan Xiao and Song Wan protecting her, who would dare bully Jinshu?
Song Wan nodded lightly and didn’t bring up this matter with Shen Qianyu again.
The next day when she saw Jinshu, the young girl was fiddling with a sachet Heng Wu had given her.
The sachet was sewn with some insect-repelling medicines that could ward off mosquitoes and was very effective. Jinshu was playing with it in her hands and sniffing it lightly when Song Wan saw this and walked before her with a gentle smile.
“Does Jinshu like it?”
“Yes.”
The young girl’s face was flushed with shyness as she said softly, “This servant wanted to ask Sister Heng Wu what was placed inside. If it’s convenient, this servant would like to make one for my future husband as well.”
“The formula inside was given by me to Heng Wu. I’ll write you a copy.”
Song Wan smiled as she pulled Jinshu into the room. She then took out brush and ink, and as she was writing, she asked in a seemingly casual manner, “That day when you went to meet your husband, what did you think?”
Jinshu blushed and smiled shyly with pressed lips. “At first I felt somewhat awkward—perhaps because we hadn’t seen each other in so long. But thinking about it now, it should be very good.”
Song Wan’s hand paused slightly as she smiled faintly.
After thinking, Song Wan added, “There’s something I’m uncertain about and wanted to ask your opinion.”
Jinshu’s eyes widened. “This servant’s mind is simple—I’m afraid I cannot help ease Master’s worries.”
“It’s fine.”
Putting down the brush, Song Wan said, “If you discovered someone was deceiving you, what would you do?”
“Why would they deceive this servant?”
“Probably to keep you from being sad, and also to let you live a better life.”
Jinshu was puzzled. “Why would they need to deceive this servant for my own good? Can’t they speak plainly?”
“If they spoke plainly, it would likely make both you and them very sad.”
“Ah…”
Song Wan handed the formula to Jinshu. Seeing Jinshu carefully fold it and place it in her sleeve, Song Wan asked, “If it were like this, what would you do?”
“Miss, this servant doesn’t understand.”
Jinshu smiled bashfully. “This servant also doesn’t know what to do, but this servant feels that if someone deceived this servant for my own good, then that person is a good person. This servant doesn’t want to make a good person sad, so if they deceived me, then so be it.”
“If they’re doing it for my good, this servant also wants to do good for them.”
Hearing this, Song Wan smiled gently and grasped Jinshu’s hand, saying softly, “Good Jinshu.”
“Laiyi Pavilion has all the items on this formula. Go find Heng Zhi and she’ll help you prepare them.”
“Thank you, Miss.”
Smiling as she curtsied to Song Wan, Jinshu walked out with joy filling her eyes.
Song Wan, however, sat in the room and let out a long sigh.
In truth, what Wan Xiao did wasn’t wrong either.
If the truth from back then were truly revealed, aside from making Jinshu sad, it would perhaps also embarrass Wan Xiao.
And if that man could truly protect Jinshu under his wing for a lifetime, then there would be no talk of deception.
Moreover, her earlier words that Wan Xiao shouldn’t make decisions for Jinshu were true—she also shouldn’t interfere in matters between those two.
Collecting her thoughts, Song Wan went with Heng Zhi to Changxin Palace.
In Changxin Palace, Song Yuning was lying on the couch taking a brief rest.
She had become increasingly lethargic recently, and her body had become much more delicate than before. Occasionally eating even a bite or two of food that was difficult to digest would cause unbearable abdominal pain. In severe cases, she would even vomit blood streaks.
These past few days, Caijie and Changping had been very worried. Afraid of delaying Qianbai and worried about Song Wan, she had forced herself to endure without seeking the imperial physicians.
When Song Wan entered, she saw Song Yuning’s complexion was ashen and defeated, looking very uncomfortable.
“What’s wrong with Aunt? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”
Song Yuning waved her hand. “I’ve been busy these past days and haven’t eaten or slept well—naturally I’ve become quite haggard, haven’t I?”
She smiled faintly. “Women, no matter when, must maintain their blood and qi. Eating and sleeping cannot be delayed even slightly.”
“Why must Aunt be so urgent? In any case, you should only depart after everything is properly prepared.”
“I’m not anxious, but Nanqing is urgent. I can’t very well hold Qianbai back.”
Song Yuning sat up and touched Song Wan’s cheek. “Tomorrow I’ll have Song Fu and Ming Xiang enter the palace. Let’s all have a meal together as a family, shall we? Aunt wants to see you all. After seeing you, I can set my heart at ease going to Nanqing.”
“So that Aunt won’t always be thinking of you.”