When Song Ziyu and his companion arrived at the gate of the mansion, everyone in the general's mansion had already gathered.
The ambush just now was so loud that it attracted many onlookers.
Everyone stared at Jiang Wan, dressed in green, as if they had seen a ghost, and their thoughts were all different.
Song Ziyu was the most astonished, pointing at her and saying, "You, you're not dead?"
The immense shock made him forget to control his expression; his handsome face showed no joy at being reunited with his wife, but rather as if he had seen a plague god.
The people found it strange and began to whisper among themselves.
Jiang Wan stood dressed in plain clothes, her gaze sweeping over the huge stone plaque in front of the General's Mansion, which bore the four characters "Pillar of the Nation" inscribed by the late emperor himself.
The Song family has been military families for generations. Their ancestor died on the battlefield, which led to the establishment of the renowned General's Mansion.
She had devoted herself wholeheartedly to supporting the Song family.
Now, she wants this century-old marshal's mansion to be destroyed under her feet.
"They say that those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune."
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Wan's eyes.
"I didn't die three years ago, and I still am today."
"What...what do you mean by that?" The speaker was Zhou, Song Ziyu's mother.
Having managed the inner quarters for many years, she was shrewd and calculating, and clearly unaware of the foolish things her son had done.
Jiang Wan smiled: "We encountered a group of criminals on the road just now, and I have already ordered someone to send them to the Jingzhao Prefecture."
"Why bother the Prefect of the Capital with mere robbers? This is making a mountain out of a molehill! Send someone back immediately!" Song Ziyu hurriedly said.
"What robbers? They are clearly traitors who deliberately damaged the imperial gifts."
Jiang Wan briefly explained the situation, and as she watched Song Ziyu's face darken inch by inch, her smile deepened.
“This is a capital offense, and the Prefect of the Capital said that it must be thoroughly investigated.”
Song Ziyu's vision went black.
The people he sent were all his own subordinates, and they couldn't withstand any investigation.
Presumably, the Prefect of the Capital will come knocking on our door soon.
Zhou was concerned with something else entirely.
Jiang Wan has already been to the Duke of Pei's residence?!
What a clever scheme!
She's a woman who's been wandering outside for many years; she might have already lost her chastity and is completely unworthy to be a daughter-in-law of the general's mansion.
He had a hundred ways to make her disappear without a trace.
But now…
This is not a good situation.
After much deliberation, Madam Zhou finally revealed a loving smile and personally led her into the mansion.
"It's good that you're back. I prayed to Buddha every day, hoping for your safe return. Now my wish has finally come true."
"And Lin'er, how much this child has missed you all these years you've been missing!"
Song Lin was pushed forward and reluctantly called out, "Mother."
Zhou urged, "Good child, quickly let your mother give you a kiss."
Song Lin pouted, her small hands wrapped around Gu Yurong's legs, unwilling to go forward.
Because he knew that Jiang Wan would definitely take the initiative to hug him.
She used to always do this.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Wan did not make a move, but simply smiled at him.
The smile was devoid of warmth.
Song Lin was slightly taken aback.
Jiang Wan's gaze had already shifted to Gu Yurong: "And who is this?"
“This…” Zhou smiled guiltily, “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you slowly after you’re settled.”
Jiang Wan sneered inwardly.
According to the laws of this dynasty, a man may only remarry after his wife has died.
Six months after she disappeared, Song Ziyu found a headless female corpse and lied that it was her to appease the authorities. He then welcomed Gu Yurong as his wife in a grand sedan chair carried by eight men.
If this matter is investigated in detail, Song Ziyu may face legal trouble.
It seems she has many grievances to settle with the Song family.
Jiang Wan smiled and slowly walked into her former courtyard.
Everywhere you look, there are clusters of flowers, a riot of colors.
The herb garden she used to carefully tend has been uprooted.
"Yu Rong dislikes the smell of herbs, so..."
Zhou spoke softly, testing Jiang Wan's attitude.
“You’ve been gone for so many years, Ziyu can’t be left without someone to take care of him. Now Yurong lives in the main courtyard, and it’s troublesome to clean it up. Perhaps…”
Jiang Wan smiled faintly: "No need to trouble yourself, I can stay at Xingzhi Courtyard."
Mr. Zhou was surprised.
On second thought, I understood.
Xingzhiyuan is close to the children's courtyard. Jiang Wan and Lin'er have been separated for many years, so it's normal for her to want to be closer to her son.
Song Lin, who was following behind them, thought the same thing.
He gave a soft hum and couldn't help but raise his chin slightly.
He thought Jiang Wan had changed, but it turned out she was still the same as before, always putting him first.
…
Jiang Wan moved into Xingzhi Courtyard.
The General's mansion has been quiet these past two days, probably because everyone is busy cleaning up the mess caused by Song Ziyu's troop deployment and assassination attempt, and no one is disturbing her for the time being.
Xingzhi Temple was remote and deserted, with very few servants.
The meals delivered became increasingly meager each day, to the point that they were now worse than those for servants.
Now that Gu Yurong is in charge of the household, Jiang Wan knows that she is testing her bottom line.
If I am a pushover, then I will let her manipulate me in the future.
Biluo spoke up for Jiang Wan, saying, "How can the lady, the principal wife, give up the main courtyard?"
“I know you don’t like to fight, but you’ve been away from home for many years, the general has a new favorite, and there are now two mistresses in the mansion. You should take this opportunity to establish your authority.”
Now that we're being suppressed, won't every step of the way be difficult?
Jiang Wan put down the account book in her hand, her eyes filled with satisfaction: "Biluo, you have made great progress after studying history books with me for three years."
Biluo smiled shyly, then asked in confusion, "Then why..."
Jiang Wan did not answer, but instead asked, "Did anyone come to pay their respects today?"
“There are only two nannies,” Biluo replied.
When the mistress returned to the mansion, the servants were supposed to come and pay their respects in turn.
However, the servants were opportunistic. As soon as Jiang Wan returned to the mansion, she was relegated to a side courtyard. Everyone could see that she was not as favored as Gu Yurong, and it was likely that the power to manage the household would fall into Gu Yurong's hands in the future.
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