The Empress was delighted when Jiang Wan agreed and had many gifts given to her, which were then stuffed into her carriage when she returned home.
Among them are two century-old ginseng roots, which are best used to nourish the body.
Jiang Wan instructed someone to deliver it to the Prime Minister's residence.
Although Jiang Linyuan did not meet with her and made it clear that they should not have any contact before the end of the martial arts test, after that day, Jiang Wan sent medicinal tea, knee pads and other items to the Prime Minister's residence one after another, and he did not refuse them.
Compared to the previous policy of keeping people at arm's length, this is already a relief.
Jiang Wan's eyes gleamed slightly.
In her past life, she was unable to resolve her conflict with her father, which remained her regret.
Now, that day may not be far off.
Once the truth about my mother's past in Yuzhou is thoroughly investigated, everything will come to light.
In the blink of an eye, it had been three days since Gu Yurong returned to the mansion.
Although the punishments of the Censorate do not take lives, they are extremely torturous. Gu Yurong's health was damaged, and she lay in bed for three whole days after returning home.
That day, Jiang Wan went to Luhetang to pay her respects and happened to run into her.
"I heard that Yu'er, like Lin'er, has also made it to the final round of the martial arts test. Congratulations, sister."
Gu Yurong wore bright red lipstick, and despite the thick layer of makeup, her face still looked haggard.
She forced herself to be cheerful, and as she smiled, she revealed the gold-inlaid jade bracelet on her wrist, her movements slightly deliberate.
Jiang Wan glanced at her quietly, then suddenly smiled.
Gu Yurong preferred elegance and rarely wore gold or silver jewelry or dressed in a gaudy manner.
When a person needs to outwardly appear strong, it proves that she is already weak inside.
In her past life, Gu Yurong was like an elegant magnolia, yet she could decide her fate with a few words and a few laughs.
Looking at her today, her path has taken a very different turn.
"The final exam is just around the corner, little sister, please take good care of Lin-ge when you have time."
Jiang Wan glanced around and saw a carriage parked at the gate of the mansion. Song Lin's face appeared behind the curtain, looking very unwilling.
Are you going out?
Gu Yurong cleared her throat and said, "Lin'er is working too hard on his martial arts every day. I'm going to take him out for a walk and let him relax for half a day."
Gu Yurong had just returned to the manor and was not very clear about what had happened at the martial arts test, but she was happy that Song Lin had entered the final test.
Moreover, judging from Song Lin's reluctant appearance, he was most likely taken by Gu Yurong to find Bi Yuan to cultivate their father-son relationship.
Jiang Wan didn't point it out and turned back to Xingzhi Courtyard.
In the evening, Shen Ci, who had been inquiring about the news, returned.
"Madam, Gu and her son did indeed go to see Bi Yuan, but the conversation did not go well. It seems that Song Lin had a quarrel with them and ran out shortly afterward. Before returning to the mansion, he even went to Zuiyunlou to buy General Song's favorite Qiulu Bai wine. The two of them are drinking in the study now."
Jiang Wan was not surprised.
Song Lin believed that Song Ziyu had secured tremendous benefits for him, so he naturally felt even more resentful of Bi Yuan, his biological father.
The closer he was to Song Ziyu at that time, the more resentment he would feel upon learning the truth.
“I heard that Song Lin has been bragging to everyone that he’s about to attend classes at Chongwen Hall. Many sons of officials have already heard about it and are praising him for being both a scholar and a warrior.” Biluo pursed her lips. “When the list is announced… I feel embarrassed for him just thinking about it.”
Song Lin was concerned about saving face.
The grandest event in Beijing recently is the upcoming Spring Silkworm Ceremony.
Jiang Wan said quietly, "When he was at his most triumphant, he took a hard fall and only then did he know what pain was."
Only when the pain is real will the resentment towards Song Ziyu deepen, and the revenge become more frantic.
In the third month of the lunar calendar, the royal family held a silkworm-rearing ceremony in the tea fields.
