Jiang Wan did not witness Gu Yurong being taken away.
At this time, she was "injured" and stayed in the hospital to recuperate every day.
That day, she received a reply from Shi Yin.
Shi Yin had already arrived in Yuzhou and went to the house where her mother had recuperated years ago to inquire about what had happened back then.
According to Zi Que, Gu Yurong's hometown is in Yuzhou, and the Song family also has businesses in Yuzhou.
The childhood friendship between Song Ziyu and Gu Yurong began in Yuzhou.
She replied, instructing Shi Yin to investigate based on the clues provided by Zi Que, which should yield results.
At this time, the martial arts examination in the capital had entered its fifth day.
Song Lin and Song Yu have each competed twice and have passed the preliminary round, advancing to the second round.
If you can get through the second round, you will be able to stand on the final stage of the competition.
The elder lady bribed several examiners for the final examination.
According to the regulations of the imperial court, in order to prevent cheating, in addition to a fixed number of examiners, Emperor Jingyuan would appoint different ministers each year to participate in the final examination and decide the results of the competition together with the other examiners.
Typically, this minister holds a high position and wields considerable influence in the court.
His performance in the comparison test had a significant impact.
Jiang Wan was confident in Song Yu's abilities; her only worry was that he might lose due to someone else's schemes.
Knowing the minister's identity beforehand would be extremely advantageous.
The matriarch of the elders also had this thought, and had been busy with social interactions these past few days, hoping to find out some information.
However, this is a matter of the Emperor's absolute authority, and it is difficult for anyone outside the Emperor's inner circle to obtain accurate information.
Jiang Wan even wrote a letter to her uncle, but there was still no progress.
Biluo suggested, "Madam, why don't we ask His Highness the Crown Prince for help? He is His Majesty's most beloved son, and he must know more than those ministers."
Jiang Wan sighed silently.
Pei Xuan was beginning to suspect her identity; she shouldn't have any more contact with him.
However, Song Yu's martial arts test is very important, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of Pei Xuan's shortcut.
Jiang Wan instructed Biluo to deliver a message to the Eastern Palace.
Biluo quickly returned, panting heavily.
"Madam, the Crown Prince and the Princess are not in the Eastern Palace. I heard that Her Majesty the Empress suddenly fell ill last night, and they stayed in the inner palace all night without returning."
"What?"
Jiang Wan's expression changed slightly, and she immediately stood up.
"Prepare some things and go to the palace."
Biluo hurriedly said, "How can this be? Everyone knows your foot injury is serious. How can you go out at this time?"
Jiang Wan shook her head: "It's alright, just bring a cane, we can just make an appearance."
The Empress treats her sincerely, and if something really happens, she cannot stand idly by.
In the inner palace, a group of imperial physicians gathered in the Empress's palace, discussing the prescriptions on the table in hushed tones, all of them looking worried.
This was the scene that greeted Jiang Wan as soon as she entered the room.
"Sister Jiang." Pei Tang, her eyes red and swollen, rushed towards her.
He clearly had been up all night; his usually innocent face was full of worry.
Jiang Wan asked her about the situation, and Pei Tang answered in great detail.
"The Empress Dowager has been feeling unwell these past two days and has been dizzy frequently. She only said that she was too tired and would be fine after a couple of days of rest, but last night she fainted."
"The imperial physicians came in waves, all saying the symptoms resembled a sudden cold, but the medicine they administered had no effect whatsoever..."
As Pei Tang spoke, her eyes reddened again.
Jiang Wan comforted her for a few moments, then asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
"Father has been waiting here for most of the day. A few ministers have just arrived, and he is currently discussing matters in his study."
Jiang Wan nodded and walked into the inner room alone. The Empress's maids all recognized her and did not stop her.
Inside the room, only Pei Xuan remained by the Empress's bedside.
Jiang Wan put her cane aside. Pei Xuan had already seen through everything, so there was no need for her to continue pretending.
She glanced at the Empress from afar and noticed that she did not look well.
"Your Highness, let me take a look at Her Majesty."
Pei Xuan stared at her for a long time before slowly nodding: "Thank you for your trouble."
Both of them are intelligent people.
If she hadn't been worried about the Empress, Jiang Wan wouldn't have risked entering the palace while feigning illness.
Jiang Wan stepped forward and took his pulse.
Just as the imperial physicians said, the empress's pulse was no different from that of a common cold.
Logically speaking, he shouldn't be in a coma.
She pondered for a moment, then took out a plain cloth bag from her sleeve, took out several silver needles, and inserted them into several acupoints on the Empress's body.
Pei Xuan watched without saying a word, making no attempt to stop him, but his gaze gradually darkened.
Acupuncture.
When Qingwu treated him before, she also personally administered acupuncture.
Jiang Wan and she have yet another similarity.
"The Empress should wake up tonight."
Jiang Wan put away the needles and said calmly.
"However, the illness has not been cured and the cause is unclear. It is inconvenient for me to stay overnight in the palace. After Your Majesty wakes up, the imperial physician should inquire about what she has eaten and used recently before making a judgment."
She paused, then added.
"Find someone you can trust to do it."
Pei Xuan nodded: "Okay, I've got it."
As Jiang Wan straightened her clothes, she said, "If Her Highness is still unwell tomorrow, Your Highness may send someone to summon me to the palace. However, do not use the pretext of treating her illness. Just say that the princess is sad and worried and wants me to come to the palace to keep her company."
The implication was that she should not reveal her medical skills to others.
Pei Xuan understood.
She...did not trust the imperial physicians outside the house.
His eyes darkened further.
It seems that the Empress Dowager's illness... is not simple.
Jiang Wan, leaning on her cane, went out the door with a normal expression.
She walked down the stone steps in front of the hall, pretending to have difficulty moving, so she walked very slowly.
She noticed a man in a crimson official robe ahead of her, moving even slower than her, as if he was deliberately waiting for her.
Jiang Wan looked at that familiar figure and softly called out, "Father."
It turns out that when Pei Tang said Emperor Jingyuan was discussing matters with his ministers, he was referring to his father.
Jiang Linyuan turned his head.
He frowned as he looked at the cane in her hand, his gentle face turning somewhat gloomy.
"He got himself into this state just to save a concubine."
Unable to explain for a moment, Jiang Wan could only say, "I am fine, Father, you don't need to worry."
“I’m not your father,” Jiang Linyuan said irritably.
Jiang Wan coughed lightly and quietly changed the subject: "Father is busy with state affairs, and he still comes to the palace to discuss matters so late."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered that the biggest event in the court recently was the martial arts examination.
Emperor Jingyuan summoned his father, perhaps to decide on the selection of that minister.
Why didn't she ask her father for help?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com