The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 909 - 864: Eavesdropping (Part 2)

The time to go to Hot Spring Manor is set for tomorrow, Wen Wan mentioned this to Su Qing and Song Wei when she returned to Ganquan Palace.

Su Qing frowned, "Is the Commandery Princess going alone?"

Wen Wan nodded, "That’s what the Imperial Concubine said, only allowing me to accompany Amuer to Hot Spring Manor."

"Something’s not right." Song Wei, who had been silent all the way, suddenly spoke.

Su Qing glanced at him, "What’s not right?"

Song Wei’s voice was so low it was almost inaudible, "Just received news, the Imperial Concubine’s three hundred thousand army is secretly gathering. Her leaving the palace tomorrow shouldn’t just be for relaxation at the manor, there might be another purpose."

Su Qing looked surprised, "Where did you get this news?"

Wen Wan also wanted to ask.

Back then it was Song Wei who suggested Zhao Xi recruit Yun Huai’s Sky Eagle Guard, and very few know about them. Song Wei is one of them, and now Sky Eagle Guard is scattered around Yanjing City, including the Imperial Palace. Zhao Xi likely informed them in advance to connect with the house servants around the Commandery Princess. Previously, when Wen Wan went to meet the Imperial Concubine, there was a secret line transmitting the news to Song Wei.

Of course, Song Wei could never disclose this insider information to Su Qing, given his current identity, and it’s even more inconvenient to tell Wen Wan. He simply lowered his eyes and said, "The information is reliable, it won’t be wrong."

Wen Wan naturally trusted Song Wei’s words and was quite surprised, "Is the Imperial Concubine... attempting a rebellion?"

Song Wei shook his head, "If she wanted to rebel, twenty years ago when she led three hundred thousand troops into Yanjing City, they would not have saved Emperor Yan and the citizens of Yanjing, but seized Yanjing and ascended the throne."

"That’s reasonable." Su Qing nodded in agreement, "But if not for rebellion, why does she need to gather an army?"

"Could it be related to Amuer?" Wen Wan remembered that all of Li Yuan’s disturbances seemed to start from the exposure of Amuer’s presence in the Su Family.

"Regardless of the reason, all the mysteries will be revealed tomorrow." Song Wei said, "Mr. Su and I can’t go, the Commandery Princess must be cautious."

Wen Wan’s expression turned serious, "I understand."

As she went back to her room to pack, Su Qing smiled faintly at Song Wei, raising an eyebrow, "Is Lord Emperor’s Tutor being here a secret arrangement by Your Majesty?"

Song Wei chuckled, "So Mr. Qi had figured me out early on."

Su Qing said, "The Commandery Princess is not the kind of person the rumors suggest. Coming to Bei Yan, she didn’t bring a maid yet was willing to bring you. It’s clear you are not an ordinary house servant from the Marquis Mansion. Before, when you disguised, your voice was deliberately altered. I wasn’t certain then, but just now, I confirmed your identity."

Having his identity exposed, Song Wei showed no change. He believed Su Qing was a smart man, "Minister Xue and the others likely don’t know my identity. I hope Mr. Qi can help keep it a secret."

Su Qing took a sip of tea, "Openly sending the Commandery Princess to Bei Yan, secretly allowing Lord Emperor’s Tutor to accompany. Your Majesty’s move is truly unexpected."

Perhaps Minister Xue and others, even the court officials far in Chu Country, all believe Song Wei is in Ningzhou mourning. Who would think that he accompanies his wife to Bei Yan?

...

Early the next day, the Imperial Concubine’s carriage was ready, Li Yuan took Amuer on the luxurious and spacious four-horse carriage, Wen Wan sat in a soft sedan chair, following behind, flanked by palace maids in pink attire, with Imperial Guard protecting front and back. It was a grand procession heading for Hot Spring Manor.

Emperor Yan paced back and forth in Jianzhang Palace with his hands behind his back.

He recalled the name Li Yuan shouted in her dream when he stayed at Fengyang Palace the night before.

Norma.

Who is Norma?

This is clearly a name of Jiuli people. Could there truly be a paramour at Hot Spring Manor?

The more Emperor Yan thought, the grimmer his expression became. He called for the Imperial Eunuch, "Prepare, I am going to Hot Spring Manor."

...

Halfway through the Imperial Concubine’s procession, she suddenly raised her hand for a halt and instructed Nanny Ji, "Go bring Princess Yong’an to sit with me on the carriage."

Nanny Ji hesitated for a moment, and Li Yuan became slightly annoyed, "What are you standing there for?"

Nanny Ji hurriedly complied, walked to Wen Wan’s sedan, and conveyed the Imperial Concubine’s wishes.

Wen Wan was a bit surprised Li Yuan wanted her to ride with her, but only for a moment before she lifted her skirt and walked over to the Imperial Concubine’s carriage, stepping on the black lacquer stool to get in, upon which she saw Amuer sitting and eating snacks.

