Donglai Eagle?
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow.
Granny Xia clearly has some skill in taming animals. Who is Song Tingyue trying to harm by having her raise this dangerous creature?
Perhaps it was herself, or perhaps it was her ally's political enemy.
No matter what, she couldn't just sit and wait to die.
She thought for a moment: "Find someone who is skilled in animal training."
Judging from the eagle's size, it was still some time before it fully matured, so she had time to prepare.
Shi Xu added, "There's another matter. Ji Jiu helps Gu Yurong with his work, seemingly because the Gu family was kind to him in the past."
"I never expected that even after being stripped of their imperial merchant status, the Gu family still had a trump card, sending Ji Jiu to assist Gu Yurong."
Jiang Wan smiled.
"It seems we were too lenient with them before."
Shi Xu asked, "What does the Pavilion Master intend to do?"
Jiang Wan thought for a moment and said, "This winter is exceptionally cold. The cotton-padded clothes provided to the Song family army must be thick and windproof. You will personally oversee this matter."
If she remembered correctly, a minor snowstorm was expected to break out in the capital before the Lunar New Year.
An avalanche occurred in the mountains outside the city, causing damage to crops and harm to the people.
In the previous life, when the Song family army went to suppress the rebellion, the soldiers were wearing cheap cotton-padded clothes made by the Gu family, and more than half of them died or were injured from the cold.
As far as she knew, the warehouse should still be stockpiling military supplies provided by the Gu family last year.
“Ji Jiu is restless and should be taught a lesson.” Jiang Wan lifted her eyelashes slightly. “He’s unlucky to have chosen Gu Yurong.”
As the two were talking, a servant suddenly came to report from outside the door.
"Madam, Song Tingyue has secretly gone out again."
Jiang Wan wasn't surprised: "You went to see Pei Feng again?"
This is the third time this month.
Pei Feng is about to be betrothed, and the two secretly meet one after another before the imperial decree is issued.
In Pei Feng's eyes, it was a scene of tender affection and reluctance to part, but what Song Tingyue was really thinking... remained a mystery.
Prepare the carriage.
Jiang Wan gave the instructions.
"I need to go to the Ji residence."
My aunt, Madam Wang, has quite a few connections in the capital, so she must have already heard rumors of the arranged marriage.
When Jiang Wan entered, she saw the dark blue under her eyes and the girl with red and swollen eyes beside her, and she was certain of what she had in mind.
My cousin Ji Shiyi, Ji Huaichuan's younger sister, is beautiful and gentle.
This was the person Pei Feng was planning to propose to.
Jiang Wan loosened her cloak and asked in a clear voice, "What are your plans for my cousin's marriage, Aunt?"
"What else can we do? Your uncle and I are naturally reluctant to part with Yi-jie. It wouldn't matter if it were anyone else, but it's Pei Feng!"
Wang was furious and lowered her voice.
“Last month, Pei Feng invited your uncle to a social gathering, and his words implied that he wanted to win him over. Your uncle declined, and not long after, news of the arranged marriage spread.”
"Pei Feng is forcing a marriage! Once Yi'er enters the family, he can use her to blackmail your uncle and cousin into working for him! If they don't comply, how can Yi'er have a good life in the future?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Shiyi couldn't help but sob again.
She is gentle and weak-willed, lacking a strong sense of self. When faced with something like this, it's like the sky has fallen, and all she knows is to cry.
Wang felt sorry for him.
"Your uncle and I have discussed it. At worst, we'll defy the imperial decree! Even if we have to resign, we can't let Yi'er be harmed!"
Wang's loving motherly heart, her sorrowful eyes revealing a resolute determination, showed that she was prepared to go all out.
This sight moved Jiang Wan deeply.
Perhaps in a past life, her uncle and aunt had stood up for her in the same way, otherwise they wouldn't have been implicated by her, causing her uncle to become lame and his hopes for advancement in his official career to be dashed.
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes and calmed herself down: "Aunt, this is something you're doing to yourself, it's not worth it."
"If you trust me, then let your uncle accept this imperial decree of marriage."
Lady Wang exclaimed urgently, "Receive the imperial decree? How can that be!"
"Not only should you accept the imperial decree, but you should also be grateful and pretend to be delighted to receive it, so that the whole capital knows that the Ji family is very satisfied with this marriage."
Jiang Wan said softly.
"You can also show some affection for Pei Feng in public, as your uncle does."
Wang frowned and thought for a moment: "You mean you want everyone to think that your uncle has become a member of the First Prince's faction?"
Jiang Wan nodded: "That's right."
“Pei Feng is involved in the struggle for the throne, and there must be someone who doesn’t want him to grow stronger.”
“We have openly defied the imperial decree, angered His Majesty, offended Pei Feng, and made enemies everywhere. What’s the point? We should just agree to the marriage. That way, Pei Feng will get anxious and be unable to resist doing something.”
"Let them sabotage the marriage; that's the best course of action."
Wang was taken aback: "Is that really possible?"
Jiang Wan's eyes flickered: "I'm confident."
"Once the imperial decree is issued, the Ji family can simply focus on preparing for the wedding in a grand manner, and leave the rest to me."
Wang looked at her for a long time, then held her hand tightly: "I believe you."
The imperial decree bestowing the marriage was issued three days later.
Ji Shiyi will be betrothed to Pei Feng as his principal wife, and they will be married next spring.
Anyone could see that Pei Feng was abusing his power, and that this marriage was full of scheming and coercion.
The Ji family accepted the imperial decree without changing their expressions.
Ji Rong continued to attend court and perform his duties as usual, while Wang Shi continued to socialize and drink tea everywhere. Her words revealed that Ji Shiyi was very satisfied with Pei Feng and that he was now embroidering his wedding dress at home.
Jiang Wan waited quietly.
On this day, after the first snowfall, the women of the General's Mansion came to pay their respects to Madam Zhou.
Song Tingyue, who doesn't like going out, also came. She sat down next to Zhou Shi and drank tea. In a few words, she brought up Pei Feng's marriage.
"Is the one who's going to marry the eldest prince your cousin?" she asked Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan nodded.
"I heard she's five years younger than Pei Feng, and she's still willing?"
Jiang Wan put down her teacup: "The Crown Prince is of noble status, and my cousin is marrying into a higher social class. How could she be unwilling?"
Song Tingyue smiled, smoothed her hair, and said softly.
“Let’s talk behind closed doors as a family. The eldest prince has the temperament of a warrior, while cousin Ji is gentle and mild-mannered. They may not be able to get along. As her cousin, you should think more about her.”
"I've heard that Madam Wang dotes on her daughter the most. How could she bear to do this?"
Jiang Wan lowered her head, looking as if her secret had been exposed.
"The Emperor has decreed this marriage, and my cousin has no choice but to agree."
Song Tingyue's smile deepened; she knew it, how could the Ji family possibly agree to the marriage willingly?
These appearances are all an act!
Song Tingyue patiently and skillfully guided him.
“A-Wan is wrong. There has never been any reason to force marriage. If Cousin Ji refuses to submit to the death, can the First Prince force her to marry him?”
Jiang Wan shook her head: "My cousin is too timid to do such a thing. Even if she is unwilling, she can only obey the imperial decree."
She sighed.
"How dare the Ji family go against the First Prince? If only someone could speak up for my cousin before the Emperor at this time."
She finished her tea without making a sound.
After leaving the house, he whispered to Biluo.
"Tell Pei Xuan to keep a close eye on the palace. The people behind Song Tingyue are about to make their move."
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