Jiang Wan looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“I will not pursue the matter of the Tiger Tally. However, my subordinates are very interested in the person who designed the Crimson Jade Mechanism and hope to meet this person for a friendly exchange,” Pei Xuan said.
"Just a friendly spar?"
Pei Xuan nodded: "I would be grateful if Madam Jiang could help with the introduction."
“Okay.” Jiang Wan agreed without hesitation.
The art of constructing the Vermilion Bird is an ancestral technique, and anyone who can decipher it must be a master.
Although Pei Xuan, as the head of the Eastern Palace, must have recruited many talented individuals, it is no small feat that he was able to decipher the mechanism of the Tiger Tally in such a short time.
Perhaps Pei Xuan's hidden strength is far greater than she knows.
It would be good to send Zhuque to investigate.
With their own thoughts in mind, the two agreed on the matter. Jiang Wan said, "It's just a small favor, there's no need to talk about repayment."
She handed the letter back.
“Pei Jin is a formidable opponent. This letter proves that he colluded with Song Tingyue and secretly traded with the Donglai people. I hand it over to Your Highness and leave it to you to deal with.”
Pei Xuan narrowed his eyes.
“The two of them colluded with Donglai, and the previous evidence must have been destroyed. Even if we report them to the Emperor, Pei Jin will have room to refute them.”
Jiang Wan understood, looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.
"Instead of arguing endlessly before the Emperor, let His Majesty see it for himself."
Pei Xuan said, "That's right."
"I will find a way to get the letter to Pei Jin." Jiang Wan curtsied and then took her leave.
Following Zhou's instructions, she placed the letter under a rock in the Imperial Garden.
This must have been the way Song Tingyue and Pei Jin secretly communicated in the past; only in this way would Pei Jin not suspect anything.
After finishing her business, Jiang Wan returned to the General's Mansion by carriage.
Upon entering the mansion, they spotted Song Lin ahead, who was accompanying a doctor carrying a medicine box as they walked towards the main courtyard. The two were chatting and laughing, enjoying each other's company.
When Butler Zhao saw her enter, he came up from the side and explained, "That's Doctor Li, invited by Luhetang to take Madam Zhou's pulse. Young Master Lin is very polite to him and often takes the initiative to chat with him."
Song Lin was not a humble person; he might not have taken such a folk doctor seriously in the past.
Jiang Wan asked, "What are they talking about?"
"They were just talking about Madam Zhou's illness." Butler Zhao thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, by the way, Doctor Li came today to deliver heart-protecting pills to the old lady. Young Master Lin said that Madam Gu has also been suffering from chest pains lately, so he bought a few bottles from Doctor Li."
Observing Jiang Wan's expression, Doctor Zhao tentatively asked, "Should I go to the hospital to inquire about Madam Gu's condition?"
"No need."
Jiang Wan spoke with a smile.
"It's normal for Gu to be frightened and heartbroken after the general is imprisoned. Let Song Lin go if he wants to buy medicine; we'll just pretend we didn't see it."
"There is one more thing that this old servant thinks should be known to Madam."
Butler Zhao lowered his voice.
"Since Young Master Lin took charge of the front courtyard, he has been trying to exonerate the General and the Princess. To this end, he has recruited several retainers and often discusses matters behind closed doors. Maids and servants are not allowed to approach. Last time, when this old servant got close, Young Master Lin scolded him a few times."
"A retainer?" Jiang Wan asked, "Do you recognize him?"
Steward Zhao shook his head: "This old servant has served the general for a long time and has seen all the households that have dealings with our mansion, but these people are very unfamiliar. Moreover, judging from their behavior... they don't seem like scholars and literati, but rather like people from the martial arts world."
He whispered.
"To be honest, Madam, I once saw one of the retainers talking to Madam Gu in the corridor. Their expressions were familiar, not like they had just met."
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow.
Song Lin was incredibly audacious; taking advantage of Song Ziyu's imprisonment, he dared to bring Bi Yuan into his residence.
It seems he's prepared to take drastic measures and target the matriarch.
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly: "Does Luhetang know about this?"
Butler Zhao shook his head: "The old lady rarely interferes in matters in the front yard."
Jiang Wan said softly, "Since Song Lin doesn't want the old lady to know, tell the servants in the mansion to keep their mouths shut."
"This old servant understands."
Butler Zhao responded and handed over another invitation: "It's from the Grand Secretary's residence, saying that you are invited to attend Grand Secretary Guo's birthday banquet."
Jiang Wan glanced at the invitation; the small regular script on it was delicate and beautiful, clearly written by Guo Wanqiu herself.
She had just come out of the Queen's palace when the invitation arrived in her hands; how interesting.
After Jiang Wan accepted the invitation and returned to Xingzhi Courtyard, she called Cai Die to her side: "Do you still have the two green bamboo handkerchiefs I embroidered before?"
The butterfly was puzzled and searched the area around the house, but couldn't find it.
Biluo suddenly realized: "This servant remembers, on the day Young Master Yu held his celebration banquet, Madam gave His Highness the Crown Prince something, which was wrapped in that handkerchief at the time."
Jiang Wan frowned.
She was preoccupied with Mr. Yun Que's affairs that day and didn't notice such a small matter.
Perhaps Pei Xuan's mistake was unintentional.
However, since she embroidered the handkerchief herself, she should ask for it back next time they meet.
It's one thing if it's someone else, but if it's recognized by the Shang family or a female relative they know, it'll be hard to explain.
In the main courtyard.
Doctor Li took Zhou's pulse again, and the old lady finally believed that Zhou had truly gone mad.
She stopped Zhou's medication and left him to fend for himself.
As long as Zhou remains insane forever, what she fears will not happen.
Back in Luhe Hall, the matriarch took out a heart-protecting pill, swallowed it with warm water, and then let out a long sigh of relief.
The Zhou family matter has been temporarily put aside, but there are still more troubling matters.
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