As soon as First Madam Song finished speaking, she saw Old Madam Song’s expression change. She almost couldn’t control her facial expression as she stood up, exclaiming in shock: “Who?!”
Chen Xiang had been without news for a long time—why did he suddenly appear at their home now, and insisting on seeing her?! Thinking of how Song Chengru was on night duty at the cabinet tonight, Old Madam Song was even more certain that Chen Xiang had come prepared. For a moment, she couldn’t figure out what Chen Xiang had come for.
Elder Chen over there was fervently searching for that censor from Zijing Pass, and Prince Zhennan’s manor hadn’t been idle either. By all rights, Chen Xiang shouldn’t have had the time to come find them, yet he chose to come knocking at precisely this moment…
Old Madam Song turned her head to glance at Song Chuyi. Seeing that Song Chuyi had already straightened up, she cleared her throat and instructed Nanny Huang to go out: “Jieyi, you go tell the eldest and have him bring the person to Mingde Hall.”
First Madam Song anxiously stepped forward wanting to attend to Old Madam Song as she changed clothes behind the screen, but then saw Old Madam Song slowly wave her hand. She couldn’t help but freeze in place.
“No need for you.” Old Madam Song frowned slightly. Seeing First Madam Song stunned on the spot, she said: “It’s not appropriate for you to meet him, and it’s getting late. You should return to your room and rest early.”
After all, Chen Xiang was an outside man. First Madam’s handkerchief moved. She both felt relieved and couldn’t help but feel somewhat uneasy. Turning back to see Song Chuyi, she smiled at Old Madam Song a bit tentatively: “If that’s the case, then this daughter-in-law will first escort Xiaoyi back to settle her in.”
“That’s not necessary either.” Old Madam Song knew what she was thinking. She looked at her and said: “She’ll come out with me. You go back first. The eldest still has morning court tomorrow—aren’t you going to prepare his things for him?”
First Madam Song was startled, then immediately understood the meaning in Old Madam Song’s words. She couldn’t help but completely relax, wholeheartedly agreed with a word, looked deeply at Song Chuyi once, and obediently took her leave.
Nanny Jin waited at the side, her expression tense as she asked: “Madam, did Old Madam not make things difficult for you?”
After all, it was still Old Madam Song who was in charge of the household. If Old Madam Song kept her teeth sunk into this matter and wouldn’t let go, then First Madam Song’s days would be very difficult, and they who served as the first household’s servants would have even more difficult days.
First Madam Song shook her head, feeling that her forehead was already covered in cold sweat. When the night wind blew, she suddenly realized she felt somewhat cold.
“From now on, you should all show more respect to Sixth Miss.” First Madam Song walked for a while before suddenly speaking: “Times are different from before. Otherwise, this incident is a lesson.”
Jin Ling and Jin Huan hung their heads very low, both responding affirmatively in low voices.
But Nanny Jin couldn’t help but pale—after all, she was the one who had personally gone to speak to Song Chuyi about this matter. First Madam Song was an elder after all, so Song Chuyi might not hold a grudge against her, but who knew if she would take it out on her?
Old Madam Song took Song Chuyi’s hand and went out the door, only to be hit by the oncoming cool breeze that made her shiver—the early autumn nights already carried a chill. Looking up, a full moon hung in mid-sky. She tightened her grip on Song Chuyi’s hand and asked in a lowered voice: “Is it that the Chen family’s search for that censor has made some progress, so Chen Xiang and his people are starting to lose their patience?”
Chen Xiang and Xingfu had always been the type who wouldn’t release the hawk until they saw the rabbit. It was highly likely that following the Chen family or the Ye family, they had already discovered some information, which was why they came to the Song family—although Elder Chen or Prince Zhennan’s manor might find that censor first, once they found him, it would also mean the beginning of danger.
Neither Xingfu nor Chen Xiang could possibly allow that censor to arrive alive and well in the capital, much less enter the Court of Judicial Review or the Imperial Prison.
And if the matter of the censor was resolved, then the remaining secret letter would become even more critically important—aside from that censor, this was probably the only thing that could put Xingfu to death.
Song Chuyi nodded, feeling that Old Madam Song’s hand brought her a bit of warmth: “Counting the time, there should be news soon. It’s just unknown whether Commander Chen and his people successfully competed with others to eliminate the only remaining threat, or…”
Old Madam Song understood her meaning, let out a cold laugh, and said nothing.
But Song Chuyi inexplicably felt somewhat nervous—whether the person was found by Elder Chen or fell into Prince Zhennan manor’s hands, they had to have the ability to protect him. Once the person truly died at the hands of Chen Xiang and Xingfu, the pressure the Song family would bear would only be heavier than before.
Mingde Hall was brightly lit. The several lamp niches in front of the hall had all been lit with bright candles, swaying and flickering in the wind, casting undulating light.
When Old Madam Song reached the entrance, she released Song Chuyi’s hand, leaned on Yushu’s support as she stepped through the door, turned past the twelve-panel gilt landscape screen, steadily exchanged courtesies with Chen Xiang, and then sat according to host and guest protocol.
Song Chuyi led Qing Tao and Ziyun in through the small side door, sat on the couch in the partition, and quietly listened to the movements next door with only a wall between them.
“I just heard the report and it gave me quite a fright.” Old Madam Song smiled as she watched a maid respectfully serve tea. She held the gilt-painted water-ink lotus teacup, took a sip, then turned her head to look at Chen Xiang: “I thought you had come on official business.”
Chen Xiang’s tone was cheerful and straightforward, even carrying a somewhat playful smile: “Even if it were official business, given the Earl Manor’s status, it could only be icing on the cake. Auntie, you’re making fun of me.”
Grand Master looked toward Old Madam in the seat of honor and said: “Just now, Commander Chen told me that this trip he specifically came seeking your help with something.” He turned his head again, his gaze burning as he looked at Chen Xiang: “It’s just a pity that after I asked for ages, he refused to reveal to me what matter brought him knocking at our door.”
Chen Xiang’s smile became even more hearty: “This is truly a momentous matter—it concerns my marriage prospects. Only with elders present do I dare to brazenly speak of it. How could I have the face to mention it before your son?”
Old Madam Song and Grand Master Song both couldn’t help but frown and glance at each other.
Song Chuyi next door also couldn’t help but freeze upon hearing this, and in an instant her heart rose to her throat—if her premonition wasn’t wrong, whatever marriage Chen Xiang was talking about, coming specifically to seek Old Madam Song… it must be aimed at Chen Jinxin!
Sure enough, she heard the crisp sound of cups and plates touching the table next door, followed immediately by Old Madam Song laughing aloud: “What kind of talk is this? Coming to our door in the dead of night, coming to our home to actually seek help with marriage matters?! Don’t make fun of me.”
Grand Master bent his finger and lightly tapped on the table beside him, also inquiring full of doubt: “If you need a matchmaker, you should go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Why on earth would you come to us? Commander, surely you’re not truly making fun of us?”