When Zhou returned to the front yard, her face was dark and she looked very unwell.
Seeing Gu Yurong's calm and composed face, she gritted her teeth in hatred, but forced herself not to step forward and slap her.
She was no longer rational enough to think about why Gu Yurong would harm Song Tingyue.
All she knew was that her daughter had suffered terribly and had been crippled for the rest of her life, all thanks to Gu Yurong.
Zhou resented Gu Yurong, and consequently disliked Song Lin as well.
Today's occasion is very grand, with many distinguished guests present, including the Empress herself.
Zhou didn't want to air her family's dirty laundry in public, so she could only suppress her anger for the time being, silently plotting how to deal with Gu Yurong.
Wang glanced over here: "Judging from your mother-in-law's expression, she's probably heard something."
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "I must thank my aunt."
Madam Wang shook her head: "It's just that your uncle has to detain that courtesan for a few more days and that the maid has to spread rumors on purpose. It's nothing."
She glanced at the exquisite invitation in her hand; it was the one Gu Yurong had prepared for the apprenticeship banquet.
"I heard that the Gu family is planning to invite Protector Xiao to attend the ceremony. He was the champion of the previous martial arts competition and is famous throughout the capital. If he can attend, it will add a lot of glory to Song Lin."
Wang spoke softly.
"Your child is about the same age as Song Lin, are you also preparing to have him become your apprentice?"
"Don't worry, Aunt, I've already made preparations for Yu'er's apprenticeship banquet," Jiang Wan said with a smile. "I invite you and Uncle to attend the ceremony together."
Wang smiled gently.
Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Jiang Wan had Biluo invite Pei Xuan to a secluded place.
As Pei Xuan approached, she noticed the sleeve brazier in his hand.
The light gray fox fur made his fair skin appear as lustrous as jade.
Jiang Wan frowned.
How did the fox fur sheath, which she made herself, end up in Pei Xuan's hands?
Doesn't he know that using a woman's sewn personal item is inappropriate?
What are you staring at me for?
The winter air was cold, and when Pei Xuan opened his mouth, a puff of white mist came out. He reached out and hugged the sleeve warmer even tighter.
Jiang Wan: "...It's nothing."
The two stood behind the tree and watched as the monks chanted sutras and performed rituals in the Buddhist hall, while the guests took turns lighting incense to express their prayers.
Pei Feng was dressed in a black robe, his cheeks were sunken, his steps were unsteady, and he looked extremely haggard.
I heard that to mourn the child, he locked himself in the palace and ate vegetarian food for several days, which shows how heartbroken he was.
"Your Highness, isn't it strange that the Crown Prince is so grief-stricken, as if he has lost his own child?"
Jiang Wan withdrew her gaze and got straight to the point.
"I heard that when the King of Donglai was seriously ill, Pei Feng was ordered to go to Donglai to visit him and stayed there for half a month."
"So it seems that Song Tingyue's pregnancy..."
Pei Xuan turned his head, his dark eyes showing no surprise, clearly indicating that he had already guessed.
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow.
Sure enough, the two of them were quite bold.
"Therefore, Pei Feng would not agree to Song Tingyue taking risks with the fetus, and there is someone else conspiring with her."
"No wonder Song Tingyue has been showing closeness to Pei Feng since returning to the capital, and even in public she doesn't shy away from it. It turns out it was all a bluff, covering up for her real ally."
Jiang Wan's lips curled slightly.
"Poor Pei Feng has been completely manipulated and is still kept in the dark."
Pei Xuan's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
After Song Tingyue lost her child, Pei Feng's reaction did indeed arouse his suspicion.
He agreed with Jiang Wan's analysis.
Pei Xuan pursed his thin lips: "The person behind this must be of high rank and great power, and also very cunning. This is evident from the above."
Is there such a person in the capital?
He was curious about who it was.
“I’ve learned from Song Tingyue that her ally is about to transport a batch of weapons to Donglai. If Your Highness is interested, I am willing to tell you the truth. If we are lucky, we can capture that person on the spot.”
Jiang Wan's voice was soft and gentle.
"In exchange, Your Highness will lend me the Eastern Palace so that I can hold a ceremony for Song Yu to formally become his disciple."
Pei Xuan looked at her, his eyes even darker than before.
"The messages that Song Tingyue and Donglai exchanged must have been extremely secretive. How do you know such details?"
Jiang Wan had guessed he would ask this question, so she pretended to be mysterious and said, "I have my own way."
Pei Xuan looked her over with amusement: "I can agree to the conditions you mentioned, but I need to know the source of the information to ensure its authenticity."
Jiang Wan opened her mouth slightly, thought for a moment, and then said.
"He was my mole in the General's Mansion, specifically tasked with gathering information about Song Ziyu and the others."
"Oh?" Pei Xuan frowned and pressed, "Who is it?"
Jiang Wan boasted shamelessly: "The head of the guards beside Song Ziyu is Shen Ci."
"...."
Pei Xuan's pupils contracted, then he slowly smiled and said, "I see."
He glanced at Jiang Wan.
"Madam Jiang is truly capable."
His ability to lie has become increasingly refined.
Seeing that he didn't press the matter further, Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
To outsiders, Shen Ci was indeed Song Ziyu's confidante, and her identity was clean; she wasn't afraid of Pei Xuan investigating.
After leaving the front yard, Jiang Wan quickly found Shen Ci and gave him instructions.
"Someone may be secretly investigating you soon, so be prepared."
Shen Ci asked in confusion, "Why?"
“I confessed to Pei Xuan that you are one of my people, and that you found some things for me.” Jiang Wan lowered her voice. “Of course, the second half of that was a lie. Pei Xuan is a very cunning man, so be careful not to give yourself away.”
Shen Ci: "..."
"What news is it? How did you find out, Madam? Could you tell me?"
Jiang Wan pondered for a moment: "You'll find out then."
Given Pei Xuan's cautious nature, to prevent being deceived by her, he would definitely bring her along on the day of the weapons transaction; she needs someone to protect her.
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