The next morning, Consort Yun sent someone to the General's Mansion to pick up the person.
After Pei Tang's birthday party last time, Gu Yurong and Song Lin stayed in the courtyard and didn't go out, unusually well-behaved.
The elder lady gradually lowered her guard.
In her view, the Gu family mother and son's ascension to the position of Imperial Concubine was nothing more than an attempt to find someone to rely on.
They won't cause any trouble.
After all, Gu Yurong's cousin was still being held captive in the backyard.
Once Gu's crimes are exposed, not only will the Imperial Concubine be unable to protect her and her son, but even the Empress herself will be unable to do so.
The matriarch nodded and let the two of them leave.
Jiang Wan, however, felt somewhat nervous upon hearing about this.
If what Pei Xi said is true, then what Song Lin has in his hands is closely related to his mother.
It could very well be the key evidence used to convict the elder's wife and help her get a divorce.
If she could get her hands on it, it would be of great help to her.
However, this matter involves great importance, and Consort Yun may not dare to accept it.
Gu Yurong and her son stayed in the palace for a long time before being sent back to their residence in the afternoon.
Inside the Jade Palace.
Consort Yun sat on the couch, her face filled with surprise and doubt, as if she had learned something terrible.
Even after Gu Yurong and her son had been gone for a while, she still couldn't calm her mind.
Originally, she only wanted to use what Gu Yurong had to control the General's Mansion for her own purposes.
But now…
"If what Song Lin said is true, then isn't the General's Mansion a complete mess? Getting involved with the Song family is probably not a wise move."
Consort Yun frowned deeply.
"Moreover, the Song family is now in decline, having lost its military command and the Emperor's favor. It is still unknown whether Song Ziyu can be reinstated. If it continues to decline, it will have no value in the future, and it is not worth the risk for us."
I'm afraid that instead of receiving help from the Song family, we might get implicated, which would be a loss.
"No."
Pei Xi, who was standing to the side, suddenly stood up and said firmly.
"We must make this deal."
He was determined to get his hands on what Song Lin had.
Pei Xi's face showed a rare determination. He spoke with conviction, and Consort Yun looked at him in surprise.
"Although the Song family is not as powerful as before, there is still Song Yu. The Emperor values him highly and will surely entrust him with important responsibilities in the future. He has the ability to revitalize the General's Mansion."
Consort Yun still disagreed: "But this matter is too risky."
"Mother, don't forget, Song Yu and the Crown Prince are very close."
Pei Xi's eyes darted around, and he said in a low voice.
"The Song family holds a pivotal position among the military generals in the court. If we don't seize this opportunity, and the Song family later pledges allegiance to the Crown Prince, making him even more formidable, how will we stand against them? By then, it will be too late for you to regret it."
He observed Consort Yun's expression and continued.
"The Eastern Palace is already quite powerful. If we want to fight Pei Xuan, how can we do it without taking risks?"
These words struck a chord with Consort Yun.
She took a deep breath and looked at Pei Xi with satisfaction: "Good son, you have truly grown up. Only today did your mother realize how ambitious you are!"
"Okay, we've made the deal."
Consort Yun gave instructions to her servants.
"Someone, send some gold, silver and silk to the General's Mansion, saying that it is a reward from the Empress to Madam Gu and her son."
Gu Yurong will understand her meaning once she receives the gift.
Pei Xi stood to the side with his hands behind his back, secretly wiping the sweat from his forehead, but Jiang Wan's beautiful face couldn't help but appear in his mind.
"I knew it, nothing good ever came of meeting this woman."
He thought to himself.
"This time we've really run into a big problem."
Inside the general's mansion.
For three consecutive days, Consort Yun's gifts flowed into the main courtyard like a river.
The matriarch of the family gradually realized that something was wrong.
The entire Gu family has been exiled, and Gu Yurong is just a merchant. How could she have such influence that the Imperial Concubine would elevate her to this level?
Before she could figure out why, Consort Yun's personal maid arrived at the General's Mansion again.
Everyone gathered in the front hall.
"The General's Mansion is overjoyed. The Imperial Concubine and Madam Gu had a very pleasant conversation. They also felt sorry for her because she had no relatives. They specially asked the Empress to be their witness and decided to recognize her as their sworn sister."
"These rewards were all bestowed by the Imperial Concubine and the Empress."
At the beckoning of a palace maid, eunuchs filed in, carrying various items.
She bowed to Gu Yurong and said with a smile.
"Although Her Majesty is in the palace, she is always thinking of you, Madam. If you have any difficulties, just tell Her Majesty. If anyone dares to bully you, Her Majesty will not stand idly by."
The intention to protect was so obvious that everyone in the general's mansion could hear it.
If Gu Yurong and her son are confined to their quarters again, it would be an offense against Consort Yun.
"At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in a few days, please come to the palace early so that you can have a private conversation with Her Majesty."
The palace maid left with a single sentence and then led her entourage away in a grand procession.
The matriarch and Song Ziyu exchanged a glance, both of them quite displeased.
Gu Yurong, however, smiled smugly.
As she directed the servants to carry the rewards into the courtyard, she approached Jiang Wan, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sister, you probably never imagined I'd have this day to turn things around, did you?"
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "My sister's future is boundless; how could anyone else possibly predict it?"
Gu Yurong gave a cold laugh.
“A few months ago I was locked in the courtyard and everyone said I was crazy, but now I’m the sister of the Imperial Concubine. Even if others look down on me, they have to greet me with smiles.”
She slowly leaned closer to Jiang Wan and said in a low voice.
"I know who did this to me."
Gu Yurong looked up, her eyes seemingly filled with venom.
"I will repay you tenfold."
Jiang Wan smiled slightly: "I hope so."
She stopped arguing with Gu Yurong and turned back to Xingzhi Courtyard.
Only after entering the house did he take out the note from his sleeve.
The note was secretly slipped to her by a young eunuch when the rewards were being delivered.
She guessed that the information came from Pei Xi, as the palace maids and eunuchs were Consort Yun's people.
Jiang Wan walked to the table, unfolded it by the candlelight, and saw only two simple words: Successful.
The handwriting was messy and illegible, clearly written by Pei Xi himself.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and the weight in her heart finally lifted.
In fact, after seeing Consort Yun's gifts over the past three days, she had already guessed the outcome.
She couldn't put her mind at ease until she received Pei Xi's reply.
Jiang Wan threw the note into the brazier and squinted slightly.
Although it is unknown how Pei Xi persuaded Consort Yun, as long as Song Lin is willing to hand over what he has, half of her goal will be achieved.
As for Gu Yurong's intention to seek refuge with Consort Yun, she was not worried.
Because it's a foolish choice in itself.
She picked up her pen and wrote a few words, then instructed Biluo: "Give this letter to Pei Xi."
“Tell him that he did me a great favor, and that if he or Consort Yun were to face a life-or-death situation in the future, I will guarantee their survival.”
Everything is now ready.
All that's left is for the Song family to dig their own grave at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
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