Old Madam Song and Old Madam Su had known each other for many years, so seeing Old Madam Su looking so haggard truly pained her heart. After trying to console her for a while to no avail, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholic herself.

First Madam Su, however, was terrified that Old Madam Su might say something else that would expose their family’s shame, so she busily rushed to see Old Madam Song and her party off.

Just as the carriages and horses were being prepared, servants came stumbling and tumbling inside, crying out: “This is terrible! Outside… outside, Commander Chen Xiang has brought people to surround our General’s Mansion, saying they’re going to… to raid the house!”

Chen Xiang!

Hearing this name, First Madam Su was struck as if by lightning. Unable to stand steady, she staggered several times before collapsing into a chair, crying out in disbelief: “How is this possible?!”

During the New Year celebrations, no matter how serious the matter, it should be postponed—how could they surround the mansion at a time like this?!

Old Madam Song and the Princess Consort of Zhennan were both shocked, momentarily unable to react.

Who could have imagined that simply attending a banquet would result in encountering such a calamity as the Imperial Guard raiding a house? Madam He only felt her hands and feet turn ice-cold, her face completely drained of color. After trembling for a long while, she finally stamped her feet and cried: “Where is my Seventh Young Master? My Seventh Young Master is still outside!”

But First Madam Su no longer had the leisure to help her find anyone. She threw herself to her knees before the Princess Consort of Zhennan: “Princess Consort, Princess Consort, please save us, please save us…”

With such an incident occurring, the Princess Consort of Zhennan herself felt utterly anxious and unsettled. How could she dare make any promises? She simply pulled her two daughters back, continuously retreating.

Outside, the clamor and commotion were unceasing. In mere moments, over a dozen Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes had already surged into the flower hall.

Imperial Guard Commander Chen Xiang walked at the front. With a somewhat insincere cupped-fist salute toward Old Madam Su, he then faced north, cupped his hands again, cleared his throat, and announced: “By His Majesty’s decree: Su Yi has colluded with external threats, relied on strength to bully the weak, and exploited the common people. His hereditary position is hereby stripped, and he is to be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.”

Su Yi was precisely the current First Master Su who had inherited the title.

First Madam Su’s hands and feet trembled. Shaking so violently, she didn’t even dare cry anymore.

“Please, ladies and young misses, move aside to allow this humble official to carry out his duty.” Chen Xiang waved his hand, and Imperial Guards surged forward to drag away Old Madam Su and First Madam Su.

A former holder of the highest-rank imperial mandate, now reduced in an instant to a prisoner beneath the steps. Even Old Madam Song, experienced and knowledgeable as she was, was so shocked by this turn of events that she only now managed to react.

Seeing Old Madam Su being shoved around, her face showing deep reluctance to witness this, she called out loudly: “Commander Chen!”

Seeing it was Old Madam Song who spoke, Chen Xiang actually did order his men to stop, and he himself stepped forward first to pay his respects to both Old Madam Song and the Princess Consort of Zhennan. He pulled at the corners of his mouth in what passed for a smile: “I heard that the Su Mansion was hosting a banquet today. I didn’t expect both aunties to be here. I have official duties to attend to, so please forgive this nephew for not being able to stay longer.”

Song Chuyi hid behind Old Madam Song, watching as First Madam Su had already become like a wooden puppet who only knew how to shed tears, while Second Madam Su was even more thoroughly devastated, being supported by her maid. Only Old Madam Su still stood ramrod straight, her face showing not a trace of panic.

Chuyi recalled the words Old Madam Su had said when seeing off guests earlier, and couldn’t help but feel something was amiss. It seemed as though Old Madam Su had somehow anticipated that today would bring calamity…

“Both aunties, now that this mansion has been surrounded, leaving would be inconvenient. Why don’t you wait until we’ve completed our duties, and I’ll personally have someone escort you both home.” Chen Xiang glanced at the female family members trembling behind him, then turned back to order the Imperial Guards who had already stopped: “Take them all next door. First search through everything in the rear courtyard.”

