Song Ziyu begged the jailer for half an hour before he finally got paper and pen.
As he watched the matriarch write the secret letter, he still hesitated: "Grandmother, if Song Lin receives this letter but refuses to help us, wouldn't we have wasted our chance to ask for help?"
No, it won't.
Yuanshi said.
"Now that the General's Mansion is in the hands of Madam Jiang, and she has a deep-seated grudge against Madam Gu and her son, how could she possibly give them a good life?"
“That’s right.” Song Ziyu nodded. “Jiang Wan is a second-rank imperial consort and is deeply favored by the emperor and empress. The Gu family mother and son cannot compete with her.”
He then thought about it again.
"But what if Song Lin wants to join that Bi fellow and leave the General's Mansion?"
Yuan gave a cold laugh.
"I'm afraid we'll never see those two again in this lifetime."
Bi Yuan had long been imprisoned in the Deer and Crane Hall by her.
After Emperor Jingyuan sent people to seal up the General's Mansion, he suspected that the Song family was colluding with the Illusion Moon Sect and would definitely conduct a thorough interrogation of the Luhetang group.
Ordinary servants all signed indentures and had clean identities, but Bi Yuan was a merchant from the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) with an unknown identity.
He might not dare to tell the authorities his true purpose for coming to the Song family.
Such a suspicious person could easily be mistaken for an accomplice of the Illusion Moon Cult.
Even if he escapes this ordeal, when the Yuan family is interrogated, the Ministry of Justice will suspect him in just a few words. How can Bi Yuan's frail body withstand the severe torture of imprisonment?
At that time, Bi Yuan would have no way to speak and would only be unjustly killed.
Yuan narrowed her eyes, her face sinister.
Who told him to team up with Gu Yurong to wreak havoc on the General's Mansion? This is his retribution!
"Gu and Song Lin can't find anyone to turn to. In this vast world, where can they go?" Yuan said. "Song Lin isn't stupid. If he could receive this secret letter, understand its importance, and weigh the pros and cons, he would be able to make the right decision."
“If he listens to what we say, at least he can still be the son of the general’s family.”
Otherwise, what benefit would he gain if the Song family were accused of treason?
Song Ziyu, however, looked indignant.
Gu was on good terms with someone, and even tricked him into raising someone else's son for ten years. How could he swallow this insult?
The thought of how he used to dote on the mother and son made him feel like he was on fire; he couldn't swallow his anger.
Madam Yuan saw through his thoughts and advised, "Once we get out, you can do whatever you want with them, but right now, it's important to deceive Song Lin."
She quickly wrote the letter, but how to send it out was a problem.
Although Ji Rong was on leave due to illness, he had served in the Ministry of Justice for many years and had cultivated many confidants. If he rashly sent out the secret letter, it might be intercepted before it even reached Song Lin.
"The contents of the secret letter are crucial; they are our lifeline, and Jiang Wan must never find out about them," Yuan Shi said.
If she finds out, she will definitely destroy it secretly.
Then she and Song Ziyu really had no hope left.
After discussing it in hushed tones, the two decided that it would be safer to hand it over to Song Lin personally.
Song Ziyu took the brush and wrote another letter by hand.
Madam Yuan then took off a pair of earrings, which were among the few pieces of jewelry she owned. She handed the earrings to the jailer and asked him to pass the letter on to Song Lin.
There were no secrets in the letter. Song Ziyu claimed that he was deeply sinful and knew that his days were numbered. He wanted to see Song Lin before his conviction and entrust him with his affairs after his death.
His words were quite moving, and he even called Song Lin his most beloved child.
Although Song Lin might not believe it, this was the only statement he could make.
The jailer weighed the earring in his hand, tucked the letter into his pocket, and left the prison.
At this moment, in the general's mansion.
Jiang Wan was sitting by the couch, her eyes scanning the letter in her hand. She read it quickly, then threw the Xuan paper into the brazier.
This letter was sent by Qi Shunzhai; it was a message from Pei Xi.
“Madam, Song Lin has indeed taken the bait,” Biluo said from the side.
Jiang Wan nodded and instructed, "Tell Aunt Ru that the person can be released tomorrow night."
She looked up, her gaze falling on a jade pendant on the table, her eyes filled with mockery.
"Have all the people sent from the palace been settled?" she asked.
Biluo nodded: "Steward Zhao specially found a separate courtyard for several eunuchs and nannies from the palace to live in."
"They are His Majesty and the Empress's confidants, so they must be taken good care of, especially the two elderly wet nurses," Jiang Wan instructed. "The soup, food, and charcoal must all be prepared with utmost care and attention."
"The palace sent people here to give face to the General's Mansion, so we should be even more respectful to them in order not to fail the Emperor's favor."
Biluo replied, "This servant has remembered everything, Madam, please rest assured."
Jiang Wan added, "Clean up Jiya Hall again. The banquet is approaching, and the Third Prince will inevitably come to the mansion."
Biluo nodded, then asked curiously, "How did you guess, Madam, that His Majesty would send the Third Prince to take charge for you?"
Jiang Wan chuckled softly.
"His Majesty's intentions are not hard to guess."
Emperor Jingyuan wanted to bestow favors upon her, but he did not want to overly elevate the General's Mansion, which had just committed a serious crime. After weighing the options, Pei Xi, who was of noble status but not high position in the court, was the most suitable candidate.
She deliberately acted as if she were on good terms with Consort Yun, just to arouse Gu Yurong and Song Lin's suspicion that she had formed an alliance with Consort Yun, forcing them to enter the palace on their own initiative.
The purpose of sending the letter to the Empress was to allow Pei Xi to participate in the matter openly and legitimately.
In this way, Pei Xi would have leverage, and Song Lin would be more willing to trade with him.
She knew Song Lin well; he was narrow-minded and vindictive.
The mother and son stayed in the general's mansion, struggling to survive. Firstly, they were unwilling to flee the capital like this, and secondly, they resented her and Song Yu.
Given the chance, Song Linbi will surely harbor thoughts of revenge.
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