Lin Jiayue had never imagined that one day she would be called laughable by Song Wan, whom she viewed as pitiful and pathetic.

Her complexion alternated between pale and flushed, overwhelmed with shame and indignation.

Seeing her like this, Song Wan said coolly, “Next time you come to show off your power, investigate thoroughly first.”

She left after speaking, nearly causing Lin Jiayue to tear the handkerchief in her hands to shreds.

“Go find Nanny Li and tell her that Concubine Lin’s understanding of proper conduct is lacking. She needs to be taught again what can and cannot be done.”

Hearing this, Heng Zhi nodded and went to Fuhe Hall to find Nanny Li.

To actually say such words about having the legitimate wife of the family heir remarry—Concubine Lin must have caught the same madness as the Young Master.

With this thought, Heng Zhi quickened her steps.

After sending Lin Jiayue away, Song Wan sat alone at her desk in contemplation. Nanny Zhao had also heard their exchange and, after composing herself, comforted Song Wan.

“Madam need not concern yourself with that little harlot. Men are fond of beauty, but she’s just a plaything who serves through her looks. Once the Young Master’s novelty wears off, he’ll see the Young Mistress’s virtues.”

Lv Zhu frowned and said, “If the Young Master loves beauty, he should love the Young Mistress’s beauty instead. The Young Mistress is far more beautiful than Concubine Lin.”

“That’s right. Who knows what the Young Master sees in Concubine Lin.”

Xiang Cao was also puzzled and muttered quietly. Hearing this, Song Wan blinked and perked up her ears to listen.

Heng Wu considered for a moment, then had a sudden realization: “This servant understands now. The Young Master must enjoy Concubine Lin’s lack of propriety, her frivolous and wanton manner. The Third Master in our household is very fond of actors and courtesans. Those women are just like Concubine Lin—full of lowborn airs that can’t be brought to the table.”

“All day long, aside from being jealous and showing off before the Third Madam, they just cling to the Third Master. Now that I think about it, there really are men who favor such types.”

“Bah, bah, bah! Actors and courtesans indeed—you’re an unmarried girl, yet your mouth has no guard, daring to say anything. Let me…”

“Tear my mouth apart.”

Heng Wu laughingly finished Nanny Zhao’s sentence, infuriating Nanny Zhao who moved forward to pinch her flesh.

Song Wan, however, sat in a daze, secretly wondering if Jiang Xingjian truly preferred women who were ill-mannered and brazenly disrespectful.

As she was lost in thought, Heng Zhi returned to report that the gatehouse had delivered a calling card.

“From which family?”

“A card from the Sun family, inviting the Young Mistress to worship at Zhitong Temple.”

Hearing this, Song Wan smiled. “I thought the Sun family would decline me. Since they’re now requesting to meet, they must have some interest in Second Young Master. Go inform Old Madam that I’ll be going out tomorrow.”

Delighted, Heng Zhi hurried off to report to Old Madam Jiang.

After all, this concerned Jiang Yan’s marriage, so Song Wan thought for a moment and sent someone to the second branch to notify Qing Zhai.

When Jiang Yan returned to the residence that evening, he was somewhat dazed upon hearing this news.

“When Xiang Cao came to find this servant today, Concubine Liu was also there. She asked a few questions, and upon hearing that the First Madam had declined the Qi residence of Duke Li Guo’s family, she spent the entire afternoon fuming, saying that the First Madam was acting out of selfishness by deliberately choosing a family of lower status for the young master.”

“In the evening, she even made a scene in Madam’s courtyard. Since Madam has no patience for handling such matters, she directed Concubine Liu to the First Madam.”

“Did she go looking for her?”

Qing Zhai lowered her eyes and nodded, not daring to elaborate on which “her” was meant.

Jiang Yan’s face filled with irritation, the gloom in his eyes growing increasingly thick. Qing Zhai saw his hands begin to tremble uncontrollably, thought for a moment, and retreated outside the room.

She stood by the door until the room inside became quiet again before opening the door once more.

The study was in disarray, yet Jiang Yan had returned to his gentle demeanor. Only the sickly flush on his face from venting his agitation revealed his troubled state of mind.

