Chapter 240 There's someone outside
"I'll go with you."
Just as Kwok Ping-man stood up, Mo Qing stopped him.
Jiang Wan Ning tilted her head slightly, "How did you plan to tell Jun Jun? That I should lie to her with you?"
Guo Bingwen was stunned, unsure of what to say.
Jiang Wan Ning continued, "My sister and I haven't seen each other for a long time, and we have a lot to talk about, so it might not be convenient for you to come along."
“But I…” Guo Bingwen wanted to say more, but Pei Yanchuan said calmly, “It is inconvenient for outsiders to be present when the Princess Consort and her sister are talking. What?”
"Do you want to hear what those two sisters have to say, or are you afraid something will be exposed?"
Kwok Ping-man realized what he meant and waved his hands repeatedly, "That's not what I meant. I'm just a little worried about Jun-jun."
"Don't worry, with me here, I won't let anything happen to Junjun," Jiang Wanning said with unwavering determination.
Having said all that, Guo Bingwen couldn't say anything more and could only wait in the front hall with Pei Yanchuan.
On the way to Jiang Wanjun's room after leaving the room, Haitang couldn't help but ask, "Does the Princess really believe in Guo Bingwen?"
Jiang Wan Ning shook her head. "It's not that I believe him, but the most important thing right now is Jun Jun's health. When I was talking to Bai Lan just now, Guo Bingwen kept trying to stop me, whether intentionally or unintentionally."
"If I expose them now, Junjun will definitely not be able to bear it in her current state."
"What does the Princess mean?"
“I’ll treat Junjun’s health first, and then investigate this Guo Bingwen,” Jiang Wanning said. “My aunt has a competitive nature.”
"Anyone with a bit of cunning can easily manipulate her. Guo Bingwen may seem honest, but he is actually very shrewd."
"He must know Aunt's personality. She has always loved to compete with our eldest son's family and wants Junjun to marry better than me and live a better life than me. If Guo Bingwen really wanted to send a message, he would have asked Uncle to do it, not Aunt."
"He was certain that his aunt wouldn't send the letter, which is why he so confidently pushed everything onto her."
“I knew the princess was holding back because she had other plans,” Haitang said. “That Guo Bingwen family is despicable; they’re bloodsuckers.”
“I just met with Bai Lan. Ever since Miss Junjun married into the family, the house, servants, and all expenses have been covered by Miss Junjun’s dowry.”
"This mother-in-law still acts like a mother-in-law all day long, making Miss Junjun stand in the rules. It's only because she can't get out of bed these past few days that she hasn't had to stand in the rules."
"What Guo Bingwen said sounds nice, but in reality he just hides away and does nothing."
"Poor Miss Junjun, even in this state she's still thinking about Guo Bingwen." Haitang became more and more indignant as she spoke.
Jiang Wan Ning suddenly seemed to remember something and instructed Hai Tang, "Go and keep an eye on Guo Bingwen and find out where he has been these days."
"Does the princess suspect he's having an affair?"
"The old lady's words just now seemed to have a hidden meaning."
"Furthermore, Junjun is considered to have married down. If Guo Bingwen hadn't passed the imperial examination or had a better option, why would he be so eager to take Junjun's life?"
"Your Highness, you mean...?" Haitang was shocked.
"There's no evidence for any of this right now; it's just my speculation. Although Junjun looks severely depleted of qi and blood, if someone who has had a miscarriage smells the incense in her room for too long..."
"Is the incense poisonous?"
Jiang Wan Ning shook her head. "The incense alone is not poisonous, but if the medicine the postpartum woman drinks contains baihuazi (a type of herb), then the two will become increasingly serious once they enter the body."
"Even if the person eventually dies, the only diagnosis will be that it was caused by a deficiency of qi and blood."
"However, all of this is just my guess. I will have to check the medicine Junjun usually takes to know for sure."
Haitang then realized why Jiang Wanning didn't want the Guo family to come along.
While the master and servant were talking, they arrived at the courtyard where Jiang Wanjun was. Bai Lan was carrying a bowl of medicine and was about to go out. When she saw Jiang Wanning coming over, she quickly stepped forward to greet her.
"This servant greets Your Highness."
Jiang Wan Ning nodded. "Was it the medicine that Shao Yao brought?"
Bai Lan nodded. "Sister Shaoyao is currently inside with Madam. Would Your Highness like to go and see Madam?"
"Madam was delighted to hear that the Princess was coming. She even ate half a bowl of millet porridge after taking her medicine," Bai Lan said, a smile spreading across her face.
"Your Highness, please go in first. I will go to the kitchen to bring you some tea and snacks. You and Madam can have a good talk."
"No rush," Jiang Wanning said. "Bai Lan, I have a question for you: do you still have Junjun's previous prescription?"
Bai Lan shook her head. "Young Master personally went to get the medicine and then ordered me to brew it."
"What about the dregs? Are there any dregs left?"
"The dregs of the medicine were all handled by the old lady's maids, who would come and collect them on time each time."
Jiang Wan Ning frowned slightly, and was about to leave when Bai Lan suddenly said, "However, this servant secretly kept some for herself."
“The lady’s health is getting worse and worse, and I have some doubts. They disposed of the dregs of the medicine, which made me even more suspicious, so I secretly kept some.”
"I was just about to tell you, but the young master happened to come back."
"Alright, Bai Lan, go and get me the dregs of the medicine, and let Hai Tang accompany you." Jiang Wan Ning was overjoyed, as this way she wouldn't have to search for clues again.
It seemed that her actions had helped the princess and the lady, and Bai Lan was pleased to be praised.
"These are all things that this servant should do."
"Oh, by the way, Your Highness, there's one more thing..."
Jiang Wan Ning stopped in her tracks. Seeing Bai Lan hesitate, she asked softly, "Don't worry, I will naturally stand up for Jun Jun."
“This servant once discovered that the young master was hiding other people’s handkerchiefs, and the young master has been acting increasingly strangely lately. Sometimes when he comes back, he still smells of other women’s perfume.”
"Moreover, every time the young master comes to see the madam, he always tries to get some money from her."
"I also discovered that many of Madam's jewelry pieces are missing. At first, I told the young master about it, but he only said that he would have people look for them carefully, and then he didn't say anything more."
"It wasn't until later that I accidentally discovered that the young master had taken a piece of the madam's jade pendant. That jade pendant was given to the madam by you, and the madam has always cherished it."
"I haven't dared to mention it to you, Madam, even now."
After listening, Jiang Wan Ning understood. It seemed that her guess was correct. But who in Cangzhou would be more worthy of Guo Bingwen taking this risk than Jun Jun?
Although Junjun was born into a merchant family, the Jiang family has never truly separated. Her father and uncle have always had a good relationship, in addition to her current status.
In the entire Cangzhou, if Guo Bingwen wanted to go to the capital and obtain a good official position, besides participating in the imperial examination, who else could have more influence with the Emperor than the Prince of Langya?
"Haitang, go and investigate," Jiang Wanning instructed in a low voice.
"Yes," Haitang replied.
Bai Lan took the medicine dregs to get them for Jiang Wan Ning, who then waited in the courtyard.
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