Halfway through being pushed along, Old Madam Su suddenly turned back and with difficulty knelt down before Old Madam Song.

Old Madam Song was startled and hurriedly came forward, trembling as she helped Old Madam Su to her feet, unable to stop herself from choking up: “Between us, why must you do this…”

Old Madam Su’s expression remained calm. She gripped Old Madam Song’s hand firmly, looked toward Chen Xiang and asked: “I wonder if His Majesty’s decree is only to raid our family, or does it extend to the nine familial relations as well?”

Chen Xiang hadn’t expected Old Madam Su to ask this. He paused in surprise before replying: “His Majesty’s decree is only to raid the Su Mansion. Old Madam, you needn’t worry. The decree only specifies that First Master Su is to be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. As for you and the various madams of the household…”

Old Madam Su waved her hand, looking haggard yet still relatively composed as she gazed at Old Madam Song: “Old sister, we’ve known each other for so many years, and I’ve never asked you for anything. This time, I’m going to impose upon our friendship and make this brazen request of you…”

First Madam Su looked at Old Madam Su, hope rekindling in her eyes.

Old Madam Song felt somewhat conflicted. Not knowing what Old Madam Su would ask of her, she didn’t dare promise casually.

Fortunately, Old Madam Su didn’t ask her to agree before stating her request. She looked at Old Madam Song with tears in her eyes: “My Yunxi married in the same year as your Linlang. Linlang’s fate was unfortunate, but Yunxi’s was even worse. She only left behind Jinxin, that single bit of flesh and blood… Now that the Su family is finished, we cannot let her be dragged down with us. Old sister, for Yunxi’s sake, and for my sake as well, I beg you to take her in for a while. Once her health is restored, send her back to the Chen family…”

Chen Xiang’s expression became somewhat unnatural.

Strictly speaking, Chen Jinxin’s father, Chen Jun’an, was still his clan uncle.

Old Madam Song felt both relieved and somewhat heartsick at the same time. After thinking for a moment, she ultimately couldn’t bear to refuse and nodded her agreement.

First Madam Su, however, struggled to lunge toward them. She cried out hysterically to Old Madam Su: “Usually when we treat her with the slightest neglect, you say we’re all family. Now that we’re in trouble, she becomes a member of the Chen family? Mother, one must not be so extremely partial! Mother! Chenxiang and the others are also your biological granddaughters!”

Old Madam Su appeared not to hear, turning back again to perform a deep courtesy to Chen Xiang.

Chen Xiang’s gaze flickered slightly, but in the end he reached out to support her.

“Commander Chen, since His Majesty has been merciful and not implicated my granddaughter, I wonder if Your Excellency could show leniency by turning over my granddaughter and the dowry my daughter left for her to Old Madam Song?”

Chen Xiang hesitated for a moment before nodding: “Then I must trouble the Old Madam to have the inventory list turned over to my subordinates for verification. Once confirmed accurate, it will be handed over to Grand Madam Song.”

Old Madam Su nodded: “As it should be. I’ll immediately send someone to fetch the list and conduct the handover with Your Excellency.”

First Madam Su and the others were quickly dragged away by the Imperial Guards. Perhaps due to Chen Xiang’s courteous treatment of Old Madam Su, this time the Imperial Guards’ actions were much gentler.

Chen Xiang’s people moved very quickly. After tallying everything up, they had it all carried en masse to the front hall. When Old Madam Song took the inventory list and looked it over, there were actually a full twenty-three chests.

About an hour later, the Su Mansion’s raid was more or less complete. Chen Xiang came over to apologize to Old Madam Song and the Princess Consort of Zhennan: “Today I’ve frightened both aunties. Another day I will certainly visit your residences to make amends.”

Both the Princess Consort of Zhennan and Old Madam Song shook their heads.

Chen Xiang then withdrew his troops and left, escorting First Master Su away with them.

The Princess Consort of Zhennan and Old Madam Song exchanged glances, both somewhat at a loss for words.