Binding Spring Love

【Lin Jiayue extra】

"Serve tea to your mother."

Jiang Su, dressed in a brand-new silver-threaded brocade robe with floral patterns, knelt down with a pretty young girl beside him to serve tea to Lin Jiayue.

The two had just gotten married yesterday. The young woman was almost ten years younger than Jiang Su. Today, her face was flushed with shyness, but her eyes were filled with tears of love.

Lin Jiayue looked at the two of them and smiled.

She never imagined that Jiang Su would marry a girl so much younger than him.

"Good child, get up quickly."

Su Qinglu stood up slightly awkwardly and stood to one side, not daring to say a word.

Her mother-in-law was a formidable woman; she was a first-rank noblewoman who had been bestowed a plaque by imperial decree by the current emperor.

Not to mention that she single-handedly supported the Marquis's mansion for decades, turning the Chengyang Marquis's mansion back to the pinnacle of power, she also helped countless people in distress over the years with her ubiquitous general stores.

The obstetrics and gynecology clinic she established with the Empress Dowager, and the thousands of midwives she trained, saved countless women's lives. Throughout the entire capital, every young woman revered her and aspired to be like her.

Even though she was often subjected to insults, these harsh words gradually disappeared without a trace after the Emperor bestowed the plaque upon her.

"Good boy, what are you afraid of? Do you think I'd eat you?"

Lin Jiayue tapped the gilded chimera cane in her hand lightly on the ground and laughed.

In her youth, she was beautiful and delicate, but now that she is older and has been busy with the trivial matters of the Marquis's mansion and the livelihood of the people for many years, her face has aged terribly and has lost all trace of gentleness.

Sometimes, when Lin Jiayue looks in the bronze mirror, she is startled for a moment by the person in the mirror.

But she never regretted it.

After all, the kind-faced old lady couldn't possibly support such a large mansion, even now.

Looking at Jiang Su, who had grown into a handsome and dashing man with sharp features, Lin Jiayue's heart softened, and she forced out a bit of affection.

"What happened at the old Prince's residence..."

However, as soon as she brought up the topic, the color drained from Su Qingluo's face.

Lin Jiayue sighed and said, "You don't need to be nervous. What I meant was that our household doesn't value those empty titles. Now that you've married into the Chengyang Marquis's household, you don't need to worry about this matter every day, fearing that someone might bring it up and use it to humiliate you."

It turns out that Su Qingluo is a descendant of an old friend.

Her father was the son of Su Xie, an academician of Jingshan Academy. This girl came from Song Wan's maternal clan. When Lin Jiayue heard of such a person, she was already delighted even before meeting her.

Originally, this young girl was engaged, but some time ago, at a banquet held at the old Prince's mansion in the capital, something went wrong and a seven or eight-year-old girl fell into the pond. None of the girls moved, but her silly daughter-in-law jumped into the water without hesitation.

What remained were just those old tricks she had seen enough of.

The family that was engaged to the Su family seized upon the fact that Su Qingluo had lost her reputation, and the next day they made a big show of breaking off the engagement.

Thinking back to the moment she heard the news, Lin Jiayue's hand holding the teacup was still trembling violently.

Perhaps it's because people get old, but they always remember old things. Lin Jiayue coughed lightly and continued, "You did the right thing. You risked your life to save people. In my eyes, you are the kindest person. It's only those fools and idiots who would use this to attack you for losing your innocence and say those ridiculous things."

Jiang Su turned to look at his young wife with her youthful face, then at his mother, and smiled gently.

He also felt that his mother was right; his young wife was brave and kind.

"Our household doesn't practice the custom of taking concubines or bringing women into our homes. I see that the maids you brought with you as part of your dowry are all for this purpose, aren't they?"

"Yes……"

"Send them all back to the Su family. As long as I live, there will be no one else in Su'er's room."

Su Qingluo looked up in astonishment, her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at Lin Jiayue.

Although the Su family was prestigious and was the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, her father was devoted to his studies and was well-known among scholars, but he was not an official, and she was far inferior to the Marquis of Chengyang in status.

Moreover, she had previously lost her virginity and later suffered the shame of being jilted by her husband's family. In terms of status, position, and reputation, she was far inferior to Marquis Jiang Su of Chengyang.

When the matchmaker from the Marquis of Chengyang's mansion came to propose marriage, Su Qingluo couldn't believe she could actually marry into the Marquis's family until she entered the bridal chamber yesterday.

Fearing that she would be mistreated in her husband's family and that her husband might reject her marriage due to her background, her mother specially selected four beautiful maids to help her secure the emperor's favor in the future.

However, Su Qingluo never expected that on her very first day of marriage, her seemingly stern mother-in-law would say such a thing to her.

The young girl was thin-skinned and pure-hearted. After hearing these words, her worries and fears suddenly dissipated, and she couldn't help but wipe away her tears, unable to hold back the grievances she had suffered earlier.

"Don't cry, it's a joyous day."

Pulling the girl close, Jiang Su gently wiped away the tears from her face.

