Upon hearing this, Zhuque took out a drawing from his sleeve, which was the one Jiang Wan had drawn herself.
She has been carrying the blueprints with her at all times these past two days, taking them out to study whenever she has a spare moment, but she still hasn't found a clue.
She could easily manipulate ordinary mechanisms, but this one involved witchcraft, which she didn't understand very well.
"Is this important to the Pavilion Master?" she asked.
“It’s very important.” Jiang Wan lowered her eyes. “It may involve the cause of my mother’s death.”
Zhuque was surprised, and her expression became more serious.
“When my husband was murdered, if it weren’t for the Lord’s intervention, I would have been sold into a brothel by my clan long ago. Since you have given me your orders, I will do my best to fulfill them.”
At worst, I can just make a trip to Youzhou.
Youzhou borders the Miao region, so we should be able to find out something useful.
But in that case, there might not be enough time…
As she was frowning in deep thought, the curtain was lifted and two figures walked in.
Zhuque immediately put away the blueprints and bowed to the man in purple robes and a golden crown in front of him, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Pei Xuan was followed by a man in black robes. He looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with bright eyes and a lively demeanor. His name was Shuangbai.
He glanced at Suzaku and stammered, "No way, it's actually a woman?"
He assumed that the person who could set up such a mysterious mechanism on the red jade must be a highly experienced master.
To my utter surprise, she was such a young woman, looking only two or three years older than me.
"What, you look down on women?" Zhuque narrowed her eyes, her tone tinged with displeasure.
Shuangbai chuckled, "No, no, I just didn't expect you to be so skillful and beautiful."
…He's just a bit fierce.
Pei Xuan retorted, "Frosty White."
Shuangbai immediately dropped her playful expression and sat down obediently: "I am very interested in the mechanism on the Crimson Jade. I wonder if you could explain it to me?"
Zhuque looked at Jiang Wan and saw her nod slightly before picking up the brush and ink on the table and starting to draw in detail with Shuangbai.
The two of them engaged in deep conversation, while Pei Xuan and Jiang Wan waited and drank tea nearby.
"Is Song Yu still in the military camp?" Pei Xuan suddenly asked.
Jiang Wan nodded: "The Minister of War has been very busy these past two days discussing military reforms with him."
“He is indeed a promising military general.” Pei Xuan smiled. “Song Yu won first place in the martial arts examination. Before the court has even issued his appointment, he has also made meritorious contributions in defending the city. The Emperor plans to appoint him as the heir of the General’s Mansion and bestow upon him the title of General Yunhui at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.”
Jiang Wan paused in her tea-drinking motion, quite surprised.
The title of General of the Cloud Banner, a fourth-rank official position, was already an immense imperial favor for the still young Song Yu.
More importantly, with the rank of general, Song Yu could remain in the Song family army, continue to lead troops, and strengthen his power base.
Emperor Jingyuan's arrangement already indicated his intention to relinquish military power.
Although she hoped that Song Yu would take over the Song family army as soon as possible, she also knew that the emperor was suspicious. She thought that Song Yu would be assigned to the Ministry of War to gain experience and be observed first.
Unexpectedly, things progressed much faster than she had anticipated.
She looked at Pei Xuan: "Was it Your Highness who fought for him before the Emperor?"
"Song Yu is a young talent, worthy of the position of General Yunhui."
A gentle autumn breeze stirred as Pei Xuan lightly waved his folding fan, his slightly upturned phoenix eyes seeming to hold a profound meaning.
"Besides, once Song Yu is settled, you can also resolve your own issues sooner."
"My business?" Jiang Wan was slightly taken aback.
Aside from divorcing Song Ziyu, what other important things did she have to do?
Remembering her promise to Pei Xuan, she understood and smiled, "Your Highness, rest assured, I have not forgotten my promise. You helped Yu'er become the heir apparent, and from now on, the Song family army will be your support. In terms of military power, you have already far surpassed the other three princes."
Pei Xuan gave her a wry smile but offered no explanation.
"With the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review under investigation, Father will soon discover Pei Jin's involvement. His secret dealings with the Donglai tribe over the years will soon be exposed."
“Pei Feng acts impulsively and has done many inappropriate things in the past. He still has a scar on his face, so it will be difficult for him to turn things around. He has already given up on himself.”
Jiang Wan thought for a moment and asked, "How is the Third Prince these days?"
"Just like always, eating, drinking, and having fun," Pei Xuan said. "Do you think Pei Xi will participate in the struggle for the throne?"
“Just because he has no desire to seize power doesn’t mean others don’t,” Jiang Wan said. “I discovered earlier that the Gu family and Consort Yun have been secretly communicating. Consort Yun is ambitious, and if she sees that Pei Feng has no hope, she might put her hopes on Pei Xi.”
Pei Xuan understood: "I will remind the Empress Dowager to keep an eye on Consort Yun."
When the Empress was mentioned, Jiang Wan couldn't help but think of Guo Wanqiu.
The Empress had finally found a suitable Crown Princess, but now that the marriage had fallen through, she must be feeling disappointed.
Although Guo Wanqiu has character flaws, she was once the Empress's favored daughter-in-law, and since this matter arose because of her, she should personally explain the cause and effect to the Empress.
"How is Your Highness these days? I will visit the palace to pay my respects to her when I have some free time another day."
Sure enough, Pei Xuan said, "After Grand Secretary Guo's birthday banquet, Madam Guo came three times with her daughter, crying incessantly. The Empress Dowager was too lazy to see her, so she said she was not feeling well and that there was no rush to pay her respects."
"The person in a hurry has something else on their mind."
As he spoke, he pulled something out of his sleeve.
"Please trouble Madam Jiang to give this item to Qingwu."
Jiang Wan paused for a moment, then did not immediately go to answer it.
Pei Xuan smiled and explained, "What, is it inconvenient? This Miss Zhuque is from Linglong Pavilion, right? I just saw that Madam Jiang has close ties with Linglong Pavilion and wanted to ask you for a small favor. If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
"There's nothing inconvenient about it."
Jiang Wan shook her head and took the exquisite wooden box from his hand. "What is this?"
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