Only three days after returning from the barren mountain, Jiang Xingjian was indeed transferred by His Majesty to the Shenshu Camp. Lin Jiayue could no longer withhold the secret of the firearms, so she could only have the process of making firecrackers written down with infinite complexity, and informed Jiang Xingjian of the altered gunpowder ratios.

Having obtained what he wanted, Jiang Xingjian threw himself into the Shenshu Camp and didn’t return to the residence for several days. Since his departure, Lin Jiayue sat dazed every day on the corridor of Xiuyan Pavilion. Someone who previously could never sit still was now frighteningly docile.

Occasionally passing by the courtyard, Song Wan found her appearance quite uncomfortable to witness. Heng Zhi fanned Song Wan while Heng Wu sat to the side embroidering flower shoes. The room was quiet, far from the liveliness of the past. Nanny Zhao, Xiang Cao, and Lv Zhu had been sent away from the marquis residence one after another. Occasionally thinking of the three, her heart would ache for a while.

“First Mistress, a young master from Pingcui Nunnery has come. It seems the matter you previously inquired about has received a response.”

“I’ll go see them.”

Song Wan got off the bed and invited Master Ling Yu from the residence’s Pingcui Nunnery inside. Though Ling Yu was a Buddhist practitioner, because she received patronage from the marquis residence, she couldn’t be said to have left the secular world. Thus she was very clever and tactful in her words and actions.

Song Wan had Heng Zhi brew tea and invited Ling Yu to the inner hall before saying: “I wonder about the matter I inquired about some days ago—has Master Qingshuang given a response?”

“In reply to First Mistress, Master had Ling Yu deliver this to you. Ling Yu knows nothing else.”

Song Wan opened the thin paper Ling Yu had brought. Inside was an address—a dilapidated nunnery. Looking at it, she suddenly smiled.

“Thank you for your trouble, young master. In a moment I’ll have a maid from the courtyard send over incense offerings.”

Ling Yu left with a smile, but Song Wan sat rather desolately on the bed. She had originally wanted to seek Master Qingshuang’s help, to temporarily avoid the world through religious practice and dodge the tumultuous affairs of the marquis residence. Who knew even Buddhist practitioners would bow their heads, refusing so decisively and appropriately.

Not even giving an evasive excuse like some Buddhist saying or “worldly ties not yet severed”—just so plainly telling her that if she could leave, there were plenty of places where she could practice while keeping her hair.

Discarding the paper in her hand, Song Wan finally admitted she had no path to take.

“Forget it. I already knew others offered no hope.”

Collecting her complicated emotions, Song Wan led Heng Zhi and Heng Wu in living a semi-reclusive life in Lanting Courtyard. Jiang Xingjian went to the Shenshu Camp. Old Madam Jiang was gravely ill, and Jiang’s mother exempted everyone from morning and evening attendance, guarding Fuhe Hall alone. Lin Jiayue sat dazed on the corridor all day, no longer causing trouble for people everywhere as before, making the entire residence considerably less interesting.

Consort Jiang from the palace sent a managing female official who worked daily with Huai Su to handle residence affairs. This peaceful life gave Song Wan a feeling of returning to her widowhood days. Because she habitually preferred quiet, she especially cherished the current leisure.

However, time flowed like water. Entering the eighth month, the marquis residence had to busy itself again. Among these matters, the most important was sending the Mid-Autumn Festival gift to Head Eunuch Duan Yiting and entering the palace to pay respects to several Imperial Consorts and His Majesty.

Ordinarily, court matters or interactions with court officials shouldn’t involve Song Wan. In previous years, the residence steward would simply go to the Duan residence to deliver festival gifts and exchange a few auspicious words with the gatekeepers. But this year, whether fortunately or unfortunately, the marquis residence actually received word from Eunuch Duan that he wanted to personally visit the old lady.

Duan Yiting was originally a down-and-out scholar with some knowledge of classics and histories. But in his youth, not knowing what blow he suffered, he actually castrated himself and entered the palace as a eunuch. He was meticulous, good at listening and observing, and extremely skilled at manipulating people’s hearts. Both the late emperor and the current emperor trusted him deeply and favored him greatly.

