At this moment, inside the main hall of the Eastern Palace.

Tuoba Hui was sitting at the table, idly cracking open walnuts.

“Song Yu, don’t blame me for not reminding you, that Madam Jiang is intelligent and must have already guessed the truth by now. You’ll have to give her a proper explanation.”

He popped a walnut kernel into his mouth and then looked at Pei Xuan, who was sitting in the main seat, with a grin.

"If you ask me, isn't your goal to get her a first-rank imperial title? Why go through all this trouble to keep it from her? Why not just tell her directly? She's so clever; even if she knew everything beforehand, she wouldn't give herself away."

"You talk too much." Song Yu glanced at him. "Now that the matter is settled, you should return to Donglai tonight. The horses are ready."

"Before dawn tomorrow, take your men and disappear outside the capital. Otherwise, the Song family army's weapons will not discriminate."

Tuoba Hui jumped up, displeased, and said, "Fine, fine, I risked my life to help you, and this is how you treat me!"

"Song Yu, how heartless you are! You've used me and then discarded me!"

"I saved your life that day, so it's only right that you do these things."

Song Yu said calmly.

"Personal feelings and national affairs should not be confused. I am a general of the Great Yong Dynasty. How can I allow people from Donglai to lurk in the capital?"

"Don't think I can't figure out your purpose in coming to the capital. I've already shown mercy by not reporting you to His Majesty."

Tuoba Hui glanced at him sideways: "Mature beyond his years."

She's four years younger than me, yet she's so cunning.

"Song Yu, your surname isn't actually Song, is it?"

He scoffed.

I really don't know how a family like the Song family could raise such a talented person as Song Yu!

It was a joke, but Song Yu's grip on the rim of the cup tightened.

Pei Xuan noticed his unusual behavior and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Then look at Tuoba Hui, who is sprawled out on a chair with his arms outstretched, looking like he's determined to stay in the Eastern Palace.

Pei Xuan gave A Si a wink, and A Si immediately stepped forward and handed a letter to Tuoba Hui.

Tuoba Hui glanced at it and instantly dropped his nonchalant expression.

He sat up straight and carefully read through the list of medicines on the paper from beginning to end, a strange look gradually appearing in his eyes: "This is..."

“Since the beginning of autumn, Donglai has been plagued by an epidemic. In the past two months, the situation has not improved but has become increasingly serious.”

"Tuoba Hui, this is the real reason you came to the capital."

Pei Xuan placed the teacup on the table, his voice cold and indifferent.

"This prescription for treating the plague has saved most of the people in the capital. Perhaps it will be helpful for the situation in Donglai."

Tuoba Hui remained silent, his eyes still fixed on the prescription.

He had learned some medical skills from his master, and although he could not be considered an expert, he could tell that the prescription in his hand was ingenious and indeed a good medicine to alleviate the epidemic.

But just to be on the safe side, he still asked, "How do I know this prescription isn't a trap?"

“In recent years, the relationship between Donglai and Dayong has been tense, mostly because the Donglai royal family is too ambitious, which has nothing to do with the common people,” Pei Xuan said calmly. “Besides, since Donglai has already submitted to Dayong, the people of Donglai are also subjects of Dayong. I have principles in my actions and will not harm innocent people.”

Tuoba Hui's expression changed, as if he was considering the truth of these words.

Song Yu suddenly said, "This recipe was developed by my mother."

Tuoba Hui was taken aback: "Madam Jiang?"

Unexpectedly, that intelligent woman was also skilled in medicine.

"My mother used this prescription to help the people of the capital back then, and the story is widely known. You can find out more if you ask around."

Song Yu said solemnly.

"This recipe comes from my mother, and I would never use her things to deceive people."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Hui's gaze shifted slightly.

He saw Song Yu's admiration for Jiang Wan and was already 80-90% convinced of her sincerity.

Pei Xuan and his companion guessed correctly. He brought people to the capital this time to seek a cure for the plague, which was already very serious in Donglai.

Now that he had the prescription, he stopped beating around the bush.

Thank you.

Tuoba Hui put away the prescription and clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two men.

"Crown Prince Yongning is a straightforward person, so I'll put my word here: if the prescription is truly effective, then I, Tuoba Hui, will owe you a favor!"

With that, he vanished into the darkness of the night.

Song Yu withdrew his gaze and exchanged a glance with Pei Xuan.

With the Donglai royal family in decline, Tuoba Hui is the most outstanding among the younger generation and the most likely to inherit the throne.

Befriending him might save us from a war years later, which would be a good thing for Dayong.

As for Tuoba Hui's question about why he didn't inform Jiang Wan of the plan in advance, the two were quite in sync about it.

Song Yu was determined to help Jiang Wan become a first-rank imperial consort. He even used Tuoba Hui, a general of Dayong, to secretly cooperate with the prince of Donglai. If this was discovered by someone with ulterior motives, or if Tuoba Hui betrayed him midway, Song Yu would not only lose his official position, but would also be branded as a traitor.

This matter is quite risky; Song Yu is gambling with her future.

Pei Xuan was the same.

In order to use public opinion to promote Jiang Wan, he did not hesitate to take the blame himself, forcing Emperor Jingyuan to make a decision between "protecting the crown prince's reputation" and "allowing a divorce".

If Jiang Wan knew the truth, she would definitely not agree to the two of them being like this.

Therefore, when they discussed their plans, they decided to keep it from her.

Now, Jiang Wan must have guessed the cause and effect, and Song Yu is ready to go back to the mansion to explain to her.

At worst, she'd get a few scoldings; in any case, she'd be granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, and the day of her long-awaited divorce was just around the corner.

It's snowing outside.

Pei Xuan glanced out the window, then ordered someone to get an umbrella for Song Yu, adding with a rare gentle tone, "Be careful on the road."

He wasn't a particularly warm-hearted person, and his words of concern seemed somewhat deliberate, a deliberate attempt to show closeness.

The two seemed to be a family.

Song Yu noticed it keenly.

He had already reached the door, thought for a moment, then turned back and said solemnly.

"This collaboration is for my mother's sake, and does not mean that I approve of Your Highness."

"As for where Mother goes after leaving the General's Mansion, it is entirely up to her own wishes. I will respect her choice and will not interfere in the slightest."

The implication was that he wouldn't speak well of Pei Xuan in front of Jiang Wan.

Whether Pei Xuan can win Jiang Wan's heart depends entirely on himself.

"Your Highness, I'll take my leave."

Pei Xuan suddenly chuckled.

After the investiture banquet, Song Yu wanted to expedite Jiang Wan's divorce and took the initiative to propose a joint effort with Pei Xuan.

Both of them knew that the biggest obstacle to their divorce was not the Song family, but Emperor Jingyuan's wishes.

When he suggested that he could use himself to force his father to grant him favors, what did Song Yu say?

"Your Highness has sacrificed so much for your mother; if she knew, she would be deeply moved."

Now that things are settled, they're trying to distance themselves from the situation.

He watched Song Yu's retreating figure and snorted coldly, "That kid."

Although they weren't biological mother and son, their cunning was exactly the same as hers.