"I'm sorry to trouble you all with the affairs of the household," Jiang Wan said with a smile. "I brought some tea and snacks with you all."
The old nanny in the Empress's palace smiled and said, "Madam, you flatter us too much. We're just here to help out; how could it be hard work?"
The Empress's affection for Jiang Wan was common knowledge throughout the capital.
They also treated Jiang Wan as one of their own.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "I am still young, and my experience and vision are not as good as yours. This is my first time handling the appointment of eyes. Fortunately, you are here to oversee things, so I can feel at ease."
The more humble she acted, the better impression the eunuchs and maids had of her.
These people were all servants in the emperor's court, and after returning to the palace, they would become close attendants of Emperor Jingyuan.
A person in the emperor's presence can influence their fate with a single word.
Making a good impression on them would be very beneficial for Jiang Wan.
Not long after, a servant came to report that Pei Xi had arrived.
Emperor Jingyuan personally appointed the Third Prince to oversee Song Yu's investiture banquet, a fact known throughout the entire household.
Although Gu Yurong and Song Lin had no interest in the banquet, it was, after all, a grand feast hosted by the General's Mansion, so they had to show their concern.
Moreover, Pei Xi was of noble status, and no one dared to neglect him.
Despite their reluctance, the two personally went to the gate of the mansion to greet them.
Pei Xi entered the room and sat down with the others in the front hall to drink tea.
"Is Madam Jiang free today?"
Pei Xi began to speak.
"My mother has brought many gifts. I would like to trouble you to take stock of them in a moment. There are also some details about the banquet that I would like to discuss with you."
Jiang Wan smiled apologetically: "It's really unfortunate, I have to go to the Ministry of Justice prison to visit my grandmother and husband, so I can't accompany Your Highness."
"However, Madam Gu in your household is free. If Your Highness does not mind, may she stand in for me and discuss the banquet with you?"
Gu Yurong was surprised when she was suddenly called out.
Jiang Wan looked at her with a smile: "My sister and I are both mistresses of the General's Mansion, so naturally you are capable of shouldering this important responsibility."
Gu Yurong frowned.
Without even thinking about it, she knew that Jiang Wan's intention in having her interfere in the banquet was definitely not good!
“Sister, I haven’t been feeling well these past two days. You should choose someone else, so as not to neglect His Highness the Third Prince.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan looked troubled.
"Alright."
She thought about it for a while.
"But now that Grandmother is gone, there's really no one else to manage the household. Otherwise, we could have Steward Zhao take over, or Aunt Ru..."
She looked at Pei Xi and blinked gently.
Pei Xi immediately understood and slammed the teacup on the table, making the table shake three times.
"I, the prince, have personally come to your residence, and you simply send a steward or concubine to receive me? Is this how the General's Mansion treats its guests?"
He glared at Gu Yurong.
"You, though born into a merchant family, are still the wife of a military family. How can you be so ill-mannered! I asked you to receive me, the prince, and you kept making excuses. Do you look down on the royal family?"
Gu Yurong was startled and quickly said she dared not.
Song Lin then added, "Your Highness is too kind; it's just that Mother is indeed..."
Pei Xi's expression became even angrier upon seeing him.
"Song Lin, the prince hasn't even settled your accounts with you yet, and you have the nerve to come and make a fuss!"
Song Lin immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a sound.
The person Pei Xi had asked him to assassinate a few days ago had indeed escaped due to a momentary lapse in judgment.
He was wondering how to explain this to Pei Xi when the latter arrived at the gate of the mansion.
Song Lin lowered his head and apologized, saying, "It is your humble servant's fault for failing in his duties and causing Your Highness trouble. Your humble servant is guilty!"
Pei Xi tilted his head back and snorted coldly.
"You were only recently granted an official position, and you and your son are already so arrogant. It seems that when we return to the palace, I will have to speak to the Emperor about this. How can a commander with such a high position and great power be competent for such a family that lacks manners?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Yurong and Song Lin's expressions changed drastically.
What they fear most now is making a mistake in the matter of promotion.
Gu Yurong hurriedly knelt down as well, gritting her teeth and saying, "It was a slip of the tongue by this humble woman. Since Sister Jiang is going out, the Third Prince may give me any instructions!"
Pei Xi nodded in satisfaction: "You're sensible."
He secretly turned his head and winked smugly at Jiang Wan.
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