At this moment, a man walked into a courtyard in Qing Shi Lane and gently knocked on the gate.
The person who opened the door was a slender woman.
Upon seeing the person who arrived, she was first startled, then nodded and said, "Master Jinghui, what brings you here so late?"
The man removed his straw hat, revealing handsome features; it was Shi Yin.
"Yun Su, I brought some wine, meat and good food, just in time to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."
The woman named Yun Su took the wine pot and said with a smile, "We are already very grateful that you found a place for us sisters to stay in the capital. How could we trouble you any further?"
"No need to be so polite. Your brother and I are good friends. This little favor is nothing."
Shi Yin lowered his voice.
"However, the imperial court forbids the private sale of salt, so to avoid being noticed, you can only be forced to live in this remote place."
"This is my friend's yard. You can stay here without worry. Although it's a bit simple, it's very safe."
Yun Su smiled and looked towards a side room in the corner: "It's already very good, but I'm afraid it might bother your friend."
"He was a carpenter by trade, and he had two apprentices working with him, so there was no question of him being a nuisance."
Shi Yin looked towards the west side of the courtyard.
This courtyard looks far removed from the bustling city, but it is actually located right behind Xiangmingju, separated by only a wall.
"But that's a teahouse over there, it's crowded and noisy, you'd better not go near it."
Yun Su nodded.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Shi Yin finally took his leave.
Yun Su escorted him to the door, watching his figure disappear at the end of the alley before deftly locking the courtyard gate, her gentle expression vanishing instantly.
Several figures emerged from the room and approached her, respectfully saying, "Hall Master."
Yun Su raised her head, a hint of murderous intent flashing in her slender eyes.
"This Master Jinghui is renowned throughout the martial arts world, but I didn't expect her to be so easily fooled. She even offered to arrange accommodations for us," one person said.
Five days ago, they arrived in the capital and were looking for a place to stay when they met Master Jinghui.
The Illusion Moon Sect travels all over the country and is good at disguising themselves as merchants. One of its hall masters is an old acquaintance of Jinghui.
When Yun Su brought people into the city, claiming they were there to sell salt, Jing Hui didn't suspect anything and warmly welcomed them.
"Enough of idle talk. This trip to the capital is for something big," Yun Su said. "If we can kill the dog emperor at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the reputation of our Illusion Moon Sect will surely resound throughout the martial arts world."
The courtyard that Jinghui found was exactly what she wanted.
Once they leave, even if the imperial court investigates, they will only be able to find Jinghui as a scapegoat.
There was only one thing that Yun Su was worried about.
She glanced at the tightly closed door in the corner of the yard.
These past two days, she has frequently heard knocking and banging sounds coming from inside the room.
Jinghui said that a carpenter lived inside, which made sense.
"One should always be wary of others," Yun Su said. "Leave one person to watch over this room, and the rest of you will come with me to practice dancing."
The dance hall has already made arrangements; they will blend in as dancers and enter the palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
That will be the day Emperor Jingyuan dies.
The Ji family residence.
Mei Xiang began to follow Jiang Wan's instructions and went to Xiangmingju once a day.
When the matriarch learned of this, she did not find anything wrong with it.
Now that she has taken over Xiangmingju, she naturally feels that the place is very safe.
Jiang Wan's actions actually made it easier for Granny Wu and Mei Xiang to communicate, which suited her just as well.
What she cared about was the news brought by Meixiang, which said that Jiang Wan would be dressed up for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and that she would receive the Empress's favor.
Upon hearing this, the elder's wife was so angry that she couldn't eat dinner.
Her guess was correct; the Empress was indeed going to bestow a higher title upon Jiang Wan, and it would happen on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Her plan must be implemented quickly and decisively!
Mei Xiang's daily visits to Xiangmingju naturally caught the attention of Physician Jin.
The guards followed her for several days, and apart from meeting Jiang Wan once, Mei Xiang had no contact with anyone else in the General's Mansion.
"Could it be... Madam Jiang?"
After hearing the report, Physician Jin frowned and thought for a moment.
He had seen Jiang Wan once at a palace banquet. He remembered that she was quite young and didn't seem like someone who was proficient in Miao folk arts.
The guard reminded her, "I heard that this Madam Jiang disappeared after falling off a cliff and wandered for three years. Could it be that she was tainted by evil magic during that time?"
Physician Jin pondered.
He felt things weren't that simple.
After all, Mei Xiang and Jiang Wan had only met once; it might just be a coincidence.
However, given the gravity of the matter, he wrote down his discovery in a secret letter and reported it to Emperor Jingyuan.
Xiangmingju was mentioned in particular.
"Send someone to guard this teahouse. If anything seems amiss, notify me immediately."
Imperial Physician Jin narrowed his eyes.
If necessary, he wouldn't mind meeting this Madam Jiang in person.
The guards kept watch over Xiangmingju for three days, but Jiang Wan never appeared again.
Physician Jin was puzzled.
The matriarch of Luhetang was also filled with suspicion.
"What's wrong with Madam Jiang these past few days? She used to go to Xiangmingju to listen to operas every day, but she hasn't been going out these past few days."
The elder lady frowned.
If she continues to stay at home, wouldn't all my efforts in running the teahouse and planning all this have been for nothing?
The next morning, everyone came to Luhe Hall to pay their respects, and the matriarch of the family couldn't help but ask about the matter.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "After all, a daughter-in-law should manage household affairs for her husband and be filial to her elders. How can she go out to watch operas every day?"
"Besides, my grandmother's health has been poor since autumn, so I've decided to take care of her from today onwards."
The elder lady choked on her tea.
If Jiang Wan were to serve her, she would lose several years of her life.
She was anxious, but she couldn't show it.
It was Granny Wu, standing to the side, who said with a smile.
"It's good that you have such filial piety, Madam. The old lady is not short of people to serve her. It's just that the weather has been cold lately and she has lost her appetite. I heard that the Buddha's Hand Cakes from Mingxiangju are selling very well. I was thinking that if you go to the opera, Madam could buy some for the old lady to try."
“Their pastries are quite good; I’ve bought some for my uncle before.”
Jiang Wan smiled slightly.
"Don't worry about whether it's on the way or not. If Grandmother wants to eat it, I will drive out today and buy it for you myself."
When the elder lady heard her agree, she was delighted and her smile became even more genuine.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
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