Song He was a clever woman.
And she was the type who concealed her intelligence.
She had that look of being both intelligent and serene.
In fact, she had been carefully selected and groomed by the Seventh Prince.
He had groomed her for the Emperor's use.
Unexpectedly, she ended up being given to himself instead.
He brought Song He back to the Seventh Prince's Mansion.
It was during a time when the household was in chaos.
The Seventh Prince's wife, Jiang Yuluan, wasn't particularly skilled at managing household affairs.
She only had pure sincerity.
The advantage of dealing with sincere people is that it's easy to develop genuine feelings for them.
The disadvantage is the same - they need to be coaxed, and while it's easy to do so, it still needs to be done.
Jiang Wan had encountered assassins while going out to observe her grandmother's seventh-day memorial, and with the earthquake happening simultaneously, the Seventh Prince's Mansion was naturally in disarray.
The two concubine-born sons were adults, but the inner household was Jiang Yuluan's domain, and it wouldn't look good for unmarried concubine-born sons to meddle in internal affairs.
Song He, whom the Seventh Prince brought back, started working as soon as she arrived.
The Seventh Prince gave instructions naturally, as he actually treated her like one of his subordinates.
The only difference now was her status.
But in Jiang Yuluan's eyes, this was inconceivable.
When the Emperor had her mother executed, although she was heartbroken, she dared not say anything, as her mother had committed a grave error.
Even on her mother's seventh-day memorial, the Emperor had bestowed a secondary consort.
This was a blatant slap in the face.
Jiang Yuluan could accept all of this.
After all, she couldn't choose who her mother was.
If her mother's mistakes affected her, that was her fate.
What chilled her heart most was her husband's behavior.
Her husband had brought this woman back - while imperial orders couldn't be defied, he actually let her take charge of household affairs.
Indeed, she had aged and lost her bloom, no match for a young maiden.
Song He didn't dare say much, just efficiently went about her work.
Although she was a secondary consort bestowed by the Emperor, it didn't seem like the Seventh Prince and his wife intended to treat her as one.
However, Song He was surprised that the Seventh Prince let her manage affairs.
Firstly, she felt like she was being treated as a servant with the status of a proper concubine.
Song He's fate wasn't in her own hands anyway, so she could only make the best of her situation.
Jiang Changtian left the palace.
He believed destiny was in his own hands, even heaven couldn't control it - and if heaven tried, he would dare to manipulate even heaven itself.
This time was deliberately planned.
He had calculated everything.
People's hearts, timing.
Jiang Wan had been staying at the Seventh Prince's Mansion lately.
She would definitely come out for the old madam's seventh-day memorial.
The old madam had given her heart and soul to Jiang Wan, so Jiang Wan would certainly use the memorial as an excuse to come out and handle her own affairs.
From this perspective, the old madam's death served a purpose.
Jiang Changtian paid such close attention to Jiang Wan that he had already arranged people to watch her.
As for Lu Jiuzhang, being the son of a condemned official, there were plenty of people who wanted revenge.
He thought he had hidden well, but his whereabouts had already been revealed.
Back in Ming County, Jiang Changtian could already utilize various means, connecting different clues to avenge his son's injury, reasonably using others to kill the person who had hurt his son.
At that time, he didn't even have his own men or many resources, yet he managed to do it flawlessly.
Now he was even more skilled.
But Jiang Wan was indeed heaven's favored child.
Another earthquake, yet she still didn't die.
However, this experiment made Jiang Changtian spontaneously think of an amazing method...
No one could bring weapons into the palace except Princess Huiyun.
It was actually difficult to kill people or cause large-scale damage within the palace.
That's why throughout history, while many attempted rebellion, very few successfully stormed the palace.
Royal succession changes were more often the result of internal struggles.
Palace buildings had always been very sturdy, and even the main gates were hard to break down when closed.
The Emperor was also very afraid of death and had considered everything.
But if there was a living person who naturally attracted disasters, bringing them into the palace would eliminate the need for rebellion - one would only need to attack that person vigorously.
When Jiang Changtian thought of this scenario, he felt strangely excited.
But he quickly shook his head.
He felt he was sometimes becoming obsessed, how could he have such strange thoughts? How could anyone think of eliminating everyone in the palace? This idea was too bizarre, it shouldn't be possible.
It was just a fleeting thought.
Too treasonous, better forget it.
This time, Jiang Changtian still had some gains.
Before entering the palace he had no work, now he had something to do.
A dedicated official should create work even when there is none.
Otherwise, how could one justify even their meager salary?
He had been the same way in Jingzhou.
Initially, the Jingzhou Marshal had practically no work, but later through his diligent efforts day and night, he finally managed to take control of Jingzhou.
Where there's a will, there's a way!
Back at the office, Jiang Changtian arranged work for everyone.
Time passes quickly when busy.
Seeing there were no aftershocks, Qin Luoxia bid farewell to the Meng family.
She felt relatively at ease with Aunt Yin there.
And although Feng was outside, he was with Shao Xia, so they could support each other.
Mianmian and Cong Brother were with the Princess, Mother-in-law.
Every time she visited her mother-in-law, she sensed many skilled fighters around, so they should be safe.
Among the whole family, Qin Luoxia worried most about her husband.
Qin Luoxia decided to check on him at the office.
However, the government office wasn't a place where officials' wives were allowed, and no other official's wife had ever sought someone there.
Going to inquire would seem strange.
It would become gossip as soon as she left.
If it were night, she would probably just wear night-walking clothes and slip in through the office rooftop.
Though Qin Luoxia had such thoughts, in broad daylight, she still took a normal carriage there.
Even if she couldn't see him, sending a servant to check would be fine.
Just knowing her husband was safe would be enough.
The carriage arrived at the office entrance.
She happened to see her husband coming out.
Her husband wore dark blue official robes and was talking with colleagues as they walked out.
Looking at the tall office gates and pathway, Qin Luoxia thought her husband looked even more handsome at this moment.
Watching him step over the threshold, her heart began to beat faster.
When Jiang Changtian came out and saw the carriage and his dear wife, he also felt relieved.
"Dear wife, did you come to take me home?"
"Yes."
Jiang Changtian was very happy.
He had just been thinking about home, and his wife appeared.
In this world, what could be better than having the person you're thinking of suddenly appear?
I think of you, and you come.
Seeing his wife gave him a complete sense of security.
Now Jiang Changtian was a fourth-rank official, in charge of work, enjoying the treatment of a vice-prime minister.
Having delegated all the work.
He righteously went home with his wife.
The carriage clip-clopped along.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Changtian was actually quite exhausted.
Lying on his wife's lap, she massaged his head.
"Dear wife."
"Hmm?"
"Dear wife."
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just wanted to call you."
"Dear wife."
"Alright."
Though spirited outside, in front of his wife, Jiang Changtian felt relaxed, and fatigue overtook him.
He had been lying down talking, but with the swaying carriage and his wife's gentle touch, Jiang Changtian fell asleep.
