Song Ziyu detained the two men without authorization, which caused a great uproar in the army.
Mr. Qingwu performed a good deed, and the soldiers were deeply grateful. However, Song Ziyu poured cold water on their gratitude and even convicted them.
Not to mention Song Yu, who had lived and ate with the soldiers for a long time and had long since developed deep feelings for them.
Now, in order to protect Qingwu, they are both being punished by Song Ziyu.
Most of the soldiers dared not speak out against their anger.
They had expressed dissatisfaction with orders from above before, but never with such intensity as this time.
A sense of resentment permeated the army, and even Emperor Jingyuan heard the rumors.
On this day, Emperor Jingyuan was having a meal with the Empress, and Pei Xuan and Jiang Wan were also at the table.
Jiang Wan stayed in the palace to recuperate. The Empress arranged for her to live in a side hall and assigned servants to take care of her. The imperial physician came to inquire about her health and take her pulse every day.
Everyone in the harem knew that the Empress valued Lady Jiang highly and treated her like her own daughter.
"Isn't Mr. Qingwu a supplier of military supplies? Why is General Song making things difficult for him?"
The Empress asked a question and gently served food to Emperor Jingyuan.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that Linglong Pavilion is very influential in the martial arts world. These martial arts figures should not be underestimated. Although the court will not actively try to win them over, it is also not advisable to make things too tense."
The Empress's words were euphemistic; in reality, the Great Yong Dynasty lacked military generals, but its martial arts forces were enormous.
The previous dynasty was not without its share of rebellions and disturbances caused by outlaws.
Emperor Jingyuan had long harbored this concern. In previous years, he invited Master Chenyi to the palace to teach the princess and agreed to let Linglong Pavilion take over the imperial merchants. All of this was to balance the relationship with the forces of the martial arts world.
Unexpectedly, Song Ziyu detained the pavilion master in private after a disagreement.
He pondered to himself that perhaps he should send a message to the General's Mansion, asking Song Ziyu to be more restrained in his actions.
Jiang Wan suddenly knelt down.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I do not know why the General is acting this way, but the General's actions always have a reason."
She looked at Emperor Jingyuan and spoke earnestly.
"The morale of the army is currently unstable. I ask Your Majesty to wait a few more days. After the court session begins, I believe the general will give you a reasonable explanation."
Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The sun must have risen in the west; she actually spoke up for Song Ziyu out of kindness.
There must be something sinister going on.
Emperor Jingyuan nodded.
Anyway, the court will be in session in a few days, so Song Ziyu shouldn't cause too much trouble.
He rarely gets a few days off a year, and he wanted to relax and not deal with the tedious affairs of state.
After his meal, he went to the Master of Ceremonies to listen to the musicians playing music.
No sooner had Emperor Jingyuan left than Pei Xuan took his leave and hurriedly departed as well.
The Empress couldn't stop him and sighed, "You left in such a hurry; it's obvious it's because of the Linglong Pavilion."
Jiang Wan was surprised by her words, put down her spoon, and her beautiful eyes showed a hint of astonishment.
The Empress patiently explained to her, "A few years ago, he was injured while he was away, and it was Mr. Qingwu who came to his rescue. Therefore, he takes special care of Linglong Pavilion."
"Your Highness is grateful and repays kindness; your character is truly noble," Jiang Wan said sincerely.
Saving Pei Xuan was as simple as lifting a finger.
The conveniences Pei Xuan has provided to Linglong Pavilion over the years far surpass those of the past.
"Although the eldest prince's marriage was ruined, at least there was some progress, unlike Xuan'er, for whom even arranging a marriage is a difficult matter."
The Empress sighed and started chatting with Jiang Wan about everyday matters.
"In the past two years, whenever I brought up the matter of taking a concubine with him, he would refuse outright. We have changed the portraits of the noble ladies we have prepared time and time again, but he has not even glanced at them. It is really a headache."
Jiang Wan knew very little about matters of love and didn't know how to comfort him, so she could only offer a perfunctory reply.
"Perhaps it's just not meant to be."
The Empress shook her head: "It doesn't seem like it to me."
Pei Xuan's appearance suggests that he has someone he likes.
She leaned closer to Jiang Wan and asked the question that had been buried in her heart: "Awan, I heard from Xuan'er that you know Mr. Qingwu. Have you ever been to Linglong Pavilion? I wonder if there are any young and beautiful women there?"
Jiang Wan said, "Your Highness, most of the people in Linglong Pavilion are men. If we're talking about women, there are only cooks and embroiderers, most of whom are already married. I'm afraid they wouldn't be of high esteem."
The Empress breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps she's overthinking it.
"By next year at the latest, His Majesty will personally arrange a marriage for Xuan'er. If you meet any noble ladies, you might as well introduce them to me. If they truly catch his eye, it will relieve me of a worry."
Jiang Wan agreed.
The Empress glanced at her discreetly.
If it were up to me, Jiang Wan would be perfect, but what's even more remarkable is that she and Pei Xuan are so compatible.
These past few days, she and Pei Xuan have been helping her copy Buddhist scriptures. One of them grinds ink while the other writes. The two of them are handsome and elegant, and they look very pleasing to the eye when they stand together.
Unfortunately, she married too early, destined to be separated from Xuan'er.
"You were rewarded by the Imperial Household Department for saving the Emperor that day. I have instructed them to send them to the General's Mansion."
The Empress smiled and said.
"There is a ruby headdress inside that was part of my dowry. It was specially added here. You will look very beautiful wearing it at the Lantern Festival."
Jiang Wan hurriedly expressed her gratitude.
The Empress meant well, but she was unaware of how greedy the Song family was.
I wonder how much of these rewards will be left when I return home.
After returning to her room, she summoned Biluo and said, "Let Shixu stay in the camp for a few more days. After the court session begins, His Majesty will release him soon."
He then asked, "Is there any news from Shen Ci?"
Before entering the palace, she instructed Shen Ci to keep an eye on the General's Mansion.
Biluo said, "During Song Tingyue's illness, the Third Prince and the Second Prince came to visit her, but she refused to see them, citing her poor health."
Jiang Wan took a sip of tea.
Song Tingyue and Pei Jin had a falling out, which was within her expectations.
"Also, the matriarch said that since you are living in the palace, your household cannot be left unattended, so she handed over the key to the household register to Gu Yurong, but has not yet given her the authority to manage the household."
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