But no matter what the reason for their visit, since they had already arrived at the gate and the host family was home, refusing to see them was obviously unrealistic.
Old Madam Song put down her teacup and personally went to the entrance to greet them.
Princess Consort of Zhennan was beaming with smiles. Upon seeing Old Madam Song, she hurried forward to support her, smiling in a way that made people feel their hearts lighten involuntarily: “This is my fault. I barged in rashly without even sending a calling card. Old Madam, please don’t blame me.”
Old Madam Song smiled and shook her head, though she was ultimately somewhat lacking in energy. Such a major incident had occurred in the household. Even the cleverest senior maids in Ningde Courtyard had all restrained themselves somewhat. The atmosphere was greatly different from before.
Princess Consort of Zhennan immediately sensed something was wrong. Thinking of the purpose for which Ye Jingchuan had urged her to visit today, she couldn’t help feeling both amused and exasperated in her heart.
It seemed this matter had already come to light. After pondering for a moment, she understood that the situation must have been properly handled. She turned to speak of other matters: “My rash visit today isn’t really for anything else. It’s just to come and apologize on behalf of my worthless son. In Tongzhou, we truly owe so much to Sixth Miss for helping me look after this troublesome rascal.”
After Ye Jingchuan returned home, he had specifically pestered her to visit the Earl’s household to inquire about Song Chuyi’s situation, fearing she had suffered under her stepmother’s hand. He had even repeatedly instructed her to testify for Song Chuyi.
She had originally scoffed at this. But even her always steady eldest son said that in Tongzhou, they owed much to this Miss Song Six’s careful planning. Otherwise, his own younger brother Yuan Hong and precious son Ye Jingchuan might not have been able to escape so easily. So she decided to make this trip to the Earl’s household.
When Old Madam Song heard that she had come about the Tongzhou matter, her expression grew even more uncomfortable—Song Chuyi had mentioned that both Ye Jingchuan and Zhou Weizhao knew about Li Shi hiring assassins. Princess Consort of Zhennan probably also knew clearly in her heart.
Having family scandals known by others was always embarrassing. She forced out a smile and shook her head: “How can you say that? We should be thanking your young master for protecting Xiao Yi. If it weren’t for your young master having people at hand and being kind-hearted, who knows if they could have survived the first night.”
Princess Consort of Zhennan just smiled, seeming to ask casually: “Is Sixth Miss not present today?”
“When she went to Tongzhou, Second Madam was so frightened she fell ill. Even now, after the imperial physicians have examined her, they say she’s not doing well.” Old Madam Song watched as a maid presented hot tea, then said: “That girl has the kindest heart. She’s been by her side attending to her illness.”
Since she was attending to an illness, it truly wasn’t convenient to receive guests. Though Princess Consort of Zhennan knew in her heart this was an excuse, she couldn’t very well press further. She had the nanny at her side present a gift list, then smiled and rose to take her leave.
Madam Cui watched as Nanny Niu finished tidying Song Chuyi up, then smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She gathered her in and looked her over from left to right for a while, then said with a light laugh: “Though it’s somewhat inadequate, at least it provides some consolation to your mother. We can be considered worthy of her.”
As she spoke, tears had already appeared in her eyes.
Although Li Shi was dead, Song Chuyi and Song Yan had to observe mourning for three years for this nominal mother who was actually their enemy. In Madam Cui’s view, this was simply a tremendous insult.
“Don’t worry.” Madam Cui stroked her face: “I’ll inform your grandmother, saying we found a feng shui master who examined the situation. Li Shi died violently—such an inauspicious person cannot enter the ancestral tomb. We mustn’t let her go down there and still disgust your mother!”
Song Chuyi also felt a great weight lift from her heart. Leaning against Madam Cui, she nodded.
Li Shi dared to die because she had made up her mind that alive or dead, she would cling to the position of Second Madam Song. This would make the siblings eternally disgusted and would legitimize Song Chuning’s status.
But how could things be so simple?
While Madam Cui had Nanny Niu bring over a small box to hand to Nanny Xu, she looked at Nanny Xu and said: “Inside are the deeds to two country estates in Tongzhou. They’re respectively registered under your young miss’s name and your young master’s name. The yield from inside is reported each season. Keep them safe.”
The Cui family’s gift was actually two country estates! Nanny Xu was astonished in her heart, but showed nothing on her face. She respectfully acknowledged the gift.
Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised. She looked up at Madam Cui and said urgently: “Aunt, how can this be acceptable?”
“Don’t be polite with us.” Madam Cui cut off her words. Looking at the strangulation mark on her neck, her gaze suddenly turned fierce, but then she stroked the wound as if nothing had happened: “Though this matter is settled, who knows what your father is thinking? Your grandmother and grandfather probably also harbor reservations, thinking that you’re close to us and distant from your own family. This is human nature. I know you’re a clever child, but having money in hand always gives you more confidence. Your mother’s farms, shops, and lands are still being managed by your grandmother. You can’t touch them. Having these savings in hand will always be more convenient.”
Song Chuyi pondered for a while before slowly nodding.
Madam Cui then spoke to her about leaving: “At the earliest, it will be half a month from now. This time I came to discuss things thoroughly with mother. We won’t rest until we get a result. Your uncle also needs to meet with some old friends. It’s been four years since your maternal grandfather passed. His mourning period ended long ago. It’s time for him to return to office.”
In the previous life, Cui Yingshu had refused to return to office until the very end. But in this life, he was actively seeking to return to office. After her initial surprise, Song Chuyi understood the reasoning—although the Cui family’s main branch now had many members serving as officials in court, most held positions that were not key posts. Even Cui Shaoting, the Fujian Governor-General who controlled the military forces of Fujian province, was often constrained by censors and high-ranking court officials.
Under these circumstances, Cui Yingshu—who was the top scholar of the forty-first year of the Chenghua reign and had served as Compiler in the Hanlin Academy and Inspector of Jiangxi—would naturally return to office without hesitation for the sake of the Cui family.
Seeing Song Chuyi looking thoughtful, Madam Cui smiled and said: “You don’t need to know about these matters. Right now, your uncle’s mentor is serving as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. And he himself is talented and learned. By the looks of it, he should be staying in the capital this time. If he stays in the capital, many things will be much more convenient.”
Although the rules inside Cuiyun Nunnery were strict, if Old Madam Li managed her affairs well, she might not necessarily suffer much hardship. A strange smile appeared on Madam Cui’s face: “I definitely won’t let her live in peace.”
Song Chuyi knew Madam Cui’s character of repaying every grievance. At this moment, she also stopped dwelling on Old Madam Li: “Then where will you and Uncle stay for this half month?”
The Cui clan seemed to have no property in the capital.
“The residence that Imperial Uncle bestowed upon me back in the day has been cleaned and tidied up. This time we’ll stay there.” Madam Cui thought for a moment and smiled again: “It’s just that it’s right next to the Imperial City—too conspicuous. I’ll inevitably have to make a trip to the palace afterward and send out some calling cards in advance to visit around. To let people know I’ve returned.”
She was speaking of the Princess Commandery residence the Emperor had bestowed upon her when she was still unmarried. It was located right next to Princess Rongcheng’s Princess residence.