After seeing Aru off, Jiang Wan pretended to be nonchalant.
During the day, he continued to study Donglai script with Song Tingyue, writing each stroke carefully, which pleased Song Tingyue greatly.
Privately, she sent a message back to Linglong Pavilion.
Shi Xu was learned and understood the languages of other tribes, including the Donglai.
She guessed that Song Tingyue was holding back because she was waiting for an opportunity.
The most lively occasion recently was the trip to the mountain villa invited by Pei Tang.
Jiang Wan couldn't guess what tricks Song Tingyue was planning, so just in case, she decided to bring Shi Xu with her.
Shi Xu is skilled at disguise; he can convincingly impersonate servants and maids.
The only problem is that she has a fixed number of servants, and bringing a new one might arouse Song Tingyue's suspicion.
After thinking it over, she summoned Shen Ci.
“I will find a way to take you with me on my trip to the mountain villa in a few days. You can then place one of your men in the guard.”
"Be discreet and don't attract attention."
Shen Ci nodded in agreement.
"To be on the safe side, please tell me about this person's build and appearance. I will find someone similar to join the guards and replace this person later to avoid arousing suspicion."
Jiang Wan gave him an approving look, though she was somewhat surprised.
Shen Ci, a martial artist, has such a delicate mind.
If he hadn't come looking for her himself, she would have suspected he was a bodyguard or intelligence officer.
"Around twenty years old, tall and thin, with fair skin."
Jiang Wan thought for a moment and then added.
"Handsome appearance".
Upon hearing this description, Shen Ci almost immediately recalled the man Jiang Wan had a secret rendezvous with late at night at Hanshan Temple.
He frowned and glanced at Jiang Wan.
In the end, he said nothing and withdrew.
That night, Shen Ci took advantage of the darkness and quietly arrived at a restaurant in the west of the city.
He received a message from Pei Xuan that he was to come here today to meet him.
Upon entering, one finds Pei Xuan and He Xingyun sitting opposite each other, playing chess.
Pei Xuan cut to the chase: "Song Tingyue's return to the capital is not simple. I suspect that the Donglai tribe has harbored rebellious intentions and has an informant in the capital."
He Xingyun clicked his tongue twice.
"The Donglai tribe has a vast territory and is a fat sheep. Now that its leader has just passed away, some people are already impatient and have come up with wicked ideas."
Shen Ci immediately understood: "What does Your Highness need me to do?"
“In a few days, Pei Tang will be hosting a banquet at the villa. This will be a good opportunity for Song Tingyue to contact her inside contacts. Try to follow the Song family to the villa and secretly monitor Song Tingyue.”
Shen Ci was slightly taken aback.
Pei Xuan frowned: "What's wrong? Are you having trouble? I can help you arrange it."
Shen Ci shook his head: "No, Madam Jiang will take me there. She also asked me to secretly bring a man with her."
"puff!"
He Xingyun spat out a mouthful of tea, wetting the chessboard in front of him.
Pei Xuan wiped the tea off his hands with a cold face, his eyes filled with a chilling intent that seemed to want to kill He Xingyun on the spot.
He Xingyun, however, was engrossed in the madness of gossip.
"Jiang Wan and her lover only met a few days ago, and she can't resist again? She even dares to bring someone to the villa? Isn't she afraid of being discovered?!"
Shen Ci was somewhat shocked: "You've met Lord He before?"
He Xingyun covered her mouth, her eyes wide: "What? You...you've seen me before?"
Shen Ci realized she had spoken out of turn, and secretly glanced at Pei Xuan. Seeing that his face was as cold as ice but he did not stop her, she said, "I saw him once before at Hanshan Temple."
Who is it?
"I don't recognize him, but he's very young and handsome."
He Xingyun shook his head and sighed.
"General Song married a concubine, yet she's having an affair with a handsome young lover. This Lady Jiang is truly..."
A heroine among women.
He added in his mind.
He Xingyun grabbed Pei Xuan's sleeve: "Your Highness, take me to the manor!"
He could already imagine that this trip to the mountain resort would be exceptionally lively.
A refreshing autumn breeze blows, and the sky is a clear, blue expanse.
Qiyun Villa is located on the eastern outskirts of Beijing. It was a private estate specially built for Pei Tang by Emperor Jingyuan for her tenth birthday.
The mountain scenery is beautiful, making it a great place to enjoy the view and soak in hot springs.
A round trip would take at least three to five days.
Therefore, on the day they set off, four or five carriages were parked in front of the general's mansion, followed by a group of maids and servants.
Gu Yurong brought an unusually large number of maids with her.
Despite not being wealthy, Gu Yurong managed to acquire a considerable amount of jewelry and maidservants in the past few days.
Jiang Wan was granted the title of a third-rank noblewoman, and Gu Yurong did not want to be inferior to her, so she could only make sure to save face in these matters.
Song Tingyue was also observing Jiang Wan.
Seeing that he was accompanied only by a young maid, she felt slightly relieved.
She glanced at Gu Yurong and walked towards the most luxurious carriage at the front.
"Princess, please wait."
Jiang Wan suddenly spoke.
"There are many inconveniences on the mountain, so I would like to bring more servants with me."
Song Tingyue's heart stirred.
Everyone knows that the servants of Xingzhi Courtyard are all madmen, indifferent to their own family, and loyal only to Jiang Wan.
If Jiang Wan brings too many of her own people, it will be inconvenient for her to act.
So she smiled and said, "Having too many servants is not a good idea. If we end up overshadowing even the princess, people will think that we, the women of the General's Mansion, are putting on airs."
Jiang Wan nodded and casually pointed at the guards in front of the mansion gate.
"Then let's bring some guards; it'll be safer with more people."
Gu Yurong always felt that Jiang Wan had ulterior motives and subconsciously objected.
"To protect the princess's safety, the general has already dispatched a troop of soldiers from the Song family army to accompany her. Isn't sister making a mountain out of a molehill?"
"Alright." Song Tingyue glanced at the guards and waved her hand, saying, "Let's do as Awan says, so as not to delay the time."
The leader of the guards was named Shen Ci, whom she recognized; he was Song Ziyu's confidant.
It's unlikely that Jiang Wan would have any ulterior motives.
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