Ning Zixuan turned to look at Jiang Yuwei and slowly said:

"This Lin Hu is actually Aunt Lin's cousin. The reason he can run rampant in the vegetable market is because he is protected by the Lin family. It is no accident that he went to the General's Mansion today. The Lin family must have sent him to find out information."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuwei unconsciously clenched her handkerchief.

"He... he wouldn't want to wipe out the entire Lin family in one night again, would he...?"

Ning Zixuan pondered for a moment and said:

"It's not impossible. If the General's Mansion is wiped out this time, people will at most say that the house is unclean, and the Lin family will take the opportunity to spread some rumors. In the future, the house will have to be abandoned."

Ning Zixuan paused for a moment,

"Perhaps, the Lin family is now regretting that they didn't use some means to take that house for themselves. It's really not in Minister Lin's character to leave their lifeline in the hands of others."

As he spoke, Ning Zixuan looked at Jiang Yuwei with concern.

"If you're really worried, let Aunt Zhou and the others move out first, so you won't be restless day and night."

Jiang Yuwei pursed her lips, lowered her head, and pondered for a moment.

"No, we already moved in with great fanfare. If we move out now, wouldn't that be like trying to hide something obvious?"

As Jiang Yuwei spoke, she began pacing back and forth.

"It's alright, it's alright. The guards have all entered the manor today, and Aunt Zhou and the others have almost finished preparing the traps. The only thing left to do is dig the secret passage. With the guards' help, it should be finished soon. Everything will be fine."

Ning Zixuan noticed Jiang Yuwei's nervousness, so he stepped forward and looked at her, saying:

"Don't be afraid. I will also arrange for a few guards to stand guard at the entrance of the General's Mansion. If they really make any moves, we will be able to deal with them in time."

Jiang Yuwei looked up at Ning Zixuan.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back now. Please get some rest, Your Highness."

After saying that, Jiang Yuwei returned to Jinglan Pavilion with a restless mind.

Seeing her like this, Ning Huaizhi quickly stepped forward, took Jiang Yuwei's hand, and asked:

"Madam, what's wrong?"

Jiang Yuwei shook her head helplessly.

"Do you think Cheng Yi is capable of taking on important responsibilities?"

Ning Huaizhi pondered for a moment and nodded, saying:

"He was honest and loyal to me, and his words carried weight when he was in the army."

Jiang Yuwei looked at Ning Huaizhi and said:

"Then how about letting him take charge of the guards, and work as a steward with Uncle Youcai? As for Aunt Zhou, let her be the head nanny."

Ning Huaizhi pondered for a moment, then looked at Jiang Yuwei and nodded, saying:

"Your arrangement is good. This way, they can each manage their own affairs and make things easier for them."

Seeing that Ning Huaizhi had agreed, Jiang Yuwei went into her room:

"Alright, it's getting late. Go wash up and get some rest. I'll go to your residence tomorrow to make the arrangements."

The next day,

After getting up and washing up, Jiang Yuwei, as usual, went to the Princess's courtyard to take her pulse.

"Yuwei, I feel much better these past few days. Do you think I'm fit enough to attend the banquet for half a day tomorrow?"

Jiang Yuwei released the princess's wrist and smiled:

"Now that you're much better, as long as you don't get angry, there won't be any major problems. It would be better for you to stay cooped up in the house all day. You can attend the banquet tomorrow."

Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, the princess immediately took her hand happily.

"That's great, Yuwei. I'll have to trouble you to manage the banquet tomorrow. I'd like to invite those three young ladies you've been looking at to my residence for further consideration."

The princess paused for a moment and then continued:

"Inviting only the three of them would be too much of a show. Why not invite their mothers to the mansion as well, and then invite a few more people to accompany them?"

Jiang Yuwei nodded, then looked at the princess and spoke:

"Hiring a few supporting actors wouldn't be a bad idea, but who should we hire?"

The princess smiled faintly.

"The Left Censor-in-Chief's wife, Madam Wang, has always been a loner. Only Madam Li from the Sun family has been on good terms with her since childhood. Fortunately, I sat at the same table with Madam Li when I attended the Spring Festival Banquet a few days ago, so we can be considered to have some acquaintance."

The princess paused for a moment and then continued;

"Send an invitation to Madam Li, asking her to bring her daughter and Madam Wang together. Then send separate invitations to Madam Wang and Miss Wang."

Jiang Yuwei nodded and noted it down.

"What about the second young lady of the Prime Minister's residence?"

"I've known Madam Lan from the Prime Minister's residence for a long time. She's always wanted to befriend me, but I don't really want to associate with her. Just send her an invitation to bring the women of her household to the banquet. Remember to specifically mention that the Second Miss should be included."

Jiang Yuwei smiled and said:

“Alright, I’ve noted all of that down. But Princess Anping’s parents are far away in Shu, so my mother can’t bring her here. And we don’t have any young ladies of similar age in our household. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to invite her alone?”

Upon hearing this, the princess looked troubled and turned to Jiang Yuwei, saying:

“Princess Anping is actually very close to Princess Qinglan. It is widely rumored in the capital that they are a pair of beautiful sisters who are inseparable.”

The princess glanced at Jiang Yuwei's expression and continued:

"Princess Anping returned to Shu to visit her parents some time ago, so you haven't seen her since you came to the capital..."

Jiang Yuwei naturally understood what the princess meant. If it were for her own sake, she would naturally not want Princess Qinglan to set foot in the Jingwang Mansion again.

But now I am here to find a girl for the young master. If I ruin the young master's marriage because of my own selfish desires, wouldn't that be a sin?

Moreover, since the princess brought this up in front of me today, she probably hopes that I will let Princess Qinglan stay for half a day without holding it against her.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yuwei felt that the overall situation should be taken into consideration. Princess Qinglan was only going to stay for half a day, and besides, she was at Prince Jing's residence. She probably wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

Thinking this, Jiang Yuwei smiled faintly.

"It's alright, then I'll go and send invitations to Princess Qinglan and Princess Anping together."

When the princess heard Jiang Yuwei say this, she nodded approvingly.

"Yuwei, I've always known you're a sensible person. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Jiang Yuwei stood up and smiled:

"Then I will rely on the Princess's guidance. I will instruct the matrons to make the arrangements. Tomorrow, we will prepare a few more activities for the girls to showcase their talents, so that we can gain a deeper understanding of the three girls' abilities."

The princess nodded.

"Well, tea ceremony, playing the zither, and needlework can all be arranged. But we also need entertainment, so let's prepare a variety of things so that everyone can enjoy themselves. We can also take a good look at their character."

Jiang Yuwei thought so too, so she nodded in agreement. Just as she was about to leave to make the arrangements, she heard a maid's hurried voice outside.

"I demand to see the Princess! Oh no! Oh no! Aunt Xu has started a scene and is saying she wants to kill Miss Lianyao!"