At this moment, inside the Deer and Crane Hall.
The elder lady was shocked by the news that had come during the day.
"Jiang Linyuan... really took charge of the martial arts competition?"
Song Tingyue frowned, her face full of worry: "Half of the capital saw it, how could it be fake?"
The matriarch of the elders was unusually agitated: "Is it because of Jiang Wan?"
"It must be a coincidence."
Song Tingyue shook her head.
"At first I thought so too, but today at the martial arts test, Prime Minister Jiang didn't even glance at Song Yu. My maid even saw Jiang Wan go to find him, probably trying to curry favor, but she didn't even get to see him."
The matriarch finally breathed a sigh of relief.
What she feared most was that Jiang Wan would reconnect with her family.
"Keep a close eye on Jiang Wan. If you discover any connection between her and the Prime Minister's residence, tell me immediately."
Song Tingyue, not understanding why, nodded.
Song Ziyu's face turned ashen: "Jiang Linyuan won't help Jiang Wan, much less us."
They originally planned to cheat in the draw to directly put Lin'er into the finals.
He could bribe the examiners, but he didn't have the guts to bribe Jiang Linyuan.
Everyone knows that Jiang Linyuan is famously aloof, upright, and inflexible.
"Grandmother, Lin'er can't be eliminated like this! You can't abandon him! And what about the Crown Prince's people..."
After pondering for a while, the matriarch said, "Those in Lin'er's group are all people from the martial arts world. Let's see if we can bribe them with money."
Song Ziyu countered, "What if they don't seek wealth?"
"That's alright." The old lady said in a low voice, slowly turning her prayer beads. "Lin'er is participating in the martial arts test to compete for the position of heir. If Song Yu fails the test along with him, or even falls worse off than him, then we won't have lost."
Song Tingyue couldn't understand.
"Song Yu is highly skilled in martial arts, and with the assistance of Master Chen Yi and Protector Xiao, how could he have failed the exam?"
The elder lady smiled faintly.
"The rules of the martial arts rankings state that, in addition to being less skilled than others, those who corrupt the spirit of martial arts or have questionable morals will also be disqualified from participating."
For example...practicing martial arts techniques in secret, or secretly learning martial arts skills.
Committing this taboo can be far worse than simply failing an exam.
“I remember that one of the people in Song Yu’s group was a member of the First Prince’s group.” The old lady looked at Song Tingyue and said, “Anyway, with his martial arts skills, he is no match for Song Yu. Why not do us a small favor? I’m sure the First Prince won’t mind.”
After hearing what was said, Song Tingyue went to the palace the next day and met Pei Jin.
Everyone in the palace knew that Pei Jin had been injured by Pei Feng, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to come and visit him.
Pei Jin is indeed recuperating in the palace.
A few days ago, in order to save Consort Rong, he had no choice but to deliberately injure himself and endure several blows from Pei Feng, leaving clear wounds on his body.
Song Tingyue fed him the medicine and told him about the old lady's plan.
Pei Jin agreed after hearing this.
Firstly, Jiang Wan frequently sided with Pei Xuan, ruining his plans.
He already hated her.
He saw Jiang Wan as a thorn in his side and didn't want to see Song Yu achieve a ranking in the martial arts competition.
Secondly, he wanted to control the General's Mansion through Song Tingyue and turn the power of the Song family army into his own.
With Jiang Wan around, she is ultimately a potential threat.
Pei Jin concealed her inner turmoil and spoke in a very pleasant tone.
"How could I refuse when you asked me personally? The General's Mansion helped me with the martial arts competition. Although Jiang Linyuan interfered and disrupted the plan, I still appreciate it."
Song Tingyue felt relieved to hear this and advised him, "Pei Xuan has already discovered you and is even instigating Pei Feng to deal with you. You need to be careful these next few days."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Pei Jin's eyes were deep and unfathomable.
"As long as I stay indoors, how can they possibly break into the palace? That would be considered a rebellion. Even Pei Xuan wouldn't dare to do that."
Song Tingyue felt relieved.
Before they knew it, the day of the second round of martial arts trials arrived.
The contests between Song Lin and Song Yu were held on the same day, with Song Lin competing first and Song Yu competing second.
Among those in Song Lin's group was a spy from Linglong Pavilion, and Jiang Wan naturally learned of Song Ziyu's attempt to bribe people with a large sum of money.
Jiang Wan had the hidden agent take the items.
Song Ziyu felt that things were progressing smoothly, and a relaxed expression appeared on his face.
When Song Lin entered the arena, he used the newly learned Song family sword technique.
The martial arts techniques taught by the Hermit of Nanshan in the past brought many troubles to the General's Mansion and even caused him to lose face in the palace. Song Ziyu ordered him not to touch them again.
It took Song Lin a long time to regulate his internal energy and suppress the evil energy that had been lurking in his body.
Unlike the miscellaneous martial arts of the Hermit of Nanshan, the swordsmanship created by General Song was grand and majestic, with each move exuding magnificence, drawing cheers from the audience.
The other martial artists accepted the money and lost without leaving a trace, all falling to Song Lin's sword.
When it was the turn of the Linglong Pavilion members to take the stage, they showed no mercy in their moves.
Although Song Lin's martial arts skills had improved, he was still no match for a true master. Just when he was about to be defeated, his opponent suddenly slipped and seemed about to fall.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
With a fierce glint in his eyes, Song Lin used an extremely tricky stance to strike with all his might, defeating his opponent in one fell swoop.
Song Ziyu was thrilled and cheered from the audience.
Song Lin shook his hand holding the sword, his face turning slightly pale.
That final sword strike mobilized all his internal energy. At this moment, he felt his pulse becoming disordered, as if the evil fire that had been suppressed within him was now running rampant through his internal organs.
Song Lin took a deep breath to resist the strange feeling.
"Well done, Lin'er." Song Ziyu stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Once you make it to the final exam, you'll definitely be on the list!"
Song Lin said, "Father, I'm a little tired and want to go back to rest."
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