Inside the general's mansion.
After the matriarch secluded herself for a few days to "recuperate her illness," she finally recovered and things returned to normal in Luhetang.
Coincidentally, on this very day, Lady Wang from the Ji family came to visit Jiang Wan.
The trial of Song Ziyu is imminent. Emperor Jingyuan has appointed Ji Rong as the chief judge, with the three judicial departments overseeing the proceedings. This matter not only involves the Tiger Tally but also implicates Pei Jin. Emperor Jingyuan has ordered that the case be combined with that of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and thoroughly investigated.
Wang sat on the soft couch, holding a teacup, and said, "His Majesty is very concerned about this case. You know your uncle's character; he is extremely upright. He has been staying up for several nights because of this. I was uneasy and thought I would come to see you..."
Jiang Wan observed her expression and asked, "What's wrong, Aunt? Is there anything unclear about the case?"
Looking into her clear eyes, Madam Wang shook her head and said, "Silly child, I'm worried about you. If Song Ziyu's crime is truly unforgivable, what will you do for the rest of your life?"
"So that's what my aunt meant."
Jiang Wan smiled.
"Uncle, just handle things fairly and don't worry about me. I have my own plans."
"The General's Mansion has truly committed a sin, daring to joke with the Tiger Tally and matters of state. If it were an ordinary marriage, your aunt would have arranged a divorce for you and kept you far away from them. But it just so happens to be..."
Wang sighed, and was about to speak again when a report came from outside the door that the matriarch of the family had arrived in person.
The matriarch rarely set foot in the Gyosho-in.
There was no reason to stop the elders from entering, so Jiang Wan invited them in.
Although the matriarch had been bedridden for several days due to illness, she looked quite well. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Wang, she finally got to the point.
"Since you've come all this way, I've already instructed the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes before you arrived. Why don't we invite Lord Ji to join us for dinner as well? He probably hasn't seen A-Wan in a long time, has he?"
With the trial imminent, the purpose of the elder's wife's banquet for Ji Rong was so obvious that Wang Shi couldn't possibly be unaware of it.
She smiled and declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but let's do it another day. He's been busy at the yamen all day lately and really doesn't have the time."
The matriarch was refused, but she didn't get angry. She chatted with them for a few more minutes and then ordered people to bring in two baskets of things.
"Lord Ji is a man of great importance and busy with many things, so I will not insist. These are fruits and local produce sent from the estate, grown on our own land. They are not worth much, but they are just for freshness. If Madam Wang does not mind, please accept them."
The servants lifted the cloth covering the vegetables, and inside were indeed lush green fruits and vegetables, very fresh, emitting a rich fruity aroma.
Some local fruits certainly cannot be considered bribes.
Ms. Wang refused once, but not wanting to refuse again, she smiled, thanked her twice, and accepted the gift.
The matriarch did not stay long and left shortly afterward.
After stepping out of the courtyard, the smile on Wu Mama's face vanished, and she said coldly, "He's just the Minister of Justice. The old lady went to invite him personally, and he didn't even give her the slightest face. He really doesn't know what's good for him!"
The matriarch said in a deep voice, "Ji Rong is a strict and upright person. With the trial imminent, the Ji family is already trying to avoid suspicion, so naturally they will not agree to stay for a meal."
"Fortunately, she accepted those things," said Granny Wu.
"Accept it? Not necessarily. Madam Wang has always been cautious." The old lady narrowed her eyes. "If she leaves no room for maneuver, we'll have to act ahead of time. Anyway, we're all prepared, so we don't have to wait until the trial."
"In a moment, send someone to follow Wang's carriage and guard the entrance of the Ji residence."
They walked and stayed in the courtyard.
Wang said to Jiang Wan, "The Yuan family is cunning and calculating. They must have come here for a reason. We shouldn't underestimate them."
"Then why did you accept these things?" Jiang Wan asked.
Wang waved her hand: "It's just for show."
Jiang Wan approached the two baskets and squatted down to examine them closely.
The fruits and vegetables are ordinary, nothing special.
Biluo emptied the entire basket to make sure there was nothing hidden inside.
"This melon smells wonderful; it's obviously freshly picked." Biluo sniffed it and exclaimed, "I've never seen such a fragrant melon in my entire life."
"What a pity." Madam Wang was very cautious: "Before returning to the manor, find a secluded place and throw it away. I can't bring something of dubious origin home."
Jiang Wan stared at it quietly for a while, then suddenly said, "We can't throw it away."
"What?" Wang asked.
“Aunt, you can’t throw this away,” Jiang Wan said firmly.
If the old lady's first plan fails, she will surely have a second one.
The fact that she dared to invite Ji Rong to dinner today shows that he has made thorough preparations, while she herself has yet to receive a reply from Zhu Que.
What she needs now is time.
It would be better to accept these gifts and let the matriarch think that the plan has succeeded. That way, at least in the days leading up to the trial, she won't try to harm anyone again.
Jiang Wan checked the fruits again: "I've checked them. These are at least non-toxic. You can take them home as normal fruits and vegetables and put them on the table."
Wang was puzzled.
But she believed that Jiang Wan would not harm the Ji family, so she nodded and did as she was told.
Soon, Luhetang received a reply.
"Madam, Madam Wang has taken the things back to the Ji family." Granny Wu's expression relaxed. "Now we can rest assured."
The matriarch frowned: "You really accepted it?"
“Our people saw it with their own eyes, there’s no mistake,” said Granny Wu. “If you’re still worried, I’ll try to bribe one of the Ji family’s servants to find out what’s going on.”
The matriarch nodded, her deep eyes gleaming with an unusual light.
"Now, we're just waiting for the day of the trial."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com