With Jiang Wan's instructions, Song Tingyue's days became even more difficult.
The maids in her courtyard had made a scene several times, but Steward Zhao, like a smiling tiger, calmly and firmly rebuked them.
"This is outrageous!"
With a flick of her sleeve, Song Tingyue threw the leftover soup and water on the ground and said angrily.
"I am also a member of the Song family, how dare the steward treat me like this!"
As for food, it's one thing to cut corners on the monthly allowance.
She was pampered since childhood and loved cleanliness. In the sweltering heat, as soon as the ice in her yard was turned off, she would be drenched in sweat and feel sticky and uncomfortable in no time.
I wanted to take more showers, but I had already run out of soap and osmanthus oil for combing my hair.
Song Tingyue was used to being wealthy and had never been treated so harshly before. She went crazy within a few days.
The maidservant advised, "Why don't we ask the old lady to make the decision? She dotes on the princess the most and will definitely stand up for you."
Song Tingyue silently shook her head.
During the martial arts test, she secretly used the Song family's influence to plot for Pei Jin. Song Ziyu was unaware of this, but the matriarch of the family noticed something amiss.
Although she was favored, in her grandmother's heart, the life, death, glory and wealth of the General's Mansion far outweighed her own.
The old lady has been giving her the cold shoulder these days, which has subtly indicated her attitude.
Her grandmother was probably aware that she was being mistreated by the housekeeper, and perhaps she wanted to use this incident to teach her a lesson and make her behave herself.
“It must be Xingzhiyuan’s idea.” Song Tingyue gritted her teeth.
The maidservant cursed, "That wretched woman, she's only been granted a second-rank imperial title, yet she dares to step on your head!"
"What am I?" Song Tingyue gave a self-deprecating laugh, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes. "A daughter who was married off and abandoned, I have no value in my own family, and I am only meant to be bullied."
"Is Ziyu at home?" she asked.
"General Song left early this morning, and he has been doing so for the past few days," the maid replied.
"He was punished by His Majesty and is now idle at home. Instead of trying to regain his military power, he spends his days running around outside, busy with who knows what," Song Tingyue said angrily. "He's really useless."
The General's Mansion has lost face before His Majesty.
After Consort Rong was imprisoned at Hanshan Temple, Pei Jin kept a low profile in the palace, and the two rarely interacted.
If she does nothing and cannot help him achieve his great cause, she fears that Jiang Wan will devour her until there is nothing left but bones!
Song Tingyue's eyes were gloomy.
"I can't just sit here and wait to die; I have to think of a way..."
Three days later, the sky was clear and blue.
Hearing that Jiang Wan was going to the palace to pay her respects to Emperor Jingyuan today, Song Yu went to her room early in the morning, had breakfast with her, and then told her his purpose.
"I've been staying at the camp for the past two days due to the exercises. I'll return home after the exercises are over."
Jiang Wan nodded, signaling Biluo to bring a package from the inner room.
"There will be many inconveniences while you are away from home. Please take these with you and take good care of yourself."
Song Yu glanced at it briefly, and a corner of gold was visible beneath the bottles and jars of medicine.
It was the golden feather soft armor that His Highness the Crown Prince gave him at the apprenticeship banquet in the Eastern Palace.
Song Yu chuckled: "Mother, what use is this treasure in daily military drills?"
"Make the most of everything. Even the best armor is no different from a piece of scrap metal if it sits in a cabinet gathering dust." Jiang Wan tied the package and said softly, "Besides, my eyelids have been twitching these past two days. I'll feel at ease if you wear it."
Song Yu looked at her seriously and obediently said, "I will do as you say."
Once outside, the gentle look on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a coldness in his clear eyes.
Song Yu looked back into the distance and saw something about half a person's height placed in the Xingzhi Courtyard, covered with red silk, so he couldn't see what it was.
He summoned his personal guard: "Where did the things Mother offered come from?"
The guard replied, "I heard it was bought from Linglong Pavilion."
Linglong Pavilion?
Song Yu frowned, her five fingers gripping the package gradually tightening.
Considering Jiang Wan's unusual behavior earlier, something must have happened in the capital.
He said sternly, "Return to camp immediately, prepare military supplies, strengthen defenses, and summon Mu Feng to see me."
Inside the palace.
The Empress and Pei Tang both received news of Jiang Wan and arrived at Chengqian Palace early in the morning. They chatted with Emperor Jingyuan while waiting for her to enter the palace.
Emperor Jingyuan is in a good mood today.
He had been worried about the bandits a few days ago, but now the bandits have disappeared and peace has been restored to the outskirts of Beijing.
Hearing that General Chengping's wife had come to present gifts, he smiled and told someone to announce it.
Jiang Wan, dressed in a pale yellow floral gauze dress, looked charming and radiant. Two servants followed behind her, carrying in an object covered with red silk.
"His Majesty."
She curtsied.
“This was found by a merchant who was sailing overseas from the outskirts of the capital. I happened to see it and found it to be very wonderful, so I came to present it to Your Majesty.”
Pei Tang was very curious after hearing this, and after receiving permission from Emperor Jingyuan, she stepped forward and unveiled the red silk.
"Huh? It's a coral."
Pei Tang circled around it, observed it for a moment, and then blinked.
"Sister Jiang, such a large coral is indeed rare, but I don't see anything special about it."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Emperor Jingyuan on the dragon throne suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed intently on the coral, his face filled with excitement.
"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"
The Empress also looked at Jiang Wan in surprise, her face full of joy.
Jiang Wan said to Pei Tang, "Please observe from a distance, Princess."
Pei Tang walked a few steps away and looked again. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise.
"This...this is the character '瑞' (ruì)!"
The character "瑞" has always been associated with auspiciousness and good fortune, but in this dynasty it has taken on a different meaning.
Emperor Jingyuan, Pei Zun, courtesy name Zhenrui.
The people of Dayong must avoid using the monarch's name, but things created by nature contain the spirit of heaven and earth and can naturally form the monarch's name. This is a sign of divine blessing and divine favor.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com