On the surface, they are just ordinary martial arts moves, but only those with profound internal strength can perceive their true nature.
Thinking of the rumors circulating in the General's Mansion's backyard recently, a look of disdain flashed across Song Yu's eyes.
After the dance, Song Lin bowed to Emperor Jingyuan.
Immediately, voices of praise arose from the room.
General Shaoguang clapped his hands and affirmed, "Exquisite swordsmanship, reminiscent of General Song in his prime! It seems the General's lineage has a worthy successor!"
Emperor Jingyuan was also quite moved.
General Song was young when he practiced this sword technique, but he remembered that the sword in Song Lin's hand was a gift from the late emperor.
He gestured for someone to bring the sword forward, and as he stroked the bright yellow necklace on it, he was deeply moved.
"This was tied by my father himself. My father and General Song are not only ruler and subject, but also close friends."
Before his death, the late emperor instructed him to treat the Song family well.
Recalling the past, Emperor Jingyuan's expression softened, and he spoke to Song Lin.
"She danced very well and did not disappoint General Song's expectations."
"This osmanthus-flavored sweet rice ball soup on the table hasn't been touched. Take it away and share it with your family."
Song Lin was overjoyed.
Emperor Jingyuan's act of goodwill was far better than bestowing gold and silver.
He knelt down to express his gratitude, and following the instructions of the matriarch, bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty's filial piety towards the late emperor is evident to heaven and earth. Your humble servant wishes to return this sword to ease Your Majesty's longing."
Emperor Jingyuan stroked the sword and gave him a pleased look.
"I understand your intentions, but this is a gift from the late emperor to the Song family. I hope you can wield this sword and, like General Song, protect the Great Yong Dynasty."
Song Lin kowtowed: "I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations."
A smile appeared in the elder's eyes.
Having passed the sword-wielding hurdle, the difficulties at the General's Mansion have also been overcome.
His Majesty's mind has changed, and it is only a matter of time before Song Ziyu's military power is restored.
She felt relieved and even gave Gu Yurong a rare kind of smile: "Consider yourself fortunate to have Lin'er. You won't be confined to your quarters after returning to the manor, but you are not allowed to see the Gu family members in private."
"As long as you behave yourself and don't cause any more trouble, you'll have a place in the Song family's inner quarters."
Gu Yurong smiled and thanked her, outwardly agreeing, but inwardly she was plotting something else.
She was preoccupied and lost in thought for quite some time.
When I came to my senses, Song Lin next to me had already left his seat.
"Where is Lin'er?" she asked.
The palace rules are strict; running around recklessly will get you into trouble.
Zi Que replied, "Young Master Lin just left, saying he was going to change his clothes."
Gu Yurong nodded, thinking that Song Lin had become much more composed in his actions recently, so she wasn't too worried. Her gaze fell on the dancers who were performing.
Looking at it like that, I was almost scared out of my wits.
The ruby headdress worn by the lead dancer looks so familiar... It's like the one that was bestowed upon Jiang Wan in the palace!
But wasn't this thing disposed of by the owner of the Treasure Pavilion? How did it end up on the dancer's head?!
Gu Yurong's face turned deathly pale, and her palms began to sweat.
They could only pray that no one would find out.
She tried desperately to comfort herself, thinking that Emperor Jingyuan and the Empress were high above them and it was common for them to reward their subjects; they certainly wouldn't notice these details.
Even so, she was still worried, fearing that the Empress might notice something.
She said to the matriarch, "Grandmother, I would like to offer a toast to Her Majesty the Empress."
"Didn't you just go there?" The matriarch frowned. "You look so pale. Did you do something again?"
Gu Yurong clenched her sleeves, forced a smile, and shook her head: "...No."
The matriarch glanced at her: "I knew you wouldn't dare. Sit down quietly and don't attract attention."
Gu Yurong returned to her original position, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
I wish time could speed up tenfold so this song and dance performance could end sooner.
On the high platform, Jiang Wan took in Gu Yurong's panic.
She curled her lips into a mocking smile.
"Awan, try this." The Empress picked up a piece of duck breast for her. "It's good for a young lady to eat more duck meat."
Jiang Wan thanked her and then asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, did you not enjoy this year's singing and dancing? I noticed you didn't seem very interested and didn't watch it closely."
The Empress shook her head: "It's not that I don't like it, it's just that every year it's the same kind of song and dance, all colorful and similar, I'm tired of it."
"So that's how it is."
Jiang Wan smiled and lowered her head.
"This is my first time watching this, and I find it very novel, especially the dancer in the middle. Her dance is graceful, and her ruby headdress is absolutely dazzling."
"Looking at her, I am reminded of the jewelry you bestowed upon me. It is a pity that I have never seen it in person. When I return to the manor, I will definitely take it out and examine it carefully."
She pointed with her delicate hand, and the Empress looked in that direction.
The Empress frowned and paused for a moment, stunned.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Jiang Wan asked.
The Empress said in a low voice, "That ruby headdress was a gift from me to you."
“That was part of my dowry back then. There’s only one like it in the capital. I’m sure I won’t mistake it for something else.”
"How could this be?" Jiang Wan looked surprised and said softly, "Your reward was sent by the Imperial Eunuch and received by the General's Mansion. Both sides checked the list. How could it be lost so easily?"
The Empress was puzzled, but Jiang Wan's words cleared her mind.
That's right, the mistake couldn't have been in the transportation; it must have been something done by the people in the General's Mansion!
She walked up to Emperor Jingyuan and whispered a few words in his ear.
Emperor Jingyuan's face suddenly darkened.
He stopped the singing and dancing, and the eunuch removed the dancer's headdress and presented it to him.
The Empress examined it carefully, her gentle voice tinged with anger: "It is the one that my mother put in my dowry."
"How dare you!"
Emperor Jingyuan flew into a rage and slammed his hand on the nanmu wood table.
The officials below, unaware of what was happening, knelt down in a scattered manner.
Emperor Jingyuan's gaze fell on Song Ziyu, and he said angrily, "General Song, can you explain to me why the things that the Empress bestowed upon Lady Jiang are here?"
Song Ziyu was shocked, but he knew nothing about it and could only look behind him blankly.
Song Tingyue's face was pale, while Gu Yurong... was trembling like a leaf.
When the old lady saw her like this, she knew that she was the one who had caused the trouble!
No wonder the Emperor and Empress were furious; this was not just about losing the royal gifts.
The Empress's dowry was given to a dancer, which is an insult to the Empress Dowager and a disregard for the royal family's dignity!
The matriarch glared at Gu Yurong, desperately racking her brains for a solution.
She looked up at Jiang Wan, who was smiling broadly on the high platform.
Since the gift was intended for Jiang Wan, perhaps the only option is to push the matter onto her in order to protect the General's Mansion!
At this moment, Gu Yurong looked around helplessly.
When she realized something was wrong, she sent Zique to find Song Lin, who was changing clothes.
His Majesty might spare him a little out of consideration for Song Lin.
But after so long, the two of them still haven't returned!
Has something happened?
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