"Is Madam going to see Her Majesty the Empress?"
Biluo asked.
The Empress woke up once the day before yesterday and even spoke with Pei Xuan. She seemed to have regained her senses considerably.
After using Jiang Wan's medicine, most of the pox on her body has disappeared. Now her vital signs are stable, and she often wakes up for one or two hours. However, the disease has not yet been cured.
One last ingredient is needed, which can only be obtained from Pei Jin.
Shi Yin's preparations are almost complete; it's time to take action.
“That’s right, I’m going to visit Her Majesty.” Jiang Wan nodded, “and also to ask the Crown Prince for a favor.”
Biluo smiled and replied, "Has Madam noticed that His Highness the Crown Prince treats you... a little differently?"
For example, when Jiang Wan entered the palace to administer acupuncture to the Empress, even though he knew her foot injury was fake, Pei Xuan still prepared a spacious sedan chair for her every day, and if it got dark, he would send his personal guards to escort her.
And Song Yu's notebook, it's obvious that Pei Xuan specially asked Emperor Jingyuan for it.
Including news about Song Lin today.
Song Lin hadn't been to the palace for many days, so how could Pei Xuan's men have noticed him the moment he went? What a coincidence!
Unless, Pei Xuan had been keeping an eye on Gu Yurong all along.
He had no grudge against Gu Yurong; the only explanation was that it was for Jiang Wan.
Biluo sighed, "It seems that His Highness the Emperor is quite kind-hearted despite his cold exterior."
Jiang Wan remained silent, but sighed softly in her heart.
Pei Xuan's attitude towards her had changed, and she had a vague feeling about it, but she had been too busy to investigate further.
Rather than the possibility that Pei Xuan, a cold-hearted and ruthless man, would suddenly show kindness, she was more inclined to believe... that he might have noticed something amiss about her identity.
Or perhaps... she had already guessed it; she was Qingwu.
The next morning, after having breakfast and washing up briefly, Jiang Wan boarded the carriage to go to the palace.
Ever since he lost face in the martial arts competition, the entire General's Mansion has closed its doors to visitors, fearing that a careless word or action would further damage its already tarnished reputation.
The matriarch also used illness as an excuse to stay in the Deer and Crane Hall and not go out.
I heard that Jiang Wan has entered the palace. Even if I wanted to stop her, I was powerless to do so.
In the Empress's palace.
The windows were bright and clean, and white smoke rose from the gilded incense burner, filling the room with a sweet fragrance.
In late winter and early spring, the weather was slightly chilly. Jiang Wan, wearing a fur cloak, stepped into the palace.
As soon as she entered, Emerald handed her a bowl of steaming hot tea: "Madam, please drink it while it's hot and be careful not to catch a chill."
Jiang Wan took it, sipped it, and frowned slightly.
This is purple ginseng tea soup.
She disliked the taste of ginseng tea.
Back when she was in Linglong Pavilion, when she caught a cold, the servants would boil red ginseng into a soup, adding a lot of brown sugar to make it taste even milder, which she could barely manage to drink.
The cup in front of me contains a generous amount of purple ginseng.
Just smelling the aroma made her unconsciously wrinkle her nose.
Pei Xuan, who was reading on the soft couch, didn't even look up when he heard the sound, but casually asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Wan: "...It's nothing."
She tilted her head back, expressionless, and drank the ginseng tea in one gulp. Then she went to the inner room to wash her hands, preparing to take the Empress's pulse.
Pei Xuan then raised his eyes, a faint smile flashing in his dark pupils.
The Queen lay quietly in the inner chamber, her pox had subsided considerably, and her face had regained some color.
Jiang Wan took his pulse, and the corners of her lips curved slightly.
"The Empress is recovering very well. She may be awake tonight. We need to remind her not to scratch the pimple scars."
Now all that's missing is the herb *Zhixuecao* (芝雪草), and the disease will be completely cured.
Jiang Wan looked at Pei Xuan and asked, "How is Master Jinghui doing?"
“Your idea is good. Pei Jin is a cautious person. The only way to lure him out is to use Consort Rong.”
Pei Xuan glanced at her and said.
"I mentioned this to Jinghui as you suggested. I thought it would take a lot of persuasion to ask him to help deal with Pei Jin, since he is detached from worldly affairs. But he agreed so readily."
Jiang Wan lowered her head to administer acupuncture and said calmly, "His Highness has promised him the position of abbot of Hanshan Temple. Hanshan Temple is a royal temple, and any monk would be tempted by it."
"Perhaps so."
Pei Xuan nodded.
“Master Jinghui has long regarded money as something external to himself. In order to ask him for help, one must indeed pay the corresponding price.”
"I wonder what conditions you promised Jinghui, who was traveling around, back to the capital that day?"
Jiang Wan's eyes flashed, but she didn't stop applying the acupuncture. She replied softly, "This is a matter between Master Jinghui and me. Why is Your Highness so curious?"
“It’s not out of curiosity.” Pei Xuan toyed with the cup in his hand. “It’s just that you invited Jinghui to help the Empress Dowager, and I will always remember this favor.”
Jiang Wan remained silent, quietly finished administering acupuncture to the Empress, and then turned to look at Pei Xuan.
"Instead of keeping it in mind, Your Highness should repay this favor today."
Pei Xuan: "What do you want?"
"Once Her Majesty has recovered, could you please tell His Majesty that I have rendered meritorious service in taking care of Her Majesty and request an imperial decree on behalf of the General's Mansion?"
She lowered her voice and whispered a few words to Pei Xuan.
Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow, his face showing surprise: "Are you sure?"
Jiang Wan smiled and asked in return, "Would Your Highness be willing to help?"
"Since the Empress Dowager fell ill, you have come to the palace every day to pay your respects and accompany Pei Tang. The entire palace has seen this. What difficulty is there in requesting an imperial decree?"
Pei Xuanfeng narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Are you sure you want to give this credit to someone else?"
Jiang Wan smiled slightly: "Yes, I have my own plans."
Pei Xuan nodded, which was considered his agreement.
"After taking the herb, the smallpox on her body will disappear completely within ten days. The silkworm-raising ceremony is approaching, and before that, the Empress must be fully recovered."
Jiang Wan walked to the window, looked at the cumulus clouds on the horizon, and said softly.
"Pei Jin has been hiding for long enough."
"There will be a heavy rain in the capital tomorrow, which will be perfect for our operation."
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