Early the next morning.
Gu Yurong was dressed in a long dress embroidered with gold peonies, looking radiant.
Zhou was still somewhat worried: "Won't there be any changes to Jiang Wan's situation?"
Gu Yurong took out a letter and said with a faint smile, "Mother, don't worry, she has written her statement as we asked, and she has been very well-behaved these past few days, not even leaving the courtyard."
Not only did he not go out, but he also did not resist at all when he was sent to a side courtyard and his food was reduced.
Judging from his appearance, he's a spineless coward.
Song Ziyu glanced at the letter, frowned and said with displeasure, "She claims to be a noble lady, yet she makes mistakes even in writing a confession. It's truly laughable! Make her rewrite it!"
Gu Yurong covered her mouth and chuckled: "Sister Jiang has been wandering around for three years, mixing with country folk. It's inevitable that she's a bit rough around the edges. Please forgive her."
Wait until Jiang Wan loses face in public, then see how she tries to compete with me for the position of mistress.
Song Ziyu snorted coldly: "Forget it."
Anyway, he had already bribed the witnesses on the street that day, and with Jiang Wan's recantation, he was sure to be exonerated by the Prefect of the Capital.
“Mother, now that we have a statement, there’s no need for her to show up at the banquet, lest she say something inappropriate,” Gu Yurong said.
With Jiang Wan gone, she can enjoy all the limelight by herself.
Zhou saw through this little scheme at a glance.
Seeing that she didn't respond, Gu Yurong added fuel to the fire: "By the way, my father wrote a letter a few days ago, saying that he is preparing to trade with Linglong Pavilion. If this matter is successful, the profits will be countless."
Song Ziyu looked pleasantly surprised.
Madam Zhou sat up straight: "Really? This is wonderful news!"
Linglong Pavilion is renowned in the martial arts world, and the benefits of establishing a connection with it go far beyond just money.
Zhou finally nodded: "Place Jiang Wan in a room and forbid her from going out."
The old woman arrived at Xingzhi Courtyard quickly and conveyed Zhou's message.
Biluo was indignant, but Jiang Wan's expression remained unchanged.
After dismissing the old woman, she said to Biluo, "Bring in those who have come to pay their respects these past few days."
Seven or eight servants were brought into the room, including maids and servants. They knelt down when they saw Jiang Wan.
They had received kindness from Jiang Wan in the past, and this bow was sincere.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "I am very pleased that you have not forgotten our past kindness. I plan to promote you to first-class servants and double your monthly wages."
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
The matters raised by Jiang Wan all fall under the authority of the matriarch, but she now…
Look at the shabby furnishings in this room, the withered crabapple blossoms in the courtyard, even the servants' quarters are in better condition.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "On the condition that I need your help with something tonight."
...
That night, at the time of lighting the lamps.
As the family banquet began, distinguished guests arrived one after another, and the vast general's mansion became lively.
Gu Yurong greeted the guests with a beaming smile, linking arms with Song Ziyu, displaying the demeanor of a matriarch.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, Song Ziyu found He Xingyun, the Prefect of Jingzhao, who was also drinking.
He Xingyun was known throughout the capital for his upright character and impartiality in handling cases.
"What?"
After listening to Song Ziyu's words, He Xingyun said quietly, "So, you sent troops that day to welcome Jiang back to the mansion?"
Upon hearing this, the other guests at the table also put down their glasses and looked over.
Jiang Wan, who had been missing for three years, returned to the capital, but got into a conflict with the people from the General's Mansion in the streets and alleys, something they had also heard about.
He Xingyun frowned, scrutinizing Song Ziyu with eagle-like eyes: "This is not right. When Jiang came to report the case, she clearly said that she had been assassinated."
Song Ziyu hurriedly said, "That was a misunderstanding by Madam Jiang. She was just talking nonsense. This is her statement. Please take a look."
Gu Yurong handed over the letter and took the opportunity to slander her, saying, "Sister Jiang has been away for many years and is crude and unrefined. Please forgive her, sir."
To everyone's surprise, as soon as He Xingyun took the paper, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "Beautiful handwriting!"
However, the further he read, the more his brows furrowed.
Finally, he slammed the letter on the table and said in a deep voice, "You're saying this was written by Jiang herself?"
"I have served as an official for seven years and handled countless cases, yet General Song tries to play such petty tricks on me. He is underestimating me too much!"
Song Ziyu was taken aback by the question: "What do you mean by that?"
He Xingyun sneered.
"The handwriting in this letter is elegant and refined, something that could only be learned through years of study. How could such a refined person make so many mistakes? Isn't that a contradiction?"
"There's something wrong with this letter! Where are the Jiang family members?"
Gu Yurong's face paled. Remembering Jiang Wan who was imprisoned, she hurriedly said, "My lord, my sister... she is unwell and should not receive guests."
He Xingyun narrowed his eyes: "Then I'll go see her. Lead the way."
Upon hearing that they were going to Jiang Wan's courtyard, Gu Yurong became even more flustered.
However, He Xingyun held an important position and was a confidant of the Crown Prince, so no one dared to stop him.
He got up and walked towards the main courtyard, but was stopped by Song Ziyu: "Sir, Madam Jiang is now... living in the side courtyard."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned meaningful.
It's truly improper for the first wife not to reside in the main courtyard!
It seems that although Lady Jiang has returned alive, her life in the mansion is not easy.
Madam Sheng, standing in the crowd, said angrily, "Mistreatment of the first wife, the General's Mansion truly has excellent rules!"
Song Ziyu blushed with shame and couldn't lift his head.
The guests arrived at Xingzhi Courtyard together, and what they saw was dilapidated and simple, with thick black smoke billowing from the backyard.
None of the servants in the courtyard went to put out the fire; instead, they stood guard at the gate as if they were watching over prisoners.
"Is there a fire inside?" Old Madam Sheng asked anxiously. "Jiang Wan is still inside, why haven't you sent anyone to put out the fire?"
"It's not a fire, it's just... the kitchen is brewing medicine!"
A maidservant blocked the crowd and kept giving Gu Yurong meaningful glances.
Gu Yurong was unaware of what had happened, but she dared not let anyone see Jiang Wan, so she said, "The kitchen must be brewing medicine. It's too messy here. Let's move to the main hall."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com