"A woman?" Jiang Wan frowned.

Recalling Zhou's miraculous recovery a few days ago and He Xingyun's hesitation, a bold idea came to her mind.

Song Shuling is not dead.

Moreover, they followed the Lin family's carriage to the hunting grounds.

She hated herself to the core, and her purpose in faking her death to escape and risk coming here was self-evident.

Jiang Wan vaguely sensed a crisis, and talked with Old Madam Sheng for a while until a servant came to tell her that the army had returned from the hunting grounds.

She excused herself to change clothes and returned to her own tent.

Shen Ci was already waiting inside.

"As you instructed, the matter has been completed, and General Song has not noticed anything unusual."

He cupped his hands in greeting and then pulled a snow-white rabbit from his sleeve.

"Also, here's what you wanted."

The little rabbit had a scrape on its left leg and was making pitiful whimpering noises.

Just before entering the hunting grounds, Jiang Wan suddenly sent him a message, instructing him to capture a rabbit alive within the hunting grounds.

He didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a girl's nature and her fondness for cute little animals.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Jiang Wan nodded.

"There's another important matter. Keep an eye on Gu Yurong's movements for me these next two days."

Now, Song Shuling is hiding in the spring hunting team. The enemy is in the dark, while she is in the light. She doesn't know what tricks the other side will play.

She guessed that Song Shuling would contact Gu Yurong.

By keeping an eye on Gu Yurong, we might be able to find some clues.

He responded and left the tent quietly.

At night, a bonfire was lit on the mountaintop.

The firelight was bright, illuminating half of the night.

Various kinds of game were laid out in front of everyone's table, all of which were obtained after entering the hunting grounds during the day.

Emperor Jingyuan glanced around and then fixed his gaze on Song Ziyu: "The Chengping General's residence has the most abundant game, especially your guard, who is excellent in both riding and archery."

Song Ziyu had anticipated the outcome, but he pretended to be unperturbed by the praise or criticism.

"Your Majesty, this guard is named Shen Ci, and he is a successor of the Shen family sword technique from the previous dynasty."

"oh?"

Emperor Jingyuan raised an eyebrow, his eyes darkening.

"General Song is indeed a talent scout, a true connoisseur of talent."

"Guards, bestow my red-tasseled spear upon General Song."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Song Ziyu said happily.

Before entering the hunting grounds, he instructed Shen Ci to perform well and try to attract Emperor Jingyuan's attention.

Unexpectedly, Shen Ci's performance was beyond his expectations, as he captured almost all of his prey, making quite a splash.

It seems that taking over the patrol battalion is imminent.

He was secretly pleased, unaware that the eunuch beside Emperor Jingyuan was shaking his head in disapproval.

General Song is so clueless.

Just now, his guards were so eager to win that they shot and killed many of the prey that the officials had their eyes on, and even dared to snatch the leopard that Emperor Jingyuan had chased for five miles on horseback.

Emperor Jingyuan was already displeased, yet he still dared to claim credit.

Is this stupid, or just plain stupid?

His Majesty had already decided to let him take over the patrol battalion, and it seemed like the decree was about to be issued, but his actions... probably messed it up.

Looking at Song Ziyu's beaming smile, Jiang Wan cursed inwardly: "Idiot."

Soong Tzu-yu was simple-minded, and she had previously been responsible for managing all the social interactions with the royal family and her colleagues.

His manners were impeccable, his actions were appropriate, and nothing was amiss.

Now, she's happy to see him stumble.

Moreover, this was only the first step in Song Ziyu's self-destructive act.

At the back of the banquet, Song Lin was surrounded by several young men his age, who were urging him to drink. His cheeks were flushed from drinking, and he was secretly glancing at Jiang Wan.

He felt terrible ever since he failed to meet Jiang Wan at the casino.

Just now in the hunting grounds, he really wanted to beat Song Yu and show Jiang Wan his skills.

Unfortunately, his martial arts skills were lacking, and he couldn't even hunt a sparrow.

Now that he was drunk and intoxicated, he wanted to show off even more. However, he was really not very knowledgeable. After racking his brains for a long time, he could only remember the lyrics he had heard in the teahouse.

Song Lin felt that the lyrics were excellent and appropriate for the occasion, so he tapped his chopsticks and sang them as a drinking game.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the lyrics reached the ears of Emperor Jingyuan.

Listening to these lyrics praising the military generals, the emperor, who was already somewhat dissatisfied with the Song family, frowned even more deeply.

He gave a wink, and the eunuch went to inquire.

The news that followed was absolutely shocking.

For the past two weeks, the general's mansion has been hiring actors to perform these kinds of stories, creating a nightly atmosphere of revelry.

Throughout history, emperors have been most wary of ministers who are arrogant and complacent, and Emperor Jingyuan was no exception.

The Song family was previously given important positions because Song Ziyu was relatively well-behaved, but now they have become arrogant.

"Don't convey the patrol battalion's orders."

Emperor Jingyuan's face darkened.

"Since General Song is so capable, let him kneel in front of the camp tonight and keep watch for me."

Song Ziyu waited all night, but instead of receiving good news, he was forced to kneel in front of the tent as punishment.

The eunuch also specifically instructed him to carefully consider the "way between ruler and subject".

Pei Xuan, watching this scene from the high platform, looked at it with a mocking gaze.

The Song family had produced many officials for generations, but with Song Ziyu, there was a sense that he was utterly hopeless.

If only the Song family had a smart person.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, an exquisitely beautiful face appeared in his mind.

…Jiang Wan.

Why would he think of her?

Pei Xuan frowned slightly, clearing his mind of distracting thoughts.

My gaze found its way to the end of the banquet, to that elegant figure wearing a silver mask.

Watching her every move, Pei Xuan's cold gaze gradually softened.

The Empress beside him noticed his unusual expression and said with a smile, "Yongning, have you taken a fancy to any noble lady? Tell me, and I will arrange a marriage for you."

Pei Xuan denied it: "Mother, please don't play matchmaker."

The Empress had meant it as a joke, but seeing his serious expression, she became genuinely curious.

Could it be that Yongning really has someone she likes?

Early the next morning.

Jiang Wan had just woken up when she heard an angry growl coming from the next tent, Gu Yurong's flustered apology, and Song Lin's suppressed sobs.

She gave a slight twitch at the corner of her lips.

It seems that after a night of being chilled by the cold wind, Song Ziyu finally realized where the trouble came from.

However, it was too late.

He lost the patrol battalion and could no longer rise through the ranks as easily as he had in his previous life.

Jiang Wan was in a lighthearted mood.

Just after breakfast, Shi Xu sent someone to report.

After the banquet last night, Pei Xuan went to the camp to meet him in person, but he declined, saying it was too late.

If he comes again today, I'm afraid it will be difficult to refuse him again.

Jiang Wan was feeding a rabbit a handful of grass.

The white rabbit's legs were bandaged, and it stayed obediently in its cage.

With bright red, round eyes, she is very cute.

Since yesterday, quite a few women have come to play with the rabbits.

Biluo asked in confusion, "Madam wants to raise rabbits?"

Jiang Wan smiled slightly.

This rabbit is very useful.

"Go and inform Shi Xu that he need not worry. If nothing happens tonight, I will personally go to see Pei Xuan."

"Also, prepare some tea and snacks; Lord He will be coming over in a bit."

Biluo agreed and had just left when Shenci's voice suddenly came from outside the tent.

"Madam, I have discovered that Gu Yurong is acting suspiciously."