Biluo didn't go far. Following Jiang Wan's instructions, she turned a corner and hid behind the stone steps.
Unsure whether Pei Jin was skilled in martial arts, she dared not get too close.
This location is well-hidden, allowing one to overhear the gist of Song Tingyue and Pei Jin's conversation.
The two were cautious and did not talk for too long. Soon Biluo returned.
Jiang Wan led her to the Empress's palace. Not long after, Song Tingyue also came to see her, saying that she wanted to pay her respects to the Empress.
Besides the Empress, there were several concubines and wives of officials in the palace.
"Princess, it's been a long time."
Jiang Wan smiled, her eyebrows curving upwards.
"I wonder how things are at home these days?"
Song Tingyue wrung out her handkerchief, her stiff smile almost crumbling.
Everyone knows about the tragic state of the General's Mansion. Is Jiang Wan gloating when she asks this question?
She's a woman who relies on the Song family for her livelihood; what good will it do her if the General's Mansion falls?
Song Tingyue was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth, but she forced a smile.
“A-Wan is being taken care of by the Empress and is living in a luxurious house. No wonder she doesn’t know how dire the situation at home is. If all women in the world were as carefree as you, not serving their husbands or managing the household, it would be too easy.”
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow slightly.
This is a public mockery of her for not upholding traditional feminine virtues.
She lowered her eyes: "Your Highness is mistaken. I also want to share the burden of the household, but you have all heard the rumors in the capital a few days ago. My grandmother and mother-in-law value Sister Gu and specially appointed her to manage the household. I suppose they think I am not doing my job properly. I can't even hold the power of managing the household. What can I do?"
Everyone knows that the matriarch of the family is close to Gu Yurong, so there's no point in trying to deny it.
A few days ago, some people envied Gu Yurong, but these days they can only watch the show.
They laughed at Gu Yurong, a merchant girl with little fortune, unable to accept the kindness she received. They also laughed at the old lady Yuan, a cunning old woman, who had made the wrong bet and almost lost the entire General's Mansion.
Song Tingyue forced a smile: "How could that be? Grandmother and Mother clearly love you the most, please don't overthink it."
Jiang Wan smiled but remained silent.
Song Tingyue continued, "Speaking of which, I came to the palace this time to ask Her Majesty the Empress something."
"When my grandfather quelled the rebellion in the western frontier and returned to the capital, it happened to be the Lantern Festival. The late emperor was overjoyed and said that every year during the Lantern Festival, the Song family would bring their relatives to the palace to enjoy the lanterns together."
She knelt down and spoke devoutly.
"His Majesty has now ordered my younger brother to stay at home and reflect on his mistakes. With the Lantern Festival just around the corner, my younger brother is unable to enter the palace. I wonder if this counts as disobeying the late Emperor's decree? I am terrified and have come to ask Your Majesty the Empress for instructions."
The Empress slightly lifted her eyelids and quietly glanced at her.
"His Majesty is pure and filial, how could he go against the late Emperor's words? If General Song is truly repentant, it doesn't matter if it's the Lantern Festival. I will discuss it with His Majesty, and you can enter the palace as usual."
Song Tingyue kowtowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Pei Jin had just given her an idea; if it worked, it might help the General's Mansion regain the Emperor's favor.
However, the prerequisite is that one must enter the palace on the Lantern Festival.
The Lantern Festival is a good opportunity for the General's Mansion to turn things around.
When Jiang Wan returns to the General's Mansion, she will make her kneel down and admit her mistake, and pay the price for her arrogance today!
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