Inside the Pixiang Hall.
Jiang Wan waited for a long time, but the eunuch who had come looking for the hairpin still did not return.
She took a sip of the osmanthus wine, her brows furrowing slightly.
Judging by the distance he traveled, the eunuch should have returned long ago.
Could something have happened to my uncle?
Pei Xuan noticed her unease and turned slightly to the side: "Is something on your mind, Madam Jiang?"
His eyes shone like stars, his black hair was tied up with a golden crown, his jade-like fingertips tapped lightly on the table, and his gaze swept over them lightly.
It's as if you can see right through a person's thoughts with just one glance.
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes and shook her head, saying, "No."
"That's good." Pei Xuan finished his wine and put down the gold and jade wine cup. "However, there is one thing I don't understand."
"When I went to pay my respects to my father this morning, I mentioned the Chengping General's Mansion. My father's tone was cold and stern, and he seemed quite dissatisfied."
"I wonder what extraordinary thing the General's Mansion has done this time. It seems that today's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is destined to be anything but peaceful."
Jiang Wan smiled, her eyes clear and gentle.
"Since Your Highness already knows, why keep me in suspense?"
Ah Si is Pei Xuan's man, so he will definitely tell you everything that happened at the Ji residence.
She dared to use Ah Si, so she wasn't afraid of Pei Xuan finding out.
“I know what Your Highness is worried about.”
Jiang Wan lowered her eyelashes, reached out and picked up the glass wine pot, personally pouring a cup of wine for Pei Xuan.
"When we first met, Your Highness warned me that the Chengping General's Mansion was the cornerstone of the Song family army. I am just a woman, and I should not presume to cause trouble in the Song family's inner quarters or shake the foundation of Dayong."
"But now, without the war, the Song family has voluntarily handed over their military power."
“Song Yu has grown up and is skilled in both literature and martial arts. If the court wants to use troops, the Song family army has a successor.”
The loss of Song Ziyu is not a big deal for the imperial court.
"Your Highness."
She handed the wine cup to Pei Xuan, revealing a small section of her wrist from her long sleeves; her skin was delicate, like the finest mutton fat jade.
"Now that things have come to this, you probably won't interfere anymore, right?"
Pei Xuan accepted the gold and jade cup, and inadvertently touched her fair and cool fingertips.
As if it were only a moment, his eyes darkened almost imperceptibly.
"Is that so?"
Pei Xuan suddenly smiled.
"How could I not recall saying such a thing?"
Jiang Wan was stunned.
Pei Xuan casually toyed with his wine cup and said, "Song Ziyu is mediocre and dull, unfit to be a general. What use is there in keeping such a mediocre person around?"
Jiang Wan paused, somewhat unable to believe her ears.
Someone, whose name was unknown, once warned her in a cold, half-threatening tone not to lay a hand on Song Ziyu.
How come it has completely changed its appearance now?
Pei Xuan took a sip of wine and continued, "And then there's Yuan Shi. She practices Miao witchcraft in the capital, a crime that cannot be forgiven. She too cannot be allowed to live..."
Jiang Wan frowned even more deeply.
Pei Xuan indeed discovered the secret of Luhetang and guessed what she was going to do.
"Your Highness has always abhorred infighting within the household, so why aren't you stopping me now?"
"Why stop them? This isn't a domestic squabble; it's eliminating a scourge for the court."
Pei Xuan looked at her and smiled lazily.
"You did a great job."
Jiang Wan frowned as she looked at him.
Pei Xuan added, "If you encounter any difficulties, I can help you."
Jiang Wan: "..."
She turned around and nudged Pei Tang: "Your brother is drunk, bring him a bowl of sobering tea."
Pei Xuan chuckled softly.
He didn't say anything more.
Whether it was drunken talk or not, she'll soon find out.
"Drunk?" Pei Tang looked over in confusion, her eyes darting between the two of them.
My brother and Sister Jiang sat side by side, their two beautiful faces perfectly matched.
If only Jiang Wan could be her sister-in-law.
Pei Tang was startled when she had this thought, and quickly patted her cheeks.
It seems that not only was her brother drunk, but she was too.
On the high platform, Emperor Jingyuan was in high spirits, holding a wine cup, and rewarding the meritorious officials of the court in the first half of the year.
Emperor Jingyuan selected several people in succession, and after bestowing his favors, he turned his gaze to the Song family's seats.
What Yuan did in private had already touched a nerve with him.
The reason it didn't flare up was because the man in black that Physician Jin encountered kept saying that the Yuan family still had a backup plan and would take action during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Emperor Jingyuan also wanted to know whether Song Ziyu had participated in the Yuan family's scheme.
Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and he has specially tightened the defenses of the Pixiang Palace.
He has plenty of patience and can wait.
He pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice.
"Song Yu".
Song Yu immediately stepped forward and knelt before the hall.
"A fine young man from General Chengping's mansion, he is also the top scorer in this year's martial arts examination. A young talent with outstanding potential, he displayed unparalleled wisdom and courage when the people of Donglai attacked the capital, and defended the capital's defenses. He has the youthful spirit of General Song."
Emperor Jingyuan looked at him with a smile, his eyes filled with affection and satisfaction.
"By my decree, Song Yu is hereby appointed as General Yunhui, awarded one hundred taels of gold, and granted the position of heir apparent of the General's Mansion."
He gestured to the eunuch to bring out a yellow-lacquered sword.
Song Yu recognized it at a glance. It was the sword that the former Lady Yuan had passed down to Song Lin, but which had been taken back from the palace by Emperor Jingyuan because Song Lin had committed shameful acts in the palace.
"Today I bestow this sword upon you, hoping that you can carry on the old general's legacy and protect the land and rivers of my Great Yong."
Song Yu quickly expressed his gratitude.
The elder's wife and Song Ziyu were sitting at the table, astonished. After they came to their senses, they knelt down and kowtowed.
Emperor Jingyuan's bestowal of a reward upon Song Yu was a great favor extended to the entire Song family, who all shared in this grace.
Back at the table, the matriarch maintained a polite smile on her face, but secretly she was clenching her fists tightly.
The imperial edict came suddenly, completely unexpectedly.
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