Inside the palace.
The Empress is worried.
Last night, after Emperor Jingyuan retired for the night, she mentioned to Pei Xuan her idea of taking Jiang Wan as her goddaughter.
I thought Pei Xuan would definitely agree, after all, he and Jiang Wan had always gotten along well.
Unexpectedly, Pei Xuan refused outright.
He even said it wasn't appropriate and told her to give up the idea.
She couldn't understand it. For an ordinary noblewoman, being granted the title of Princess and becoming the Empress's adopted daughter was a blessing that even her ancestors couldn't obtain.
The General's Mansion is now in dire straits.
What could be more protective of Jiang Wan than the status of a princess?
The Empress sighed.
Although she wholeheartedly hoped to accept Jiang Wan, she still valued Pei Xuan's opinion.
My son has always been farsighted, perhaps because of his considerations regarding politics.
The Empress had no choice but to temporarily abandon her thoughts.
When his plan failed, he tried to compensate Jiang Wan in other ways.
As the Empress was pondering this matter, a palace maid suddenly came to report that a messenger from the General's Mansion had delivered a letter.
Judging from the handwriting, it was written by Jiang Wan herself, and the Empress hurriedly opened it to take a look.
Then, she let out a slow sigh.
“Ah Wan is a strong-willed child who never asks me for anything. Now that she has taken the initiative to send a letter, it seems that she has really encountered difficulties.”
The personal maid took the letter and quickly glanced at it.
It turned out that the General's Mansion was going to hold a banquet to confer titles on Song Yu, and Jiang Wan asked the Empress to select one of the princes and nobles to come to the mansion to help with the arrangements.
The old woman said, "In the capital, men and women have always been seated separately at grand banquets. With General Song in prison and Prince Yu having no other elders or brothers, it is indeed not proper for anyone to receive male guests in the front courtyard."
At that time, Song Yu will inevitably be looked down upon and gossiped about.
Jiang Wan must have considered this point before she spoke to the Empress.
The Empress said, "I must choose someone of noble status to keep Yu'er in check."
"How about we trouble Your Highness to make this trip?" the nanny asked.
If we're talking about prestige, no one among the nobles and relatives can compare to Pei Xuan.
The Empress shook her head: "Xuan'er's identity is special, and I'm afraid it will attract criticism."
There were suitable options for ordinary nobles, but she felt they weren't respectable enough.
The Empress read the letter again, pondered for a long time, and then went to the Qiankun Palace with two of her palace's head maids.
These two wet nurses were her wet nurses. Although they were servants, they were respected and represented the Empress's face.
Emperor Jingyuan was reviewing memorials when he heard the Empress mention the investiture banquet, at which point he stopped writing.
"I think that half of the General's mansion has been sealed off, and many servants have been imprisoned. It will be difficult to hold an investiture banquet at this time."
She said softly.
“A-Wan is strong-willed and never complains to others. However, her family has encountered a sudden change, and it must be very difficult for her to organize the banquet by herself. Not to mention that people always fawn over the powerful and look down on the weak. Seeing the Song family in decline and the absence of a man in charge of the front yard, she will inevitably suffer cold words and sarcastic remarks.”
When Emperor Jingyuan saw the two old women, he instantly understood what the Empress meant.
He was very satisfied with Song Yu.
Song Ziyu was not capable of great things, but the child he adopted was promising. At a young age, he inherited the loyalty and bravery of his military family.
Then I remembered seeing Jiang Wan yesterday; she did look unwell and tired.
"Virtue is complete."
Emperor Jingyuan summoned the eunuch who served him closely.
"Find a few capable eunuchs and have them go with the two matrons to the General's Mansion to prepare the investiture banquet for Madam Jiang."
"Remember, Song Yu's investiture banquet must be held according to the standards of a palace banquet. If there is any shortage, go directly to the Department of Internal Affairs to obtain the necessary funds. Make sure it is a grand affair."
He pondered for a moment, recalling the Empress's words.
The General's Mansion certainly needs someone in charge to host a banquet.
To show the Emperor's favor, sending a prince would be the most appropriate course of action.
After considering the princes in his mind, he said, "At dinner, have Pei Xi come over. I have something to tell him."
The Empress immediately understood.
Pei Xuan has a special status, Pei Jin's mother was demoted and is weak and taciturn, and Pei Feng is now even less likely to show his face.
Upon careful consideration, Pei Xi, being the son of the Imperial Concubine, is the most suitable candidate.
She smiled and said, "The Third Prince is indeed excellent; His Majesty's considerations are thorough."
Emperor Jingyuan nodded.
This arrangement is not entirely out of pity.
Jiang Wan sacrificed herself to shield him from disaster, and now her heroic act is being praised throughout the capital.
If the banquet she organizes fails to attract a crowd, people will inevitably gossip that the emperor is heartless.
Dequan was a confidant of Emperor Jingyuan, so he could naturally understand his deeper meaning.
They specially selected several eunuchs who were most favored by the emperor, and together with the empress's two wet nurses, they received gifts from the Directorate of Ceremonial and proceeded in a grand procession to the general's mansion.
This grand spectacle quickly spread throughout the entire palace.
Pei Xi also received the imperial decree very soon.
Hearing the eunuch's words, Pei Xi understood that Emperor Jingyuan wanted to send him to represent the royal family and support Song Yu.
After the eunuch left, he called out from behind the screen, and Song Lin hurriedly came out and knelt before him.
Pei Xi sat up slightly, inwardly marveling.
When Jiang Wan told him yesterday that Song Lin would come to see him, he didn't believe it.
Unexpectedly, Song Lin arrived at the door early this morning, requesting an audience with great respect.
Her words were a constant probe into her mother's intentions, just as Jiang Wan had predicted.
"Song Lin, I understand your purpose. You just want me to plead for you in front of my mother and say a good word for you."
Pei Xi took a sip of tea and said leisurely.
"You should know that the General's Mansion is no longer of any use to you, so why should I, the prince, help you?"
He blinked and chuckled meaningfully.
"Young Master Song, when you ask someone to do something, shouldn't you at least show some sincerity first?"
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