Jiang Wan repeated it softly.
This is only at the level of being familiar to them; even fewer people know the details.
Moreover, people's hearts are fickle, and even those who were once trusted may not be reliable now.
If we let Steward Zhao get involved, we might alert the enemy.
“I lost a bracelet last night. It was a gift from the Empress. I suppose there was a thief in the courtyard,” Jiang Wan said.
Steward Zhao was startled: "Should we report this to the authorities?"
“A guard spotted the thief and said he was a servant of the manor. The item probably hasn’t been delivered yet. I’ve already sent guards to search all the courtyards,” Jiang Wan said. “These next two days, we’ll guard the manor gates and not allow anyone to enter or leave easily.”
Butler Zhao understood and nodded.
“What you say is true, Madam. This old servant will go and give the order immediately, so that the servants in each courtyard will cooperate properly.”
The news of Jiang Wan losing her bracelet quickly spread throughout the General's Mansion.
The guards led their men to search everywhere, leaving no courtyard unchecked.
When Song Ziyu was having lunch at Luhetang, the courtyard was noisy.
"With such a grand display, one might think something terrible has happened."
Song Ziyu said with dissatisfaction.
"She made such a fuss over losing a bracelet, just to show off the palace's favor to the whole household."
“If she wants to show off, let her be smug for a few days. What trouble can a mere woman cause?” said the matriarch. “The important thing right now is how to take back the military power.”
Song Ziyu sighed: "The tiger tally has already been handed over. How easy is it to get back military power?"
"The surrender of the Tiger Tally is the Song family's own way of accepting punishment. Those who are guilty should be punished, and those who have made contributions should be rewarded." The matriarch of the Yuan family took a sip of soup and dabbed the corner of her lips with a handkerchief. "Once His Majesty sees the Song family's loyalty, he will naturally entrust them with military power again."
"What does Grandmother mean?"
"Take a look at this."
The elder lady took out a letter from her sleeve.
Song Ziyu skimmed through the text, his eyes wide with astonishment: "The Illusion Moon Sect has infiltrated the capital?"
The Illusion Moon Cult originated in the western part of the Great Yong Dynasty. It has caused chaos among the people for many years and has even made statements about plotting rebellion and seizing power, openly provoking the royal family.
Emperor Jingyuan repeatedly sent troops to suppress them, but still failed to eradicate their foundations.
After the initial surprise, Song Ziyu felt a surge of joy.
"The Illusion Moon Sect is a major threat to His Majesty. I will go and report the intelligence to the palace immediately. When we wipe out the Illusion Moon Sect members, His Majesty will surely remember the Song family for this great service!"
"Foolish."
"The elder's wife said."
"Those believers are all desperate criminals. Do you think they're so easy to catch? Even if you succeed, at best you'll only have the credit for informing them. How can that be considered a significant achievement?"
"Grandma means..."
"If the news is true, the Phantom Moon Cult will make their move on Mid-Autumn Festival. I will find a way to bring you into the palace."
The elder's wife was holding prayer beads.
"If we can save His Majesty while they are acting, we will not only have performed a great service, but also demonstrate the Song family's loyalty to His Majesty."
"At that time, will we still have to worry about not gaining His Majesty's favor?"
Song Ziyu nodded repeatedly: "Grandmother is right."
He paused for a moment, then frowned.
"However, I've heard that the Illusion Moon Cult is ruthless and uses strange techniques. My grandson's health is not what it used to be. If we were to face them, I'm afraid..."
The matriarch understood what he meant.
Song Ziyu's body had been weakened by wine and women, and his martial arts skills had also declined, so he might not be a match for those cult members.
"Don't worry, now that we know the news, we can make preparations in advance. I will take care of the rest for you."
Song Ziyu felt much more at ease.
After he left, Madam Yuan summoned Granny Wu and asked, "What happened to Madam Jiang?"
"This old servant has inquired and found out that everyone in Xingzhi Courtyard was given wine last night and got drunk. Their guard was down, so perhaps the thieves really took advantage of the situation," said Granny Wu.
The elder's wife remained uneasy.
"Could it be that she found out something about what happened last night?"
"Don't worry," said Granny Wu. "Jiang Shi didn't touch that bowl of red bean soup; it was Mei Xiang who poured it out herself."
"She's lucky to have escaped this ordeal."
The elder's wife was resentful.
“Jiang is very cunning. It’s not easy to plant spies around her. Meixiang should be careful.”
"Thanks to the old lady's foresight in working on the loyal servant Chang Mama, we were able to send her to the Zhiyuan Hospital."
"That's what Granny Wu said."
"Even if Madam Jiang suspects Meixiang, she will suspect Granny Chang first, and the investigation will not trace back to us."
Over two days, Shen Ci and his guards searched the entire general's mansion and finally "found" the lost bracelet.
He took Ah Si into the Xingzhi Temple.
"Madam, we've found the maid."
Ah Si said.
“It was purchased by the household, and her name is Peony. I can’t be mistaken. She was the one who delivered the red bean soup that day.”
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