With the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet approaching, all the courtyards in the General's Mansion are bustling with activity.
Gu Yurong had been imprisoned for several months, but now she had become the younger sister of a concubine. Many female relatives of officials, seeing the wind blowing, came to visit her in an endless stream, making it a very lively place.
She was beaming with joy when she had a happy occasion.
She was busy making new clothes and jewelry, and lavishly rewarding her servants with silver, displaying a style reminiscent of her former role as the mistress of the house.
The only difference was that no matter how much she tried to win him over, Song Ziyu never set foot in the main courtyard again.
He became suspicious of Gu Yurong, and when he was angry, he would punch and kick her without any tenderness or affection.
Her husband's favor was the foundation of Gu Yurong's position.
Now that she has lost that support, even with the Imperial Concubine's backing, her glory is only superficial.
The servants in the mansion could see through this, and despite Gu Yurong's attempts to win them over with money, she no longer won their hearts.
Song Ziyu ignored Gu Yurong, preferring to avoid seeing her rather than bothering her.
Firstly, it was out of respect for Consort Yun that they couldn't afford to make a big fuss.
Secondly, ever since he learned about the Illusion Moon Sect, he has been focused on preparing to make a contribution at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and has no time for anything else.
Granny Wu of Luhetang was also very busy.
The matriarch of the family took over Xiangmingju, but she didn't want to show her face in public, so she used the name of Granny Wu.
Recently, Granny Wu has been frequently leaving the mansion under the pretext of buying groceries.
Biluo secretly followed her twice and discovered that her destination was Xiangmingju.
After hearing this, Jiang Wan laughed meaningfully and said, "Let her be."
That day, just as dawn was breaking, Granny Wu quietly slipped out again, carrying a bundle, and headed straight for Xiangming Residence.
She knew the way well, entering through the back door of Xiangmingju and walking to the innermost room in the backyard.
The house is very secluded; it used to be used to store tea ingredients, but it has now been emptied out.
Granny Wu went straight in, where two servants were cleaning.
"Granny, everything has been arranged as you wish."
Granny Wu looked around and nodded in satisfaction. She then took out a few items from her bundle and placed them in the room.
Several strangely colored medicinal herbs, and novel bottles and jars.
The guys had never seen it before, so they took a second look.
"Keep your eyes shut!" Granny Wu scolded. "If you see anything you shouldn't, I'll gouge your eyeballs out!"
Her fierceness startled the young waiter, who quickly ran out.
Granny Wu stayed in the room for a while, and just as she was about to leave, she heard singing and dancing coming from outside the courtyard, which seemed to be mixed with loud banging and smashing sounds, making it very chaotic.
She called over the waiter: "Who lives in the yard next door?"
"I don't recognize them, they look like a few prostitutes or dancers," the waiter replied. "That's normal, all sorts of people can be found in Qing Shi Lane."
Granny Wu looked away with disdain.
She gave the instructions as she walked back.
"Keep an eye on the people in the neighboring courtyard. Don't let them near the teahouse, especially this room. Not even a single fly is allowed in."
The waiter readily agreed.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring courtyard.
Shi Yin was sitting at the stone table talking with Yun Su.
"I have already found someone to help me with the matter you asked me to do last time."
Shi Yin smiled and took out a portrait from his sleeve.
The painting depicts a middle-aged man with regular features and a clear, bright face.
Yun Su glanced at it: "What's this?"
“He is a low-ranking official in the court, surnamed Ji. He was on duty in the palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival and happened to be able to show you the way.”
Shi Yindao.
"But I wonder who you wish to see? The palace is heavily guarded; if we cause trouble..."
Yun Su accepted the portrait.
"Don't worry, sir. We who are in the salt smuggling business must have some acquaintances in the palace. I just want to take this opportunity to visit a eunuch during my trip to the capital. I won't cause you any trouble."
She took out two gold ingots.
Seeing Shi Yin's eyes brighten slightly, Yun Su felt a mocking sneer in her heart, but smiled and said on the surface.
"These past few days, you've been busy taking care of the sisters. Please accept this small token of our appreciation."
Shi Yin feigned reluctance, but eventually accepted it reluctantly, leaving with a beaming smile.
"What kind of Master Jinghui is he? He's just a fame-seeker and a money-grubber behind the scenes."
Two ingots of gold were enough to bribe him; his eyelids are so shallow.
Yun Su smiled sarcastically and opened the portrait to take a closer look.
She vaguely felt that this person looked familiar, but couldn't remember where she had seen him before.
Yun Su shook her head, memorized the appearance, and then burned the portrait.
Anyway, she only wanted to use this person to enter the palace for assassination.
Even if he is investigated afterward, Emperor Jingyuan will consider him an accomplice of the Illusion Moon Sect and will not listen to his explanation.
At this moment, Shi Yin had already walked out of the Blue Stone Alley.
He walked leisurely, heading straight for the Treasure Pavilion in the north of the city.
When he came out again, he had changed into a royal blue brocade long gown and a felt hat, looking every bit the wealthy merchant.
Shi Yin boarded the carriage and, about half an hour later, knocked on the gate of the General's Mansion.
"The owner of the Treasure Pavilion?"
Upon hearing this, the matriarch of Luhetang slowly twirled the beads in her hand and frowned: "Are they here to see Madam Jiang?"
Granny Wu nodded: "The person has already gone to Xingzhi Courtyard."
She whispered.
"It must be about the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Meixiang overheard it at Xiangmingju last time. Madam Jiang has also had clothes made at a tailor shop and is planning to have some valuable jewelry made. The owner of Zhenbaoge must be here for this reason."
The matriarch said, "A palace banquet is not enough for her to show off."
The higher you stand, the harder you fall.
She'll be in trouble then.
The matriarch snorted angrily.
My suspicions were dispelled, and I didn't ask any more questions.
They walked and stayed in the courtyard.
"I have already given Lord Ji's portrait to Yun Su, and she didn't notice anything wrong with it."
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