After Xiang Song finished speaking, he added, "With General Zhan guarding the south, the Liang Kingdom will probably not dare to launch a large-scale invasion."
“Liang Guo has been peaceful for many years. Now that he knows that Wanling has suffered from drought and then plague, he wants to take advantage of the situation.” Xiao Jingzhao said, a cold frost appearing in his eyes.
No wonder my father refused to come to the capital; he had already guessed Liang's intentions.
"Your Majesty, it is said that the one who wants to annex Yannan this time is the third prince of Liang, who is also the son of the Nanzhao princess."
"So, it's possible he might even bring Nanzhao along to attack our Wanling?"
After Xiang Song finished speaking, Xiang Yang took over, looking at Xiao Jingzhao with a worried expression.
Xiao Jing remained silent for a long time before analyzing, "The Liang royal family will definitely not allow the prince born to the princess to inherit the throne. The Third Prince personally led troops to attack Wanling in order to gain merit and change his status, so that the court officials would support him to inherit the throne."
Xiang Song said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. The struggle for the throne of Liang is in full swing, and the Liang royal family will inevitably be engulfed in a bloody storm. This is not the best time to attack other countries. It is the third prince of Liang who is eager to make a name for himself."
"Your Majesty, we have sent someone out to investigate the disappearance of the eldest prince of Liang. News should be coming back in the next few days." Xiang Yang saw Xiao Jingzhao reach for Xuan paper and quickly prepared brush and ink.
The next day.
During the morning court session, Xiao Jingzhao discussed the matter with his ministers and then issued the imperial edict that had already been drafted.
He transferred 50,000 troops from the Northwest Army there, and sent another 30,000 soldiers from the western suburbs of the capital to the southern border of Yan.
Since Xiao Jingzhao ascended the throne, the national treasury, though not full, is no longer as empty as it used to be.
Inside the Princess's residence, Song Yunzhi was feeling frustrated by her isolation and helplessness.
At that moment, a guard outside the door requested an audience.
"Madam, three groups of people have gone out of the palace, seemingly to deliver imperial edicts."
Song Yunzhi immediately perked up, "Where are they going to deliver the imperial edicts? Quickly send someone to find out."
The guard left to carry out the order, and less than an hour later, he returned to report, "Several soldiers from the western suburban camp have gone south."
"Is there war in the south?" Song Yunzhi's face lit up with joy.
The guard was stunned and thought to himself, "Madam has gone mad. How can she be so happy when there is war on the frontier?"
Song Yunzhi called out, "Someone, bring me pen and ink."
Just as the guards were about to leave, Song Yunzhi called out, "Quickly prepare a fast horse, and take two skilled guards with you. Come back and retrieve the message when you're ready."
...
The day before the imperial examination, many scholars who had traveled from afar went to the examination hall to scout out the route.
Su Jin had lived in the capital when he was a child, and he still remembered the way to the examination hall.
After breakfast, Su Nan and Sui Sui went to play at Shu Qingyunzhai across the street. Su Jin was about to go back to his study to read when Lan'er arrived at Shu Moxuan.
Nangong Zeyue was busy with the renovation of the restaurant, and he was almost never seen during the day.
"Young Master, Miss requests your presence."
As you enter Xingyue Courtyard, you will see Qiuju carrying a bamboo basket.
When Jiang Shuyue saw Su Jin arrive, she came out of the house and said to Su Jin, "A Jin, come with me to the Zhen family across the street. Zhen Jingxiu, the eldest grandson of Grand Scholar Zhen, is also participating in the imperial examination this year. He may be your colleague in the future. Let's go and get acquainted."
Su Jin smiled and nodded in agreement, "I'll listen to my older sister."
Su Jin glanced at the items in the bamboo basket: beef strips, noodles, and dried radish.
He saw it all yesterday, and his older sister taught him how to eat it. I have to say, the taste was amazing. If he ate as much as he wanted, he could eat two cans of beef jerky at once.
