"Dedicated to me?"
Pei Xuan paused slightly, a hint of a smile suddenly appearing in his eyes.
What's in here?
“Your Highness saw it; the lock on this eight-treasure box is intact, and I haven’t opened it,” Jiang Wan said. “So I don’t know what’s inside.”
"If we don't know what it is, how can we offer it to someone?"
"Although I cannot see what is inside, I can tell Your Highness that it is extremely important to the General's Mansion and is certainly not an ordinary object."
Jiang Wan smiled, her eyes shining.
"When Yuan and Song Ziyu were imprisoned, they specifically instructed Song Lin to find this item, keep it safe, and explain that this item was crucial and could even exonerate the two men from their crimes."
"Such a precious item is probably rare even in the entire Dayong Dynasty, and it also has its own influence in the court."
She blinked, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
"Your Highness sent Shuangbai to help me investigate the old affairs of Youzhou. She has helped me many times before, and I have long wanted to thank you properly. This is a small token of my gratitude to Your Highness."
She glanced at the exquisite eight-treasure box.
"Although the mechanism in this box is quite ingenious, Your Highness has many capable people under your command, so unlocking it is not difficult."
"Once you open it, the contents will belong to the Crown Prince's Palace, and I will not interfere further."
Pei Xuan didn't answer immediately, but looked up at her.
He took the eight-treasure box and weighed it in his hand.
Yuan and Song Ziyu were involved in the serious crime of treason, which was punishable by death.
Although Pei Xuan did not believe that the Song family grandfather and grandson were truly capable of treason, they currently lacked the evidence to prove their innocence.
Emperor Jingyuan harbors deep resentment towards the Illusion Moon Sect and will certainly take this case seriously, never letting it go lightly.
Now that Ji Rong has taken over the case, the chances of the Song family clearing their name are even slimmer.
Therefore, the contents of the box certainly cannot absolve them of their guilt.
Something that, while not absolving them of guilt, could still save their lives…
Pei Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Since Madam Jiang is so generous, I will not refuse."
He handed the eight-treasure box to A-Si and instructed, "Go to the Secret Guard Division in the outskirts of the capital and give it to Huai Zhong. Tell him to untie it as soon as possible."
“Huaizhong is keeping an eye on Pei Jin in the palace; he’s not here today,” A-Si replied.
“Find someone else to keep watch for him. Huaizhong is skilled in mechanical arts, and no one else can do this job.”
Ah Si responded.
Pei Xuan didn't lower his voice or avoid Jiang Wan when he spoke, as if he treated her as one of his own, acting completely naturally.
Jiang Wan wanted to get up, but there was no time to do so, so she could only sit there, sip her tea, and ponder in her heart.
It turns out that Pei Xuan's secret guard was located in the suburbs of the capital.
This makes sense, as the area around Beijing has a vast landscape suitable for raising and training soldiers.
Her Linglong Pavilion was also located near the outskirts of the capital, yet there was no sign of the Dark Guard in the vicinity.
That makes sense. Given Pei Xuan's strict and ruthless nature, his secret guard must be extremely well-hidden, and ordinary people would probably not be able to find its traces.
She began to get curious.
The Dark Guard is full of talented people; I wonder who is better, the Dark Guard or the people in the Linglong Pavilion?
Unfortunately, the bodyguards shouldn't reveal their identities; otherwise, a friendly sparring match between them would have been quite a spectacle.
When it comes to the ability to train subordinates, she believes she is no less capable than Pei Xuan.
While Jiang Wan was distracted, Pei Xuan had already given all the instructions, and A Si accepted the order and left.
Pei Xuan personally poured her a cup of tea and then brought up another matter.
"You have rendered great service before the Emperor. The Empress Dowager intends to adopt you as her goddaughter and even wants to petition for you to be granted the title of Princess."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan was taken aback.
He then smiled slightly and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is too good to me."
She was worried about the future difficulties of the General's Mansion and was determined to protect herself.
Jiang Wan was moved and was about to speak when she heard Pei Xuan say something else.
"However, I dissuaded him."
She raised an eyebrow and looked at Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan took a sip of tea and said quietly, "Some people are so eager to become a first-rank imperial consort, how could they possibly care about the position of a county princess?"
Jiang Wan chuckled softly.
Whether she is a princess or the adopted daughter of the empress, although she will be protected and have no worries for the rest of her life, she will inevitably have to enter and leave the palace and be bound by the law.
This is not what she likes.
She wanted to divorce Song Ziyu, settle the General's Mansion estate with Song Yu, and then live the rest of her life freely and unrestrained.
She has already thought it through these past few days.
After leaving the Song family, he spent half the year at the Prime Minister's residence with his father and the other half living in the Linglong Pavilion, enjoying a carefree life.
Therefore, Pei Xuan's obstruction of this matter suited her perfectly.
Although she saved Emperor Jingyuan, such imperial favor is rare and should not be coveted.
Emperor Jingyuan granted her the title of Princess, and she was later promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. In the end, she would inevitably have little power in requesting a divorce.
The divine grace that we have earned with great difficulty should be used for the most important things.
"If I can't become a princess of noble birth, will Madam Jiang blame me?" Pei Xuan teased.
Jiang Wan said, "How could that be? Her Majesty the Empress is of the Golden Phoenix type; I would never presume to be worthy of her."
"I am deeply grateful for Her Majesty's protection. Please convey my thanks to Her Majesty. I will visit you again another day to express my gratitude."
After she finished speaking, she made a move to get up.
"No need for formalities."
Pei Xuan's voice, tinged with amusement, came from behind.
“I know exactly what you’re planning. You’re determined to divorce the Song family, and I will help you.”
Jiang Wan turned around in surprise.
Pei Xuan stroked the eight-treasure box in his hand: "What goes around comes around. You gave the Crown Prince such a great gift, so naturally I must repay you."
His voice was gentle and warm.
“Song Ziyu’s decline is inevitable, and now is the best time to propose a divorce.”
"As for the path after leaving the Song family, you should think carefully about how to proceed."
Jiang Wan looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Even after getting into the carriage, she was still recalling what Pei Xuan had said.
Seeing that she was distracted, Biluo asked, "Madam, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
Jiang Wan shook her head.
For some time now, Pei Xuan's attitude towards her had become strange.
He knew perfectly well many of his own habits that were unknown to others.
For example, the Lingxi incense burning in the East Palace today.
One or two times could be considered a coincidence, but similar situations have occurred many times.
Furthermore, he actually brought up the Dark Guard Division in front of me.
Pei Xuan is not such a careless person.
He even helped her plan her divorce, speaking in a familiar tone, as if the two were old friends.
Jiang Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she frowned.
Fine, even if he discovers my identity, at least based on our past relationship, Pei Xuan won't harm me.
And she has now completed most of what she needed to do.
The most important thing right now is the General's Mansion.
"How's it going with Zhuying?" she asked.
“I have already given the things to Bi Yuan,” Bi Luo replied. “But according to Zhu Ying, Bi Yuan did not show any emotion. On the contrary, she was very calm and even asked her if there had been any major events at the General’s Mansion recently.”
“Bi Yuan is a deep thinker. The calmer he appears, the greater the turmoil in his heart,” Jiang Wan said.
As for the major events at the General's Mansion recently, the only one is Song Yu's investiture banquet.
"It seems that there will be quite a spectacle on the day of Yu'er's investiture banquet."
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