Aru and Jiang Wan entered the next room one after the other.
Jiang Wan pressed her forehead, looking like she was drunk.
Aru helped her lie down on the soft couch and tucked her in.
Jiang Wan closed her eyes, her breathing steady, as if she were already asleep.
Aru whispered "Madam," but Jiang Wan did not respond.
She then got up, tiptoed to the incense burner, lit a candle, and quickly left the room, making sure to gently close the door behind her.
At the banquet, everyone was clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.
Aru approached and quietly nodded to Song Tingyue.
Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he sat down next to Gu Yurong and whispered, "Madam Gu, I've finished everything. As for the Nine Treasures Pill..."
"Don't worry, would I go back on my word?"
Gu Yurong pretended to be deep in thought and slipped something under the table into Aru's hand.
Aru accepted the glass, a light smile appearing on her face. She personally poured Gu Yurong a glass of wine and held it up to him, saying, "Thank you, Madam."
Seeing her like this, Gu Yurong couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
What an idiot.
The box contained not some miraculous medicine for fertility, but safflower pills.
Safflower is extremely harmful to a woman's health; after consuming it, Aunt Ru will never be able to conceive again.
She searched the entire capital for a miraculous medicine like the Nine Treasures Pill but could not find it.
Otherwise, she would have used it herself long ago, and it wouldn't have been up to that bitch Aru.
Gu Yurong was certain that Aru was ignorant and didn't recognize the Nine Treasures Pill at all.
This was a scam she set up by taking advantage of the other person's eagerness to have a child.
Sure enough, judging from Aru's smug look, she was completely unaware.
A look of disdain crossed Gu Yurong's mind.
Someone like that doesn't even dare to fight her.
She smiled insincerely, drank the wine that Aru handed her, and then glanced around the table.
Pei Feng was looking at Song Tingyue with concern.
"This is the bird's nest that was offered as tribute this year. Take it back and cook it with milk. It's very nourishing."
"Also, I asked my father to send an old nanny to the General's Mansion. She has served many empresses during childbirth. With her serving you, she will surely keep you safe."
Gu Yurong frowned and secretly glanced at Song Ziyu.
Sure enough, his expression was not friendly.
Everyone knows that Song Tingyue is on good terms with several princes, but the eldest prince... is being a bit too attentive.
They didn't even bother to avoid suspicion.
No wonder Song Ziyu's face turned cold.
“It’s been so long, and A-Wan still hasn’t come back. I’ll go check on her,” Song Tingyue suddenly said.
Song Ziyu said irritably, "There's no need. She's a grown woman, how could she possibly get lost?"
"I just gave the red-tasseled spear to Lin'er. I'm afraid A-Wan is angry with me. I'll go and coax her."
A hint of guilt flashed in Song Tingyue's eyes.
Pei Feng said unhappily, "Is it her place to interfere with your decision?"
Gu Yurong shook her head and sighed: "Your Highness doesn't know, Sister Jiang has a bad temper... She'll hit people when she's angry. My second sister was pushed into the lake by her before and almost drowned."
Pei Feng snorted coldly.
On Qiyun Mountain, he had witnessed Jiang Wan's audacity firsthand and knew how crazy she was.
He glanced at Song Tingyue.
"You'd better not go, what if she..."
"It's okay, I believe A-Wan is kind-hearted and won't hurt me."
Song Tingyue revealed a gentle smile.
"I'll go apologize to Awan and wake her up while I'm at it."
"Fireworks will be set off on Jade Liquid Lake soon. It's a once-a-year spectacle, and it would be a shame to miss it."
Gu Yurong followed: "Princess, I'll go with you."
Pei Xi watched the two figures as they walked away, his brows furrowed tightly.
He found Song Tingyue's smile strange, just like it was on Qiyun Mountain.
He hesitated for a moment, then secretly followed them.
The room next door was dimly lit.
When Song Tingyue and her companion pushed open the door, they saw a figure lying on the bed.
Her long hair was draped to one side, and she wore a light blue jacket and skirt.
Song Tingyue turned around and said to the maid beside her, "Go change your clothes."
The maid opened the bundle, and inside was an identical dress.
The maid was specially chosen; her figure was extremely similar to Jiang Wan's. After changing her clothes, she secretly hid in the side room.
Pei Xi, who had followed them, saw all of this clearly.
Song Tingyue calculated the time, sat down in front of the couch, and gently rocked Jiang Wan.
"A-Wan, wake up."
At this moment, in a private room on the first floor of Wangyue Tower.
Pei Xuan was sitting opposite a man whose face was covered by a veil, and the guard behind him was holding a blue-eyed cat.
The cat meowed excitedly.
Soon, it broke free from the guard and happily jumped into the veiled woman's arms, nuzzling its little head against her hand.
Pei Xuan's eyes widened in surprise, then a hint of joy appeared.
"This little thing has indeed chosen its master."
He poured himself a glass of wine.
"I never imagined that it would be a year before we met again after our last parting."
"Qingwu, are you alright?"
Pei Xuan gazed intently at the person before him, a gentle, yet genuine smile playing on his lips.
"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern."
Qingwu took a sip of wine, her voice slightly hoarse.
“At this time of year, we watched the first snow fall together on Linglong Mountain. You said you only wished to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the world and live a carefree life.”
Pei Xuan lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.
"Unexpectedly, in the past six months, the name Linglong Pavilion has frequently appeared in the capital, and now it has become an imperial merchant."
"Where the powerful gather, there lies trouble. You are far removed from the world, why should you meddle in this murky water?"
Qingwu remained silent for a moment.
"You know that was in the past."
"Now I think that pursuing fame and fortune doesn't seem so bad."
Pei Xuan sighed, "You know perfectly well that's not what I meant."
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