Upon hearing the news, Gao Mu and Cang Yun arrived at the clinic ahead of time.
“Miss, there are Imperial Guards in the palace. There will definitely be a fierce battle tonight. Shall I send you all back now?” Gao Mu suggested.
The emperor has lost the hearts of the people, but the Imperial Guards under his command are loyal dogs, so it will not be easy for Xiao Jingzhao to enter the palace.
Knowing that there would be a curfew in the capital tonight, Jiang Shuyue quickly instructed Qiuju, "Leave Yinqiao and Dingxiang at the clinic to take care of the mother in labor, and send the rest of you back."
The woman in labor had two personal maids; she left Yinqiao and Dingxiang behind to deal with any emergencies.
Yinqiao and Dingxiang had personally delivered no fewer than ten babies alongside Jiang Shuyue, and the two knew more about postpartum care than other female doctors.
The kitchen behind the clinic has enough food to feed several people for two days.
As the carriage entered the street, it saw pedestrians hurrying along and shops on both sides of the street all closed.
Cang Yun drove one carriage to take the other female physicians back, while Gao Mu drove another carriage back to his residence.
After getting into the carriage, Jiang Shuyue glanced at the street and then lowered the curtain.
She placed her hands on her knees and unconsciously clenched them tightly.
"The young master should be safe at the private school. People coming from the city gate are talking about how the young master brought tens of thousands of soldiers into the city, many of whom are ordinary people."
"Okay, I understand."
Back at the manor, Jiang Shuyue said to Qiuju, "Go quickly and see if Young Master Nangong and Sui Sui have returned home."
Nangong Zeyue and Sui Sui never used the front door when entering or leaving, and the gatekeeper didn't know if they had returned.
Qiuju jumped off the carriage and quickly walked towards the hanging flower gate, while Jiang Shuyue looked up at the sky.
As the sun gradually sank, the setting sun dyed the clouds on the horizon red, leaving only a lingering afterglow in an instant.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
"Miss, please go in first. I'll go out and gather some information in a bit," Gao Mu said, as if he could sense Jiang Shuyue's anxiety.
"After Cangyun returns, the two of you should go together, but don't get too close to avoid being accidentally injured."
When Jiang Shuyue returned to the courtyard, she saw Nangong Zeyue and Sui Sui playing chess in the flower hall.
"You're back quite early today."
Nangong Zeyue paused in mid-air, holding a chess piece. He looked up at Jiang Shuyue and said, "I heard he returned as soon as he entered the city."
When Sui Sui saw Jiang Shuyue return, she put down the chess piece in her hand and ran over.
Overjoyed, she hugged Jiang Shuyue's leg. "Mother, Father has brought his troops to the capital. Will I be able to see Father tomorrow?"
Jiang Shuyue knelt down and stroked her son's delicate face, saying gently, "Tomorrow won't work. Your father must be very busy. He will come to see you when he's not busy anymore."
"Mother, do you want to see Father?"
"Me too, I'm very busy."
Seeing a hint of unease flash across Jiang Shuyue's face, Nangong Zeyue tapped the table and coughed lightly, saying, "Sui Sui, have you lost this round?"
"I won't lose, Uncle, you can't cheat. I'm sure I'll win two rounds today."
"You guys keep playing, I'm going back to my room to change my clothes."
"Miss, someone from the Zhen family has arrived. Butler Zhen and Young Master Zhen are waiting to see you in the hall. They say they have important matters to discuss with you."
As soon as Jiang Shuyue stepped out of the flower hall, she saw Lan'er running in.
"Young Master Zhen! What brings him here?"
"This servant doesn't know either," Lan'er shook her head.
If that person hadn't come with the real butler, she wouldn't have known who the man who came with the real butler was.
Jiang Shuyue went to the hall without even changing her clothes.
"My name is Zhen Jingxiu. I apologize for this intrusion, Miss Jiang." Upon seeing Jiang Shuyue, Zhen Jingxiu quickly stood up, politely cupped his hands to Jiang Shuyue, and gave her an apologetic smile.
