The chaos and turmoil at the Earl’s estate had long since faded from Song Chuning’s sight. She watched the scenery continuously retreating outside, sitting upright in the carriage with her hands clasped together, a smile of relief appearing at the corners of her mouth.

If it weren’t for that foolish maid Hong Yu, she probably still wouldn’t know that Song Chuyi was not only not the weakling from her dreams, but had even grown to a frightening degree.

Calmly arranging everything, gaining the trust of the legitimate second son of Prince Zhennan’s estate through offering strategies and advice, having Lianyi—the former servant recalled to serve by Cui Shi’s side—win over Qing Tao’s parents, making Qing Tao’s father travel far to Jinzhong to deliver a message, and even maintaining close ties with the Grand Heir… No wonder Song Chengru and Old Madam Song, those two old foxes, treated Song Chuyi so well. Turns out Song Chuyi had revealed such insight and judgment.

She glanced at Cui Guo, who was pouring tea for her in the corner, and laughed silently: “What’s the matter? Can’t bear to part with your Lü Shan and Cui Qiao?”

Lü Shan had already gone to confess to the Old Madam, and Cui Qiao had disappeared again this morning. It wasn’t hard for her to guess where Cui Qiao had gone, so she had decisively urged Song Yi to leave early—if Song Chuyi heard what Cui Qiao had to say, she definitely wouldn’t allow her to leave with Song Yi.

Two first-rank maids were gone. Now only Cui Guo and Lü Yu followed her, and at this moment both were unnaturally quiet.

Cui Guo pressed her lips together, set down the tea on the low table, then kowtowed three times to Song Chuning right where she was: “Eighth Miss, my father and mother are still in the estate.”

Song Chuning had left so hastily that she barely had time to pack her belongings, with no time at all to inform her parents. She didn’t know if her parents would be punished, or how worried they would be.

Following Cui Guo’s lead, even Lü Yu’s eyes reddened as she sobbed and kowtowed.

They all knew Song Chuning was emotionless, so they never dared cry in front of her. But this time, because they had to go to Changsha—thousands of miles away—without any preparation, separated from their families with uncertain futures and not knowing if their parents would be implicated, they finally couldn’t help but break down a little.

Surprisingly, Song Chuning didn’t get angry. She stared at the two of them for a long while, then suddenly laughed.

“What are you panicking about?” she asked, watching them lift their tear-stained faces, speaking leisurely: “You’re just servants, already at the mercy of others. When Second Master orders you to follow to Changsha, do you dare refuse? The Old Master and Old Madam won’t go out of their way to trouble your parents and families over this. You can rest assured.”

The journey to Changsha—who knew how long it would be—she couldn’t be without two useful people by her side. Even if she bought new servants in Changsha, they wouldn’t be immediately convenient to use. Moreover, since these two knew her inside and out, she felt more at ease commanding them. So she made an unprecedented effort to comfort them with a few words.

Knowing this was already Song Chuning’s limit, Cui Guo and Lü Yu exchanged bitter smiles, not daring to say more. They lowered their heads and continued dutifully organizing Song Chuning’s belongings.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage finally stopped. Song Yi rode over on his horse and ordered people to unload the luggage from the carriage. He himself lifted the curtain and helped Song Chuning down, smiling warmly: “Since you said you’ve never been on a boat and wanted to travel by water, let’s just take a boat.”

Song Chuning wore a veiled hat, but a smile appeared on her face as well.

Where was the truth in her never having been on a boat and wanting to travel by water? She was afraid Song Chengru would send people to intercept and chase them. But now, as long as they boarded the boat, they would be like fish entering the sea—no matter how much the others tried, they’d have nowhere to search. Although Song Chuyi had become clever, in the end she had still gotten ahead by one step, hadn’t she? Through the veiled hat, she turned to take one last look at the blurred scenery, revealing a victor’s smile.

Song Jue led people out of the city to search thoroughly but didn’t find a single trace. After spending time on this until nearly evening, he finally heard they were at the dock and rushed there with a group of people without rest.

But when he arrived, the people had already boarded the boat and left one or two hours ago.

He could only shake his head with a bitter smile and return to report honestly to Song Chengru.

The entire estate was somewhat panicked. The servants walked carefully, afraid of making any noise. Second Master had returned inexplicably, then left again just as inexplicably without a sound. Not a trace of news, and it had even caused the Old Madam to fall ill.

Though puzzled, they became even more cautious, careful not to catch the eye of the Old Madam or any of the masters at this time.

Song Chengru sat in his round-backed chair. The flickering candlelight on the candlestick before him concealed his expression, making it impossible to discern his current mood.

But Song Jue knew his grandfather must be extremely enraged at this moment. After making his report, he stood there silently without moving.

“Go check on your grandmother,” Song Chengru finally spoke after a long silence. He frowned and added: “Have Sixth Miss come see me.”

Song Jue breathed a sigh of relief, responding in a deep voice, then went first to Ningde Courtyard to see his mother. Hearing that the Old Madam was still sleeping, he didn’t enter to disturb her, but sent Yushu to invite Song Chuyi.

The First Madam was quite uneasy, clutching her son with question after question. Finally learning that Song Yi had actually taken the water route, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

This younger brother-in-law was not young in years, but his conduct was far too erratic. Such a grown man, coming and going as he pleased, not even informing anyone. If not for someone at the gate reporting it, she wouldn’t have known he’d already left. Going out was, after all, a common thing for men, so she hadn’t thought deeply about it. Only when she later heard the Old Madam had fainted from anger did she realize something was wrong. Upon inquiry, she learned Song Yi’s departure wasn’t ordinary—he had returned to his post.

When he came, he came without a sound. When he left, he didn’t even bid farewell to his parents, and took his daughter with him… The First Madam’s gaze was somber as she sighed deeply, inevitably lamenting that all the Second Branch’s troubles had come together during this period, overwhelming and difficult to handle.

Yulan brought up medicine and candied fruit. The First Madam stopped asking questions, personally taking the medicinal soup to serve the Old Madam. Only then did she turn and tell Song Jue to return to his room.

Li Qingzi was currently pregnant as well. Though past three months, her constitution was delicate, so the imperial physician had instructed that she must be well cared for. The First Madam was worried, and also feared she might hear some gossip, so she hurried her son back to keep her company.

Though Song Jue worried about the Old Madam, he was indeed concerned about his wife. Hearing this, he obediently withdrew.

But he thought one layer deeper than the First Madam—Second Uncle could endure the hardship of cold window study, took the civil service examination route, and served honestly as county magistrate for six years before finally reaching his current position as prefectural magistrate. How could he be such a person without proper judgment? Could there be some unknown hidden circumstances in all this?