However, it was said that in recent years he had fought fiercely with Eunuch Wan of the Eastern Depot and hadn’t appeared in public for a long time. Now he had somehow suddenly taken an interest in the marquis residence.

Palace eunuchs were different from outside men. Since Duan Yiting said he wanted to personally visit the old lady, he would enter the inner quarters. The marquis residence naturally needed to host a banquet. Thus all the female family members, especially principal wives like Song Wan, could not avoid it.

These past days the marquis residence busied itself making clothes and shoes for the household, cleaning everything inside and out until not a speck of dust remained. But even so, on the day Duan Yiting arrived at the residence, Song Wan felt rather anxious.

“Miss, this servant’s hair-styling skills cannot compare to Lv Zhu’s.”

“It’s fine.”

Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, elaborately made up, Song Wan slowly formed an elegant, gentle smile. But the smile only lasted an instant before quickly fading.

“Miss, Eunuch Duan has been recuperating in the palace for a long time. Besides requesting audience with His Majesty on the first and fifteenth of each month, he hasn’t appeared for ages. Why would he suddenly approach the marquis residence?”

Heng Zhi half-knelt to put jewelry on Song Wan. Having doubts in her heart, she couldn’t help but inquire aloud.

Song Wan shook her head: “I don’t know either.”

Duan Yiting was cunning and suspicious by nature, with unpredictable moods. Since advancing in years, he had become even more capricious. Laughing and chatting with someone one day, then causing their family’s destruction the next—such incidents were not rare. But conversely, previously ignoring you, then suddenly becoming extremely fond and elevating your entire household to prominence—such examples also existed.

But whether the former or the latter, neither was good for Song Wan.

“Other things can be managed, but I fear Consort Jiang has done something to bring Eunuch Duan onto her boat.”

Duan Yiting coming to the marquis residence today might well be a signal. With his support, the Fifth Prince could certainly gain another two points of advantage.

“The smoke gauze cape I had you prepare days ago—where is it?”

“It’s ready. This servant will fetch it.”

Heng Wu brought over a cape of light, soft material. Song Wan lowered her head to sniff it gently, only detecting a faint floral fragrance. Years ago she heard someone had sent Duan Yiting two pots of rare peonies, but it caused him to break out in itchy red rashes. Later in his fury, he found a trumped-up charge and had the gift-giver exiled to the south. They still hadn’t returned.

To prevent the marquis residence from becoming entangled with Duan Yiting, Song Wan had been soaking this cape in the red-blue flower water used for dyeing fingernails for several days. Whether it would be effective was yet unknown, but… better than nothing.

Song Wan stood up and had Heng Zhi dress her properly, then walked out of Lanting Courtyard with lotus steps.

Today the marquis residence was extremely lively. Masters of all sizes were in the main hall, including Lin Jiayue and Huai Su, who attended accompanied by maids. For a time people came and went—extremely bustling.

Jiang Xingjian waited in the outer courtyard to receive guests, while Jiang Yan sat in a position by the door, conversing with several youngsters from the residence still attending clan school.

Before Song Wan even entered, she saw his gentle expression as he listened to the little ones chattering away showing off their studies. The childish prattle was amusing, but Jiang Yan’s eyes were full of earnestness and patience. Seeing this scene, Song Wan couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“Sister-in-law…”

Seeing her enter, the little ones bowed in greeting one by one. After Song Wan returned the courtesy, Jiang Yan said: “Sister-in-law, please wait.”

“Some days ago, Steward Liu returned from transporting goods in Jiangnan and brought back many fine items. Your younger brother has already sent portions to each branch of the residence. This portion is reserved for sister-in-law.”

Jiang Yan picked up a stack of books from the table. Lowering his eyes, he faintly stroked them a few times before handing them to Qing Zhai behind him.

Song Wan’s gaze swept across the various maids in the room. Seeing that several indeed held items like writing brushes and ink in their hands, only then did she signal Heng Zhi to accept them. Smiling, she said: “Thank you for Second Master’s thoughtfulness. Please thank Steward Liu for me.”

Jiang Yan pressed his lips tightly together, suppressing the corners of his mouth that wanted to lift and his restless feelings. In a warm voice he nodded: “Your younger brother understands.”