The main hall of the Xingzhi Temple.
As night deepened, the candlelight flickered.
Pei Xuan scrutinized the woman opposite him and asked, "What is your relationship with Mr. Qingwu? Why did he write a letter asking me to help you?"
Jiang Wan wiped the soot off her face, revealing her exquisite and beautiful features. She lowered her eyes and said, "Just an old friend."
"Thank you for your help today, Your Highness."
She had originally intended to ask Crown Prince Yongning to help him protect the witnesses, but to her surprise, he made an astonishing move and actually obtained an imperial decree for her.
“No need.” Pei Xuan waved his hand. “I’m only thanking him because of Qingwu. If you want to thank someone, then thank him.”
He narrowed his long eyes slightly, scrutinizing Jiang Wan.
"But there is one thing you must remember."
"This imperial edict is to protect you, not to facilitate your schemes to frame military officers in the court."
Jiang Wan was startled: "Your Highness..."
Pei Xuan toyed with the jade pendant in his hand: "What, didn't you set the fire yourself today, and work with the servants in the courtyard to attract everyone to watch this good show?"
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes, her palms slightly damp.
Prince Yongning is very intelligent. Since he has already seen through our scheme, it would be better to try to explain further.
“What I did was to protect myself. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
"I have no interest in domestic squabbles, but with a shortage of military generals in the court and a tense situation on the border, even if Song Ziyu really damaged the imperial gifts, the court will not punish him with death. Do you understand?"
Jiang Wan raised her eyes, her gaze clear: "Thank you for informing me, Your Highness."
Pei Xuan said no more, leaving it at that.
Having said that, he stood up, walked to the door, and then returned: "I have helped you today, what are you going to do?"
Jiang Wan was slightly taken aback, momentarily puzzled.
This person just said there was no need for thanks, so why did they bring it up again?
Recalling what Pei Xuan had just said, she tentatively said, "This humble woman will write a letter to Mr. Qingwu and tell him that we are very grateful for Your Highness's generous help today."
Pei Xuan said with satisfaction, "He's a smart man."
He tossed down a token: "Since you are Qingwu's friend, if you ever encounter any trouble in the future, you can bring this to the Eastern Palace."
He got the answer he wanted and stormed off.
He Xingyun, who was waiting outside the door, immediately followed: "Didn't Your Highness go to inspect the camp in Longcheng? Why did you suddenly come back?"
I heard that three horses died from exhaustion, and they hurriedly returned home after traveling through the night.
"I was asked to do this." Pei Xuan said meaningfully, a hint of tenderness flashing in his usually cold and indifferent dark eyes.
"You know how to judge Song Ziyu's case."
He Xingyun nodded and sighed, "It's just a pity for Jiang Shi. She's a simple person, but she lives in this den of wolves and tigers. She's bound to suffer a lot."
"simple?"
Pei Xuan chuckled softly.
"You've probably misjudged him."
That was clearly a cunning fox.
…
Three days later, Song Ziyu's verdict was delivered.
The Emperor himself issued an edict, demoting him by one rank and fining him one year's salary.
Song Ziyu was carried to receive the imperial decree.
On the day Gu Yurong was being tortured, he felt sorry for her and couldn't bear it, so he threw himself on her and took half of the beating.
Both were seriously injured and remain bedridden.
As soon as the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree left, Madam Zhou brought over the keys and handed over the power to manage the household to Jiang Wan.
All the servants in the courtyard came to offer their congratulations, and Jiang Wan rewarded them all handsomely.
Biluo, however, felt indignant on Jiang Wan's behalf, believing the punishment was too lenient.
“Pei Xuan is right. The border is in a tense situation now, and His Majesty will not severely punish military officers for matters of the home.”
Jiang Wan toyed with the key and said calmly.
It seems that to destroy the General's Mansion, we need to make him commit an even bigger mistake.
It's so big it can't be hidden.
Biluo smiled and said, "However, Madam Zhou is quite sensible. With the power to manage the household, Madam's life will be much easier."
"And that Gu Yurong, after receiving such a severe punishment, let's see how she dares to provoke you again!"
Jiang Wan gave a cold laugh.
You underestimate her.
Gu Yurong wouldn't admit defeat so easily.
…
Yixin Residence.
"Waaah, I don't want to be separated from my mother! Mother!"
Song Lin grabbed Gu Yurong's hand and cried his heart out, but was still forcibly dragged over by Granny Tong.
"You gave me bad advice, which led to Ziyu's demotion and punishment. You also failed to raise your son properly, instigating him to commit a serious crime and causing the whole family to lose face!"
Zhou's face was sullen.
"You are forbidden to see Lin'er again, lest you corrupt him!"
Gu Yurong's eyes reddened: "How can this be! Lin'er is mine..."
"Next year, the manor will be establishing an heir. Do you intend to watch that child under Lady Jiang's nose sit on the throne as heir?"
Zhou continued.
"I will invite a renowned teacher to take Lin'er as a disciple and teach him well."
Gu Yurong looked at the wailing Song Lin and felt heartbroken.
"Mother, please don't take Lin'er away! I've thought of a plan these past few days; I can deal with Jiang Shi..."
She crawled up to Zhou and whispered a few words.
"Shut up!"
Zhou interrupted her in a deep voice.
"How could you even think of such a thing? What a disgrace! Even if it succeeds, the General's Mansion will be utterly disgraced!"
Zhou scolded her a few more times, then took the still-crying Song Lin and left.
"It's all that Jiang's fault! Back then, she interfered and ruined your marriage with the general. Now she's causing you to be separated from the young master and your son!" the maid said angrily.
"I really underestimated Jiang Wan... she's so difficult to deal with!" Gu Yu gritted his teeth, enduring the pain in his body. "How come she didn't die out there!"
The maid sighed, "It's a pity, the old lady won't allow us to deal with her."
Gu Yurong sneered: "If I obediently listen to her, the backyard of the General's Mansion will probably belong to the Jiang family."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze fierce.
"Go and secretly investigate the three years since Jiang Wan disappeared."
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