After leaving Yanqing Palace, Jiang Xingjian questioned Lin Jiayue about why she had taken matters into her own hands.

Lin Jiayue, however, replied with a laugh, “Do you not believe I can manage the marquis residence well, or do you not believe I can earn more silver for it?”

“Haven’t you seen the ice shop’s success? Moreover, even Her Ladyship believes in me and has given me five thousand taels of silver to open a new establishment. What do you have to worry about?”

Jiang Xingjian’s face was dark. “Do you know that having taken Her Ladyship’s silver, this business must turn a profit?”

“What business can guarantee it will definitely be profitable? Her Ladyship isn’t such an unreasonable person.”

Smiling as she held onto Jiang Xingjian’s arm, Lin Jiayue said sweetly, “But when I do business, it will surely succeed. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Xingjian shook off Lin Jiayue’s hand and strode away.

This was Jiang Man’s first time meeting her, so she must have found Lin Jiayue clever and intelligent, just as he had initially. But this cleverness couldn’t withstand the test of time. In the marquis residence, if she made mistakes, he would be there to cover for her. But under imperial power, if she made errors, who knew if overturning the entire marquis residence would be sufficient to bear the consequences.

Jiang Xingjian’s expression was ugly. Thinking of Consort Jiang’s words about having Lin Jiayue manage the marquis residence together with Song Wan made him increasingly vexed.

Jiang Man was both his elder sister and the Fifth Prince’s mother. Palace concubines didn’t need to open shops to earn silver, but princes needed powerful maternal families. Now that Consort Jiang had spoken, this household management matter was no longer just a private affair of the marquis residence. He simply couldn’t refuse.

Watching Lin Jiayue clutch the five thousand taels of silver, Jiang Xingjian grew more oppressed.

When the two returned to the marquis residence, Lin Jiayue hurried back to her room to ponder business matters. Jiang Xingjian went to Fuhe Hall with a cold expression.

“Your elder sister has always had a strong personality. Shu’er isn’t even five years old yet, but she’s already moving this quickly. Isn’t she afraid of overreaching?”

Old Madam Jiang half-closed her eyes, slowly fingering the agarwood prayer beads in her hand.

Jiang Xingjian knelt at her side and said in a low voice, “The palace is fraught with danger. Elder sister struggles at every step there. Our household should naturally help where we can. Moreover, now that the imperial consort has issued an order, we cannot disobey.”

“Since childhood, your elder sister has had you firmly under her thumb…”

Old Madam Jiang stood up. Jiang Xingjian quickly rose to support her. He heard Old Madam Jiang say, “It’s good that you siblings support each other, but Man’er has a radical temperament. Back then I disagreed with her entering the palace. If she hadn’t entered the palace, you and Song Wan wouldn’t have come to this state today.”

“With such a virtuous and intelligent girl as Song Wan as your helpmate, combined with your natural abilities and character, you might well have secured another century of glory for the marquis residence. But now you must take desperate risks to grasp that illusory flower in the mirror, moon in the water…”

“I only fear that in the future, you won’t gain wealth and honor but will instead end up covered in blood.”

Jiang Xingjian kept his face rigid, but inwardly thought that matters had reached this point—there was no turning back.

“Enough, enough. Since the marquis residence has been entrusted to you, you make the decisions about household matters. How many more years does this old woman have to live anyway? Better I don’t meddle now, lest I cause discord between you siblings in the future and become the guilty party instead.”

Old Madam Jiang waved her hand, having her senior maid Baozhu escort Jiang Xingjian out.

Only after everyone had left did Old Madam Jiang sigh softly. “Throughout history, countless princes and imperial grandsons have died young. Now, for the sake of a five-year-old child, they’re willing to stake the entire marquis residence against the Song residence. If Song Lan’an knew Jiang Man had become this foolish, he’d probably laugh out loud.”

“Since Old Madam knows it’s inappropriate, why not advise the young master?”

An old servant helped Old Madam Jiang sit down and spoke consoling words in a low voice.

Old Madam Jiang said, “You watched Jiang Man grow up—don’t you know her temperament? Years ago, I merely said she had an arrogant nature and wouldn’t be suitable to marry into a high family as a clan wife. She turned around and seduced the Emperor to enter the palace.”

“Now she wants to interfere in household affairs. If I block Yi’er, it will only make her resentful and gradually distance herself from the marquis residence.”

“She was born of the Jiang family. If something really goes wrong, can the marquis residence truly escape involvement? Better to let Yi’er watch over things—it’s more secure.”

The old servant also sighed. Apart from a few comforting words, she could think of no other solution.

After leaving Old Madam Jiang’s room, Jiang Xingjian went to Lanting Main Courtyard looking troubled.

When he arrived, household servants were reporting accounts to Song Wan. Each one was exceedingly respectful. The account books in their hands were both clear and detailed. Song Wan examined them briefly before smiling and signing the household receipts.

“First Madam, these are this month’s kitchen expenses.”

Song Wan took them and looked through each one. Though the month wasn’t yet complete, several thousand taels of silver remained.

“First Madam manages the household admirably. Everyone in the inner and outer courtyards praises her.”

Old Lady Liang said, “Indeed, indeed. Some days ago when the heat was severe, if First Madam hadn’t prepared cooling mung bean soup for the outer courtyard servants, several would surely be ill by now.”

“Ordinary trifles, not worth mentioning.”

Song Wan rapidly worked her abacus. Seeing that the household regulations she’d previously changed had indeed saved considerable silver, her heart settled somewhat.

“First Madam, regarding the ‘Autumn Moon Over Mountains’ painting you sent to the Sun residence yesterday—how should this expense be recorded?”

Song Wan didn’t even look up. “No need to record it. Consider it my personal gift to Madam Sun.”

“An authentic work by Zhang Shaoqing?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xingjian stepped forward. The group of steward servants all curtsied. He waved his hand and they fell silent.

“There’s no reason for a woman’s dowry to supplement her husband’s family. I’ll reimburse you for that authentic painting in silver the day after tomorrow.”

“Whatever my husband decides is fine.”

Song Wan smiled faintly at him and lowered her head to continue managing the accounts. Jiang Xingjian thought for a moment, then dismissed those servants and sat before Song Wan.

“Does my husband have something to say?”

“There is indeed something I need to… discuss with you.”

Jiang Xingjian’s brow was tightly furrowed. After thinking for a long time, he still couldn’t speak. Song Wan saw his difficulty and knew it must concern Lin Jiayue. She didn’t press him, only lowered her head to organize the household receipts, having no intention of prying.

After a long while, Jiang Xingjian finally said, “How is the marriage between Jiang Yan and the Sun family progressing?”

“Madam Sun still has some concerns. Though she hasn’t agreed yet, negotiations have progressed considerably. After Miss Sun’s coming-of-age ceremony, it may be settled.”

“What concerns? Jiang Yan and Miss Sun are quite well-matched. The Sun residence shouldn’t refuse this marriage.”

Song Wan said indifferently, “Madam Sun dislikes families where people act outrageously and don’t follow proper conduct. She’s also afraid that a chaotic rear courtyard with many people would implicate Miss Sun.”

“Where in the marquis residence is there…”

Having uttered just a few words, Jiang Xingjian sheepishly closed his mouth.

He had been about to raise the matter of having Lin Jiayue jointly manage the household with Song Wan, but now it was awkward to speak of it.

Even after Song Wan finished settling today’s accounts, Jiang Xingjian still hadn’t stated his purpose.

She felt vaguely uneasy. “Having waited so long, it must be important. Better to speak directly.”

Jiang Xingjian touched his nose and said in a low voice, “I want Jiayue to jointly manage the household with you.”