And that dried radish, he can eat two big bowls of rice with it.
Su Jin took the bamboo basket from Qiu Ju's hands. "The ceramic jar is heavy, I'll carry it."
The three arrived at the Zhen residence, where Zhen Jingxiu happened to be in the front hall.
He quickly stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Miss Jiang, please come in."
A blush crept up his ears without his noticing, and he quickly turned his gaze to Su Jin.
He was dressed in a blue robe, tall and slender, with distinct features and a gentle smile on his lips, exuding a unique scholarly air.
His eyes were as clear as a spring, giving the first impression that he was intelligent and wise. Upon closer inspection, they also revealed a kind of perseverance that a scholar would not possess.
“Young Master Zhen, this is my cousin Su Jin. He just arrived from Yannan and is also participating in the imperial examination this year.” Seeing Zhen Jingxiu looking at Su Jin, Jiang Shuyue turned to introduce him.
Su Jin handed the bamboo basket in his hand to the steward beside him, smiled and cupped his hands, "I am Su Jin. This is the food that my elder sister prepared to take to the examination hall. My elder sister also prepared a portion for Master Zhen."
After Zhen Jingxiu returned the greeting with clasped hands, he invited the group to the hall and where they sat down. Jiang Shuyue then explained how to eat the beef strips and noodles.
"Miss Jiang is truly remarkable, to have come up with such a wonderful way to eat. My grandmother was just worried about how I would spend these few days in the examination hall." Zhen Jingxiu looked at Jiang Shuyue with eyes full of admiration.
Jiang Shuyue smiled gently, "Young Master Zhen is too kind. These are all things I've learned from daily life. Autumn in the capital is slightly colder than in the south. If you don't seal it with lard during this season, cooked food will spoil."
“You two are about the same age and have common topics. You two chat while I go to pay my respects to the old lady.”
Just as Jiang Shuyue was about to get up, a maid came to invite her to the backyard.
Su Jin said to Jiang Shuyue, "Sister, go ahead. I can talk to Young Master Zhen about the imperial examination."
After Jiang Shuyue left, Su Jin and Zhen Jingxiu quickly became acquainted.
Su Jin shared his insights about the current situation in Wanling and his experiences along the way.
Watching him speak eloquently.
Zhen Jing's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect that Young Master Su's insights are so similar to those of Young Master Lin from Yannan. After the imperial examination, I'll host a dinner for you two to get to know each other."
Su Jin quickly stood up and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for the introduction, Young Master Zhen. I am new here and it is an honor to meet a like-minded friend."
Before he left, his father told him not to mention the past to anyone and to start all over again.
It is said that birds of a feather flock together, and the two chatted while sipping tea, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.
After entering the hanging flower gate, Jiang Shuyue and Qiuju followed the maid to the courtyard of the old lady.
Upon seeing Jiang Shuyue, the old lady was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling.
"Moon Girl, your prescription is so effective. I haven't had a headache lately, and I can sleep through the night."
The old woman standing nearby chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Thanks to Miss Jiang's prescription, the master's complexion is much better than before."
Jiang Shuyue looked up and saw that the old lady's face was glowing, and she was indeed no longer as haggard as before.
"Madam takes excellent care of herself, and my daughter only takes a little care of herself. She doesn't deserve your praise," Jiang Shuyue said modestly with a slight curtsy.
The old lady pulled Jiang Shuyue to sit next to her, and even Qiuju was given a seat.
A moment later, the maidservant quickly served tea and pastries.
Jiang Shuyue explained the purpose of her visit, and the old lady couldn't help but express her gratitude once again.
She pondered for a moment, took a sip of tea, and said, "Madam, you are too kind. My son is studying at your private school and is very grateful for your care. My daughter has been busy with the clinic all day and has not had a chance to come and thank you."
The old lady was completely bewildered, thinking she had misheard, and quickly asked, "Yue'er, who is this son you're talking about?"
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