In the main courtyard, Song Lin also heard about Jiang Wan's near-abduction and hurriedly sent someone to inquire about the details.
That day, he tried to win Jiang Wan's favor, but was rebuffed.
Jiang Wan's resolute attitude was beyond his expectations. Her cold and disgusted gaze made it seem as if there had been some deep-seated hatred between them.
Song Lin was startled, yet he couldn't figure out why.
However, one thing he was certain of was that no matter how much he yielded, Jiang Wan would not show any mercy.
Then he doesn't need to be polite.
The servant returned and told him what he had learned. He gradually frowned: "The wife of the Minister of Personnel? When did Madam Jiang become acquainted with her...?"
The Ministry of Personnel was in charge of transferring all officials, and every official wanted to curry favor with Minister Pan.
Minister Pan was honest and upright, and his wife came from a prestigious family. Most people looked down on her, so she was not someone to befriend easily.
Jiang Wan went to great lengths, was it all to find a good place for Song Yu...?
Song Lin was furious. He had been trying to curry favor with Consort Yun recently in order to secure an official position in the court.
"Winning first place in the martial arts exam wasn't enough, now you want to compete with me for an official position!"
He suppressed the anger in his eyes and ordered the servant, "Keep a close eye on Xingzhi Courtyard. I want to see how she got involved with the Minister's wife!"
True to her word, within two days, Madam Sun arrived at the General's Mansion with lavish gifts, accompanied by Madam Shang.
Hearing that the Minister's wife had arrived, the old lady was overjoyed and specially ordered someone to brew some Longjing tea, a gift from the palace.
Despite the excellent tea, Madam Sun was not in high spirits. After exchanging only a few polite words, she couldn't sit still any longer and mentioned that she wanted to visit Jiang Wan.
"It's Awan's good fortune to be able to get along with you."
The matriarch smiled outwardly, but inwardly she was surprised. She had only gone to Hanshan Temple with her, and she wondered how Jiang Wan had managed to get on the good side of the Minister's wife.
After a few tentative questions, neither Madam Sun nor Madam Shang revealed anything.
The two discussed it privately and decided not to reveal that Jiang Wan had been taken away by bandits in order to protect her reputation.
The matriarch couldn't get any information out of them, nor could she keep them there, so she had no choice but to let them go.
When they arrived at Xingzhi Courtyard, Madam Sun's smile became genuine.
The three sat at the stone table in the courtyard and chatted.
The old woman from the kitchen then brought over several trendy pastries, saying they were ordered by the matriarch.
Jiang Wan glanced at the old woman; she looked unfamiliar. Xingzhi Courtyard was the most secretive place, and outsiders generally couldn't find out anything there.
Her smile remained unchanged as she gave Biluo a look.
Sun took a sip of the tea in front of her and couldn't help but be surprised: "This is the same kind of tea that my sister brought to Hanshan Temple that day. It seems to have a slightly bitter taste, and the flavor is quite unique."
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "This tea is good for cooling down and relieving summer heat. If you like it, Sister Sun, please take some with you when you leave."
Shang also picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip, but didn't taste anything special.
She didn't take the trivial matter to heart, but instead smiled at Madam Sun: "What kind of tonics have you been taking these past few days? You look really good."
Sun lowered her head and smiled, her expression shy.
"Don't laugh at me, but I've always had a cold constitution. Even in the summer, my hands and feet are always cold. The imperial physician said that's why I haven't had any pregnancies for so many years. I've taken a lot of medicine before, but it hasn't worked. But these past few days, I feel that my cold constitution symptoms have improved. My feet are warm when I wake up in the morning."
Mrs. Shang touched her hand and said in surprise, "It's true."
Madam Sun smiled, her eyes sparkling: "I've thought about it over and over, and there's no other reason than that the Guanyin I prayed to that day must have manifested her power."
"This is truly a blessing from the Bodhisattva, a wonderful thing." Mrs. Shang was happy for her.
Sun smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Right now, she's just looking healthier; whether she can get pregnant is still uncertain.
"I only heard from Sister Jiang last time that the purple jade Guanyin statue came from Linglong Pavilion and is temporarily enshrined in the temple. I may not be able to pay my respects next time I go."
“What’s so difficult about that?” Madam Shang said. “Didn’t Linglong Pavilion handle the Song family’s military supplies? General Song must be familiar with them. Let Sister Jiang help make contact. If we can bring the Buddha statue back to the mansion, wouldn’t that solve our problem?”
Sun's eyes were filled with excitement, but then she sighed and said, "Those blessed by Master Jinghui are probably priceless."
Jiang Wan replied, "It's alright, I'm willing to try for my sister."
"Really?" Madam Sun was overjoyed. "If this matter can be brought to fruition, I will have received another favor from my sister, and my husband will also be grateful for this kindness."
Jiang Wan exchanged a few polite words with her, but her gaze fell behind the thick sycamore tree, where a figure was faintly visible.
It was the old woman who had just sneaked into the courtyard. She hid behind a tree and overheard their conversation.
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