Gu Songhan watched quietly as Zhou Yuan fell into his memories, from the initial sweetness on his face to the later madness, and then to his struggle to escape his constraints.
Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Songhan stepped forward and untied the ropes.
Just then, Qu Shaowu walked in, looking surprised. "Deputy Commander Gu, what's going on?"
Zhou Yuan was freed and tried to run away from the military headquarters, but he was injured and staggered forward a few steps before falling to the ground.
He struggled to his feet and staggered out of the cell.
Gu Songhan didn't rush to chase after them, but instead asked Qu Shaowu, "What's the matter?"
"Someone from the palace has come and said that the Emperor summons you to the palace!"
"Follow him and see who he meets!"
"yes!"
When Gu Songhan entered the palace, Zhou Mama was combing Madam Jiang's hair.
Looking at Zhou Mama, who hadn't asked a single question since last night, Old Madam Jiang comforted her, "Don't worry, Yuanlang will be fine!"
Madam Zhou lowered her head and gazed intently, her hands combing her hair without pausing for a moment. "This old servant is not worried. Yuanlang has been shrewd since childhood. This old servant believes he has his own way of escaping."
"You making me feel really guilty!"
After Zhou Mama neatly put all the hairpins and ornaments on Old Madam Jiang, she said unhurriedly, "This can be considered a lesson for Yuan Lang, so that he won't always instigate the Marquis to do things he shouldn't do!"
"But he is your only son after all. Why don't I go and ask Azi for you?"
Mrs. Zhou shook her head, her brows furrowing slightly. "The moment he harbored thoughts he shouldn't have and personally killed his father, he was no longer my son!"
Madam Jiang sighed deeply, her voice long and heavy. "Yuanlang is a good man, just temporarily confused! Has the matter at the estate been settled?"
A cold glint appeared in Zhou's mother's eyes. "It has already been dealt with properly, but the He family's brat is still nowhere to be found!"
"Have someone search for him. Make sure you find him, but whatever you do, don't let him cause trouble at this critical juncture!"
"This old servant understands!"
"Who is Grandmother looking for? Who's causing trouble?"
Jiang Segu walked in with light steps.
"You little rascal, you're so lazy, only getting up now!" Old Madam Jiang got up and pointed at Jiang Segu with her hand.
"That's because Azi felt safe and slept soundly with Grandmother by her side!" Jiang Segu said in a soft voice, then asked the question from earlier, "Who is trying to cause trouble at our Marquis's residence?"
"That frail scholar your grandfather brought yesterday!"
"What right does he have to cause trouble?"
"Naturally, he's resentful because your grandfather didn't fulfill his promise!"
Jiang Segu understood and then asked, "Just who is this person?"
"He's your cousin beyond the fifth degree of kinship. I don't know how your grandfather found him! This man looks refined and scholarly, but he's actually a scoundrel!"
Yesterday, he heard that your eldest sister had been favored by the Emperor, and he begged your grandfather to give you to him in marriage, or he would expose your grandfather's scheme against you!
Your grandfather knew his character and feared he might actually reveal the truth, so he plotted to kill him. However, Jiang Chengli saw through your grandfather's plan and escaped when no one was looking; he hasn't been found to this day!
Grandmother was also worried that he was spreading rumors outside and damaging your reputation, which is why she asked Zhou's mother to help look for him!
By the way, Aunt Zhou came home late last night, and you had already fallen asleep, so I didn't have anyone wake you up.
"Mother Zhou, please tell Sixth Miss how the Marquis dealt with Peony and her daughter!"
Following up on Old Madam Jiang's words, Madam Zhou said, "The Marquis, out of consideration for the child in Shaoyao's womb, only sent the two of them to the estate, saying that they would be punished after the child was born!"
Even witchcraft couldn't make his grandfather harm him. It's unclear whether his grandfather was kind-hearted or simply wanted a grandson too much!
Thinking of this, Jiang Segu remembered her brother and what Qiaolian had said yesterday.
“Miss, Changxi said that Young Master Liang often visits the young master. But he doesn’t go into the courtyard; he just often brings the young master books he likes to read!”
According to Changxi, Young Master Liang also transcribed his reading notes and gave them to the young master. The young master was very happy and asked Changxi to call Young Master Liang into the house to talk!
Young Master Liang refused to enter the young master's courtyard, saying that the young lady disliked others disturbing the young master's recovery.
Liang Shaojie has always been better at public relations than others. His strategy of advancing by feigning retreat is precisely to get close to his brother, win his favor, and then plot against his maternal grandparents' family!
She would never give him that chance!
"Azi?"
Grandma Jiang called out twice before Jiang Segu came to his senses. "What is it, Grandmother?"
Although her eyes had regained their clarity, the fleeting, unrestrained darkness in them made Old Madam Jiang very uneasy.
She advised in a deep voice, "That woman, Peony, has already left the Marquis's manor, and there are people specifically watching over her on the estate. She can't cause any trouble! You mustn't create any more complications, lest you get yourself into trouble!"
"Azi understands! Grandmother, Azi wants to go see her brother and have breakfast at his place later!"
"Go ahead, but come back early after you finish eating. Grandma is waiting for you to go burn incense together!"
"Yes, Grandmother!"
***
When Jiang Segu arrived at Huayangxuan, Changshun happened to be in the main kitchen getting breakfast. She asked Qiaohe and Changshun to go get breakfast together, and then brought Qinghong into the house.
Jiang Wenlin was intently looking at the notes Liang Shaojie had brought him, inwardly marveling at Liang Shaojie's talent and feeling sorry for him!
Lianjiang Segu sat down on the tatami and poured himself some tea without even noticing!
Jiang Segu craned his neck to look at the notes as well.
The handwriting in the notebook is neat and tidy, with a good size, making it very pleasing to the eye.
It is said that one's handwriting reflects one's character, but Jiang Segu felt that this saying did not apply to Liang Shaojie at all!
Therefore, she snorted.
Jiang Wenlin then realized that someone had entered his room!
"Why is Ah Zi here?"
"I've been here for quite a while!"
Jiang Wenlin scratched his head sheepishly, "I got so engrossed in reading Shaojie's notes..."
"Are his notes really that good?"
"Shaojie truly lives up to his reputation as a student of the Imperial Academy. He is indeed erudite and possesses outstanding literary talent! I hope that you can enter the Imperial Academy after this autumn examination, brother!"
The Imperial Academy was the best institution of learning in the Northern Wei Dynasty.
It was filled with failed candidates for the imperial examinations and the most outstanding scholars from various prefectures, as well as the sons of meritorious officials and nobles.
The teachers at the Imperial Academy were all officials well-versed in Confucian classics, including the Minister and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and even the Grand Tutor Song would often teach the students at the Imperial Academy.
Therefore, students from the Imperial College had a very high chance of passing the imperial examinations.
Most importantly, His Majesty is now eager to find talented people. At the beginning of last year, His Majesty made a private visit to the Imperial Academy to conduct assessments. Two students stood out and were exempted from the imperial examinations by His Majesty, and were directly appointed as fourth-rank prefects!
How wonderful it would be if I could be like that!
He could then set up his own household with his mother and sister, away from the intrigues of the Marquis's mansion, and wouldn't have to constantly worry about his aunt...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
