Suzaku was taken aback: "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"
“Shuangbai was injured because of you, so Linglong Pavilion owes him a favor,” Jiang Wan said. “Didn’t you say he was quite ill? I’ll go in person and take his pulse and decide on a prescription.”
Zhuque was delighted.
Jiang Wan is a highly skilled doctor; with her help, Shuangbai will surely recover soon.
Zhuque felt relieved and smiled with ease.
"I found some good things on this trip to Youzhou. I want to master the method as soon as possible, so that it may be of help to the Pavilion Master in the matter of the Ji family. I will not stay any longer."
She took out several dresses from her trunk, all of which were fashionable styles in the city, exquisite and luxurious.
Jiang Wan frowned slightly.
She didn't usually care much about dressing up and rarely wore such bright colors, a style favored by unmarried girls.
But Zhuque came disguised as the wife of a clothing shop owner, and she had to go all out with the act.
So she nodded and left the clothes behind.
After Zhuque left, Biluo came in from outside and whispered, "Mutong is doing well at the Ji residence, Madam, please rest assured."
Jiang Wan asked, "I think I heard you talking to Meixiang just now?"
"When Miss Zhuque arrived, she was sweeping in the courtyard, and the servants sent her to the small kitchen."
Jiang Wan turned to a page of the scroll Zhuque had brought her and said softly, "Was it her who secretly spied on the room?"
No, not at all.
Biluo shook her head.
"I noticed that she was sweeping in the courtyard just now. She was some distance away and couldn't hear your conversation with Zhuque. She just thought that Zhuque came to deliver clothes and even said that she envied the Floating Gloss Brocade."
"You should always be wary of others; you did a good job."
Jiang Wan looked up from the book and glanced at Biluo.
"Meixiang has been here for a while now, what do you think of her?"
“Meixiang has a sweet tongue, is very popular, and is honest and hardworking.” Biluo thought for a moment and then said, “Granny Chang has always been loyal, and Meixiang is her own niece, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”
Jiang Wan hummed in agreement: "Granny Chang is indeed a loyal servant."
When she was imprisoned a while ago, rumors spread throughout the mansion that she had stolen the tiger tally and was morally corrupt. Granny Chang couldn't stand it and got into a fight with the people from Luhetang.
Granny Chang was strong; she took on three people by herself. Among them, the old woman who had been the most gossipy about Jiang Wan had her face slapped until it looked like a pig's head.
This matter apparently alarmed the matriarch, who fined her several months' worth of wages.
Therefore, when Granny Chang recommended Meixiang, Jiang Wan agreed without hesitation.
She didn't doubt Granny Chang's loyalty, but what about the others...?
Jiang Wan glanced at the brocade handkerchief on the table. It was left behind by Zhu Que, and the shimmering ice silk brocade was embroidered with exquisite patterns.
"Doesn't Meixiang like brocade? Give her this handkerchief and say it's a gift from me."
Biluo responded and took out a slip of paper from her sleeve.
“This is what I got from Qi Shunzhai.”
Jiang Wan's first message to Pei Xi came through Qi Shunzhai's pastries.
Later, for safety reasons, she paid to rent out Qi Shun Zhai. Now, everyone there, from the owner to the staff, is from Linglong Pavilion, making it very convenient to pass on messages.
Jiang Wan opened the note.
Three days later, Pei Xi left the palace and asked to meet her at Wangyue Tower, saying that he had important news about Gu Yurong.
Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes.
At Pei Tang's birthday banquet, Gu Yurong met with Consort Yun, and the two must have discussed something in private.
According to Pei Xi, Song Lin possesses a secret about the matriarch of the Yuan family.
That was Gu Yurong and her son's only bargaining chip, and they wouldn't easily hand it over to Consort Yun before obtaining any tangible benefits.
Whether Consort Yun will interfere in the General's Mansion's family affairs depends on the value of this secret.
Both sides were weighing the pros and cons, which gave Jiang Wan time to plan.
She threw the note into the brazier and instructed, "Have Shi Xu send the snow lotus as soon as possible. I need to go to the East Palace in three days."
Biluo left in response, while Jiang Wan continued to pick up the book and carefully peruse it.
She read the books that Zhuque sent, which recorded old stories and anecdotes about the Miao royal family, with great interest.
It wasn't until it got dark and she heard voices outside that Jiang Wan looked up.
“Madam,” Biluo lifted the curtain, “it is Meixiang outside requesting an audience.”
Jiang Wan said, "Let her in."
Meixiang came to return the handkerchief.
After entering, she carefully took the handkerchief from her bosom and bowed to Jiang Wan.
"Madam is kind-hearted and has taken Meixiang in. Meixiang is already extremely grateful. How can you accept such a valuable gift?"
Biluo said, "If the lady gives it to you, then accept it. This is a reward for your efficient work."
Meixiang waved her hands repeatedly: "Serving the lady is my duty, I dare not ask for a reward. Besides, I am a lowly servant, how could I be worthy of such fine things?"
Jiang Wan glanced at her.
"No wonder Biluo praised your sweet talk; you are indeed very charming."
She curled her lips into a smile and said.
"This handkerchief is indeed valuable, but it means nothing to me. If you are reluctant to use it, you might as well give it to Granny Chang, which would be a way to show your filial piety."
"The pattern on this ice silk brocade is Granny Chang's favorite."
Meixiang was flattered and surprised by her words, and said, "Then, thank you very much, Madam."
"No need for such formalities," Jiang Wan said. "I heard from Granny Chang that your ancestral home is in Qiongzhou, and that you came to the capital because of a drought?"
Meixiang nodded.
Jiang Wan glanced out the window and casually said, "I've heard that Qiongzhou is famous for its glutinous rice. At this time of year, the streets and alleys are full of people selling Double Ninth Festival treats. Do you know how to make them?"
Meixiang nodded: "Yes, it will. It's not Double Ninth Festival yet, but if Madam wants to eat it, I will go and buy the ingredients tomorrow and make a dish for you."
Jiang Wan nodded and smiled: "Okay, I really want to try the local flavors of Qiongzhou."
Meixiang moved very quickly.
The next day at lunchtime, a plate of small and exquisite pastries was served.
"The handkerchief has already been given to my aunt. She said she likes it very much and thanks the lady for the gift."
"This is a Chongyang cake made by your servant according to the local style. I don't know if you can get used to it."
Jiang Wan smiled slightly and glanced at the pastries on the plate.
Meixiang stared at her nervously, seemingly afraid that Jiang Wan would dislike it.
Biluo, who was standing nearby, said, "Madam doesn't like others to be around when she eats. You may leave now."
Meixiang nodded and obediently retreated.
After she walked away, Biluo began to serve the dishes, moving the plate of Chongyang cake to the furthest spot from Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan did not like Chongyang cake.
There was once a cook from Qiongzhou in the pavilion who made authentic Chongyang cake. Jiang Wan didn't like overly sweet flavors, so she only ate it once and the cake was never served again.
Biluo couldn't understand why Jiang Wan disliked it, yet Meixiang still made this pastry.
Could this be a test of Mei Xiang's character?
“Madam, should we have Shi Xu check her identity?” Bi Luo asked.
“No need.” Jiang Wan put down her spoon and said calmly, “She is not from Qiongzhou, nor is she Granny Chang’s niece.”
Her gaze fell on the plate of Chongyang cakes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com