This was Princess Consort of Zhennan’s second visit in just three days. Old Madam Song, thinking of the Earl’s Manor fire incident last night, felt somewhat uneasy despite having already prepared herself, her expression somewhat detached.

Sure enough, after only a few exchanges, Princess Consort of Zhennan asked about the Earl’s Manor fire with a worried expression: “How did such a good place catch fire? The capital hasn’t had such a large fire in many years—it made me break out in a cold sweat for you. That evening, the billowing smoke from your manor could even be seen from the Imperial City…” She suppressed her inner anxiety, initiating conversation with Old Madam Song.

Madam He, the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Yingguo, kept craning her neck to look outside, her anxious expression between glances barely concealed.

Fortunately, hearing Princess Consort of Zhennan’s words brought her back to her senses. She forced a smile and interjected: “Indeed. Last night there was a curfew, otherwise the Young Duke would have come over that very night to see if there was any way to help. Amitabha—fortunately, I heard there were no casualties?”

The First Madam nodded with a trace of relief: “Exactly so. Buddha be praised—fortunately no one was hurt.”

“This is truly a blessing in disguise.” The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Yingguo pressed her palms together, yet didn’t ask at all about the cause of the fire. Instead, she sighed with concern: “The other day, your manor came to our residence to report the bereavement, saying Second Madam had passed… We originally wanted to arrange to come pay our respects, but then we heard that not even a mourning hall was being set up?”

The capital had never had such a precedent. Except for the late Madam of Duke Chengguo and the recently deceased Old Madam of the Loyal and Righteous General’s Manor—who had both been buried simply without the body lying in state or a mourning hall being set up—when other titled ladies passed away, there were established protocols. These two exceptions were due to special circumstances, as both were female relatives from families that had committed offenses.

Old Madam Song had long prepared her explanation and now spoke it effortlessly: “Sigh, who can say otherwise? Speaking of it, I don’t know if we’ve somehow offended some malevolent force recently—one calamity after another has befallen the manor. The second son’s wife died of smallpox. We invited feng shui geomancers to examine everything. They said her destiny was afflicted by the威虎煞 (Mighty Tiger Malevolent Star) and was incompatible and clashed with our ancestral grave’s feng shui. Where can one even reason about this? Our Old Master is most particular about propriety, so he personally went to ask the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. They also said her birth chart carried malevolent forces and would bring harm to her children. Therefore, after discussing with the Li family, we simply decided to keep everything simple…”

Among the titled ladies of this world, it was truly rare to see one die so shabbily.

But both Princess Consort of Zhennan and the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Yingguo were intelligent people. Hearing this, not only did they show no curiosity, they even chimed in with a laugh: “Exactly so. If the feng shui is bad, it brings disaster to descendants. One truly cannot be careless.”

Taking advantage of the gap, Madam He glanced at Princess Consort of Zhennan. Though she maintained a forced composure on her face, her heart grew even more anxious. Li Shi was dead—whether or not funeral rites were held, the children under her name should properly observe mourning for her. How could girls in the midst of heavy mourning casually go out visiting?

As everyone was talking, suddenly the curtain outside was lifted, and Song Chuyi was seen entering with unhurried steps.

Her walking posture differed from that of ordinary ladies. Though equally graceful and pleasing to watch, her gait carried more composure and uprightness than other ladies, as if brilliant flowers awaited her along the path ahead.

Princess Consort of Zhennan somewhat dazedly overlapped her image with Cui Shi’s shadow from the past, suddenly discovering that this was how the Cui family walked—backs straight and spirits high.

“Come quickly!” She was the first to react. After Song Chuyi finished her courtesies, she immediately pulled her close, smiling: “Having not seen you for some days, you’ve become even more ethereal.”

The Eldest Young Madam of Duke Yingguo also smiled teasingly: “Indeed—becoming even more radiant. No wonder after returning, all our girls have been thinking of her.”

Surrounded by such attention, Song Chuyi glanced around and noticed that neither Fourth Sister nor Fifth Sister was present, immediately understanding more clearly. These two noble madams surely couldn’t have come merely to see her and be done with it. With so many young ladies in the household, singling out only herself to meet…

Song Chuning sat on a long bench in the covered walkway. Turning her head, she could see a row of birds hopping about energetically opposite her, yet her expression showed not the slightest pleasure—her face was completely indifferent and cold.

After a long while, Cuiqiao timidly came forward to report to her: “Miss, Nanny Yu has been confined in Taoran Residence… Sixth Miss went to interrogate her just this morning. Just now, Princess Consort of Zhennan and the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Yingguo arrived, so she came out.”

Song Chuning turned and played with a leaf in her hand, crushing it and grinding it between her fingers. Her hands were covered with green juice, but she didn’t care. She turned her head with a hint of a smile.

That smile didn’t reach her eyes. Cuiqiao didn’t dare look anymore, lowering her head without uttering a word.

“Go to Taoran Residence.” Song Chuning kept pinching until her index finger turned red and blistered, yet she didn’t feel any pain. She turned to look directly at Cuiqiao: “The weather is so hot now. Nanny Yu hasn’t changed clothes all night—she must be uncomfortable. Take a set of clothes to her for me.”

Cuiqiao didn’t want to go. Previously, when her own miss had Lüshan deliver honey peaches to Nanny Yu, Nanny Yu had set Taoran Residence on fire. Now Miss was having her deliver clothes to Nanny Yu… She didn’t dare imagine what would happen after the delivery.

But Song Chuning stared straight at her with a gaze that left all her thoughts with nowhere to hide. She almost couldn’t help crying. After a long while, under Song Chuning’s cold gaze, she finally answered yes.

Song Chuning watched as she ran all the way to the main house, then shifted her gaze to Cuiguo, who stood trembling beside her: “Go watch her. If she doesn’t go… then you go.”

That Song Chuyi creature was no longer the stupid, easily bullied, useless girl from her memories. Since she had gone to interrogate Nanny Yu, she naturally knew where Nanny Yu’s weak points were.

Nanny Yu appeared loyal on the surface, but in reality, it was all for money and power. True affection perhaps existed, but absolutely not to the extent that she would sacrifice her children to die for her and Li Shi. By now, she might have already informed on her to Song Chuyi.

But she didn’t feel the slightest panic. So what if Song Chuyi had Nanny Yu’s life in her grasp? In the end, the one who could decide whether she lived or died was still herself.

As long as Nanny Yu died, this matter would die without proof. Nanny Yu was the one who had been seen setting fire at Songtao Courtyard. She was the one who truly deserved to die.

And all of this—without Nanny Yu as the sole witness—what did it have to do with her?

As for Song Chuyi… it was just a matter of time. Whether she tore off the mask now or later made no difference. She didn’t believe that with the knowledge from her dream, she would lose to Song Chuyi. Even less did she believe Song Chuyi could escape that dream realm and gain rebirth. In this world, only the phoenix could rise from the ashes. Song Chuyi—was she worthy?