Seeing that there was nothing wrong with the kettle, Jiang Yuwei walked over to the charcoal box. As soon as she opened the box, she smelled a faint smell of kerosene.
So Jiang Yuwei took a piece of charcoal from the box, sniffed it hard, and then handed it to Ning Huaizhi, saying:
"Huaizhi, come and smell this charcoal. How does it smell?"
Ning Huai stepped forward, took the charcoal, and sniffed it at the tip of his pen.
"Someone put kerosene in it."
Seeing Ning Huaizhi's certainty, Jiang Yuwei said to Tie Zhu, who was waiting nearby:
"Go to the kitchen and get some more charcoal. Replace all of this charcoal."
Having received his instructions, Tie Zhu hurriedly carried the box and left.
Jiang Yuwei looked at Ning Huaizhi and said:
“There’s a traitor in this mansion. Despite all our precautions, someone still managed to sneak in. If we really manage to get this charcoal doused with kerosene into the palace today, then the consequences will be beyond our control.”
Ning Huaizhi frowned and said:
"Yes, thanks to your meticulousness and thorough investigation today, we were able to avoid any trouble. We must find this mole."
Jiang Yuwei nodded.
"After we return from the Thousand Autumns Banquet, I must investigate thoroughly, otherwise I will never be able to put my mind at ease."
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei went to check the makeup gift box she had made again. She had always kept the box in her room, and seeing that there was nothing wrong with it, she was finally relieved.
Yun Qing and Xia Yue came out after changing their clothes. Jiang Yuwei handed the box she was carrying to Xia Yue.
"Xia Yue, you must not let this box out of your sight, and you must not entrust it to anyone else. You must keep it safe."
Xia Yue naturally understood the implications and quickly nodded in agreement.
Jiang Yuwei then looked at Yun Qing and said:
"Yunqing, you'd better perform well tonight. Before the performance starts, your task is to keep an eye on the fire pot in your hand and make sure no one touches it."
Then, Jiang Yuwei looked at Tie Zhu and said:
"Tiezhu, you are responsible for following behind Yunqing and keeping an eye on this box of charcoal. There must be no mistakes. When Yunqing performs, you need to have clean water ready and be prepared to put out the fire at any time."
After saying that, Jiang Yuwei looked at Ning Zhao and said:
"Zhao'er, you will stay with your father at the banquet today. Help him keep an eye on the people around you and protect yourself. This will also serve as a training experience for you."
Ning Zhao nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Jiang Yuwei took Ning Wan's hand and led the group out of the mansion. Xu Qianqian and Aunt Lin were already waiting at the door. When they saw Jiang Yuwei's family come out, they were both stunned for a moment.
Then, Xu Qianqian said sourly:
"Even though you're dressed so beautifully as a general's wife, no one will give you a second glance. You're not a noble lady waiting to be married, so what's the use of being beautiful?"
Jiang Yuwei sized up Xu Qianqian and noticed that she was wearing an extremely brightly colored dress and an extravagant headdress, still dressed like a poor person who had suddenly become rich. Jiang Yuwei couldn't help but scoff.
"You are really very confident. Instead of wasting your time criticizing others, you should take a look at yourself in the mirror."
Seeing how effortlessly Jiang Yuwei could dress up so beautifully and attractively, Xu Qianqian was already somewhat jealous. Now that Jiang Yuwei had spoken ill of her, she felt even more indignant.
"Stop being so smug. Let's see how long you can keep laughing, hmph!"
With that, Xu Qianqian turned around and got into Ning Chunlin's carriage.
Jiang Yuwei frowned thoughtfully as she watched Xu Qianqian's retreating figure.
"Yuwei, why aren't you getting in the car yet?"
Jiang Yuwei turned around and saw that it was Wang Ma helping the princess out. She quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"Your Highness, I'm waiting for you here."
"Have you prepared all the gifts?"
Jiang Yuwei handed over the gift list.
"This is the gift list. I checked it again yesterday, and there are no problems."
The princess reached out and pushed the gift list towards Jiang Yuwei.
"I'm feeling very dizzy right now and can't bear to look at these things. In a little while, you and Wan'er will ride in the same carriage and I can massage your head."
Jiang Yuwei put away the gift list and said with a smile:
"Okay, let me help you into the car."
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei first helped the princess into the carriage, then carried Ning Wan up, before finally having Wang Ma help her into the carriage herself.
Yun Qing followed behind their carriage, sharing a ride with Ning Huaizhi and Tie Zhu.
After everyone was seated, the princess waved her hand and gave the order:
"Let's go, lest we be late."
Upon hearing the instructions, Wang Ma, who was sitting outside, said to the coachman:
"Let's go."
Inside the carriage, Jiang Yuwei massaged the Prince's head as she spoke:
"The gift I prepared for the Empress will be performed before the banquet. I will need to trouble Your Highness to inform her of it then."
The princess waved her hand and said:
"This little matter can be handled by Wang Ma. When we arrive at the Thousand Autumn Banquet, you and Wan'er will stay by my side so I can take care of you."
Jiang Yuwei said hesitantly:
"However, if I were to sit with you, people might use it against me."
The princess smiled and gently tidied the stray hairs from Wan'er's forehead.
"The Empress knows that I am not in good health and need someone to take care of me. In that case, who would dare to use this against us?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuwei nodded in relief. She had wanted to tell the princess about discovering the kerosene and charcoal that morning, but when she thought about the princess's poor health, she swallowed her words.
Fortunately, the discovery was timely and a major disaster was averted. He could rest assured once he had attended the Thousand Autumns Banquet and exposed the person behind the scheme.
Having spoken with Xu Qianqian for a while, Jiang Yuwei had some ideas. There were only a few people in the mansion, so it wouldn't be difficult to investigate.
Soon, the group arrived outside the palace.
There were eunuchs waiting at the door. When they saw that it was the princess, they quickly sent someone to greet her. Jiang Yuwei had already entrusted the matter of the gift list and gifts to Wang Ma to take care of. At this moment, a leading eunuch was leading the way, and the gifts were assigned to another eunuch to take away.
The makeup box that Jiang Yuwei wanted to give to the Empress was not on the gift list. Since it was a gift from the General's Mansion, it naturally had to be listed separately.
Jiang Yuwei thought that this gift was somewhat special and that she should personally teach the Empress how to use it, so she let Xia Yue continue to carry it into the palace.
The eunuch leading the way led everyone through a maze of twists and turns to Fengyi Palace. Upon entering, they saw that the palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and many palace maids and eunuchs were carrying things back and forth.
At this hour, many nobles and dignitaries had also arrived. Jing, the empress's personal attendant, saw the princess arriving from afar and hurried forward to greet her.
"Your Highness, you've finally arrived! Our Empress was worried about your health and was afraid you wouldn't be able to come today. Please come in with me quickly; the Empress is waiting for you in the hall."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com