That night, he walked in the courtyard.
Jiang Wan was sitting on the couch, threading a needle. The phoenixes on the embroidery frame were elegant, noble, and lifelike.
As soon as the door opened, Biluo walked in.
"Madam, this is a message from Ah Si back from the Ji residence."
Jiang Wan opened the note, a slow smile playing on her lips: "As expected, Madam Yuan has taken action."
"Everyone at Luhetang thinks that Madam is going to be granted the title of First Rank Lady. Can the Elder Madam sit still?"
Biluo glanced at the brocade on the table, then covered her mouth and laughed.
"Madam's idea was brilliant. We obtained this phoenix pattern under the guise of mending the Empress's auspicious robe. When Granny Wu saw the satin in my hand that day, she was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out of her head!"
Jiang Wan stroked the phoenix on the brocade, her eyes flickering slightly.
The title of First Rank Imperial Consort was an honor that every woman in the Yong Dynasty longed for.
She wanted to rise to a high position, not for wealth and glory, but simply to gain freedom.
It's all up to human effort; she believes that day is not far off.
“Madam, Ah Si mentioned the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in his letter. Could it be that Luhetang is planning something again?” Biluo asked.
Jiang Wan shook her head: "No."
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was indeed turbulent, but it had nothing to do with the Song family.
In the previous life, at the banquet, the Phantom Moon Cult members disguised themselves as palace maids and infiltrated the main hall with the intention of assassinating someone.
Although he was captured on the spot, Emperor Jingyuan's arm was stabbed by the cultists and bled.
Emperor Jingyuan was furious and ordered a thorough interrogation of the assassins, but to no avail.
The Illusion Moon Sect intended to assassinate the emperor, and all the men they sent were suicide warriors. The ten men bit their teeth and swallowed poison, committing suicide in the Ministry of Justice prison.
Emperor Jingyuan originally intended to use this opportunity to eradicate the stronghold of the Illusion Moon Sect, but he could only fail at the last minute.
"Since Granny Wu brought this up, it means that Madam Yuan has already received the news."
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes.
The matriarch was good at planning ahead. She would never have informed Emperor Jingyuan of this matter in advance, but would have allowed Song Ziyu to gain merit through this, in order to prepare for the return of the tiger tally and military power.
At this moment, Biluo carefully read the note and asked in confusion, "Why did Granny Wu ask Meixiang to do these things?"
“My uncle is still recovering from his illness, and His Majesty is keeping a close eye on the Ji family’s movements. She wants to pin the blame for her misdeeds on me.”
Jiang Wan sneered, her gaze falling on the scrolls on the table.
Zhuque used the forbidden books she brought back from Youzhou to record many anecdotes about the feng shui of Miao territory, which she has already read.
Based on the elder's appearance and demeanor, she made a bold guess.
The Yuan family is very likely descended from the Miao people.
Youzhou and Miao territory were closely intertwined. In the past, many locals in Youzhou intermarried with Miao people and had children.
The Youwang Mansion has been destroyed for many years, and investigating the inside story will take a long time; this is just her guess.
This is enough to make it impossible for the matriarch of the family to recover.
Fortunately, she didn't need to verify it; it was enough for Emperor Jingyuan to believe it.
"Shi Yin traveled all over the country and seemed to have had dealings with people from the Illusion Moon Sect."
Jiang Wan said.
"Have him investigate the Illusion Moon Sect's entry into the capital. They're new to the city and will definitely need a safe place to stay."
The old lady wanted to use her uncle's illness to deal with her, but who knew that she was digging her own grave?
At this time, in the Ji residence.
Physician Jin was also listening to the guard's report.
"Meixiang chatted with a nanny at the alley entrance for a long time. Later, I followed that nanny all the way and saw her enter the gate of General Chengping's mansion with my own eyes."
"The Song family?"
Physician Jin was slightly startled.
Could the person who cast the curse be in the general's mansion?
He quickly asked, "What did they say?"
"I didn't hear you clearly." The guard shook his head and told the truth.
As Granny Wu and Meixiang were talking, he wanted to get closer, but suddenly realized that besides him, there was another person hiding in the darkness ahead.
Moreover, that person's internal strength was clearly superior to his own; if he got any closer, he would definitely expose himself.
"I suspect this person is a guard from the General's Mansion, who came with Granny Wu."
Physician Jin's heart sank.
A mere nanny can command guards? It seems the person behind this must hold a very high position in the General's Mansion.
"Let me think about how to report this matter to His Majesty."
Dr. Jin said.
"Keep an eye on Meixiang, don't miss her every move."
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the festive atmosphere is growing stronger, and the streets and alleys of Beijing are becoming increasingly lively.
The theaters and storytelling venues in the city have also changed to sing lyrics related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Among them, a teahouse in the south of the city gradually gained fame.
This teahouse is located in a remote area and is not very big. It is known because Madam Jiang from the General's Mansion often goes there to take care of it, and every time she goes to listen to opera, she requests the song "The Jade Rabbit Descends to Earth".
After this happened several times, Luhetang also heard rumors.
"What Jade Rabbit descending to earth? Isn't she just trying to remind others of her past claim that the Jade Rabbit appeared in her dreams to cure the plague?"
"After all this time, she's still rushing to sing her own praises. Doesn't she feel ashamed?"
"That's what Granny Wu said with disdain."
"This Jiang woman, who used to seem so calm and collected, can't keep up the act anymore. It's clear she's shallow-minded and not someone who can handle good fortune..."
As for what kind of blessing it is, it is naturally the blessing of being granted the title of a first-rank imperial consort.
Seeing that Madam Yuan's face darkened, Granny Wu knew she had said the wrong thing and immediately shut her mouth.
"Which teahouse does Jiang Wan frequent?" asked Madam Yuan.
Granny Wu said, "She goes there almost every day, and many people in the city have seen her."
The matriarch's eyes darted around, and she suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"She's so smug even before the imperial decree has been issued. She's a shallow-minded fool. I was just wondering how to make a move when she delivered herself right to my doorstep."
She gave instructions to Granny Wu.
"Go and get some silver, and secretly take over that teahouse. Let the opera be performed as it should be, without disturbing anyone else."
“Why would you buy a teahouse for no reason?” Granny Wu said. “The teahouse is in a very remote location, next to a stone alley. It’s inhabited by poor people and is very chaotic. I doubt it will do well in the future. Buying it will only result in a loss.”
"I bought the teahouse not to make money."
The matriarch narrowed her eyes.
"Doesn't Madam Jiang enjoy listening to opera? I must let her listen to as much as she wants."
She called over Granny Wu and whispered a few instructions, solemnly saying, "Tell Meixiang that this matter must be handled as soon as possible."
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