This attack on the capital was a secret operation by the Donglai people.
Fortunately, Pei Xuan noticed something amiss, giving various parts of the capital time to prepare.
Emperor Jingyuan urgently summoned his ministers to the palace to discuss countermeasures. He also lifted the confinement of Pei Feng and Pei Xi, allowing them to follow the Imperial Guards to protect the palace.
"His Majesty."
Jiang Wan suddenly stepped forward and curtsied.
"Now that the palace is guarded by the Imperial Guards, it is the safest place in the entire capital. When you ministers are summoned to the palace, you are left with only your wives and children at home. If you are attacked, you may not be able to protect yourselves. It would be better to temporarily bring the wives of your families to the palace for refuge, so that the ministers can feel at ease."
The people of Donglai in the previous life did the same thing. Knowing that they could not attack the imperial city, they specifically targeted the residences of civil officials.
She vaguely heard that a woman had been kidnapped, and although she escaped and returned, she was too ashamed to face anyone and hanged herself.
Emperor Jingyuan immediately nodded: "Do as you say."
He then took Jiang Linyuan to the main hall for a meeting.
Pei Xuan followed, and before leaving, he raised his hand to summon a team of golden-armored guards, who were specially transferred from the Eastern Palace.
"Protect the Queen and the Princess."
He paused, glancing back.
"And Madam Jiang."
The guards responded and secured the rear hall with multiple layers of defense.
"Don't be afraid, Sister Jiang."
Pei Tang drew the soft sword from her waist, her youthful and beautiful face showing tension, but even more so, determination.
"The Imperial Guards are the strongest fighting force in the capital. Those Donglai people can't break in! Even if there's any danger, I'll protect you and Mother."
Jiang Wan smiled and patted her.
She knew the Donglai people wouldn't storm the palace, but she was worried about the innocent women and hoped they wouldn't suffer the same fate as in her previous life.
Fortunately, after about half an hour, the women entered the palace one after another.
The Empress arranged for them to stay in the adjacent Qiongguang Palace, leaving only a few female relatives of high-ranking officials to talk nearby.
Among them was the Sun family.
Unable to hide her fear, Madam Sun saw Jiang Wan as if she had seen a relative.
Perhaps because of Jiang Wan's calm and composed demeanor during their last encounter with bandits, she unconsciously moved closer.
“My husband has been summoned to the front hall. Fortunately, my sister is with me, which makes me feel a little more at ease.” Madam Sun looked uneasy and lowered her voice. “It’s already in chaos outside. They’re saying… that the people of Donglai have rebelled.”
Jiang Wan offered a few words of comfort, then looked at her and said, "Sister Sun doesn't look too well."
Mrs. Sun shook her head: "I have a very poor appetite these past few days and can't eat."
Just then, a eunuch passed by the gate and hurried toward the main hall.
They were very close to the main hall, and Jiang Wan vaguely heard the eunuch report that someone from the Armory had come to give a message.
Just then, the Empress summoned her: "In this sweltering heat, His Majesty must be feeling restless. Prepare some Longjing tea and send it to him."
Her two personal maids had gone to settle the women, and of all the people in the palace now, the one she trusted most was Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan agreed, and Madam Sun, not wanting to stay alone, went with her to prepare tea.
The two men were carrying tea and had just handed it to the eunuch in front of the emperor when they heard Emperor Jingyuan's angry shout coming from behind the door.
"The Ministry of Revenue allocated the funds long ago, so why is there a shortage of military equipment! What is the Ordnance Bureau doing?!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" The Director of the Arsenal hurriedly apologized, "The rest of the military equipment has been delivered to the armory, except for... except for the shortage of bows and crossbows..."
Emperor Jingyuan angrily asked, "Where is the supervisor of the crossbow workshop?"
When Song Lin was called upon, he knelt down on the ground with a thud, his face ashen.
As a low-ranking official of the eighth grade, he was not entitled to meet His Majesty by custom.
The streets and alleys suddenly became chaotic today, and the supervisor angrily dragged him to see the emperor. He already had a bad feeling.
But he never expected that he would be so unlucky!
The Great Yong Dynasty had been peaceful for more than ten years, so how come he was attacked by the Donglai people as soon as he misappropriated a sum of government funds?
What bad luck he's had!
"Your Majesty, I am guilty... no, I am innocent!" Song Lin's forehead was covered in sweat, and he couldn't help but turn to Minister Pan, hoping that he could say a few words to exonerate him.
"Young Master Song?" Emperor Jingyuan recognized Song Lin, his eyes widening slightly, his anger intensifying.
He still vividly remembered the incident of Song Lin insulting the late emperor's precious sword.
I never expected him to be so incompetent, daring to embezzle government funds from the Ordnance Bureau and delay important military supplies.
Emperor Jingyuan was furious about the Donglai incident, and Song Lin happened to be caught in the crossfire.
"How dare you! Drag him away..."
"Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Song Lin panicked and, disregarding everything else, slid down to Minister Pan's feet, pleading, "My lord, you're the one who sent me to the Ordnance Bureau, you can't just abandon me!"
Minister Pan rebuked him, "What you did has nothing to do with me!"
"You can't say that!" Song Lin's face flushed red as he pushed away the eunuch who tried to restrain him. "Now that things have come to this, what are you pretending to be honest about? Back then you accepted that..."
At that moment, the door was pushed open with a "bang," and Sun rushed straight in.
She moved so fast that Jiang Wan, who was standing next to her, didn't even have time to react.
For officials' families to force their way into the court during a period of political discussion is a serious offense.
In her impulsive act to protect Minister Pan's reputation, Madam Sun disregarded all consequences.
Jiang Wan had no choice but to follow them inside.
Lady Sun was already kneeling before Emperor Jingyuan: "Your Majesty, my husband has always been honest and upright. What Young Master Song said just now is..."
“That’s utter nonsense,” Jiang Wan suddenly interrupted.
“Even the sons of military officers can strive for a low-ranking official position, so how could it be considered bribery? Lin’er, admit your mistakes and stop making baseless accusations.”
Minister Pan stood aside with a sullen face, not uttering a word.
He originally planned to place Song Lin in the Military Equipment Bureau first, and if his character was acceptable, he would have many opportunities for promotion in the future.
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