“Where is Liu Chengxiang currently stationed?”

“Last month he went to Jiangnan with the manager of Yuxi Trading House to transport goods.”

Jiang Yan’s fists clenched tightly, his breathing becoming slightly rapid. Seeing this, Qing Zhai said, “Concubine Liu’s nephew Liu Liansheng is currently serving in the porcelain warehouse.”

“Break his leg and tell Liu Zhu to behave herself. If there’s a next time, send Liu Chengxiang’s entire family to guard the medicinal herb shop in the southern frontier.”

After speaking, Jiang Yan stood up and walked to the large redwood wardrobe.

Qing Zhai only saw him rummaging through his robes but never seeming satisfied.

“Will the young master be going out tomorrow?”

“To Zhitong Temple.”

Qing Zhai stepped forward and took out a dark blue brocade robe: “This servant thinks this one is more refined.”

“Refined?”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan removed his outer garment. After Qing Zhai helped him put it on, she stepped back to the side.

“Indeed elegant and refined, quite possessing gentlemanly bearing.”

His eyes were bright, seeming very pleased.

“Should the household prepare a carriage tomorrow?”

Jiang Yan smiled warmly. “No need.”

Zhitong Temple was located in the suburbs of the capital. Though its incense offerings were not particularly abundant, it excelled in tranquility. Moreover, there was a mountain path specifically for women’s use, which was why the ladies of various households in the capital were willing to come here to worship Buddha.

However, Zhitong Temple received two unusual visitors today. When Xiao Jiye entered the bamboo grove chamber, he was rather puzzled.

“You’re in a good mood today, actually inviting me to such a peaceful place.”

He looked up at Jiang Yan and sneered, “First time seeing you dressed so presentably.”

Jiang Yan looked down and asked with a smile, “Do I not appear upright and refined?”

“You appear like a beast in gentleman’s clothing.”

Xiao Jiye sat boldly on a stone stool. “What do you want from me?”

He had some shady business dealings with Jiang Yan. After four or five years of cooperation, they were reasonably compatible. Though they couldn’t claim life-or-death friendship, they could barely be considered candid with each other.

“I heard your elder brother has returned. Is it delaying your inheritance of the title?”

Jiang Yan shook his head. His temperament was unusually peaceful today. He methodically drew out the game pieces and arranged them one by one. “Keep me company for a game.”

Xiao Jiye raised an eyebrow slightly and extended his scar-covered hand, picking up black pieces and placing them haphazardly.

Jiang Yan didn’t get angry, playing by himself until voices appeared in the chamber on the other side of the wall. Only then did his face show a smile.

Seeing that all his attention was focused on that soft, gentle female voice, Xiao Jiye also became interested, holding his breath to listen quietly to the conversation next door.

“It’s been many years since I’ve seen First Madam Jiang. I didn’t expect you to have grown so beautiful.”

Song Wan handed the gift box she was carrying to the Sun family’s maid and smiled. “The last time I saw you was seven or eight years ago. I still remember the osmanthus candy you brought me.”

“You child, you have such a good memory.”

Song Wan smiled slightly, as if the matter of waiting half an hour for the Sun family at the foot of the mountain had never happened.

In marriage discussions, it was normal for the woman’s side to maintain a more reserved and elevated posture. She had no complaints about it.

“Greetings to First Madam Jiang.”

A young lady who had blossomed gracefully curtsied to Song Wan. Song Wan turned to look and saw that Miss Sun was soft, charming, and delightfully innocent.

The young lady had a round face and large, dewy eyes that were very endearing. When she looked at people, her eyes were full of bashful smiles. With just one glance, Song Wan liked her very much.

She took a jade box from Heng Zhi and presented it to Miss Sun.

Seeing this, Madam Sun said, “This is too valuable. I really cannot accept it.”

Song Wan smiled gently. “I took an immediate liking to Miss Sun. It seems we two sisters share some affinity. What harm is there in an elder sister giving something to a younger sister?”

On the other side of the wall, Jiang Yan’s eyes held an expression that seemed both joyful and sorrowful.