When it comes to understanding Emperor Jingyuan, no one in the court can compare to Jiang Linyuan.
He must know some inside information about such an important matter as the martial arts examination examiner.
I just don't know... if he's willing to help me.
After all, Jiang Linyuan was known for being cold and unapproachable. Last time Ji Rong and Madam Wang came to visit, they didn't even get to see him.
After much deliberation, Jiang Wan finally spoke up: "Your Majesty summoned Father to the palace, is it to select examiners for the final examination?"
Jiang Linyuan glanced at her sideways.
Jiang Wan: "Yu'er participated in this year's martial arts test, and I want to make plans for him in advance."
Jiang Linyuan pondered for a moment: "Is it the child you adopted?"
As far as he knew, two of the younger generation of the Song family participated in the competition.
The matriarch of the family frequently made connections and personally visited the residences of several examiners in order to pave the way for the younger generation.
Jiang Linyuan naturally assumed that she was doing it for Song Lin and Song Yu's future.
"The Song family's affairs are being handled by the Yuan family, why do you need to worry about them?"
He addressed the elder's wife as "Yuan Shi" in a detached tone, showing no affection whatsoever.
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes and replied, "Yu'er's status is too lowly to be valued by the General's Mansion, so I have to make more plans for him."
She didn't want to tell her father about the wickedness of the Song family and worry him.
Jiang Linyuan frowned.
In his view, Song Yu was far superior to Song Lin, and if he were the head of the Song family, he would definitely focus on cultivating the former.
Judging from Jiang Wan's words, Song Yu was the one who was being suppressed.
Even Jiang Wan, his nominal mother, couldn't have a moment's peace. Despite being injured, she still had to take care of him.
But she is young and has a shallow foundation; how can she compare to the Yuan family, which has a wide network of connections?
Jiang Linyuan glanced at her and said, "I know."
knew?
Jiang Wan was puzzled.
I understand what that means.
She wanted to ask more, but Jiang Linyuan had already turned and left.
Jiang Wan sighed silently.
She didn't understand her father's meaning, but having lived through two lifetimes, she had become accustomed to not placing her hopes on others.
The following day, Jiang Wan summoned Shi Xu.
"As you instructed, Linglong Pavilion sent a total of seven people to participate in this year's martial arts competition. Four of them participated as disciples of Linglong Pavilion, while the other three concealed their identities and appeared to outsiders as nameless and unaffiliated martial artists."
Temporal warm channel.
"All seven of them have successfully advanced to the second round."
Jiang Wan nodded.
Since Song Yu publicly supported Linglong Pavilion in the army last time, the matriarch of the elders has realized that he has a good relationship with Linglong Pavilion and will definitely be on guard.
Therefore, the three people hiding their identities were actually her arrangement for Song Yu.
They had no interest in becoming officials; their only task was to help Song Yu achieve a good ranking.
They could also use the competition as an excuse to secretly protect Song Yu.
"Have them secretly observe the contestants and try to find out their backgrounds. The martial arts competition is such a rare opportunity, there must be more than just us who have planted people."
Jiang Wan said softly.
Moreover, she always felt that what the matriarch of the family did for Song Lin might be more than just bribing the examiners.
The timing was right.
In the afternoon, news suddenly arrived that the Crown Prince had invited Jiang Wan to the palace.
The messenger was a palace eunuch who said that Lady Jiang was unable to move around easily, so he had specially brought a sedan chair from the Empress's palace.
The eunuchs were the emperor's favorites, and they entered through the main gate of the general's mansion. Even the matriarch of the Yuan family and Song Ziyu had to give them face and come to greet them personally.
The eunuchs treated the Song family coldly and ignored them.
Upon seeing Jiang Wan, he finally smiled and hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Highness is ill, and Princess Zhaohua is heartbroken and has lost her appetite. Your Highness, please come and comfort her."
Jiang Wan agreed, but her heart sank a little.
Pei Xuan hastily summoned him to the palace, indicating that the Empress's condition was not optimistic.
The old lady glanced at Jiang Wan and said, "The Empress is unwell, and I should go to visit her. It just so happens that I will accompany you to the palace today."
Song Ziyu chimed in, "That's right. You have an injury on your foot, so having your grandmother with you will be able to help you out."
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly.
The Empress's illness became strange, and the Emperor issued an edict to dismiss the concubines and have the noblewomen attend to her.
The Empress's illness is a major event, and it caused a great deal of discussion yesterday, with everyone wanting to find out what happened.
The matriarch was no exception; her only worry was that she had no connections.
She naturally wanted to seize the opportunity that was presented to her.
As Jiang Wan was pondering how to refuse, she heard the eunuch beside her speak without any mercy.
"His Highness only instructed us to come and fetch Lady Jiang. Anyone else who wishes to enter the palace should go and request permission themselves."
After saying that, he glanced at the matriarch of the family with a cold expression.
"Your Majesty is still recovering from your illness. If you are disturbed by any unauthorized persons, this servant will be held liable!"
After the group left, Song Ziyu was furious.
"A lowly servant dares to show his disrespect to our family? He's really gone too far!"
And Jiang Wan, does she think she's something special just because she's climbed up to the princess? How dare she look down on me!
The matriarch's face also turned pale, but she managed to remain composed.
What's the rush?
She lowered her voice.
"The Empress is seriously ill. It seems that the one in the palace has already succeeded. Quickly, summon Yue'er."
"When Lady Jiang returns to the manor tonight, she will surely bring news of the Empress. We will then make further plans..."
In the Empress's palace.
When Jiang Wan entered, there was only Pei Xuan and a trusted maid of the Empress named Fei Cui in the hall.
The imperial physicians who had gathered here yesterday were all gone, and even Pei Tang was not here.
The two eunuchs guarding the door looked somewhat unfamiliar.
"The Empress Dowager's condition is stable, and I have sent the imperial physicians back to rest for the time being." Pei Xuan nodded slightly to Jiang Wan, as if explaining, "Please sit for a moment, Madam Jiang. Tang'er has gone to Consort Yun's palace, and I have asked Pei Xi to take her to have something to eat."
Jiang Wan's heart stirred slightly.
When she arrived last night, Pei Tang was so worried that she cried until her eyes were swollen. How could she be in the mood to have dinner with Pei Xi?
Her absence must mean that Pei Xuan deliberately sent her away.
Something must have happened to the Empress. Pei Xuan not only couldn't let the imperial physicians know, but he also kept it from Pei Tang.
Jiang Wan raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping silently over the two eunuchs.
"It's alright. It's just that I accidentally got my shoes and socks wet on the way here. May I borrow Your Majesty's inner chamber for a moment?"
Pei Xuan looked at her steadily for a moment: "Of course."
Jade immediately stepped forward and helped Jiang Wan into the inner room.
Jiang Wan could sense that although Fei Cui's face appeared normal, her hands inside her sleeves were trembling.
After walking a distance away, Emerald breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Madam, Your Highness... Your Highness is in trouble! His Highness has dismissed the imperial physicians and said he insists on waiting for you to come and see him in person!"
"What happened?" Jiang Wan asked. "Did Your Majesty wake up last night?"
Jade nodded and wiped away her tears: "Your Highness woke up in the middle of the night, and I asked her as you instructed, but she fainted again after only a few words."
As she spoke, she led Jiang Wan to the bedside and prepared to lift the covers.
Jade turned around, biting her lip as she reminded Jiang Wan.
"Your Majesty's condition...you should be prepared."
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