"Serving Your Majesty is my duty; I have no intention of claiming credit," Jiang Wan said humbly.
The Empress took her hand, her voice trembling with emotion: "Your Majesty, Lady Jiang saved my life on New Year's Eve, and this time, thanks to her care, I was able to recover. This child is my lucky star."
She had already heard Pei Xuan recount all that Jiang Wan had done during her illness, and she was deeply moved.
"This is a token of our father and mother's goodwill, so please don't refuse it."
Pei Xuan spoke up for her.
"Father, Lady Jiang has no shortage of gold, silver and worldly things. If we're going to give her something, let's give her something she doesn't have. Chongwen Hall will be opening classes after spring. How about we grant the General's Mansion a spot to study in the palace?"
Chongwen Hall was the royal academy. In the past, there were precedents of ministers' sons studying with the emperor, but most of them were either princes or princesses, or were descendants of high-ranking scholars. Only those of these families were qualified to apply for a place.
The young masters who came from Chongwen Hall were all the best among the sons of officials and nobles, and everyone would look up to them.
If a noblewoman has such an opportunity, it will be a bargaining chip for her to marry into a high-ranking family in the future.
A military family like the Song family, lacking both political background and high official rank, would never be eligible for such an honor.
This reward is quite generous.
If Jiang Wan were to ask for it, Emperor Jingyuan would even think she was greedy and had no sense of propriety.
However, since Pei Xuan brought it up, he didn't think much of it.
Looking into the Empress's eager eyes, Emperor Jingyuan smiled and nodded: "Very well, it's settled then."
"Go back to your residence and discuss with General Song which child you want to send to Chongwen Hall. Report the name as soon as possible to avoid missing the start of classes."
Jiang Wan immediately knelt down to express her gratitude.
That evening, everyone in the general's mansion received the news.
For once, Madam Yuan was in high spirits. As soon as Jiang Wan stepped into the mansion, she was invited into the Deer and Crane Hall.
Everyone in the room was present. Not only Song Tingyue, but also Song Ziyu and Aru had been waiting for a long time. Even Song Lin, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, sat obediently to the side.
However, their focus was clearly not on the same thing.
"A-Wan, I heard the Empress has woken up?" Song Tingyue asked. "Is she fully recovered this time?"
Jiang Wan replied with a smile, "Of course, Your Majesty also had dinner with His Majesty tonight."
Song Tingyue forced a smile, but her heart sank inwardly.
When Pei Jin first woke up from her injury, she sent her a message saying that an important antidote had been taken away by Pei Xuan.
However, smallpox is difficult to cure, and he concluded that even with the herb Zhixuecao, no one in the Imperial Hospital would be able to develop a prescription in a short period of time.
Unexpectedly, the Empress recovered in just five days.
This is simply...unbelievable.
The matriarch inquired about the situation in the palace for a few moments, then cleared her throat and steered the conversation to the main topic: "I heard that His Majesty has granted the General's Mansion a quota. Will someone from our household be able to attend classes at Chongwen Hall?"
Jiang Wan smiled: "Not bad."
Both the matriarch and Song Ziyu were excited to receive her affirmation.
For the Song family, a family of military officers, to be able to attend classes at Chongwen Hall was a glorious honor that brought honor to the family.
The matriarch of the Yuan family sized up Jiang Wan: "This spot was bestowed upon you by His Majesty. What are your thoughts on this?"
She figured that Jiang Wan would definitely want to save such a good opportunity for Song Yu.
Therefore, she had spent the whole night thinking about what to say in order to refute Jiang Wan.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wan smiled lightly and said, "This is a major family matter, so it should naturally be decided by Grandmother and the General."
She glanced at Song Ziyu.
"On the way back, I thought about it. Yu'er has now gained the appreciation of the Minister of War and is doing well in the army. Recently, he has been busy teaching the Chenxing Sword Technique, so he probably won't have time to come to Chongwen Hall. General, you don't need to consider him."
Song Ziyu's eyes lit up slightly, and he couldn't help but ask, "Really?"
He never expected that Jiang Wan would actually give up such a good opportunity!
The family had few children; besides Song Yu, there was only Song Lin.
He naturally favored the latter.
Song Ziyu turned around, patted Song Lin on the shoulder, and the meaning was self-evident.
Song Lin's preoccupied expression suddenly vanished, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
He was depressed and conflicted for several days after learning about his background.
On the one hand, he couldn't accept that he was the son of a down-on-his-luck businessman; on the other hand, he resented Song Ziyu's strictness and harshness, which created a rift in his heart, and he always felt that the Song family treated him less and less than before.
But this was, after all, the General's Mansion, and he had called Song Ziyu "father" for many years, so he couldn't bear to part with it.
Sure enough, Song Ziyu still dotes on himself the most.
Whenever something good happens, he thinks of himself first.
Song Lin smiled and was about to speak when Jiang Wan, who was standing to the side, spoke first with a smile.
"A visit to such a respectable place as Chongwen Hall can not only broaden one's knowledge and horizons, but also elevate one's social standing."
"A few years ago, Grand Secretary Zhang sent his grandson to Chongwen Hall. That child entered school at the age of four, and by six he could recite a hundred poems and discuss national policies. He was hailed as a child prodigy throughout the capital. There was also Censor Guo, whose daughter-in-law was only three months pregnant when he went to the palace to request a place..."
The matriarch frowned and said, "I remember, didn't Imperial Censor Guo have a granddaughter?"
"Grandmother has a good memory," Jiang Wan said with a smile. "After this girl came of age, matchmakers almost wore out the door. Later, she married into the Qi Prince's mansion, and the Guo Imperial Censor's family also enjoyed good fortune."
The elder lady's heart stirred.
Jiang Wan then looked at Aru: "Auntie's belly has grown quite a bit. There should be good news after summer, right?"
Aru smiled and replied, "Thank you for your kind words, Madam."
“You are a blessed person, and your child will surely be blessed as well.”
After Jiang Wan finished speaking, she smiled and said, "It's getting late, Grandmother, please rest early. I'll take my leave now."
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