Chapter 57 Chapter 57 After a good meal and a good drink,...
After a satisfying meal and a good drink, Jiang Wan did not sleep well that night lying on the unfamiliar big bed. His mind was full of ways to get the silver bush, but none of them were sure.
Later that night, she simply sat up and began to read a history of the Western Regions. Reading helped her calm her previously restless mind.
She seemed to suddenly understand Wen Shen's feelings when he was reading "The Analects of Confucius" in the clinic.
Jiang Wan looked for a while, yawned loudly, and couldn't help thinking that if he was at Xiao Fang Pancheng's house, he could just hold the quilt and go to his mother to act coquettishly and then fall asleep in her arms.
Although he hadn't slept well, he still had to go to the palace. On the morning of February 28th, Jiang Wan brought two servants, each holding a piece of porcelain, and followed Yi Li into the palace.
The Morandi-colored dome, white marble columns, intricate and gorgeous patterns, and palace maids wearing purple veils outline the unique style of the Wusun Palace.
But Jiang Wan and his three companions were stopped by the guards after they had taken a few steps.
"Kunmi has ordered that all people entering the palace must be searched and all belongings must be inspected."
Yi Li scolded, "How dare you! We are here to deliver porcelain to my sister. Who dares to search me?"
The chief guard bowed respectfully but refused to budge. "Ms. Yili, this is Kunmi's order. Disobeying it will result in death."
He raised his head and smiled crookedly: "Miss Yili, please save our lives."
Yi Li was furious, but with Kunmi's order pressing her, she didn't dare say anything. She leaned over, covered her mouth, and whispered to Jiang Wan, "This guy is Madam Zuo's confidant, and he loves to cause trouble for you. Are you sure?"
Jiang Wan shrugged: "Let them search. After all, we have nothing to fear. But——"
She turned to stare at the head of the guards and whispered, "It's fine for a merchant like me who lives in the open air, but Miss Yili is the apple of the eye of the Right General. It's not right to have the guards search her body. At least send a maid."
The chief of the guards said sternly, "Kunmi will soon hold an alliance with the Xiongnu leader, Mo Ling Chanyu. Everything in the palace will be strictly inspected. I must search him myself."
He held the knife in one hand and clenched the other hand tightly, hooking it at an unnatural angle, with the knuckles facing away from Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan smiled and asked Yi Li, "Is this also Kunmi's will?"
Ellie shook her head indignantly.
"If that's not the case, then this elder brother should be careful. The Xiongnu Khan will eventually return to the Xiongnu. The Left Madam has a leg disease and is unable to move around easily. Even though she holds a higher position, she is not as favored as the Right Madam. The Left Madam wants to establish her authority and pick a fight with the Right Madam. While the Xiongnu Khan is here, Kunmi dare not say anything, but what about after he leaves?"
"Madam You is a Wusun from a prominent family. If Madam Zuo falsely accuses her of crimes, Kunmi will feel she's using her family's influence to oppress him and infringe upon his dignity as king. Madam Zuo is a Xiongnu princess, so Kunmi certainly wouldn't dare touch her. But what about you, a trusted confidant?"
Yi Li's eyes sparkled as she listened, and she quickly translated it verbatim to the guards.
As the guard leader listened, his face turned pale, obviously affected.
Jiang Wan quickly added fuel to the fire: "Such a simple truth, do you think Madam Zuo can't figure it out? She's just pushing you out as a scapegoat. Even if she regains her favor, she'll only use her family members, and you'll end up being abandoned after the rabbit is dead. Do you still want to be loyal to her?"
The guard leader's face turned pale, his lips began to tremble, and his tightly clenched fists unconsciously loosened a little. Jiang Wan saw the white powder in his palm.
She and Yi Li exchanged a glance. The latter stepped forward, grabbed the guard leader by the clothes, and cursed, "What's that in your hand? How dare you frame me? Do you want to live like this?"
The guard leader fell to his knees after being scolded by her, begging for mercy: "Miss, please spare me, please spare me! I won't do it again!"
Yi Li kicked him in frustration and was about to complain to Kunmi. Jiang Wan quickly stopped her, saying, "Madam Zuo is in the limelight right now. If you go and complain, Kunmi will probably make a big deal out of it. If Madam Zuo continues to distort the truth, we might not even be able to clear our name. It's better to let him go. He messed up what Madam Zuo asked him to do. Madam Zuo will definitely be suspicious of him and won't use him again."
Ellie sighed. "You're just like my sister. Too smart and calculating. You don't even have the emotions of a normal person. Luckily, my sister isn't your enemy, otherwise it would be too scary."
Jiang Wan held the porcelain in one hand and twisted her arm with the other: "I really don't know if you are scolding me or praising me."
The head of the guards, looking dejected, ordered two palace maids to come over, and after a hasty body search, they were released. Yi Li led Jiang Wan around a few corners and arrived at the Right Lady's bedroom.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the approving smile of Mrs. Right.
She sat in front of the dressing mirror and gave Jiang Wan a thumbs up: "I know everything that's going on outside. You've done a good job."
Jiang Wan didn't respond. He asked the two servants behind him to put down the porcelain and told them to retreat outside the bedroom.
After closing the door, she handed the four-legged celadon tripod to Madam You with both hands. As she handed it over, her index finger casually tapped the slender legs of the tripod.
