In the pavilion in the back garden.
There was a pile of portraits on the stone table. Princess Jing and Wen Jingyun were sitting opposite each other, with several servants waiting beside them.
Princess Jing waved her round fan and said softly, "Yun'er, these are portraits of unmarried women of marriageable age in the capital. Take a look at them yourself and tell me if you like any of them."
"It's still a little inappropriate for you to marry Mo'er as the Crown Prince's Consort. Although she is my niece, she is usually careless and her words and actions are really inappropriate."
There was a lot of buzz outside about Wen Jingyun and Lin Moer. After all, Lin Moer was hugging him when her skin was exposed.
The two often go out together and live under the same roof. There are even rumors that they are already husband and wife.
Wen Jingyun took a sip of tea, raised his lips and sneered, "When did I ever say I wanted to marry her? That time, her body was seen by so many people, and marrying her as a concubine was disgusting."
"Even if that day hadn't happened, I would never have thought of marrying her. Although she was favored by the Imperial Grandmother, her family was too ordinary after all. My second uncle didn't have a high position, nor did he have great wealth."
The woman he wanted to marry had to be from a prominent family, and also be gentle, virtuous, and beautiful.
Princess Jing smiled and patted the back of his hand with great satisfaction. "My dear son, you are right. You must marry someone who is beneficial to you."
Just then, an attendant hurried into the pavilion.
After paying respectful respects, he came to Wen Jingyun's ear and whispered about Jiang Mengli's situation.
He narrowed his eyes after hearing this and said, "She's seeking death herself, who can she blame? If she had agreed to be a concubine in the palace, this wouldn't have happened!"
"Don't worry, just let her die. I hate her anyway, so she won't be an eyesore if she dies, lest she come back to haunt me later and regret it!"
Princess Jing asked doubtfully, "Are you talking about Jiang Mengli?"
Wen Jingyun nodded, "Yes, I just left the capital with the Dragon Shadow Guards and headed to Lion Head Ridge to rescue Princess Jinping. This was the Empress Dowager's idea, and she actually agreed without hesitation."
This matter was not mentioned again afterwards. Instead, he looked at the portraits with Princess Jing. Regardless of their appearance, those with poor status and position were eliminated directly.
Finally, he selected a few portraits of women with good family backgrounds and good looks and kept them, preparing to send them to the palace for the Empress Dowager to review.
At this moment, the Queen Mother was walking in the Imperial Garden accompanied by palace maids.
She looked at the pleasant scenery and felt very happy. "Madam Jing, look, the osmanthus flowers are in bloom. The whole imperial garden is filled with fragrance."
"Your Majesty, this old servant is Nanny Ning." Nanny Ning, who was supporting her, suddenly spoke up to remind her.
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's smile gradually faded, and she paced back and forth, "Yes, she is gone. She has been serving me since she was ten years old, for decades now, but now..."
As he spoke of this, he choked up a little and sighed softly, feeling sad and regretful.
Nanny Ning comforted her, "Don't be sad, Queen Mother. This was Jiang Mengli's fault. Letting her die on Lion Head Ridge can be considered revenge for Sister Jing."
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother narrowed her eyes sharply, her face dark and cold as she spoke, "I never imagined she wasn't a coward. No matter what abilities she possesses, she won't be able to return alive this time."
She not only hated Jiang Mengli for ruining her plan, but she hated the entire Jiang family.
The Jiang family has been in the imperial court for hundreds of years, and their accumulated reputation and power are feared by everyone.
Whether it is the previous emperor or the current emperor, sometimes they have to look at the Jiang family's face in the court. How can this not make the royal family wary?
…
Jiang Mengli traveled day and night, and finally arrived at Lion Head Ridge after several days.
Eleven people rode on horseback, looking up at the rugged and steep mountains. Above the halfway point, there was fog, as if it was connected to the sky.
She was very confused and asked, "Aren't these people tired of going up and down the mountain? Do they live at the top or halfway up the mountain?"
If it is the top of a mountain, the altitude is a bit high.
Wouldn’t it take one or two days to go up and down the mountain?
Someone responded: "We haven't been there, so how can we know where they live?"
"Yeah, but I think they should be at the top of the mountain. It's safer that way."
Jiang Mengli said, "I think they might be halfway down the mountain. Since they want a ransom, there should be a way to get in touch with them, right?"
When this question was asked, several Dragon Shadow Guards looked at each other in confusion.
They didn't know how to get in touch, they just accompanied her here.
Long Yi said, "We don't know much. The Queen Mother just asked us to accompany you up the mountain to rescue the princess."
There are ten Dragon Shadow Guards, from Long Yi to Long Shi, and Long Yi is the boss.
Jiang Mengli was somewhat helpless. "It seems that the Queen Mother doesn't like you very much. She actually wants you to follow me to die. If you are willing to go up with me, go together. If you don't want to, go back."
After saying this, he dismounted and walked towards the mountain with the sword he had prepared long ago.
The Dragon Shadow Guards also dismounted, leaving two people to guard the horses below, while the others followed him up the mountain.
Jiang Mengli glanced back and tossed a medicine bottle to Long Yi. "This is an ointment to repel snakes, insects, rats and ants. Apply it once every half an hour on your hands and neck."
The surrounding area is densely wooded, overgrown with weeds and has many mosquitoes.
There is no fixed path around, so you have to use your sword to cut through the weeds and vines as you walk.
Long was half-believing and half-doubting, but one of his brothers warned him, "Don't use it. Who knows what kind of medicine it is?"
"That's right. We must be on guard against others. We never know. He might be trying to poison us and then escape."
"That's right. Lion Head Ridge is so dangerous. Who would be willing to save people?"
The more they talked, the more they felt it made sense, so Long Yi put the medicine in his arms and didn't give it to anyone else.
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