Lady Li brought Song Chuyi and the others back to the manor, personally escorting her to Old Madam’s quarters. After chatting and laughing with the Old Madam for a while, she withdrew.

Old Madam Song looked at the piles of gifts held by Nanny Huang and the others, smiled, and pulled Song Chuyi into her embrace, asking if she’d had a pleasant outing.

Song Chuyi selected what she could mention and spoke of it, then asked Old Madam Song about Song Chuxuan.

“She went back.” Old Madam Song stroked her head, seemingly both sighing and complaining. “That’s how women are—no matter how great their grievances, as soon as a man comes to coax them, it’s as if the grievances don’t count at all.”

Thinking of the injuries on Song Chuxuan’s body and Xiao Yan’s attitude, she hadn’t wanted Song Chuxuan to go back with them. However, Madam of Marquis Pingyang had paid a heavy price, promising to arrange Xiao Siniang’s marriage soon. Unable to withstand Xiao Yan’s earnest pleas, and with Song Chuxuan herself coming to beg, she had relented.

Song Chuyi sat in silence with Old Madam Song for a while, then worked hard to cheer her up. “Old Madam, don’t worry. Second Sister is a fortunate person—she’ll live well.” After thinking for a moment, as if making a promise, she wrapped her arms around Old Madam Song’s arm and firmly resolved, “No matter what, Little Yi will always stay with you.”

Old Madam Song was amused by her serious expression and chided, “What silly talk is this? In the future, you’ll also marry out.”

Song Chuyi shook her head vigorously like a rattle drum. “I won’t marry! I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay home forever and keep you and Grandfather company.”

She thought she had seen through the essential nature of men. Her miserable twenty-plus years of married life in her previous existence had left her with no interest in men whatsoever.

Even if not all men in the world were as heartless as Shen Qingrang, they weren’t much better either.

There wasn’t a man who didn’t have several beautiful concubines by his side. No matter how deep the affection, it would be worn away by day after day of sleeping alone and the various problems that stood between them.

Through a lifetime of failure, she had comprehended one principle: if you don’t seek, you won’t lose.

Old Madam Song saw her reveal resignation and despair beyond her years, and her heart ached. She patted her back repeatedly. “You can’t shrink back and refuse to move forward just because you’ve failed once. Just like your aunt—she thought all men in the world were no different from your uncle, so she was willing to remain by his side. This world has countless failures, but those who make comebacks are equally numerous. Little Yi, what Grandmother hates most are people who accept their fate.”

Song Chengru entered just as Old Madam Song was comforting Song Chuyi, and thought Song Chuyi had suffered some grievance.

Old Madam Song, both exasperated and amused, told him what Song Chuyi had just said, and couldn’t help laughing at the end. “Tell me, isn’t this childish temper? How has it reached the point of choking on food and giving up eating?”

Song Chengru couldn’t help but smile as well, laughing along with Old Madam Song for a moment before asking about Song Chuxuan. Learning the outcome, he fell silent for a while, then sighed. “So be it then. We can only hope they live well together.”

Old Madam Song nodded and asked him about Master Xiao’s situation. “Although this time I forced that Madam of the Marquis to bow her head, it’s not a long-term solution after all. How serious is the matter Master Xiao committed? If it’s not serious, help if you can. I’ve advised the eldest the same way—if you’re not deaf and blind, you can’t be a proper patriarch.”

“Where is there time to concern myself with such matters?” Song Chengru rubbed his temples wearily. “Today when paying New Year visits at Prince Zhennan’s manor, I encountered Prince Duan.”

Old Madam Song tensed her body and listened intently.

“He told me he’s already submitted a petition to the Ministry of Finance. This year, Zhangzhou府’s guard has expanded by nearly four thousand men—they need thirty thousand taels of silver, and also need to procure weapons.” Song Chengru had a headache. “He’s so fearlessly audacious, and doing it all above board—it truly gives one an even worse headache.”

Prince Duan had already become so lawless? Old Madam Song’s heart pounded with alarm. After a long moment, she asked, “Can His Majesty just watch without intervening? Surely the Crown Prince won’t sit idly by either?”

Song Chuyi knew the reason.

Prince Duan kept claiming that Zhangzhou was unstable, with Japanese pirates frequently lurking about. His princely manor had even been attacked by pirates, so he requested twice the number of manor guards as other princes.

Japanese pirates did indeed frequently appear in Fujian. The Emperor couldn’t very well watch his son truly be harassed by pirates, so naturally he would agree.

“Grandfather, Prince Duan has been making frequent moves since returning to the capital.” Song Chuyi looked up at Song Chengru and thought carefully before continuing. “I’m afraid the matter is not simple. His designs shouldn’t be limited to you alone. I think something major will happen soon.”

Both Song Chengru and Old Madam Song were startled by her words.

The Old Master had weathered the official circles for a long time and quickly grasped the meaning behind Song Chuyi’s words.

Prince Duan was cunning. Since his previous attempt to win him over had failed, he would certainly have to find other methods. It would likely be the same as in her previous life—starting with Song family members and ultimately pinning some crime on him.

Song Chengru’s thoughts went even deeper. What Song Chuyi had mentioned—those letters bearing his seal that the assassins in her dream had provided—remained his persistent worry to this day.

It had to be someone from the Song family, and moreover one of the very few people in the Song family who could obtain such a thing.

The Song family likely had a traitor within. His heart heavy, he stroked Song Chuyi’s head and sighed.

Song Chuyi’s thoughts aligned with his. She couldn’t help but ask, “Grandfather, you’ve hidden your seal securely, haven’t you?”

This time it truly was hidden as well as possible. Song Chengru gave a bitter smile, then asked Old Madam Song about Chen Jinxin’s situation.

“She’s improved considerably, but her body is still too weak. She can barely even sit up in bed.” Old Madam Song also felt distressed. “Imperial Physician Sun will come examine her every few days. He says in the future she’ll probably just have to be maintained with medicine. The Su family has truly committed evil deeds.”

Chen Jun’an was quite competent as a General, not some wastrel relying on ancestral honors. When fighting pirates, he charged fearlessly to the frontlines—a good man.

Old Master Song had always held respect for such people. Hearing this, he sighed and still instructed the Old Madam to care well for Chen Jinxin. “Still, care for her well. Save what can be saved. This child’s future days will likely be difficult. Who knows what it will be like when she returns to the Chen family?”

If the Chen family were a good place to go, Su Yunxi wouldn’t have fought desperately to return to her natal home with her daughter all those years ago. It was just unfortunate that she hadn’t anticipated her natal family would also be a den of wolves.

Old Madam Song understood Old Master Song’s meaning and solemnly agreed. “Even if not for that letter, just for Yunxi’s sake, I won’t mistreat her.”

“Here’s the crucial point—no matter what, keep our family members tightly disciplined. As for outside matters, my sons and I will handle them. Those few are all sensible, clever children. What’s important is the inner household. If any opening appears there, it would truly be irredeemable.” Song Chengru’s expression remained grim as he glanced heavily toward the window.