The Empress personally led the concubines out of the palace, followed by the wives of marquises and high-ranking officials, as well as noble ladies, all in a grand procession.
This is the Queen's first public appearance since recovering from her illness.
Before this, there were many rumors about her illness, but now that she looks rosy-cheeked and as noble as ever, the rumors have been dispelled.
Although the Empress was unharmed, the two highest-ranking concubines in the harem were not doing so well.
Consort Rong is no longer mentioned; she remains confined to Hanshan Temple and is forbidden from returning to the palace.
Consort Yun also wore a worried expression. Pei Feng's punishment had angered the Emperor, and she was extremely troubled, having no desire to participate in the grand ceremony whatsoever.
However, given the rules of etiquette, she had no choice but to comply.
Consort Yun, holding a silver hook, followed behind the Empress to pick mulberry leaves, but her mind was elsewhere.
It wasn't until he saw Jiang Wan among the women that he perked up and took a few steps closer: "Madam Jiang, the medicine you sent to Xi'er is very effective, even faster than the one from the Imperial Hospital. Do you have any extra?"
Jiang Wan agreed, "I will send someone to deliver it to Your Highness tomorrow."
Unexpectedly, Consort Yun frowned and said, "Could you come in person to deliver it? Xi'er is feeling down and wants to talk to you."
Consort Yun used the excuse of needing medicine for her injuries to deliver a message, although she didn't know why Pei Xi insisted on seeing Jiang Wan.
She had been preoccupied with Pei Feng for several days and had no time to care about Pei Xi's feelings, so she let him be.
Jiang Wan understood the implication in her words and nodded in agreement.
Following the crowd a few steps forward, Jiang Wan saw that the area ahead was quite lively, with several noblewomen surrounding Gu Yurong, laughing and talking.
She went closer and listened for a few moments. It was nothing more than Gu Yurong boasting about Song Lin's performance in the martial arts exam, while also hinting at news from Chongwen Hall. Her expression was one of undisguised smugness.
Gu Yurong went to the Censorate and was afraid that others would look down on her, so she couldn't wait to tell them all the good news she had recently had to enhance her own image.
“Chongwen Hall? That’s not a place you can enter easily. Young Master Lin is truly blessed.”
"Indeed! With His Majesty's high regard, Young Master Lin is sure to have a bright future and a successful official career!"
"When you hold your school entrance banquet, be sure to send us an invitation. Don't forget, Mrs. Gu..."
Hearing the flattering words, Gu Yurong became even more smug.
Seeing Jiang Wan quietly picking mulberry leaves not far away, her eyes darkened. She walked closer as if by accident, and her hand holding the red basket trembled, causing all the muddy silkworm leaves to fall onto Jiang Wan.
"Oh dear, Sister Jiang, I'm so sorry."
Gu Yurong's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, attracted the attention of those around her.
When everyone looked over, they saw that Jiang Wan's dress was dirty, covered in mud and green leaves, and she looked rather disheveled.
Gu Yurong, dressed smartly, gave a smile that showed no remorse whatsoever: "I didn't mean it, don't mind it."
Seeing that Jiang Wan remained silent, she felt secretly pleased, assuming that Jiang Wan had also heard about Song Lin's great fortune and dared not provoke her as before.
Jiang Wan was of equal status to her and should have been on equal footing.
Now that Song Lin is about to enter Chongwen Hall, while Song Yu is still struggling in the military camp, the Dayong Dynasty has always valued literature over military affairs. Song Lin is superior to Song Yu, so Gu Yurong feels that her status is naturally higher than Jiang Wan's, and it is normal for her to be superior to her.
So she deliberately embarrassed Jiang Wan in front of everyone.
She did it so that outsiders could see that she was living a more glamorous life than Jiang Wan.
Unexpectedly, before he could enjoy his triumph for long, the Empress's voice came from behind.
"Mrs. Gu, what are you doing!"
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