Zhen Jingxiu was dressed in a light blue cloud-patterned brocade robe. He was tall and slender, with a refined and elegant demeanor. He exuded the unique elegance of a scholar. The saying "a person with a wealth of knowledge naturally possesses a refined air" perfectly describes his demeanor.
He had a gentle and polite smile on his lips.
Jiang Shuyue returned the curtsy, "Young master, is there something you need from the old lady?"
Jiang Shuyue, being a professional, couldn't think of anything important the Zhen family could possibly have to ask her for at this time.
"Tonight may not be peaceful. Your grandmother is worried about your safety, so she specially sent Jingxiu to invite you to the mansion to avoid trouble. The Song family's imperial power is waning, and I'm afraid they might resort to desperate measures and harm innocent people."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. There are many servants in the manor, and I cannot abandon them." Jiang Shuyue was deeply moved. It is said that true friendship is revealed in times of trouble, and in this critical moment, the old lady was still thinking about her safety, which was truly commendable.
Zhen Jingxiu was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the seemingly delicate girl to be so righteous and bold, still thinking about the servants in the manor during this tense time.
Steward Zhen interjected, "Miss is worried about the people in the manor, so this old servant brought some people from the Zhen residence to help look after them."
"Thank you, Steward Zhen. As long as the situation outside remains unstable, I will stay indoors. This place is a bit far from the palace gates, so it should be safe," Jiang Shuyue said with a smile, declining the offer.
She looked up and saw that dusk was falling. She said to Zhen Jingxiu, "It's getting late. You should go back now, young master. Please convey my daughter's thanks to the old lady for her concern. Once things have calmed down, Shuyue will visit her again."
Zhen Jingxiu had never dealt with women before, and despite his vast knowledge, he couldn't find the right words to persuade Jiang Shuyue.
Seeing that Jiang Shuyue had her own ideas, the steward bowed and said, "Miss, please instruct people to close the main gate properly. No matter who knocks, do not open the door. This old servant will also send someone to watch over this area from the study."
Jiang Shuyue personally escorted Zhen Jingxiu and his servant to the gate, said goodbye, and then instructed the gatekeeper to close the gate.
Zhen Jingxiu left the Jiang residence, but the image of that charming figure lingered in his mind.
Having seen her from afar before, I now realize that the words praising the woman's beauty in the book were tailor-made for her.
"Uncle Zhen, send more people to watch over the Jiang residence tonight, and make sure no one disturbs Miss Jiang." Zhen Jingxiu said, turning back to look at the gate of the Jiang residence.
"Young master, rest assured, this old servant will protect the Jiang family tonight without sleep or rest."
"Young Master, Miss Jiang is very proper and respectful. If Madam comes to invite her, it might be possible."
The butler's words made sense. Zhen Jingxiu looked into the distance and said calmly, "Father and Mother have been traveling for more than half a year now. They will probably come home for the New Year."
As for who to send to invite them, the old lady's real intention was not what it seemed, but Zhen Jingxiu felt that sending only a servant would not be sincere enough.
After seeing Zhen Jingxiu off, Jiang Shuyue went back to her room to change her clothes and then went into her spatial storage to prepare some medicinal powder.
“Each of you take a packet. If anyone breaks into the mansion, sprinkle the powder on them, then hold your breath and squat down. This stuff won’t kill you; it will knock them out in a short time. Even if you accidentally inhale it, it won’t be a big problem.”
The atmosphere in the entire mansion was extremely tense, with everyone on high alert.
Jiang Shuyue had considered the situation carefully. If the person in the palace was pushed to the brink and made a desperate gamble, it wouldn't affect this place. But now that Jing Xiu had arrived, she felt uncertain.
After giving her instructions, she turned and went back to the backyard.
At that moment, two figures flew in lightly from the top of the wall like swallows.
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