"Mother is right. Now that I have married you, I will not have any more improper thoughts. Concubines are the root of family chaos. Send those women back to the Su residence. I will have someone prepare a carriage to accompany you back to the Su residence in a little while."

"But...but today isn't the day for the bride's homecoming..."

Lin Jiayue said, "I don't care about those things."

Seeing that the young girl's heart and eyes were full of Jiang Su, Lin Jiayue suddenly thought of herself when she first arrived at the Marquis of Chengyang's mansion.

At that time, she, like Su Qingluo, was filled with love for her husband.

Looking around, they felt that the road ahead was full of flowers and the future was bright and radiant.

How could she have known then that her love affair would result in unrest for everyone?

Now, seeing the eyes of a young girl just beginning to experience love, eyes that could give up everything for love, Lin Jiayue couldn't help but feel afraid.

She was truly afraid that the young girl in front of her would also lose the gamble, just like her, and suffer a complete defeat.

Lin Jiayue beckoned to Su Qingluo and softened her voice: "Go back today and talk to your mother. Otherwise, she'll be worried sick these next three days. Let Su'er go back with you. Whatever she's worried about, she'll be relieved when she sees Su'er."

Lin Jiayue wouldn't dare say she raised her son exceptionally well, but she would certainly say that her son is probably the person in the world who understands the most respect for women.

He had previously refused to marry, so she followed his lead. When she heard about Su Qingluo, she asked him if he would like to meet this girl. He never felt dissatisfied. After they secretly met, the two families arranged the marriage.

In the past, Lin Jiayue thought that arranged marriages were unacceptable, but after seeing more people and experiencing more of the world, she realized that whether a marriage can be happy or not depends only on the people involved.

If the two people are polite and know how to behave appropriately, and have no scheming or malicious intentions, their lives won't get too bad, no matter how bad they are.

Watching the newlyweds leave, Lin Jiayue slowly walked out of Fuhe Hall, leaning on her cane.

Not long after arriving at the main hall, Lin Jiayue saw Jiang Xing walk in looking exhausted, followed by seven or eight teenagers.

"My little stars are back."

"Greetings to the old lady."

A group of girls chattered and swarmed around Lin Jiayue. Lin Jiayue touched each of their tender little faces and said goodnight to them one by one.

Seeing this, Jiang Xing laughed and said, "You really are always so busy. Wouldn't it be better to rest more? Why do you have to come pick me up every day?"

When Jiang Xing asked Jiang Su and his new bride, and heard that the two had returned to the bride's family, she simply nodded, showing no displeasure at the fact that the new bride had not paid her respects.

Because she's so busy these days.

As a child, Jiang Xing only knew that she did not want to leave the Marquis's mansion, but she never thought about what she could do with her life. Later, she became bored in the mansion, so she would often go to the midwives who came to learn obstetrics to learn medical skills. Over time, she also developed some interest in it.

Later, by a twist of fate, she saved a newborn baby who had died, and that's how she embarked on the path of saving lives.

At that time, many people criticized her for practicing medicine as an unmarried woman, but Lin Jiayue retorted with a few words.

Over the years, Jiang Xing has become a well-known female doctor specializing in both major and minor medicine in Beijing.

"If people rest for too long, they will become lazy. It is better to move around more."

After saying that, Lin Jiayue waved her hand: "Kids, time to eat."

A group of little girls followed behind her, chattering away as they walked. Lin Jiayue felt extremely pleased.

These young girls mostly came from poor families. After she converted Pingcui Nunnery into a pharmacy specializing in obstetrics, some pregnant women who couldn't afford to hire midwives would deliberately go to the pharmacy when labor started, begging for someone to deliver their babies.

Originally, only a few women came to give birth, but later some women even abandoned their babies at her place after giving birth.

Over the years, she has taken in many children like this.

Watching these children grow up little by little, Lin Jiayue's guilt seems to be gradually erased.

"Madam..."

"What's wrong?"

A pretty young girl was at the very back. She looked up at Lin Jiayue, her eyes seeming to hold unspoken words.

"But what's wrong? Not enough pocket money? Do you want to buy candy or silk flowers?"

"Neither."

The little girl blushed and her eyes were slightly red: "A couple came to the pharmacy today. They said they were my parents and wanted to take me home."

Lin Jiayue asked, "So what are your thoughts?"

"I don't know."

The little girl wept, her heart filled with resentment: "I know they see I've become capable and want to take me back to exchange for money. But my heart is filled with hatred, and also..."

"You have some expectations, don't you?"

Lin Jiayue stopped and said softly, "If you have any expectations, go back and take a look. I know where they live, so I won't let you get lost."

"Go back and see. If they treat you well, then stay. If they don't, then come back."

"I'm not going back."

The little girl wiped away her tears: "I don't want to be the kind of ungrateful person who is saved by our family and then turns around and blames us. I want to stay in the Marquis's mansion and take care of the old lady."

"Silly child."

Lin Jiayue stroked her head and smiled slightly.

Over the years, she has indeed encountered many people who took her kindness and then turned on her, but she doesn't care about them at all.

