Biluo followed closely behind, and asked in confusion, "Does Madam think Zhou is faking it?"
Zhou cherishes her children dearly. Now that Song Tingyue and Song Ziyu have committed crimes, she would normally be anxiously going to the old lady to discuss countermeasures. Why would she be pretending to be crazy here?
unless…
She could not, or dared not, go to see the matriarch.
Jiang Wan looked at Cai Die: "Yesterday when you were at the manor, when the palace came to pick up people, did anything happen at the manor?"
Butterfly thought it over carefully.
"As soon as she heard that the people from Donglai had arrived yesterday, Madam Yuan immediately returned to Luhe Hall to pack her things. She also notified Zhou to go to the General's study and bring her important items with her to avoid losing them. Madam Yuan was very slow. After Zhou put the items on the carriage, she personally helped her. After that, we all thought that the two of them got on the carriage together and we didn't know how Zhou ended up alone."
Jiang Wan frowned.
All the Song family's important items are in the study. What important things could be in the Deer and Crane Hall?
Song Yu must have also felt that there was something wrong with Zhou's disappearance, which is why he asked the eunuch to keep the news a secret for the time being.
"Where did Yu'er go?"
"Young Master went to the military camp early this morning. I heard that His Majesty sent people to interrogate the prisoners of war from Donglai."
"The butterfly said happily."
"Madam, word is spreading that the young master was incredibly brave, single-handedly holding off five soldiers to defend the city gates and protect the people of the capital! Now everyone calls him 'General Song,' and they all say he's a hero!"
Jiang Wan smiled slightly.
After this incident, Song Yu's position in the army became more secure, and it was only a matter of time before he took over military power.
However, there were still some things that puzzled her.
"Prepare some food and wine; I'm going to visit someone."
Jiang Wan carried the food box out the door, and the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice prison.
With Ji Rong's instructions, she successfully entered the prison and stood in front of one of the cell doors.
"lady!"
Upon seeing Jiang Wan in prison, Mu Feng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly went to greet her.
"I brought you some food," Jiang Wan said with a smile. "You'll have to stay here for a few more days until the case is closed."
“I used to serve in the army and spent many days in the open, so this is nothing to me.”
Mu Feng picked up the wine jug and took a few gulps, letting out a comfortable sigh before straightening his expression.
"Madam, you've come here specifically to ask me something, haven't you?"
He clearly guessed something and didn't mince words, saying directly, "It was the young master who ordered me to take all the troops with me, leaving him to guard the city gate alone."
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow, knowing that Mu Feng was not lying.
This answer was exactly what he expected.
Mu Feng knelt down.
"That day, I followed your instructions and led the troops out of the city under the command of Princess Anyang. When the princess said to take all the troops, I wanted to refuse, but the young master said that this was a good opportunity to make a name for myself. What kind of skill is it to easily defend the city gate? We must win with fewer troops to make a name for ourselves in one battle."
He also said that the Donglai people besieging the capital numbered at most three hundred, and he could handle them.
He said sincerely.
"The lady's orders are to prioritize the young master's safety. I did not listen to you. You may punish me as you wish, I will accept it."
Jiang Wan asked, "How did you know the number of people in Donglai, young master?"
The incident happened suddenly, and no one knew how many Donglai people were hiding or whether there were any reinforcements.
Mu Feng was taken aback: "I don't know, but he was very certain about it."
He scratched his head.
"By the way, a while ago, Linglong Pavilion sent an extra batch of military supplies. At that time, the young master suddenly asked me about the quantity of this batch of wound medicine, military armor and other supplies, and then he decided to lead the troops to defend the city himself."
Jiang Wan looked up, unable to hide her surprise.
She roughly estimated the number of Donglai people based on information from her previous life and ordered Shixu to send the corresponding supplies.
But how could Song Yu have noticed all this?
Did he find out something?
Jiang Wan frowned.
Even after boarding the carriage to return home, I was still somewhat dazed.
"lady."
Halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped, and Biluo called to her from outside.
Jiang Wan lifted the curtain and saw that the carriage had stopped at the side gate of the Prime Minister's residence.
Jiang Linyuan stood with his hands behind his back on the opposite side, as if he was waiting for her.
“Father.” Jiang Wan stepped forward, her face showing confusion.
Jiang Linyuan glanced at her: "Your yard has been cleaned. Go back and pack your things, and move back today."
Jiang Wan was taken aback.
Looking at Jiang Linyuan's feignedly cold face, she lowered her eyes slightly, a warmth rising in her heart.
“I understand what Father means, but now is not the time to leave the Song family.”
Jiang Linyuan's brows furrowed, and he suddenly became annoyed.
"Don't think I don't know you came back from the Ministry of Justice prison."
He snorted angrily.
"They're even capable of deceiving the Emperor and ambushing allies to gain merit. I wasn't wrong, the Song family is truly utterly depraved!"
"What's so pitiful about people like that? Why are you even looking at them! Don't let your impulsive actions drag you down with you!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan realized that her father must have mistakenly thought she had gone to the prison to visit Song Ziyu, which was why he was so angry.
"Don't worry, I don't pity them, and I won't plead for them."
Jiang Wan said.
“I can move back to the Prime Minister’s residence as you wish, but the marriage contract is still in effect. If the General’s residence is punished, I will ultimately be implicated.”
Jiang Linyuan frowned: "You move back home first, and I'll figure out the rest."
Jiang Wan gently shook her head.
If this marriage agreement could be easily dissolved, given Jiang Linyuan's personality and his dislike for the Song family, he would never have waited until today.
He must have fallen out with the Song family years ago, and since he couldn't break off the engagement, he deliberately ignored her, not wanting the Song family to treat her harshly because of the grudges of the previous generation.
This is how her father protects her.
Unfortunately, she only realized his good intentions after living two lifetimes.
"Didn't Father ask me that day why I forged coral to curry favor with the Emperor?"
Jiang Wan said.
"I was indeed greedy for honor and favor because I wanted to compete for fame and fortune and to climb higher."
Jiang Linyuan frowned at her: "What do you, a woman, need power and fame for?"
"In this dynasty, a first-rank imperial lady, if not granted the title through the honor and prestige of her husband's family, can only rely on her own efforts to gain fame and fortune, to perform meritorious service to her subordinates, and to win the favor of the emperor. All three are indispensable."
"Father."
Jiang Wan said calmly.
"I want to be a first-rank imperial consort in this dynasty."
Jiang Linyuan was taken aback by the determination in her words and stared at her blankly, as if he were meeting this daughter for the first time.
What exactly do you want to do?
Jiang Wan raised her eyes, her gaze flickering with light and shadow: "To be a first-rank imperial consort, I request the abolition of the late emperor's decree and a divorce from the General's Mansion."
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