Though her movements weren’t obvious, Jiang Xingjian could still sense a trace of unwelcome.

He pressed his lips together slightly but had to forcefully suppress the displeasure in his heart.

“I encountered Concubine Zhou and Jiang Jing in the courtyard. Did they come about some matter?”

“Concubine Zhou came about Third Sister’s marriage. Now that Third Sister has reached the proper age, this marriage should be put on the agenda.”

Jiang Xingjian nodded: “Do you have someone in mind?”

“The Lan family of Cangzhou has a concubine-born son of quite high generation. This person has some connection with my elder brother. I was thinking of sending someone to inquire whether he’s already betrothed.”

Hearing mention of the Lan family of Cangzhou, Jiang Xingjian thought briefly and knew this match would be excellent.

The Lan family had proper household customs. Though their ancestors had once been demoted, the clan was prosperous. Moreover, he had heard of the person Song Wan mentioned—someone steady and reliable in his conduct.

However, this person was said to have a somewhat unruly character, which was why his marriage had remained unsettled all these years.

“The Lan family head has a legitimate son who only recently passed childhood this year. This son is said to be extremely talented with considerable gifts. Combined with the Lan family’s immense wealth, his future achievements will likely be considerable.”

Song Wan smiled faintly: “With strict household customs naturally come excellent young men. The Lan family’s return to court is only a matter of time.”

Jiang Xingjian silently agreed, knowing in his heart this match couldn’t be more suitable.

If they could truly form a marriage alliance with a wealthy clan like the Lan family, it would only benefit the two in the palace.

“Then I’ll trouble my wife with this.”

Song Wan smiled faintly and continued writing her letter to Madam Lan. After having Lv Zhu deliver it, she inquired why Jiang Xingjian had come today.

“Nothing major. It’s just that today I submitted a memorial requesting to inherit the title. Once the title comes through, I’ll have to trouble my wife to manage the inner household affairs even more.”

Hearing this, Song Wan lowered her eyes without speaking.

If Jiang Xingjian inherited the title, she would not only need to manage the inner household but also deal with the various madams of the capital’s families. If this were before, it would be one thing, but now with Lin Jiayue standing in the middle, she truly felt impatient.

“Besides this, there’s another matter. Sun Liang, Director Sun of the Bureau of Operations in the Ministry of War, was promoted today to Vice Director.”

“Miss Sun’s paternal uncle?”

Jiang Xingjian said: “Exactly.”

“From this we can see His Majesty is indeed preparing to promote and employ the Sun family. Moreover, three or four families came today to propose marriage, but it’s said Madam Sun turned them all away. It seems the Sun family has agreed to the marriage alliance with the marquis estate.”

“Among the many aristocratic young men of the capital, Second Master is quite outstanding. The Sun family should have at least this much discernment.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xingjian raised his eyebrows. Seeing Song Wan’s face remain indifferent and not particularly earnest, he finally suppressed the indescribable hint of sourness in his heart.

“Madam Sun sent you a gift.”

Xiang Cao came in carrying a large woven basket. Seeing Jiang Xingjian present, she paid respects perfunctorily before placing the item in front of Song Wan. Song Wan picked up the small note on top, opened it, glanced at it a few times, and smiled: “It seems our household will have a happy occasion soon.”

She casually handed the note to Jiang Xingjian and opened the basket.

Inside were pieces of thousand-layer cake. As soon as the lid was removed, the fragrance of rice filled the air.

Song Wan cheerfully picked up a piece and took a light bite, then pointed at Xiang Cao to have her distribute pieces to everyone in the room.

Jiang Xingjian accepted a piece of thousand-layer cake but held it in his hand without moving.

Even after returning to Embroidered Smoke Pavilion, the scene of Song Wan taking small bites of the thousand-layer cake continued to circle in his mind.

Jiang Xingjian smiled wryly and took up his brush to write a letter to Jiang Man.

The marriage between Jiang Yan and the Sun family was already the best choice the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate could make at present.

