"You're not feeling well, so it's better if you don't go to this banquet!"
Gu Songhan was worried about Jiang Segu's health and didn't want her to go to such a cannibalistic place, but he knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise.
Sure enough, Jiang Segu said, "I'm fine, and I'm getting really bored staying at home all the time. Why don't I go out for a walk?"
Gu Songhan could only admonish, "I know you want to go to the palace to see Consort Hui, but she is now a consort and is pregnant with the emperor's child. You must not act rashly!"
Jiang Segu knew that Gu Songhan was worried about her, so she nodded in agreement, "I know! Besides, almost two months have passed since then. Even if I have grievances in my heart, I would never do anything reckless!"
Only then did Gu Songhan feel a little relieved. The two then talked for a while before Gu Songhan left.
Since the last incident, Gu Songhan has never climbed over the wall to avoid suspicion again. He strode out of Jiang Segu's courtyard and went to find Liao Luzhen.
"When you enter the palace tomorrow, you will stay with Azi. Don't let her act impulsively and do anything foolish!"
Liao Luzhen subconsciously shrank her neck. "I understand!"
"You don't need to be so afraid of me. I know what happened last time, and it had nothing to do with you. I acted impulsively!"
Liao Luzhen dared not accept his apology. After all, when Jiang Segu was unconscious last time, he was more afraid than a hungry wolf!
"Well, if General Gu has nothing else to do, I'm going to sleep now!"
With a cold face, Gu Song walked out of the Marquis's residence. On the way, he saw Marquis Changping, who was originally admiring the moon in the courtyard, hiding timidly when he saw him.
He also saw Master Jiang, who had returned from a social engagement, shrink back and look as if he wanted to disappear on the spot when he saw him.
When Master Jiang saw him from afar, he turned and ran away.
It's good that you're afraid!
If he knew he was afraid, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on the young girl!
Although we only found out that Liang Shaojie was behind the last incident, it was definitely not something that Liang Shaojie did alone!
He doesn't have the energy to investigate in detail right now. Once the court is stable, no one will be able to escape!
***
Soon the day of the lotus banquet arrived.
Everyone in the Jiang family was dressed in their finest attire, and even Jiang Segu, dressed in white, dared not be negligent in the slightest!
Upon entering the palace, a palace maid led everyone to see Jiang Chuhui.
Jiang Chuhui looked much thinner than before she entered the palace, so Madam Jiang couldn't help but ask her a few questions.
"Why are you so thin? Are you feeling unwell? Or is the little prince being too noisy?"
Jiang Chuhui answered one by one, "I lose my appetite when it gets hot, but I'm not feeling unwell. The child is very well-behaved and hasn't bothered me at all!"
After exchanging some pleasantries, Jiang Chuhui beckoned Jiang Segu forward, took her hand, and said, "Third Uncle and Third Aunt passed away in such a hurry that I didn't even have time to see them one last time. I've been worried about them ever since. Seeing Azi so haggard now, I'm heartbroken! But even if you're grieving, you must take care of yourself!"
Jiang Segu lowered his eyes and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Azi. I will take good care of myself and find the murderer for my mother!"
She spoke the next sentence very softly, but Jiang Chuhui understood its meaning.
"Mother, please take all my sisters to the Imperial Garden. I have something to say to my sixth sister in private. We'll go shortly!"
Madam Jiang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately withdrew in response.
As they left, Mu Ying led the palace maids down from the hall.
Only Jiang Segu and Jiang Chuhui remained in the vast palace.
"Sixth Sister, please ask whatever you have to say!"
Jiang Chuhui sat at the head of the table, completely at ease, as if she would answer any question Jiang Segu asked, as if those matters had nothing to do with her.
Jiang Segu parted her lips slightly, "May I ask if Consort Hui has ever had any misunderstandings with my mother?"
"No! Not only was there no misunderstanding, but my third aunt was also very kind to me. I am very grateful to her for giving me a bit of care in the Marquis's mansion!"
"Then why did you ask Lin Mama to kill my mother, elder sister?"
Jiang Chuhui's expression remained unchanged. "Whether you believe it or not, I didn't instruct Lin Mama to kill Third Aunt!"
"Then I'd like to ask, why did you send me away from the Marquis's residence that day?"
Jiang Chuhui lowered her eyes and said after a long while, "Azi, sometimes it's better to live life in ignorance than to know the truth!"
"My mother's death wasn't your doing, but you know who the murderer is, don't you?"
Jiang Segu stared intently at Jiang Chuhui, trying to discern any clues from her face.
However, Jiang Chuhui's expression remained perfectly composed, without the slightest crack.
At this moment, Mu Yuan came to report, "Your Majesty, almost everyone has arrived. You should go now, lest someone speak ill of you in front of the Empress."
This simple sentence reveals the hardships Jiang Chuhui faced in the palace.
Jiang Segu looked at Mu Yuan and asked, "Was Shouxing's trip to Youzhou at Her Majesty's behest?"
Mu Yuan lowered her head, making it impossible to see the expression on her face.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with me!"
After Jiang Chuhui finished speaking, she smoothed her hair with her hand, helped Mu Yuan to her feet, and when she walked to Jiang Shibuya's side, she leaned forward slightly and whispered in her ear, "I'm just a pawn after all..."
She spoke so quickly that Jiang Segu almost thought he was hallucinating.
At the same time, Jiang Chuhui added, "Sixth Sister, let's go. There are some noble ladies you know at the banquet today!"
The only people I was familiar with were the girls from the Song family.
However, when Jiang Segu saw Song Yuhui with a faint smile, his heart sank.
Why would she come?
When A-Wu first discovered the Phoenix Painting, he said that the Song family had already confined Song Yu-Hui. Now that the Song family had just been dealt with by Gu Song-Han, how could they possibly allow Song Yu-Hui to appear in front of her again?
Seeing Jiang Segu's surprised expression, Song Yuhui smiled at her, her face full of smugness.
But soon, she was reminded by Madam Song, who was beside her: "My little aunt, you should be more careful. Think about your two younger sisters who were given away as concubines!"
This is telling her not to provoke Jiang Segu!
Gu Songhan is currently the Emperor's new favorite, and everyone in the capital knows that Jiang Segu is the apple of his eye. There's no need to make things difficult for Jiang Segu!
She had already suffered heavy losses because of the two daughters of the eldest son's family, and she didn't want her husband to lose his official position because of Song Yuhui!
It would have been better if Madam Song hadn't brought it up; the mere mention of it only fueled Song Yuhui's hatred for Jiang Segu!
In the past, all the girls in the capital envied the three sisters, but now look what they've become!
Seeing the intense hatred in Song Yuhui's eyes, Madam Song felt uneasy and pinched her waist sharply. "If you cause any trouble today, I definitely won't speak up for you when we get back!"
A sarcastic smile appeared on Song Yuhui's lips. When had her second aunt ever spoken up for her?
Back when the Phoenix Painting incident happened, she was the first to stand up and say she would be sent to the Jing'an Prince's Mansion to be disposed of by the Jing'an Princess!
If she hadn't been quick-witted and come up with a solution, she might not even be alive today!
"Don't worry, Second Aunt, I wouldn't clash with Jiang Segu at this time, even for the sake of the child in my womb!"
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