Marry my elder sister? Fine! I'll give you the letter of annulment and marry someone else.

When Mu Yuanzhi left the imperial study and there was no one around him, his face became extremely gloomy.

endure.

He still needs to continue to endure.

Mu Yuanzhi clenched his hands in his sleeves and strode away.

As soon as he returned to the Eastern Palace, he asked his men to investigate the source of Mu Nanqi's betrothal gift. After several twists and turns, a detailed list was placed on his desk.

After reading the details, his handsome face was slightly distorted.

Crumpling the list into a ball, he said, "He had anticipated that we would investigate him, and he did it perfectly."

The list contained all the items belonging to the various shop owners. In name, those items were all "borrowed" from them by Mu Nanqi.

But anyone with a discerning eye could tell that those bosses were all Mu Nanqi's men, so how could there be any such thing as "borrowing"?

But after this transaction, he had no evidence to say that there was anything wrong with Mu Nanqi's things.

He also had people check those shops and found that they were all running their businesses honestly and without any adulteration.

Mu Yuanzhi had no place to vent his resentment, and his face turned blue from holding it in.

Thinking that Mu Nanqi had already proposed marriage, Song Zhi must have discussed the wedding date with him.

He gritted his teeth and breathed in annoyance for a few breaths, finally trying his best to calm his breathing and murmured.

"Zhi'er, I'll give you one last chance. If you really want to marry Third Brother, then what I can't have will be destroyed."

He turned his gaze to the antique display case, his eyes filled with gloom.

Song Zhi didn't know that her little family affair had already reached the palace, and had caused Mu Yuanzhi to break down twice.

She is doing her best to prepare everything she needs to attend the thank-you banquet the day after tomorrow.

It's better to be prepared, so she will bring everything she needs and shouldn't, such as poisons, incense, hidden weapons, daggers, etc.

For this purpose, she specially chose a loose piece of clothing to cover it up.

Not only that, after getting the map of the East Palace, she also agreed on the hiding place with the secret guards.

The study, in particular, is the focus of attention.

The next day, when Song Zhi was still checking if there was anything she hadn't taken with her, a letter sent from the border was delivered to her.

It was sent by Xin Wanyun.

The letter said that some soldiers wanted to defect to Meng Qi's camp because they could not stand the severe cold, and asked Song Zhi if he would accept them.

Song Zhi thought about it and realized that these people were not the targets she wanted.

Those who surrendered now were the ones who gave up the most easily. Even if she took them in, she couldn't expect them to do anything.

To put it bluntly, these people are just scoundrels who try to take advantage of the situation on the battlefield.

If it were those soldiers who would rather die than surrender, she would accept it without hesitation.

But if we don’t accept these people now, it will send a rejection message to others, which will be detrimental to subsequent recruitment.

After weighing the pros and cons, Song Zhi replied: "Don't support idle people, wait for the opportunity to take in useful people."

It wouldn't be long before supplies became increasingly scarce, and she had to save what she had for future use.

As for these people, she doesn't need to worry about them.

They will escape in two days. They won't just sit there and wait to die.

Even if no one comes to surrender later, it doesn't mean they can't take the initiative.

Sometimes, we can still learn from Mu Yuanzhi's spirit of lobbying the aristocratic families.

After replying to the letter, Song Zhi wrote another letter to inform all the managers of Yunshui Youyou, asking them to exchange all the silver they could raise for food, charcoal and other things to continue sending to the border.

Only after doing this did she feel more at ease.

Seeing that the weather was getting colder, she asked Qiu'er and Huan'er to store supplies in Gou'er Lane so that everyone could survive the winter.

Soon, it was the third day.

The day of Mu Yuanzhi’s banquet.

Song Zhi changed into new clothes and took a carriage to the East Palace, closing his eyes to rest all the way.

When she arrived at the East Palace, she walked in with ease. Her familiar movements made the people leading the way in front of her stunned.

Song Zhi then realized that he had probably never been here before in his life and probably didn't know the way.

So he quickly pretended to be confused and unfamiliar and asked the people from the East Palace to lead the way. Only then did the other party show a reasonable expression.

Perhaps they had been instructed, so the servants of the Eastern Palace did their best to introduce the Eastern Palace to every guest who came.

Although Song Zhi was impatient, he still had to pretend to be interested and listen to them introduce their very familiar little piece of land.

Following their enthusiastic introduction, Song Zhi and the others finally arrived at the venue for today's banquet.

back yard.

Several tables have been set up in the open space reserved in the middle, and some delicious food has been placed on them. They can start the feast as soon as the time comes.

Mu Yuanzhi and several representatives sent by aristocratic families were chatting happily, laughing heartily from time to time.

Song Zhi refused the servant's offer to pass on the message for her, tried her best to reduce her presence, and sat in the corner observing her current situation.

The back garden is not far from the study, but it is definitely not close either. You need to pass through a nine-winding corridor to reach it.

Song Zhi remembered that when he gave the map to the secret guards yesterday, he asked them to try to hide in the Nine-Curved Corridor.

"Child, you're here."

I was constantly thinking about my next plan in my mind, but my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a gentle voice.

Song Zhi raised his head and saw Mu Yuanzhi standing in front of him with a gentle and graceful look.

He smiled slightly, "Why didn't you call me when you came? It would be boring for you to stay alone."

Song Zhi said, "There are many distinguished guests here today, Your Highness, you don't have to worry about me. I came here to make friends with those noble families, so I won't let myself be bored and idle."

Before coming, Song Zhi thought that it would be suspicious if she came here just for the sake of it, so she found a relatively normal excuse for herself.

After all, the fact that aristocratic families have been able to pass down their legacy steadily through the changes of dynasties, and their profound heritage is indeed something that many people covet.

There are many benefits to having a good relationship with them.

For example, the Cang family became the richest family and the royal merchant, one of the reasons was that Mrs. Cang had good relations with various aristocratic families.

Otherwise, with so many people vying to become imperial merchants, why did the emperor choose the Cang family?

Otherwise, why does the Cang family still have some say in front of the emperor?

Think about these key points clearly, and Song Zhi’s excuse should not be too convincing.

She smiled sincerely and said, "Your Highness, don't worry about me. Just greet the others."

The word "hello" made Mu Yuanzhi's mouth twitch.

She treated him as a waiter and greeted others.

But Mu Yuanzhi was not angry. He did not force her. "In that case, Zhier, just watch over yourself and pass the time. You can eat in half a quarter of an hour. If you are hungry, ask the kitchen to bring you a bowl of blood swallows."

"it is good."

Song Zhi nodded, looking well-behaved.

After finally seeing Mu Yuanzhi off, her eyes became lively again.

Most of the servants are busy here now, and other places are definitely not as difficult to approach as usual. Why not try to sneak over there while going to the toilet?