Though the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate held a title, they ultimately had no real power. And Jiang Man’s status as Imperial Consort was both good and bad for the marquis estate.

Without Jiang Man, Jiang Yan’s marriage prospects could perhaps reach even higher. But as relatives of an Imperial Prince by marriage, the marquis estate’s marriage alliances couldn’t be chosen from any higher stations.

After some thought, Jiang Xingjian also included in his letter Song Wan’s high regard for the Lan family of Cangzhou.

After Lin Jiayue finished arranging the cosmetics shop with the stewards, she came to find Jiang Xingjian. Seeing him writing to Jiang Man, she asked what he was writing.

Jiang Xingjian answered casually. Hearing this, Lin Jiayue said: “From what you say, both the Sun family and Lan family are quite good. But why would Song Wan be so kindhearted? Can’t she see the future situation between the Jiang and Song households?”

Jiang Xingjian frowned slightly: “Marriage relationships are deeply intertwined. Whether the Sun family or Lan family, both have some connection to the Song household. Moreover, regardless of how the Jiang and Song households develop in the future, she is still the principal wife of the marquis estate now and wouldn’t make trouble over such important matters.”

“Is that so?”

Lin Jiayue pouted, her eyes showing disdain.

She had long tired of hearing Jiang Xingjian’s words about Song Wan being sensible and everything about her being good.

“Didn’t Song Wan live as a widow behind closed doors in the marquis estate for six years? How is it she knows both Madam Sun and Madam Lan? Don’t tell me that even during her widowhood she wasn’t idle and was out socializing all day?”

Seeing Lin Jiayue’s words becoming increasingly unpleasant, Jiang Xingjian felt impatient: “How many households are there in the capital? These families have been on good terms for generations. It’s no exaggeration to say every family has kinship connections. You weren’t born into an aristocratic family, so naturally you don’t understand.”

“Are you looking down on my origins?”

Too lazy to deal with her unreasonable pestering, Jiang Xingjian had someone send the letter into the palace, then asked about the cosmetics shop.

“You can rest assured. I handle matters most reliably. In another half month the shop renovation will be complete. You and Imperial Consort Jiang just wait to collect the silver.”

Lin Jiayue looked completely confident, which finally put Jiang Xingjian’s mind at ease.

The scene of Song Wan holding the thousand-layer cake floated through his mind again. Jiang Xingjian pinched the bridge of his nose, driving that graceful figure from his thoughts. When he looked up again, he saw Lin Jiayue helping him tidy the clutter on his desk.

He sighed softly and pulled her hand, drawing her into his embrace.

“I’m sorry.”

He had been too impatient with her. Jiang Xingjian couldn’t bear it.

He was the one who had pulled her into this vortex. How innocent was Lin Jiayue? He couldn’t tolerate himself using a girl whose heart was full of him, only for his own purposes. He didn’t want to and couldn’t become a petty person who would use women by any means necessary.

Holding Lin Jiayue tightly, Jiang Xingjian’s suspended heart settled somewhat.

“It’s alright. I know you’re troubled.”

Lin Jiayue murmured: “I know you have me in your heart, and I know you have Song Wan in your heart too. But I’m not afraid. I can wait. As long as you continue to firmly choose me as you do now, we can definitely walk steadily forward together.”

Jiang Xingjian valued relationships deeply—she knew this. If not for this, she wouldn’t have fallen in love with this man.

Childhood sweethearts’ love couldn’t withstand trials. The Song Wan that Jiang Xingjian loved was his beautiful fantasy of first love in his heart, while she herself was the one by his side.

Lin Jiayue didn’t believe she couldn’t compare to an inner household woman with no experience. She had confidence in herself.

“Love needs to be nurtured. As long as our two hearts are together, everything will get better and better.”

Lin Jiayue smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss Jiang Xingjian’s chin. Seeing this, Jiang Xingjian lowered his head slightly and kissed her deeply on the lips.

Jiayue was right. As long as their two hearts were in one place, he would eventually let go of Song Wan.