Song Yu frowned.
The eunuch who came to deliver the message was Zhang Gonggong, who had served in the palace for many years and was very perceptive.
Looking around and seeing no one, Eunuch Zhang whispered, "It's... Madam Zhou from the manor, she's been captured by the Donglai people!"
The Donglai people employed a coordinated attack from within and without. A portion of the attackers outside the city were stopped by Song Yu, but the Donglai people who had infiltrated the city beforehand could not be captured all at once.
Originally, the patrol battalion was responsible for searching the city, but later the situation at the city gates became critical, and Pei Xuan ordered that manpower be transferred to help Song Yu, which gave the people of Donglai in the capital an opportunity to act.
Just like in their previous lives, they broke into the residences of officials everywhere and caused chaos.
But today, at Jiang Wan's suggestion, most of the women were brought into the palace by the Empress, so most of the Donglai people came up empty-handed.
"Her Majesty the Empress ordered the people from the General's Mansion to be brought into the palace. Madam Yuan also entered Qiongguang Hall long ago. As for Madam Zhou, perhaps due to the chaotic situation, she got separated and caused this trouble!"
Song Yu asked, "Still no news?"
Eunuch Zhang wiped his sweat: "The patrol battalion has already searched the entire city. Don't worry, I'll go and inform the others in the manor right away."
Only after speaking did he realize that the young man in front of him had a stern face, showing no sign of impatience, but only a furrowed brow, as if he were thinking about something.
Finally, Song Yu said, "Father-in-law, please forgive me. My great-grandmother is very old. Today, my father and aunt were imprisoned. She has suffered one blow after another and I'm afraid she can't bear it. Please don't let her know about this for now."
Eunuch Zhang paused, then nodded repeatedly: "Young Master is indeed very thoughtful. Then this servant will go and inform Madam Jiang. After all, this matter... it wouldn't sound good if it got out. Someone in the household has to make the decision."
Song Yu nodded, turned and walked towards the main hall to report back to Emperor Jingyuan.
Eunuch Zhang bowed respectfully as he saw him off, only slowly raising his head after his figure disappeared on the stone steps.
The apprentice, Xia Zi, who was following behind, asked in confusion: "The General's Mansion has caused such a big disaster, which may implicate the entire family. Why is Master so respectful to the Song family?"
"You fool!"
Eunuch Zhang slapped him on the head.
"The trouble was caused by General Chengping and Princess Anyang. What does it have to do with anyone else? Not to mention this Young Master Song, who has made a great contribution today."
He narrowed his eyes, pondering the meaning behind Song Yu's words.
There were rumors outside the palace that the matriarch of the Yuan family was not close to Song Yu, and now it seems that there are indeed undercurrents between the two.
"It seems that things are about to change in this general's mansion."
General Song was imprisoned, but Song Yuyan was about to become a favorite of the emperor.
Those who act as lackeys don't mind taking the opportunity to curry favor.
Eunuch Zhang gave a wink: "Do as Young Master Song says, and tell the others not to leak this matter out!"
Xiazi hurried over and personally told Jiang Wan the news.
Hearing him vaguely mention Song Yu's instructions, her lowered eyes flickered slightly, and she raised her hand to let Biluo give her a reward.
Xiazi knew she had done the right thing and left happily.
Jiang Wan then raised her head, her expression slightly serious: "Biluo, have our people search for the Zhou family in the city, and also search in remote and deserted areas."
Biluo asked, "What does Madam mean...?"
“The Donglai people’s operation failed, and now they can’t even protect themselves. What use is it to capture a noblewoman and keep her by their side?” Jiang Wan said.
It's getting late, so Zhou must either have been murdered or he's hiding.
If he had been murdered, the patrol battalion should have discovered the body by now.
There's still no news; Zhou is probably hiding somewhere.
As for why she didn't show up...
Jiang Wan's eyes flickered slightly.
The Empress sent a carriage to the General's Mansion to pick her up. There were only two female relatives in the mansion, the Old Madam and Madam Zhou. How could she have been left behind?
There might be some hidden story.
Perhaps the answer will be found once the Zhou family is located.
The chaos in the city had subsided, and it was getting late. The women in the palace gradually left. Jiang Wan spoke with the Empress for a while before heading to Qiongguang Palace.
The matriarch was carried out in a sedan chair.
When she heard that Song Tingyue and Song Ziyu had gotten into a big mess, she almost fainted. The women in the family helped her by giving her two heart-protecting pills, which saved her.
"Grandmother, please take care."
Jiang Wan lifted the sedan curtain and looked at the old lady's lifeless face.
"The general and the princess have committed capital offenses. If something happens to you, who can they rely on?"
The matriarch, furious, opened her cloudy eyes and exclaimed, "Ziyu and Yue'er are innocent! They have been framed! His Majesty will clear their names!"
She breathed heavily for a few moments, her vicious gaze fixed on Jiang Wan.
"It's not them who deserve to die, it's the bastards who harmed them!"
"Perhaps."
Jiang Wan sighed softly.
"But at this time of year, the prison is filthy and plagued by outbreaks of rats. I wonder how many days the princess's delicate body can hold out."
Meeting the angry gaze of the matriarch, she smiled.
"But don't worry, I will tell my uncle that I will take good care of them."
"You! You dare..." The matriarch gasped, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
The old nanny beside her was shocked and cried out, "Something terrible has happened! The old lady has fainted!"
Jiang Wan glanced at it, her eyes icy cold, and lightly closed the sedan curtain.
"Let's go back to the manor."
Emperor Jingyuan, mindful of past relationships, did not implicate the elderly Lady Yuan, despite the grave mistake made by Song Ziyu and her brother. That very night, he dispatched an imperial physician to treat her.
However, even the best medicine cannot cure a heart ailment.
I heard that the old lady's condition was critical that night, and it was only by the three imperial physicians using strong medicine that her life was saved.
Upon hearing the news, Cai Die couldn't help but ask, "Madam, the Elder Madam wouldn't want..."
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