They walked and stayed in the courtyard.
Jiang Wan had Biluo prepare some silver and a bundle, and then saw Jingchun off.
After Song Yu returned to the manor that day, he met with Jing Chun, but it is unknown what they talked about.
The usually lively Jing Chun became quiet and reserved, appearing much more composed. After accepting the bundle, she thanked Jiang Wan gently.
"Don't worry, Madam. I will live in seclusion outside the city and will not show my face in public to cause trouble for you and the young master."
Jiang Wan said, "If you encounter any difficulties, just send a letter to the owner of Qi Shunzhai, and he will take care of you."
Jing Chun nodded: "Thank you, Madam. The young master said he would take care of my father and brothers at home, so I have nothing to worry about."
She lowered her head slightly, looking completely different from the cheerful person she was when she left the palace.
Jing Chun was still young, innocent and loyal, and Jiang Wan admired her greatly.
She watched Jingchun's retreating figure. Before leaving, the little maidservant turned back to look at Song Yu's courtyard several times, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
Jiang Wan sighed and called out to her.
"You'll be staying outside the city for at least a year. What are your plans?"
Jingchun didn't understand what Jiang Wan meant and thought she was concerned about her, so she said, "This servant has no other skills, but I am physically strong. I have learned some kung fu from my brother, so even if I live in seclusion in the mountains, I can survive by hunting birds. Madam, you don't need to worry."
Biluo couldn't help but laugh out loud: "How could you be so down on your luck? The silver in your bag is enough for you to live comfortably for several years."
Jiang Wan also arched her eyebrows.
"Jingchun, it's good that you know how to be self-reliant."
“You are young and should not waste this year. If you don’t mind the hard work, I have a place where you can stay. There are many martial arts masters there who can teach you martial arts.”
She looked at Jing Chun.
"If you go there, you must be able to endure hardship and abide by the rules there. You must not be tempted by leisure."
Jing Chun's eyes lit up, and without thinking, she immediately nodded and said, "This servant is willing! This servant wants to learn martial arts and is not afraid of hard work!"
Jiang Wan nodded.
Biluo immediately understood and arranged for someone to take Jingchun away. They didn't return to the courtyard until the afternoon.
"Madam, someone has already taken Jingchun to the pavilion."
“He’s a promising talent. Let Shi Xu personally mentor him,” Jiang Wan said while reading. “Remember, don’t force him. If Jing Chun is unwilling, send him out properly.”
"Don't worry, Madam."
Biluo responded and then said.
“Guard Shen followed Song Lin for two days and has now returned to his residence. He is requesting an audience outside the courtyard.”
Jiang Wan put down her book: "Let him in."
Dressed in black, Shen Ci strode into the room and whispered, "Song Lin brought out a secret letter from prison. We don't know what it says, but after resting at home for a while, he went to the Teng residence."
Jiang Wan was surprised: "Elder Teng?"
Teng Ge Lao can be considered Song Lin's mentor, as he once studied under the Teng family.
Naturally, the reason the Teng family was willing to take him in back then was because of their long-standing friendship with the Song family. However, the two families had no contact after Yuan and Song Ziyu were imprisoned.
Teng Ge Lao was already quite old and had long since stopped paying attention to matters of the court.
Moreover, given the current situation of the General's Mansion, no official family would want to be associated with it.
Jiang Wan smiled faintly: "It seems that the Yuan family did indeed offer him a good price."
"Song Lin is probably about to rise to prominence; keep a close eye on him these next two days."
She guessed correctly.
The next day, news came from the imperial court.
Teng Ge Lao, who had been living in the mansion for a long time, suddenly entered the palace to pay his respects and even personally requested an official position as the commander of the Five Cities Military Command for Song Lin.
Although it was only a sixth-rank military officer position, it was already a rare opportunity for Song Lin at this point.
"His Majesty clearly dislikes Song Lin, yet he still granted him an official position!" Biluo said indignantly. "Now the Gu family will be smug again!"
Jiang Wan's expression remained calm and unmoved.
"Grand Secretary Teng served two emperors and was a trusted minister of the late emperor. Since he personally came to the emperor's court, His Majesty must give him some face."
Perhaps this is why Song Lin was willing to join forces with the Yuan family.
Having lost Bi Yuan as his support, Song Lin was tempted by the offer from the Yuan family to hold a position in the court.
In this way, Song Lin would no longer be afraid of Song Ziyu's release from prison.
Even if he were to fall out with Song Ziyu again in the future, he and the Gu family would still have a foothold in the capital.
If he achieves military merits in the future and is promoted to general, he will have a bright future.
Thinking of this, Biluo was furious. She turned her head and saw Jiang Wan still leisurely warming herself by the fire, and couldn't help but say something.
"Madam, please think of a solution quickly."
Cai Die added, "That's right. I just heard in the front yard that Madam Gu is already inquiring about buying a house. Once Young Master Lin's appointment is finalized, the two of them may have to set up their own household. At that time, it will be too late to help them do anything."
"It's alright."
Jiang Wan raised her eyes, "I'm afraid there are people who are even more anxious than us right now."
"Cai Die, call Zhu Ying from Aunt Ru's courtyard. I have something to tell her."
The butterfly nodded hurriedly and left.
Jiang Wan stared at the leaping flames, her mind wandering slightly.
"Is Madam worried about that secret letter?" Biluo asked anxiously. "If all else fails, have Guard Shen tie up Madam Gu and her son, torture them, and then they'll get all the secrets out of them."
Jiang Wan chuckled and shook her head, saying, "I'm wondering why Elder Teng would step in to help at this time."
“Although Grand Secretary Teng is a civil official, he has a deep friendship with General Song. I heard that the two even worked together in another place for a period of time,” Biluo said. “Perhaps it was because of General Song that he was willing to help Song Lin.”
"Is that all?" Jiang Wan asked softly.
Many families have connections with the Song family, but now they are afraid of being implicated and are trying to avoid them at all costs.
Why the Teng family of all?
She pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You just said that the two of you worked together. Where was that?"
Biluo frowned, deep in thought.
Shen Ci, who was standing nearby, suddenly interjected, "I have vaguely heard people mention this matter before; it seems to have happened in Youzhou."
Jiang Wan opened her eyes slightly.
Youzhou.
It's Youzhou again.
"Back then, before the Miao region was subdued, His Majesty ordered General Song to take a civil official to garrison Youzhou to discuss the matter of attacking the Miao region. That civil official should be Grand Secretary Teng."
Shen Ci said.
"The two, one a scholar and the other a warrior, got along very well during their time in Youzhou. However, after the victory and General Song's triumphant return to the capital, Grand Secretary Teng rarely saw him again. Even the daily interactions between the two households were handled by the matriarch of the Yuan family."
"How could this be?" Biluo asked. "Did the two of them have some kind of conflict?"
"That's the only explanation." Jiang Wan narrowed her eyes and said softly, "Moreover, this matter is most likely related to the Yuan family."
With all the clues pointing to Youzhou, it's hard not to have something to think about.
That night, Jiang Wan went to bed early.
Thinking of Youzhou and his mother, he tossed and turned in bed.
Suddenly, a light tap came from the window sash, like the sound of a stone hitting the window paper.
Jiang Wan became alert and immediately sat up.
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