"It is springtime, the season when peach blossoms are in full bloom."
Jiang Wan smiled gently and said slowly.
"The peach blossom wine brewed by Mr. Qingwu is pure and sweet. I am fortunate to have obtained a jar. If Your Highness likes it, I would like to give it to you as a token of my gratitude."
Pei Xuan: "..."
He raised an eyebrow, and a hint of light appeared in his usually cold and aloof eyes.
"Was it brewed last year?"
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "That's right."
When he left, Pei Xuan had an extra jar of wine in his hand.
Jiang Wan instructed the two palace guards to stand watch in front of Gu Yurong's door.
Today's events involve Pei Tang. With these two guards present, Song Ziyu is wary. Even if he wants to favor Gu Yurong, he will punish her severely.
Sure enough, the news came that very night.
Song Ziyu personally ordered that Gu Yurong be punished by kneeling outside the East Palace for three hours every day to reflect on her mistakes.
Everyone in the household knew that Gu Yurong was General Song's darling, and she had never received such a severe punishment before.
People were coming and going on the street, and she didn't even care about her reputation.
Later, it was only after Zhou pleaded with the family in tears that they were forced to kneel in front of the Song family ancestral hall instead.
The following day, Song Ziyu arrived at Xingzhi Temple.
His face was grim, clearly he hadn't slept all night, and he snapped at Jiang Wan as soon as he saw her.
"If word gets out about what happened yesterday, you'll bring shame to the entire General's Mansion. This is all your fault!"
"Tomorrow you will go to the East Palace and plead with His Highness the Crown Prince on behalf of Arong, asking him not to hold it against her."
Jiang Wan said coldly, "It was Gu Yurong and her instigators who framed him, and His Highness the Crown Prince has seen it all."
"It was clearly you who violated the virtues of a woman and seduced that Li Si! Yu Rong is pure and innocent, how could she frame you?"
Song Ziyu stared at her angrily and said in a low voice.
"If your mother hadn't obtained the late emperor's decree back then, I would never have married you! If you behave yourself, fine, but if you dare to make things difficult for Yu Rong again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
He smashed the teacup on the ground.
Jiang Wan showed no fear on her face, her expression was cold, and her eyes were filled with disgust and mockery.
It was as if he had punched cotton.
Song Ziyu gritted his teeth and took out a stack of receipts.
"I didn't know about your dowry before. See how much you need to make up for the shortfall and cover up the disaster relief."
Jiang Wan flipped through it and saw that it contained deeds to fertile land and houses, things she had never seen before.
When she was a bride, she had to manage the Song family's affairs and maintain its reputation, sacrificing a great deal of her dowry in the process.
In her previous life, she had no idea that Song Ziyu had a substantial private fortune.
Jiang Wan accepted it without changing her expression.
Song Ziyu took a deep breath: "I'm warning you, don't go too far!"
These were assets passed down from the Song family ancestors, yet Jiang Wan dared to ask for an exorbitant price and take them all away.
"Now it's your turn to beg me."
Jiang Wan glanced at him indifferently.
Instead of getting angry with me, you should investigate how the General's Mansion squandered its assets over the past few years.
Song Ziyu turned and left.
After he left, Biluo said indignantly.
"The general is blind and can't distinguish right from wrong! And that Zhou woman, she has no manners whatsoever, she only knows how to help Gu Yurong do whatever she wants, and she's humiliating the lady like this!"
Jiang Wan said, "Zhou is greedy for money. She has made a lot of money from the Gu family's business over the years, so she naturally values Gu Yurong more."
Biluo pouted.
The Gu family's resources are simply no match for Linglong Pavilion.
"However, those who gather for profit will also disperse for profit."
Jiang Wan's gaze was deep and unfathomable.
“Zhou’s forced departure of Song Lin has already incurred Gu Yurong’s resentment. Now that the General’s Mansion is in dire straits, the rift between them will only widen.”
In her past life, Zhou and Gu Yurong colluded to drive her into a desperate situation.
The first thing she needs to do now is to sow discord.
She was waiting to see how the two would turn on each other.
In the main courtyard.
Although Song Ziyu was angry during the day, he did take some of Jiang Wan's words to heart and asked about the family's savings that evening.
Gu Yurong felt guilty, but her face showed a wronged expression.
"Does my husband doubt me?"
"Although I have been in charge of the household these years, my mother has made the decisions on important financial matters. How could I dare to disobey my elders?"
Song Ziyu said with slight dissatisfaction, "I knew it."
He had heard about Zhou sending money to her parents' home, but he turned a blind eye because of filial piety.
However, if it jeopardizes one's future, that's a different matter.
"Offending Crown Prince Yongning so frequently lately is not a good thing. Next month is his birthday, and we need to prepare a good gift, but the household is currently short of funds..."
Song Ziyu frowned.
"By the way, Rong, didn't you say that your father-in-law has a good relationship with Linglong Pavilion?"
"I've heard that the Linglong Pavilion is full of rare treasures. If I could bring one to present to the Crown Prince and win the favor of the royal family, it would greatly benefit my career."
"this…"
Gu Yurong bit her lip.
She exaggerated the Linglong Pavilion matter. The Gu family did send a visiting card to Mr. Qingwu, but never received a reply.
It was just something she made up to please the Song family.
"Although Linglong Pavilion has good items, they are all very valuable, I'm afraid..."
Song Ziyu waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "It's alright."
"As long as you can get in touch with Linglong Pavilion, I'll ask my mother for help with the money."
Gu Yurong's eyes lit up when she heard that she was going to get money from the Zhou family.
Zhou had a secret stash of money, but she didn't.
Since Jiang Wan took over the household, she has been living in poverty and has long had unspeakable suffering.
But the situation at Linglong Pavilion isn't something that can be easily resolved either...
Song Ziyu added, “I can bring my family to the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet. If the Linglong Pavilion matter can be handled well, I will take you and Lin’er with me. Next year, the heir should be established, and it’s time to let him show his face to the dignitaries.”
Gu Yurong was overjoyed.
"Lin'er has made great progress by studying with Grand Secretary Teng these days, and he will surely bring honor to his husband."
She took a deep breath and said.
"Don't worry, my husband, leave the Linglong Pavilion matter to me."
"Ah Rong, you are truly my virtuous wife."
Moved, Song Ziyu hugged her tightly.
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