Under the bright moonlight, the palace maid stood in the shadows under the corridor, head bowed, trying her best to remain inconspicuous.
Jiang Wan, carrying a lantern, stood in front of her and looked her over.
The young palace maid bowed her head respectfully, her posture unchanged, showing no sign of tension or panic.
In reality, his back was covered in cold sweat.
A night breeze blows, and everything feels icy cold.
I once heard him say that Madam Jiang was exceptionally intelligent.
What she did tonight was extremely risky. She might be able to evade the palace's investigation, but now that Madam Jiang has come to identify her personally, she may not be able to escape this calamity.
In any case, his identity must not be revealed.
The young palace maid had a calm gaze, and beneath her pale yellow sleeves, she secretly gripped a dagger tightly.
If she is arrested, she will have no choice but to die in order to save that person.
She lowered her head even further and silently made up her mind.
The next moment, the pair of embroidered shoes in their line of sight moved.
Jiang Wan didn't say a word, and turned around with the lantern in her hand.
"Are all the palace maids who went to Pixiang Palace tonight here?" Jiang Wan asked.
The guard responded.
“But the palace maid who carried out the assassination isn’t here.” Jiang Wan tilted her head and thought for a moment. “I remember that the assassin was agile and strong. It’s possible that he was a man disguised as a woman. We should expand the search area to avoid any escapees.”
The guard immediately said, "Madam Jiang is right. I hadn't thought of that."
He ordered his men to find all the eunuchs near the Pixiang Palace.
"As for the palace maids in the courtyard, they shall be confined to their quarters for the time being and shall not leave."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan glanced towards the door, and shortly after, Biluo walked in carrying a food box.
"When I went to the kitchen just now, I asked someone to prepare hot soup. You've been working hard, so come and warm yourself up."
The guards were flattered and thanked them repeatedly.
While waiting for others, it's not considered dereliction of duty to have some food at this time.
Biluo took out the bowls and served soup to each of them.
“Yu’er is on duty in front of His Majesty’s palace; she must be hungry by now.”
Jiang Wan suddenly spoke up, casually pointing to a palace maid in the courtyard: "Take a bowl of soup over there and say it's from me."
He added.
"Come back as soon as you're done, don't delay the palace's investigation."
The guards sipped their soup, feeling grateful for Jiang Wan's kindness, and said with smiles, "No rush. It's only natural for Madam to be concerned about General Song. Letting her run an errand won't cause any delay."
The palace maid took the food box, and Jiang Wan personally escorted her a few steps.
When they were alone, she asked softly, "What's your name?"
The palace maid replied, "This servant is Jingchun, and I am on duty in the Imperial Household Department."
Jiang Wan glanced at her quietly and said calmly, "You changed your clothes and makeup to temporarily evade the guards' inspection, but if they can't find you for a long time, the next step will be a body search."
She said.
"Give me the dagger hidden in your sleeve."
Jing Chun was startled and looked up abruptly.
"After the assassination, you jumped out of the window. At that time, the entire Pixiang Palace was quickly surrounded by the Imperial Guards. Perhaps you didn't have a chance to drop the dagger, or perhaps you left it behind on purpose."
Jiang Wan spoke softly.
"But I must tell you, suicide is the worst option."
“The Ministry of Justice has countless methods of investigation. Even if there is only a corpse left, they can still find the person behind you.”
Jing Chun paused for a moment, then handed the dagger to Jiang Wan.
She can trust Jiang Wan.
After all, the other party had already recognized her; if they wanted to harm her, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
"Thank you, Madam Jiang."
Jiang Wan concealed the dagger in her sleeve and calmly asked, "When did you start working for Song Yu?"
Jing Chun was shocked: "You, how did you know..."
"Your strike, though seemingly full of murderous intent, actually contained ninety percent of its power, and it just so happened to pierce the spot on my golden armor. It would be strange if I didn't suspect anything."
Jiang Wan chuckled softly.
"Only a few close friends and family members knew that I would be wearing golden armor tonight. After a little thought, they knew who was behind it."
He went to all this trouble just to claim credit for saving the emperor.
Who else but Song Yu could be so cunning and capable?
She sighed inwardly.
This child is getting bolder and bolder.
Jing Chun pursed her lips and remained silent, but her ears turned slightly red, tacitly agreeing with her words.
Jiang Wan did not ask any further questions and let Jing Chun take the food box and leave.
She hid the dagger and returned to the courtyard.
The following day, Emperor Jingyuan received a reply.
Even though Jiang Wan stayed at the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs all night to help identify the assassin, she was unable to find the palace maid who carried out the assassination.
"How dare the cultists of the Illusionary Moon Sect! They managed to let her escape even from the deepest recesses of the palace!"
Emperor Jingyuan was furious and ordered his portrait to be posted throughout the capital in search of him.
The portrait was painted by Jiang Wan.
The Imperial Guards acted swiftly, and within half a day, their portraits were plastered all over the streets of the capital.
Song Yu was returning home after his shift when, as he rode his horse through the streets, he saw a poster with portraits of palace maids.
The woman in the painting bears less than a third of a resemblance to Jing Chun.
Even if you put the portrait in front of Jing Chun, no one would think it's the same person.
Song Yu reined in his horse, paused for a moment, then cracked his whip and rode swiftly back to the general's mansion.
Overnight, the Chengping General's family, grandfather and grandson, were imprisoned, causing an uproar among the people.
The Song family army enjoyed considerable prestige among the people, who did not believe that the Song family would have any connection with the Illusion Moon Sect or commit a rebellion.
For a time, many people surrounded the entrance to the general's mansion, and there was a great deal of discussion and conflicting opinions.
Song Yu walked through the bustling crowd and stepped into the gate of the General's Mansion.
Unlike the noisy streets, the general's mansion was unusually quiet.
Looking around, the courtyard is tidy, and the windows and tables are clean.
The servants performed their duties without the slightest panic, and apart from the Imperial Guards stationed in the Deer and Crane Hall and the main courtyard, there was nothing unusual.
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