Jiang Wan raised her eyes and glanced at Pei Xuan.
Just as I was thinking about the money exchange, he brought up this very topic. Was it a coincidence?
It was as if he was fully aware of his own actions.
But how could that be? Shi Xu personally handled the affairs of Tongda Money Exchange; the news couldn't have leaked out.
Jiang Wan frowned and subtly withdrew her gaze.
Although Emperor Jingyuan was furious at Song Ziyu's actions, he had no time to listen to his arguments given the enemy's presence. He handed over the investigation of the money shops to the Ministry of Justice and then unfolded a map of the capital to discuss defense strategies with his military officers.
Song Ziyu remained kneeling outside, desperately pleading, "Your Majesty, please allow me to mobilize troops. I am willing to atone for my crimes through meritorious service!"
Emperor Jingyuan turned a deaf ear and ordered another military officer to go to Lincheng to mobilize troops.
"Let me guess, who came up with the idea of mobilizing troops to gain merit?"
Jiang Wan leaned down and said softly.
"Is it Song Tingyue?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Song Ziyu was furious. "You vicious woman, how dare you frame me! I'm divorcing you! I'll make you wish you were dead!"
Seeing his expression, Jiang Wan already knew what was going on.
She winked at Biluo, who then quietly withdrew.
Outside the palace, news from the city kept arriving.
The people of Donglai, relying on their advantage of surprise, wanted to catch the capital off guard.
However, under Pei Xuan's arrangement, the patrol battalion was responsible for searching the streets and alleys of the capital, the Imperial Guards were stationed at the palace, and the Song family army was on full guard at the city gates. Each performed its duties in an orderly manner, and gradually suppressed the attack from Donglai.
Emperor Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the situation had stabilized.
Just as he picked up his teacup and took a sip, a voice came from outside the door: "Princess Anyang requests an audience!"
"What is she doing here at this time?" Emperor Jingyuan frowned and gestured for her to come in.
Song Tingyue glanced at Song Ziyu kneeling outside the hall and quickly stepped forward to report.
"Your Majesty, hundreds of reinforcements from Donglai are approaching the capital, seriously threatening your safety!"
"But please rest assured, I have already dispatched the Song family army to capture them with a single, decisive blow!"
Emperor Jingyuan slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Really?"
Pei Xuan frowned upon hearing this: "How can you mobilize the Song family army without a military tally?"
Song Tingyue hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering her words.
Pei Xuan reacted quickly, giving her no chance to hesitate, and sternly rebuked, "You transferred the Song family army stationed at the city gate?"
Song Tingyue's heart skipped a beat. She straightened her back and pretended to be calm: "That's right."
She was still waiting for news of Song Ziyu when, half an hour ago, a eunuch arrived at the military camp and told her that Song Ziyu had been punished in the palace and asked her to find a way to save him.
Song Tingyue was shocked and cursed Song Ziyu for being stupid.
How dare they use the military tally privately! If His Majesty takes this to heart, it's a crime punishable by the execution of their entire family.
She had no choice but to take a risky approach. At this point, only by redeeming herself through meritorious service could she appease His Majesty's anger.
So she pretended to tell the soldiers that the eunuch was conveying Song Ziyu's orders to leave the city and annihilate the Donglai reinforcements.
They thought they would have to use a lot of persuasion, but to their surprise, one of the lieutenants believed them and even ordered everyone to immediately muster the troops and leave the city.
Song Tingyue remembered that his name was Mu Feng.
They look simple-minded and honest, and are very easy to fool.
I heard he was Song Yu's confidant, but it turns out he's a fool.
Song Tingyue sneered inwardly, but before she could feel smug, Pei Xuan asked again.
How many people are left to guard the city gates now?
Song Tingyue looked up and suddenly gave Jiang Wan a meaningful look.
"Song Yu is stationed here with a squad of soldiers."
"I heard that this team was personally assembled by Song Yu. Their swordsmanship is superb. With them holding off the Donglai people, they will definitely be able to defend the city gate."
"What did you say?"
Jiang Wan's expression suddenly turned cold.
“A small team has at most fifty people, but there are more than three hundred Donglai people gathered outside the city. That’s a five-fold difference in numbers. You’re sending them to their deaths!”
She frowned.
She had given Mu Feng instructions for today's plan, and also told him that Song Yu's safety should be the top priority.
Why did he take a large number of troops with him, leaving Song Yu to guard the city gate alone?
"Sister, don't worry. Yu'er is the top scorer in the martial arts test. Her skills are superb."
Song Tingyue said lightly.
"Moreover, the 'Chenxing Team' he led was famous in the capital. They were quite the sensation, and everyone praised them as young talents. They couldn't just be all show and no substance, could they? A few people from Donglai can't hurt him."
Jiang Wan's face was as cold as ice.
How could she not see through Song Tingyue's viciousness? She wished Song Yu would die in this turmoil.
He could both mobilize troops to gain merit and eliminate the troublesome Song Yu, killing two birds with one stone.
She said coldly, "I had no idea when the princess had the right to command the Song family army?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Song Tingyue refused to yield an inch.
"It was my own decision, but it was all for His Majesty's safety. If His Majesty punishes me afterward, I am willing to accept the punishment!"
What does Jiang Wan know? If she can really wipe out the "Donglai reinforcements," Emperor Jingyuan will not only not blame her, but will also reward her handsomely.
Moreover, even if the city gates fall, the palace is still guarded by the Imperial Guards, so what could possibly happen?
She recognized the Donglai people at a glance; they were nothing more than bandits who had come to Dayong to cause trouble.
This was practically a golden opportunity to make a name for oneself.
Song Tingyue said confidently, "Your Majesty, please rest assured..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud "boom" came from the city gate.
"It's a sand-firing grenade!" Lieutenant Li realized, his expression changing drastically. "Damn it! The Donglai people actually brought sand-firing grenade!"
Putting gunpowder and poison powder into a ceramic jar, though small in power, can cause blindness when it explodes and the poison scatters everywhere.
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