There were servants guarding the gate outside the courtyard, and Biluo was on night watch.
Biluo's martial arts skills are quite impressive. Anyone who can get close to her boudoir under her nose must be more skilled than her and should not be underestimated.
Jiang Wan took out the dagger from under her pillow and quietly got out of bed.
Just as my hand touched the doorknob, the door suddenly opened from the outside.
Jiang Wan held her breath, only to see Biluo's head peek in.
"Oh, Madam, you're awake?"
Biluo whispered.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived and is currently in the courtyard."
Pei Xuan?
Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned again.
What is he doing here so late?
She wrapped herself in a rabbit fur cloak and, as expected, found Pei Xuan sitting in the corridor, playing with pebbles in his hand, his phoenix eyes looking at her with a half-smile.
"Your Highness, what brings you here so late at night?"
“There is indeed something going on,” Pei Xuan said, “but it’s not me, it’s him.”
He was followed by two attendants, and upon hearing this, one of them stepped forward and stood up.
"Greetings, Madam Jiang. I apologize for the late hour."
Jiang Wan recognized him at a glance; it was Shuangbai, whom she hadn't seen for many days.
She frowned slightly.
In the past, during her leisure time, Zhuque would come to pay her respects every few days and take the opportunity to tell her about her progress in researching Gu techniques.
It's been several days since I last heard from her.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Wan roughly guessed what it was about.
Sure enough, Shuangbai smiled and said, "Madam, I wish to take Zhuque back to Youzhou to see my parents and brothers, so I have come to ask for your permission."
Jiang Wan asked, "Did Zhuque agree?"
Shuangbai nodded happily: "Your subordinate and Zhuque have already made arrangements. As long as you give your approval, we can set off tomorrow."
Jiang Wan remained silent for a moment.
"It's good that Zhuque has agreed."
She hadn't thought much of the two before, but Shuangbai was too young and immature, and she was afraid that Zhuque would suffer if he got carried away by passion. That's why she deliberately tried to stop them.
Now that the two have reconciled, she hopes to see Zhuque happy.
Shuangbai scratched his head and said with a smile, "Zhuque said that you are her closest friend. I must tell you this good news in person."
Jiang Wan hummed in agreement and gave him a serious look: "Treat her well."
"Although Zhuque has no maternal family, she is like a sister to me. If you dare to betray her, I will definitely seek justice for her."
Shuangbai said solemnly, "Don't worry, Madam."
"Youzhou is a long way, please be careful on your journey," Jiang Wan said, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Are we setting off tomorrow?"
"Yes," Shuangbai said. "His Highness has made arrangements for us. We will travel to Youzhou by fast horse."
Jiang Wan frowned and looked at Pei Xuan.
She was just worried about not having any reliable people to send to Youzhou when Shuangbai arrived.
Moreover, Suzaku has been his friend for many years and is someone he can entrust with secrets to, making him the most suitable candidate.
Is it really such a coincidence?
"If it's convenient, I have something I'd like to ask you for a favor," Jiang Wan said.
Shuangbai immediately agreed, without even asking what it was about: "If Madam needs anything, please give your instructions."
Jiang Wan invited the group into the room and told Shuangbai about Yuan Shi and her mother. She also mentioned the connection between Grand Secretary Teng and General Song. Shuangbai listened attentively and took notes.
"Madam, rest assured. I am from Youzhou and am very familiar with that area. I also know several local elders who experienced the Miao War. They must have some recollection of these events. I will investigate this matter for you as soon as possible."
"Thank you very much," Jiang Wan said sincerely.
Shuangbai said apologetically, "Madam, you are too kind. You are a friend of Zhuque, and also His Highness... This is nothing, there is no need for thanks."
He immediately composed himself after being given a blank glance by Pei Xuan.
"Time is of the essence, I must go back and prepare."
With that, he dashed out of the courtyard gate.
The other person following behind Pei Xuan was A Si, who had a stern face and would occasionally glance at Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan looked up at him, but he quickly looked away, as if afraid that she would assign him some task again.
Jiang Wanxin found it amusing and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
“A-Si has worked hard infiltrating the Ji residence, and I haven’t thanked him yet.” She asked, “Has His Highness rewarded him?”
Pei Xuan replied, "He is merely making amends for his mistakes; why should he be rewarded?"
He turned his head and his gaze fell on Jiang Wan.
"Grand Secretary Teng went to the palace today to seek an official position for Song Lin. I went out of the city to train the troops today and only returned in the evening. That's when I heard about this."
Jiang Wan looked at him in surprise: "Your Highness came here so late at night just for this matter?"
Pei Xuan did not deny it, and said calmly, "This matter is indeed unexpected. Although my father has granted the appointment, I have many acquaintances in the Military Affairs Department. If you do not want him to take the position of commander, you still have many means to use."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Jiang Wan declined softly.
"You don't need to take action for now; I have a way to handle this."
Moreover, Song Lin's matter has no direct interest in Pei Xuan, so there's no reason for him to ask him for everything.
Pei Xuan asked curiously, "Now that things have come to this, what can you do?"
“Song Lin is eager for promotion, but he doesn’t know what speculations his actions will provoke in the eyes of others.” Jiang Wan chuckled. “There are people who are even more anxious about this than we are.”
In the west of the city, in a two-courtyard house.
Bi Yuan was sitting at the table, his face filled with worry.
Several plates of food were laid out on the table, but he showed no interest whatsoever, frequently glancing towards the courtyard gate as if waiting for someone.
"Young Master Bi."
A soft call suddenly came from outside the door.
Bi Yuan ran quickly to the door, opened it to let the person in, and then carefully looked around to make sure no one was following before closing the gate.
He turned to the maid who had just entered: "Zhuying, how is it? Have you found out any news?"
It was early winter and cold. Zhu Ying rubbed her hands together, and when she spoke, a puff of white breath came out.
“Young Master, is what you heard true? Young Master Lin is really going to be promoted to a high-ranking official.” She said, “Everyone in the General’s Mansion is saying it. His Majesty personally appointed him as a Commander, a sixth-rank official position. How prestigious! Madam Gu has already found someone to buy a new house so she can move out with him!”
Bi Yuan paused, somewhat incredulous: "Why would His Majesty suddenly promote him?"
Zhu Ying took two steps into the house and whispered, "Everyone says that this is a favor bestowed by His Majesty upon the descendants of the General's family, but I specifically sent someone to inquire, and this official position was obtained by General Song on behalf of Young Master Lin."
"What, Song Ziyu?" Bi Yuan exclaimed in surprise.
How could this be? Yu Rong clearly said that Song Ziyu had fallen out with her and her son.
“Is this even true?” Zhu Ying said. “I heard that a few days ago, General Song in prison sent a message to Young Master Lin, seemingly asking him to do something. Now that the matter has been accomplished, General Song is naturally going to give him a reward. Many people saw the prison guard from the Ministry of Justice when he came to the general’s mansion.”
Bi Yuan immediately thought of the assassination attempt on him.
He gasped, his face turning deathly pale.
Could it be that Song Lin traded his life for this official position?
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