The hollow celadon makes a clear sound that lasts for a long time.
Madam You listened for a while, then picked up the four-legged tripod and admired it, saying with regret, "Boss Jiang, this celadon tripod is so exquisite. I really can't bear to part with it."
Yi Li looked puzzled: "What do you mean by not giving up..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened.
Madam You smashed one of the four-legged tripod legs against the dressing table. The broken leg fell to the ground, revealing a piece of dark red leaf.
Yi Li stared at Jiang Wan in amazement: "You, you actually hid the red aconite here, no wonder you're not afraid of a body search."
Madam You broke off the other three legs, bent down to pick up the broken celadon, and poured out four rolled-up red aconite leaves.
She pressed the secret button on the dressing box, and a flat layer only a few millimeters high popped out, and she spread the leaves inside.
While locking the secret button, he asked, "Boss Jiang, do you think I should bribe the chief guard?"
"This man is as timid as a mouse. He cannot make clear judgments about the situation in the palace and his will is not firm. He cannot accomplish great things, so he is not worthy of being reused. He betrayed his former master and is not worthy of trust." Jiang Wan commented slowly.
Yi Li was now a complete fan of hers, and she quickly agreed, "That's right, why would my sister try to win over such a rotten guy?"
Jiang Wan continued, "But if this man is not dismissed after the Xiongnu Khan leaves, I still suggest you bribe him."
Madam You looked at Jiang Wan with great interest and motioned for her to continue.
"Many of his guards witnessed what happened today. If word reaches the Queen Mother or Kunmi, he will undoubtedly be dismissed and investigated, and the person who reported him will receive double pay this year, as per custom. However, if he is unharmed, it means he has a very good relationship with his subordinates, and they would rather protect him than receive double pay. If Madam can win him over, she will indirectly control many of the palace guards."
"When earth accumulates to form a mountain, wind and rain arise. When water accumulates to form a deep pool, dragons are born. [1] In the palace, compared to the masters, maids, servants, and guards, we are all insignificant soil and water drops. But if these insignificant details are used well, they can cause wind and rain and give birth to giant dragons."
Jiang Wan analyzed, "This is his greatest value. He betrayed his former master. He's disloyal and unsteady, but he's easier to bribe than a steadfast person. Besides, Madam, just be careful not to entrust him with any important matters."
Madam You looked at her deeply and said, "You are exactly like me when I was young—no, you are much better than the eighteen-year-old me."
Jiang Wan’s inner thoughts: That’s for sure. I’ve lived a total of twenty-five years in my two lifetimes.
"Let's do as you say," said the Right Lady. "It's a pity you won't stay in the palace with me. Otherwise, I would give you whatever price you want. I would do anything you want."
"What if I want three taels of silver?" Jiang Wan looked directly into the other person's eyes.
Madam You was stunned. "You know that even if someone was stabbed more than a dozen times, it would only cost half a tael of silver to save him. What kind of injury did that person suffer that would require three taels of silver?"
Jiang Wan pursed her lips and didn't answer.
"Well, I won't ask anymore," Madam You said. "I only have two taels of silver in stock. If you're willing to stay with me, I'll ask my father for one tael for you. But you have to stay with me the whole time and can't go back to the Great Zhou."
Jiang Wan was caught in a dilemma. If she didn't agree to this request, Princess Qingrong's days would number. If she did, what would happen to her mother and brother? What would happen to her apprentices and her shop? What would happen to Wanrong, isolated and helpless in the capital?
"Boss Jiang, Boss Jiang, please think about it. If you stay here, your family and apprentices can be brought over, and our general's mansion will provide them with accommodation and money. If you want to open a porcelain shop, we will also fully support you." Yi Li pulled her to sit down and gently shook her arm.
Jiang Wan patted Yi Li, forced a smile, and said to Madam You, "After all, this is a matter concerning my life. Please allow me a few days to think about it. Besides, I've never been to the palace before, so I'm not sure if I can truly help you. How about this: I'll follow you for a few days. If it's suitable, I'll stay. If not, I'll do my best to help you until my work is worthy of the three taels of silver. What do you think, Madam?"
Madam You certainly wouldn't force her. She ordered someone to bring Jiang Wan the maid's clothes and handed her the dossier regarding tomorrow's alliance with the Xiongnu. Starting tonight, she, the newly appointed personal maid, would follow Madam You.
Jiang Wan was called a maid but was actually a military advisor. Madam You naturally would not treat her as a servant, and the room assigned to her was a clean and tidy single room.
After studying the files, she roughly sorted out the agenda of the alliance.
First, Kunmi and Molang Khan met and exchanged gifts; then a luncheon began; after lunch, they rested and watched a song and dance performance; and finally, they went hunting. Molang Khan stayed in Wusun for five days, and this process was repeated for five days, but the first day was the most critical.
Jiang Wan wrote it down silently, closed the file, and looked out the window.
The moon was at its zenith, the sky was hazy with clouds, and a shooting star streaked across the sky.
[1]: From Xunzi’s Encouragement to Study: When earth accumulates to form a mountain, wind and rain arise; when water accumulates to form a deep pool, dragons are born; when good deeds accumulate to form virtue, the gods are content and the heart of a sage is ready.
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