However, if she could just quietly wait to die, she wouldn't be Gu Yurong.
Jiang Wan wasn't surprised at all that she would cause trouble in prison.
However, once she learned of this news, whatever plans Gu Yurong had made were doomed to fail.
"Thank you for informing me, Your Majesty. I will pay closer attention."
Seeing that she understood, the Empress said no more.
As the time for the banquet to begin approached, she accompanied the Empress to the Plum Garden.
Jiang Linyuan and Ji Rong had already taken their seats. When they saw her approaching, they nodded slightly to her.
Jiang Wan smiled back and walked towards the women's seating area.
Now she is a first-rank imperial consort, a rare honor for a noblewoman in the court. Although Song Ziyu has been imprisoned, her seat is still arranged in one of the top positions.
She greeted Madam Sun and Madam Shang along the way. To her surprise, Consort Yun was also very kind and showed her a friendly smile.
Jiang Wan couldn't help but look at Pei Xi, who winked at her smugly.
After Emperor Jingyuan took his seat, the banquet officially began.
Pei Xuan and the Empress sat on either side of the high platform, raising their cups together with Emperor Jingyuan.
The sound of strings rises, and cups are clinked.
Watching the courtiers drinking and chatting happily, Jiang Wan silently clenched the letter in her hand.
That was her own handwritten note, recording everything that Yuan had done.
The reason for presenting it at this time was to expose the crimes of the Yuan family in front of all the ministers and to request a divorce.
This matter will offend the emperor to some extent, and the more people present, the greater her chances of winning.
Even if Emperor Jingyuan had selfish motives, he still had to consider what others would say.
She has waited too long for this day, and even if she is not entirely confident, she will try her best.
Just as Jiang Wan was about to get up, she saw Song Yu step forward first.
Taking advantage of the break after the song ended, he walked down from the stage and bowed to Emperor Jingyuan from afar.
"Today is the Winter Solstice, and I have something to present to Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingyuan was in high spirits and drinking when he heard this and asked with a smile, "What is it?"
Song Yu took something out of his sleeve and placed it on the tray presented by the eunuch.
Although they were some distance apart, Emperor Jingyuan recognized him at a glance and his expression immediately changed.
The court officials were immediately in an uproar.
"An ironclad certificate! It's an ironclad certificate from the Song family!"
"What did Song Yu just say? He wants to return the imperial edict to His Majesty?"
"How could that be? Such a sacred object could guarantee wealth and honor for generations to come in any family. Why would he return it to the royal family? He probably wants to use the imperial edict to ask His Majesty to pardon Song Ziyu's crimes, right?"
"Indeed, several members of the Yuan family have also been sentenced to exile. Although it's a serious crime of treason, if they can present their imperial edicts, they might actually escape this calamity..."
The courtiers were in high spirits, and Emperor Jingyuan was also greatly shocked.
He asked, "Song Yu, what do you seek by presenting this imperial edict?"
Did they really intend to use this item to save the lives of a few members of the Song family?
Emperor Jingyuan's expression darkened slightly.
If that's the case, then he's greatly disappointed in Song Yu.
"Your Majesty," Song Yu bowed deeply, "Your humble servant has no other request than to return the sacred artifact to the royal family."
He said solemnly.
"Your Majesty, please withdraw the imperial edict and iron certificate."
Emperor Jingyuan was astonished.
In that instant, he considered many possibilities, but he never expected that Song Yu would return the imperial edict.
"This is a sacred artifact that is unique to the Great Yong Dynasty. Song Yu, have you thought it through?"
The ministers were so shocked that they were speechless.
Only Jiang Wan remained calm, with a faint smile on her face.
That day, she retrieved the imperial edict from Tuoba Hui and naturally understood Pei Xuan's intention to return it. After much thought, she handed the edict over to Song Yu.
The imperial edict was bestowed upon the Song family by the late emperor, and Song Yu is about to inherit the family business. How to handle it should be decided by him.
From the moment Song Yu took out the imperial edict, she had guessed what he was going to do.
"Your Majesty, I confirm."
Song Yu's voice was clear and bright.
"Your Majesty has reigned for over a decade, diligently governing and upholding strict laws. You once said, 'The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people.' I deeply admire this and am willing to support Your Majesty's great aspirations."
"The Iron Certificate is a sacred object of the Great Yong Dynasty, and it is even above the law."
"The late emperor bestowed this sacred object upon my great-grandfather to reward his loyal service in defending the country. My mother protected this sacred object in the hands of the Donglai people in order to uphold the dignity of Dayong. Now, I am returning this sacred object to demonstrate my determination to be strict with myself and to uphold the laws of the country."
Emperor Jingyuan said solemnly, "This is a special honor and privilege bestowed upon the Song family by the late emperor. Are you really willing to give it up?"
“My great-grandfather never used the power of the imperial edict when he was alive. Instead, he did his best to keep the matter a secret and taught the Song family descendants to be law-abiding and dutiful. I believe that returning the sacred object does not go against my great-grandfather’s wishes.”
Song Yu said.
“My great-grandfather was a man of integrity and strict military discipline when he led troops. Once, a deputy general humiliated a woman, and he cut off the man’s arm on the spot to give justice to the people. I believe that if he were still alive, he would not have used sacred objects for personal gain.”
Emperor Jingyuan remained silent for a long while, then suddenly said in a deep voice, "Good, good! With such awareness, you are indeed worthy of being a descendant of General Song!"
He had heard the late emperor mention General Song's loyalty and integrity many times, and now he saw the old general's shadow in Song Yu.
Emperor Jingyuan was overjoyed, and his court officials, seeing this, all followed suit and praised him.
However, some seasoned courtiers saw another layer of meaning.
The power of an imperial edict was too great, which would not only arouse the jealousy of colleagues, but also make the emperor suspicious.
Especially military families that command large armies.
The iron certificate of merit could even pardon the death penalty for treason. If military officers held this certificate, wouldn't they be even more unscrupulous?
Emperor Yuan of the past was unaware that the Song family possessed this sacred object. Now that he knows, how could he be at ease letting the generals of the Song family army hold it?
Song Yu could only keep one of the imperial edict and military power.
Rather than being forced to make a choice, it's better to take the initiative and gain the upper hand.
Understanding this principle is not difficult; what is difficult is having the courage to make choices.
Song Yu is still young, yet he has made such a decision; his future is limitless.
As expected, Emperor Jingyuan on the high platform was very pleased and immediately offered a reward, asking Song Yu what reward he wanted.
Song Yu said respectfully, "Your Majesty's grace is enough for me. I lack nothing but to ask for a favor for my mother."
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