Gently smoothing the little girl's hair, Lin Jiayue said, "If I were looking for something in return, I wouldn't have done these things. Let's each cultivate our own hearts and not seek favors from others."

"And if I were to do a favor in the hopes of receiving something in return, then it would be better not to do it at all."

"But Madam, you did a good deed, yet you were taken advantage of. Aren't you resentful?"

"If I start without expecting anything in return, how could I be dissatisfied?"

Lin Jiayue smiled gently: "Life is full of disappointments, but as long as we are true to ourselves and to the world, that's enough. What you do comes from your own heart, and what others do comes from their own heart. Why should we care?"

"The same applies to this matter. I know you are a good child. If you want to go back and see, then go back."

"If you go against your conscience, you will surely regret it later. What's the point?"

Upon hearing this, the little girl gritted her teeth and nodded through tears after a long while.

She still wanted to go back and see them, no matter what her parents' reasons were for abandoning her back then.

If the truth is unbearable, she can give up and stay in the Marquis's mansion.

"I'll arrange for someone to take you back this afternoon. If you go against your conscience and develop a mental block over this, you'll never be able to have peace of mind no matter what you do in the future."

After Lin Jiayue finished speaking, she took the little girl's hand and led her to the main dining area.

The children are still growing, and they can eat a lot. Seeing how much they enjoyed their meal after a tiring morning, Lin Jiayue and Jiang Xing smiled knowingly.

She always dreamed of changing this era, of making a name for herself and leaving her mark on history.

Looking at herself now, she only feels naive.

Lin Jiayue picked up the porcelain bowl in front of her and began to eat slowly.

Although she cannot change the fate of all living beings, it is good that she can protect the people around her.

She could protect these girls in front of her, and ensure that Su Qingluo, who married into the Chengyang Marquis's mansion, would have a worry-free life without having to compete with the concubines in the inner quarters. That was already very good.

Over the years, as she watched Jiang Xing, Song Wan, and the people around her gradually change under her influence, Lin Jiayue felt it was all worthwhile.

She couldn't change the era, but she witnessed it.

She changed some people and witnessed their love, life, confusion, and brilliance.

She became involved in many people's stories, accompanied them throughout their lives, and felt that was enough as she watched them enact those wonderful tales.

She...

That's enough to make this life worthwhile.

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The story is finished! Hooray!

Thank you so much to everyone who followed the series to the end!

I'm truly grateful for everyone's support in making this article possible.

In closing, there are some questions that many people have had, and I'd like to take this opportunity to explain them.

Because I probably won't have the chance to write again later~

Many readers' biggest questions about this book are probably: Jiang Yan isn't the male lead, so why is he written so well? And is Jiang Yan's death to make way for the male lead?

I've seen many people mention this issue in the comments section, so I'll explain it here.

The answer is, of course, no.

Many fans say Jiang Yan is just a tool [no, that's not true].

Actually, when I was writing this story, the outline was already set, the overall direction was set at the beginning of the story, and the ending of each character was also predetermined.

To me, Jiang Yan is a complete person; he has love in his heart, but even more so, he has morality.

The author dislikes the current view that "love is greater than everything."

Those of you who follow my Weibo account probably already know this, so I won't go into details here.

The author believes that Jiang Yan is perfect because he is a normal human being with adult rationality and moral bottom line. The author dislikes the view that glorifies the supremacy of love [personal opinion, no right or wrong].

Love should never and cannot be free from moral constraints. Just because you say "I love you" to someone doesn't mean you can be above morality and law. [Personal opinion, no right or wrong]

That's why I wrote the character Jiang Yan.

[Personal opinion expression]

Secondly, the most criticized aspect of this article is the character of Lin Jiayue.

Many readers say the author vilifies modern people and praises the dregs of feudal ideology.

No, that's not how it works! First of all, I've said in the comments section before that a character cannot represent an era. What makes Lin Jiayue think she can represent all modern people?

The author cannot represent anyone.

Sometimes, I can't even speak for myself.

For the author, Lin Jiayue is an innocent and passionate person. She does things impulsively and inappropriately, but her heart is never cold.

To me, Lin Jiayue is like a newbie just starting out in the workplace, impulsive and passionate, doing things that seasoned veterans wouldn't do, like standing up for the underdog.

Does our apparent stupidity stem from our intelligence? I don't think so. I think it might be because we're too shrewd, even exhibiting a "cunning" philosophy of adulthood.

third.

About the people.

When telling a story, the author always believes that characters are more important than plot. A story only becomes interesting when the characters are vivid. Therefore, the author loves every single character in the book very much.

Fourth, regarding the new book.

My new book, "The Cage of a Beloved," is now complete. It's a revenge-themed suspense novel, so feel free to jump in!

The high-quality audio drama "Bound Spring Love" has concluded, starring Shen Nianru. With its cinematic quality, it's definitely worth watching!

Finally, and most importantly, I want to say thank you all for your continued support. With your encouragement, I will work even harder to write the next story!

Love you all, ღ( ´･ᴗ･` ) Sending you love.

Thank you again, I'm very happy.

See you in the new book!