They walked and stayed in the courtyard.
"Madam, Young Master Ji sent a letter saying that things are progressing smoothly and Mei Xiang has been detained," Bi Luo reported in a low voice.
Jiang Wan looked up and put down the wolf-hair brush in her hand.
On the pear wood desk, a strange image was drawn in the center of the unfolded Xuan paper.
The figures in the painting are dressed in strange costumes and sit around a campfire in bizarre postures, which is a sacrificial ceremony of some ancient race.
“Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Granny Wu might try to contact Meixiang. Tell your cousin to leave her an opening and not let the news leak out.”
"His Majesty has already noticed Meixiang, and it is a good thing for us that Luhetang is contacting her at this time."
Biluo wrote down, and then said.
"When I passed by the main courtyard today, I saw Madam Gu take a food box to General Song. As soon as she got to the door, she seemed to be frightened, dropped the food box and ran away."
"I found it strange, so I asked Cai Die to inquire. They all said that General Song had a fever, his whole body was swollen, and he couldn't even lift his hands and feet."
Jiang Wan chuckled softly.
"It's not a fever."
That's a side effect of taking Hanshisan (a traditional Chinese medicine).
That stuff was incredibly potent, but it was also extremely torturous.
After eating it, one experiences aches and pains in the limbs, bloating, and swelling, causing unbearable pain.
Only by getting through this period can you reap its benefits.
She had Shi Yin pretend to make a transaction at the entrance of Qing Shi Alley, using genuine Han Shi San, which naturally had severe side effects.
At this moment, Song Ziyu was experiencing a living hell.
"However, in his heart, as long as he can make a contribution at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, all the suffering he is enduring now will be worthwhile."
Jiang Wan smiled, her eyes sparkling.
She rolled up the images on the desk, along with some calligraphy, paintings, and objects nearby, and put them into a box.
These are some Miao tokens she made based on those banned books.
"Give it to Shi Yin."
She gave the order.
"Also tell your uncle that Yun Su of the Illusion Moon Sect is ruthless. Tell him to be careful on Mid-Autumn Festival. If anything unexpected happens, protect yourself first and don't be reckless."
Biluo agreed to all of them, then said worriedly, "Madam, perhaps I should stay by your side to protect you on Mid-Autumn Festival?"
"You have more important tasks to do."
Jiang Wan said.
"The palace has Imperial Guards, which will quickly suppress the Illusion Moon Cult. Besides, I have prepared items for self-defense, so don't worry."
Biluo reluctantly hummed in agreement.
Jiang Wan looked into the courtyard: "Yu'er hasn't returned yet?"
“These past few days, the young master has been frequently going to the palace and has been returning very late.”
Biluo frowned and thought for a moment.
"I heard that he went to Princess Zhaohua's place to practice martial arts and probably had dinner there as well."
Jiang Wan nodded.
Song Yu and Pei Tang are fellow disciples, and it is common for them to meet up for sparring.
She instructed, "The wind is strong tonight, leave a lantern for him at the gate."
Soon, it was the fifteenth of August.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the grandest festival in Dayong, except for New Year's Eve.
Every year, a banquet would be held in the palace, and officials of the fourth rank and above, along with their families, would receive an imperial decree to dine with Emperor Jingyuan and his concubines.
Early that morning, the general's mansion was bustling with activity.
Although Song Ziyu is now retired and stripped of his military power, he still retains his rank and is required to enter the palace according to custom.
He has survived the most difficult days.
Now he is clear-headed, radiant, and even looks a few years younger.
Needless to say, the matriarch of the family, holding the title of a first-rank imperial consort, should naturally attend the palace banquet.
Lady Gu also received an invitation from Consort Yun, and dressed up in her finest at dawn, eager to show off to everyone.
After they finished dressing, they waited for a long time in the carriage at the gate of the mansion, but Jiang Wan did not come out.
Only after sending someone to inquire at Xingzhi Courtyard did they learn that Jiang Wan had entered the palace half an hour earlier, saying she was going to pay her respects to the Empress.
"Sycophant."
Gu Yurong cursed under her breath.
"Does she think she can rest easy just because she's the Empress? The day she falls, she'll be the one crying."
Aunt Ru, who was standing to the side, was holding little Song Zhao and spoke with a smile.
"Madam Jiang is a second-rank imperial consort. Even without the Empress's decree, she could still enter the palace."
The implication is that Gu Yurong was the one who was able to attend the palace banquet only because a concubine in the palace spoke up for her.
She had the nerve to gossip about Jiang Wan.
"A mere concubine, what right do you have to speak here?"
Gu Yurong glared at her.
"You used to be so quiet and subservient to me. I really didn't realize when you joined Xingzhi Academy!"
Aunt Ru smiled and glanced at the old lady who was resting with her eyes closed.
“I don’t understand what Madam Gu is saying.”
"Still pretending?" Gu Yurong sneered. "If the Empress hadn't spoken up, would someone of your lowly status even be worthy of attending a palace banquet?"
As a concubine, Aru was not allowed to dine with the Emperor and Empress according to etiquette.
But just a few days ago, the Empress suddenly mentioned that last year's quota for Chongwen Pavilion was given to Song Zhao, and she wanted to see the child.
Thus, Aunt Ru was also able to enter the palace and participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
With so many young men in Chongwen Pavilion, how could the Empress possibly remember a newborn like Song Zhao?
It must have been Jiang Wan who spoke up specifically for Aru.
Gu Yurong said sarcastically, "You are a lowly person. You are only good because of your womb and your son. Don't think you are so great."
Aunt Ru gave a sarcastic laugh.
“Zhao’er is just a member of Chongwen Hall, unlike Young Master Lin, who was a high-ranking official in the Military Equipment Bureau. Madam Gu is only benefiting from her son’s success.”
"you!"
Gu Yurong was immediately enraged, her face turning red and then white.
That lowly eighth-rank official was a disgrace to Song Lin and his companion. Aunt Ru had struck a nerve with her; wasn't this a slap in the face?
She raised her hand, about to slap Aunt Ru.
"Have you made enough of a scene?!"
The matriarch suddenly rebuked her.
"Shut up, all of you! Today is a palace banquet. Anyone who dares to act recklessly in public and disgrace the Song family will not be spared!"
Aunt Ru stopped talking and patted little Song Zhao with her head down.
Gu Yurong glared at her fiercely, then reluctantly sat back down.
A glimpse of the gilded lotus flower pattern bracelet on her wrist brought her some relief.
Today's outfit is extremely luxurious; both the fabrics and jewelry used are within the bounds of regulations, representing the most extravagant style.
At least in terms of appearance, she can completely outshine Jiang Wan.
The matriarch was also thinking about Jiang Wan, and she frowned inwardly.
Is the Empress really going to bestow upon Jiang Wan the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort today? Not a single word has leaked out of the palace.
If not, why would Jiang Wan spend so much money on jewelry, and why would she avoid everyone and enter the palace first?
He must have been very confident.
Today, Jiang Wan is incredibly dazzling.
She caught a glimpse of Gu Yurong's smug expression and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Gu Yurong's idea of overshadowing Jiang Wan today is probably wishful thinking.
However, showing off at today's banquet is not a good thing; it could even bring about one's death.
Those Phantom Moon cultists are ruthless killers; the more extravagant and ostentatious one's lifestyle, the more likely they are to become their target.
The elder lady smiled faintly.
Jiang Wan wants to show her face, but she'll likely be the first to suffer the consequences.
At that point, she'll just have to accept her bad luck.
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