The news that the special envoy had personally arrived caused a sensation at the competition venue.
Even the row of examiners sitting on the stage exchanged surprised glances and stepped forward to greet him.
Song Ziyu felt a pang of panic, fearing that he might disrupt the lottery plan.
On second thought, most of the military generals in the court had connections with my grandfather. As long as I invoked his name, no one would refuse to give me face.
He stood on tiptoe and looked ahead.
A royal sedan chair with a sapphire blue roof and a silver top was parked by the roadside. The chair was made of golden nanmu wood and had golden bells hanging from the four corners, swaying in the wind.
Only high-ranking officials of the first rank in the imperial court could enjoy this privilege.
Song Ziyu's expression froze slightly, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.
The sedan curtain was lifted, and a handsome middle-aged man stepped out, dressed in a crimson-purple official robe with gold-embroidered python patterns. He had a dignified and imposing presence.
Song Ziyu stared at the face, unable to believe his eyes for a moment.
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then bowed in unison: "Welcome, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
Jiang Linyuan.
Song Ziyu was speechless.
How could it be him!
Historically, the special ministers for the military examinations have always been military generals, so how come this year... it is the head of the civil officials of the Great Yong Dynasty, Prime Minister Jiang, who holds this position.
Song Ziyu suddenly looked at Jiang Wan.
Could it be that she specifically asked Jiang Linyuan to facilitate this for Song Yu's sake?
Jiang Wan stood at the back of the crowd, her beautiful face showing surprise, as if she had just learned of the matter.
Song Ziyu withdrew his gaze, realizing that he had been overthinking things.
Jiang Wan has severed ties with her family, and Jiang Linyuan has ignored her for many years, their relationship is as cold as ice.
How could it be for her?
"No need for such formalities."
Jiang Linyuan had already walked onto the stage and addressed the examiners.
"His Majesty is wise and advocates unity between civil and military affairs. He has specially appointed me to supervise this year's military examination. All of you colleagues should act in accordance with the regulations and perform your respective duties."
The examiners nodded, exchanged glances, and wiped the sweat from their brows.
The highest-ranking official among them was only fourth-rank. They had thought that if His Majesty sent an official of second rank or lower, they could work together to keep each other in check.
Unexpectedly, a very important person showed up!
Who is Jiang Linyuan? He is a first-rank prime minister who holds the power of law, criminal justice, and the mobilization of officials. He is Emperor Jingyuan's most trusted and favored minister.
Who dares to act recklessly in front of him?
Jiang Linyuan glanced at the dozens of martial artists participating in the competition, his gaze lingering on Song Yu for a moment before casually looking away and walking to the box where the draw was being conducted.
He picked up the box and shook it casually a few times.
"Let's continue with the draw."
The martial artists drew lots themselves, then went to the examiner in charge of recording the lot types and registered them one by one.
With Jiang Linyuan supervising them, the examiners were on high alert, and no one dared to cheat in the slightest.
Even though he had accepted a bribe from the elder's wife, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and do his job impartially.
Everyone in the capital knows that Jiang Linyuan has read countless books and has a photographic memory. Who would dare to cheat under his nose?
Unless you're willing to die.
Finally, Song Yu was assigned to the competition five days later, and his group consisted of several military officers.
Jiang Wan noted down the names of several people and asked Biluo to investigate their backgrounds.
Song Lin, however, was not so lucky.
His group included two martial arts masters and a spy from Linglong Pavilion.
Given Song Lin's martial arts skills, it would be difficult for him to win.
Song Lin also realized this.
After the draw, he looked gloomy, clutching the bamboo stick, showing no trace of his earlier smugness, and glared resentfully at the examiner.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, Song Ziyu pulled him back: "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to settle accounts with them!" Song Lin said, his face flushed. "They took the money but didn't do the work; they won't get away with it either!"
"you…"
Song Ziyu wished he could slap him across the face.
"Come home with me!"
He dragged him onto the carriage, pulling and tugging at him.
At this point, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Jiang Wan went around to the back of the high platform, hoping to see Jiang Linyuan, but learned that he had already left in a sedan chair, leaving a servant behind to deliver a message.
"The Prime Minister said that it would be best for the young master to see you as little as possible before the martial arts competition ends."
Jiang Wan was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "Father is still the most cautious."
She understood this principle, but her emotions were too complicated at the moment, and she forgot to be thorough in her actions.
That day, she only wanted to subtly inquire about it, but she didn't expect Jiang Linyuan to personally oversee the martial arts test.
I don't know if he brought it up to Emperor Jingyuan on his own initiative.
Emperors have always been suspicious, and she worried that this move would cause trouble for her father.
Jiang Wan said, "Please tell my father that I will visit him after things have settled down."
That evening, Biluo brought back the information she had gathered.
"Among those in the same group as the young master, there is one who is skilled with a short sword and is a retainer of the Third Prince."
“A short sword…” Jiang Wan turned her head away.
She remembered that General Song also liked short swords, and influenced by him, Song Ziyu also became very good at short swords.
"Has the letter been sent out?" she asked.
"As you instructed, it was sent off three days ago," Biluo said. "It was on the fastest Wind-Riding Horse, traveling day and night."
Jiang Wan nodded and then asked, "How's the investigation into the Zhixuecao matter going?"
"We've inquired throughout the capital, but there's still no news. We've already sent people to other places to look for information," Biluo said. "Madam, don't worry, the Empresses' conditions have stabilized."
Jiang Wan frowned slightly.
"The silkworm-raising ceremony will be held in March. Since ancient times, the silkworm-raising ceremony has been presided over by the Empress Dowager herself, to pray for good weather and abundant harvests in the coming year. The Empress must recover before then, otherwise people will gossip again."
She thought for a moment and then said, "This poison was administered by Pei Jin. He is meticulous in his actions and always leaves himself a way out. Perhaps he has a way to obtain the antidote."
Biluo pouted.
"I heard that a few days ago, the First Prince stormed into the Third Prince's palace in a rage for some unknown reason and even attacked him. If the palace servants hadn't stopped him, the Third Prince would probably have lost half his life."
“He has been hiding in the palace these past few days and hasn’t left the house. If you want to see him, Madam, it will be very difficult.”
Jiang Wan smiled slightly.
“Pei Jin poisoned the Empress; given Pei Xuan’s character, how could he let him off so easily?”
Over the years, he secretly colluded with Song Tingyue, hiding in the shadows, hoping to instigate a conflict between Pei Xuan and Pei Feng and reap the benefits.
Pei Xuan revealed Song Tingyue's affair to Pei Feng, intending to use the same methods against him.
Pei Feng already harbored resentment towards Song Tingyue's betrayal, and now that he learned he was betrayed by Pei Jin, how could he let it go easily?
No wonder Pei Jin doesn't dare to go out.
Pei Feng was a reckless man; when his blood boiled, he was capable of anything.
"It's alright. If we can't see him, we'll just wait for him to come out on his own."
Jiang Wan whispered, "Isn't Consort Rong practicing asceticism at Hanshan Temple? Tell Shi Yin..."
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