Amuer was not good with strangers. If not for being coaxed with snacks, he wouldn’t be sitting alone with someone he barely knew for a few days.

Seeing Wen Wan come up, Amuer fed her a piece of osmanthus candy.

"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine," Wen Wan offered a simple salute.

Li Yuan gestured for her to sit.

Wen Wan sat down on a bench beside her.

The imperial procession set off again, Li Yuan glanced at Wen Wan, "Do you know why I brought you out?"

"Perhaps because Amuer isn’t behaving, Your Ladyship wants me to coax him a little," Wen Wan said.

Li Yuan chuckled softly, "I find you very interesting."

"I don’t understand what you mean, Your Ladyship."

Li Yuan did not explain, quickly changing the topic, "I previously suffered so many setbacks in Chu Country, was it all because of you?"

"That was just bad luck for Your Ladyship," Wen Wan said.

Li Yuan curled her lips, "No wonder I was wondering how the young emperor suddenly became so clever, only to find that someone was advising him. But I never would have thought that person was you."

Wen Wan lowered her eyes, not responding.

Li Yuan suddenly sighed, "I heard you and the Imperial Tutor divorced, what a pity."

Without waiting for Wen Wan to say anything, her tone shifted, "However, you could choose to stay in Bei Yan, stay by my side, and I will not treat you unfairly."

Wen Wan smiled, "Someone as smart as Your Ladyship has plenty of advisers and strategists around, you don’t need me."

"Ha!" Li Yuan replied with a cold laugh.

Hot Spring Manor isn’t far, just twenty miles outside the city.

When the procession arrived, two palace maids in green greeted them. One was slightly older, appearing to be around thirty. The two knelt on the ground to greet the Imperial Concubine.

The older palace maid said, "We knew Your Ladyship was coming yesterday, the room is ready with your favorite incense, the hot springs are ready for you at any time."

Li Yuan nodded with satisfaction, "I was injured a few days ago, just right for a soak."

The palace maid who spoke earlier had a slight change of expression, "Your Ladyship was injured?"

"I’ve recovered about seventy to eighty percent," Li Yuan said, stepping down from the sedan with Nanny Ji’s support.

Wen Wan wondered why someone like the Imperial Concubine would explain her injury and recovery to a palace maid, but she didn’t dwell on it, pulling Amuer along and following the group of palace maids inside.

The Imperial Guard stayed outside, only women were allowed inside.

It made sense, the Imperial Concubine was going to soak in the hot springs, she couldn’t have the Imperial Guard watching.

The manor isn’t as spacious and splendid as the Imperial Palace, but the furnishings and decorations inside were very luxurious, the Imperial Concubine stayed in the main room, and Wen Wan was arranged in the west wing. As soon as she entered to look at the room’s layout, the younger palace maid in green brought food and said respectfully, "Your Ladyship went to the hot springs, the Commandery Princess should eat first, then see her later."

Wen Wan responded with an "oh," and after the palace maid exited, her mind began to churn.

Song Wei said that all the unknown mysteries about the Imperial Concubine would be revealed today, so what secret does the Imperial Concubine hide? She’s assembled an army of three hundred thousand, if not for rebellion, then for what?

The more Wen Wan thought, the less appetite she had. She frowned in deep thought for a moment, asking Amuer, "Little one, are you sleepy?"

Amuer, just as he put a piece of chicken leg into his mouth and heard Wen Wan’s question, shook his head.

Not sleepy, he’s hungry and wants to eat.

The reason the Imperial Concubine might be killed is perhaps someone will take advantage of the lax guard around the hot springs. Wen Wan wasn’t sure if the workshop master of Jiuyin Square could appear in time to save her, but she couldn’t allow today’s murder to happen.

Thinking of this, Wen Wan said to Amuer, "Then you eat first, Aunt Wan will go out for a while and be back soon."

She instructed further, "After eating, go inside and sleep, don’t run around everywhere, otherwise, when we get back tonight, I’ll have your father spank you, hear me?"

Amuer nodded obediently, saying he understood.

Wen Wan left the west wing, avoiding the pink-clad palace maids who came with the Imperial Concubine, heading toward the hot springs at the back mountain.

Knowing today’s task was heavy, she was particularly careful, her alertness and hearing seemed significantly heightened.

The hot springs were surrounded by a dense bamboo grove, Wen Wan found a spot close to the Imperial Concubine yet hidden enough not to be easily discovered, and hid there, preparing to eavesdrop with ears raised.

The Imperial Concubine had already undressed and entered the hot springs, with only a palace maid serving her, the maid was the same one who spoke with the Imperial Concubine at the manor gate earlier.

Steam from the hot springs floated upwards, gradually blurring the features of the Imperial Concubine and the maid, yet the words they spoke entered Wen Wan’s ears clearly and without omission.

The first words spoken left Wen Wan completely stunned.