What should have been a pleasant banquet had brought the Imperial Guard to raid the house. Everyone couldn’t help but feel frightened in their hearts. After reluctantly exchanging a few auspicious words with each other, they all dispersed.

Madam He, wife of Duke Yingguo, also came with a pallid face to take her leave from Old Madam Song.

Old Madam Song had been both shocked and angered throughout the day. The elderly woman inevitably couldn’t quite bear it. Mustering her energy to exchange a few words with the Princess Consort of Zhennan and Madam He, wife of Duke Yingguo, she finally lowered the curtain.

The carriage was spacious, with thick carpets printed with auspicious fortune patterns laid throughout. The old madam leaned against the pillow, finally able to relax somewhat.

First Madam had been silent for a long while before finally couldn’t help but sigh: “A place of brocade and flourishing prosperity, reduced to this in an instant…” She had been married into the Song family for nearly thirty years and had weathered her share of great storms, but experiencing an Imperial Guard house raid was still a first. Her emotions were somewhat affected by this incident, and she only felt her limbs weak and her head dizzy and swollen.

Old Madam Song said nothing, her eyes closed as if she had fallen asleep.

When getting off the carriage, Song Chubin’s legs couldn’t even straighten. Her face was as pale as paper—one look made it clear she had suffered an extreme fright.

Nanny Qiu, disgusted by her uselessness, couldn’t help but grip the flesh on her thigh tightly with her hand and twist it left and right. With little patience, she half-dragged, half-pulled her off the carriage.

Song Chubin was hurt so much by Nanny Qiu’s twisting that tears came out. Combined with the great shock she had suffered today, she finally couldn’t help but lower her head and sob.

Song Chuyi got off the carriage behind her and saw this scene clearly. Her gaze couldn’t help but linger on Nanny Qiu for quite a while longer.

Old Madam Song heard her crying and thought she was frightened. Although in her heart she compared her unfavorably to Song Chuyi’s composure and steady bearing, thinking her useless, she reconsidered that after all, she was different from Song Chuyi. So with a kindly expression, she instructed First Madam to personally escort Song Chubin back and settle her well.

First Madam was actually exhausted herself, but she understood the old madam’s meaning—if Song Chubin returned on her own and Fifth Madam saw her in this state, who knew what trouble might be stirred up. She could only smile and agree, reaching out to take Song Chubin’s hand and personally escort her back to the fifth household.

Old Madam Song dismissed Song Chumi and sat with Song Chuyi in the warm chamber. Seeing no fear on her face, she couldn’t help but smile: “Now I can’t help but believe you were a duke’s wife for over twenty years. This bearing and insight throughout your entire being truly isn’t what a young girl should possess.”

Song Chuyi smiled and snuggled over to embrace the old madam’s arm, unable to resist also smiling as she flattered her: “In the end, I’m only half-accomplished, not like Grandmother who has been a holder of the highest-rank imperial mandate for so many years—so composed and unhurried. Even Commander Chen had to show Grandmother respect.”

Old Madam Song couldn’t help but tap her forehead: “Little flatterer!”

But after laughing, both fell somewhat silent.

Where was Chen Xiang showing respect to Old Madam Song? Clearly he was showing respect to Song Chengru who served as Minister of Revenue, and to Consort Song in the palace.

“Grandmother, today in the Su Mansion garden I overheard people discussing matters concerning the Xibei military provisions.” Song Chuyi saw that Old Madam Song was listening attentively, so she concisely recounted the matter, saying with some concern: “So I’m wondering whether the Su Mansion might have some connection to the Xibei military provisions affair. It’s just that I don’t know if this house raid…”

Whether this house raid might have some connection to that matter.

After Song Chuyi’s reminder last time, Song Chengru had already begun paying attention to developments regarding the Xibei military provisions these past few days.

The matter of the Xibei military provisions had indeed always been personally handled by Song Chengru before, but ever since the Currency Hall and the Baoquan Bureau needed to mint new currency and the household registration census needed to be revised, Song Chengru had transferred responsibility for the Xibei military provisions to his protégé—Vice Minister of Revenue Ji Mingde.

He had gone to the ministry office to carefully check the records. Ji Mingde had indeed allocated the two hundred thousand taels of silver.

In the Great Zhou, only border troops received military provisions, and the military provisions for these military strongholds in Xibei could not be delayed—any delay would cause problems.

Using the Xibei military provisions to set a trap for those targeting the Song family was truly an excellent opening.

Old Madam Song furrowed her brow and suddenly asked: “You just said that besides Young Master Su, there was another person whose accent was from Fujian?”

Song Chuyi nodded: “A nanny whom Mother released two years ago was from Fujian. I often heard her speak, and the accent of the person I heard today at the Su Mansion was exactly the same as that nanny’s speech—it was definitely Fujianese. Moreover…” She paused before continuing: “Grandmother, have you noticed that Old Madam Su seemed somewhat too composed?”

This was also what Old Madam Song had always felt was somewhat amiss. Even as a seasoned veteran observing from the sidelines, she herself couldn’t help but feel lingering fears, yet Old Madam Su seemed to have anticipated everything. Unhurried and composed, she had even arranged her granddaughter’s destination and managed to set aside her granddaughter’s dowry.

From her understanding of Old Madam Su over many years, Old Madam Su was not someone with quick wit who could handle crises well. Unless Old Madam Su had anticipated everything.

“Earlier, when First Madam Su mentioned setting off fireworks, Old Madam Su said something like ‘why set off fireworks—to let people watch the Su Mansion celebrate a death?’…” Song Chuyi recalled, then continued: “Moreover, the Princess Consort of Zhennan has a fairly good relationship with the Su Mansion, and Madam He, wife of Duke Yingguo, has even closer dealings with the Su Mansion. Although you and Old Madam Su have a good friendship, Grandmother, you haven’t had much contact for many years. Why did she specifically choose you to help her? And she repeatedly mentioned Miss Chen’s dowry…”

Chen Jinxin’s dowry of twenty-three chests!

Old Madam Su had repeatedly instructed not to lose it, saying it was the foundation of Chen Jinxin’s security and livelihood.

Old Madam Song had a flash of insight and immediately instructed Nanny Xu: “Jieyan, quickly go ask First Madam when Miss Chen’s dowry will be brought back and where it will be placed.”

Nanny Xu knew the matter was significant and hurriedly agreed and left.

Old Madam Song thought for a moment and asked Song Chuyi: “So you think this Miss Chen might also be a key figure?”

“Old Madam Su treats this Miss Chen so well that she surely wouldn’t be willing to drag her into the mire. She perhaps knows nothing. However, there are always people the old madam trusts around her… Presumably those people would know something.” Song Chuyi smiled, revealing two dimples: “Moreover, Old Madam Su has already made it very clear to you, Grandmother—the dowry is most important, as it is the foundation of Miss Chen’s security and livelihood.”

Old Madam Song was growing increasingly fond of this granddaughter who, though clever and spirited, never lost her steady composure. She couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her still-round little cheek: “You little sprite!”

She had previously kept Song Chuyi at her side to raise her, firstly because of that dream Song Chuyi had experienced, and secondly because Song Chuyi was still young after all. With such a special experience, she feared that Song Chuyi might accidentally think wrongly and become trapped in obsessive thoughts.

Fortunately, from what she could see now, this little granddaughter was a person blessed with good fortune. Remembering only the good karma and not the grudges—only such people were truly blessed.

Many thanks to Guimao Wa, dinachen, and susannajulia for your rewards~~~ I will work hard on updates.