That Chen Jinxin actually still possessed such a fine treasure in her hands, and moreover casually took it out to give away—Song Chuyi looked at her with some astonishment, just in time to see her eyes, black as lacquer, also looking back at her, still as icy cold as ever, devoid of half a trace of vitality or emotion.
“Sixth Miss, don’t overthink it. I truly do have a favor to ask, which is why I’m catering to your interests.” A sickly flush appeared on her sunken cheeks. After coughing for a spell, she lowered her eyes and stated matter-of-factly: “I know Fourth Young Master will soon journey far to Shu to study under the great scholar Tang Mingzhao. Tang Mingzhao is a pedantic scholar with an eccentric temperament. You must be troubled about what gift to send him. Sending gold, silver, pearls, and jade risks being scorned as reeking of copper stench; sending antiques and calligraphy risks being called pretentious. This hand-copied Analects by Wang Xianzhi should suit his tastes perfectly.”
Song Chuyi’s focus fell on the latter half of her words. She closed the lid and handed the item to Luyi, who was waiting behind her, then smiled leisurely: “If that’s the case, then I shall respectfully accept rather than decline. I wonder what I can help Sister Chen with? I will certainly do my utmost.”
Song Yan truly needed a gift that would make Tang Mingzhao’s eyes light up with novelty. This hand-copied Analects was perfectly suitable—something ten thousand gold pieces couldn’t buy.
For Chen Jinxin to give such a precious item, what she sought was likely no small matter.
“It’s nothing much.” Seeing her accept the item, Chen Jinxin’s eyes brightened a bit more, and her tone rarely showed some fluctuation: “I just want to ask Sixth Miss to help me find a quieter estate. Although if you dared to accept the secret letter, you must certainly have made complete preparations, I still don’t dare to be entirely at ease. Though I myself no longer wish to live, the people around me all have families—they shouldn’t suffer misfortune because of me.”
As she said this, she turned to look at Third Madam. The indifference in her eyes gradually transformed into attachment and tenderness. Combined with her excessively gaunt features, it added a few traces of vitality to her appearance.
Luyi’s eyes gradually reddened. Song Chuyi suddenly recalled herself on the verge of death in her previous life—outside the window were splendid butterfly orchids in full bloom; inside the room was herself, thin as withered petals, about to die, heart full of despair, and Luyi crying inconsolably.
How similar the scene before her eyes was to that time. She didn’t know if she had once looked at Luyi with such eyes, didn’t know if outsiders viewing her then had also found her as pitiable as Chen Jinxin, but her heart inevitably softened.
“Miss Chen’s worry is perfectly justified, and your request is only natural. If you’re unwilling to continue living in the Earl’s manor, you can certainly explain things clearly to Grandmother.” She cleared her somewhat blocked throat and finished the latter half of her sentence with forced calm: “There’s truly no need to give me such a precious gift—it’s rather taking advantage of me.”
Chen Jinxin waved her hand and smiled weakly: “I mentioned it to Old Madam before, but Old Madam wasn’t comfortable with me going out alone. It’s just that in my condition… what future is there to speak of? Though the Earl’s manor supporting me for a lifetime is certainly for my benefit, I don’t want Third Madam and the others to accompany me living muddled and confused for a lifetime. I want to go to Jiangnan to find an estate, take Third Madam and their relatives together, and live quietly for a few years.”
Old Madam Song must have been somewhat worried because of the secret letter matter, fearing they would be found by Chen Xiang.
In principle, staying in the Earl’s manor was indeed more reassuring than going outside, and better for Chen Jinxin’s safety. After all, as long as the Earl’s manor stood for a day, they could live peacefully and safely.
But Chen Jinxin’s concerns were also reasonable, and she thought very far ahead and thoroughly for Third Madam and the others—Chen Jinxin probably truly didn’t have much longer to live. Once she died, even if the Earl’s manor were willing, they would at most keep Third Madam and the others in the manor to continue as servants, or give them some silver to send them back to their hometown. It truly wasn’t as good as what Chen Jinxin planned for them.
“I’ll discuss it with Grandmother and Grandfather.” Song Chuyi nodded. Seeing genuine smile appear on Chen Jinxin’s face with its protruding cheekbones, her heart couldn’t help but ache: “I only hope that when Sister Chen truly goes outside, you’ll also cherish your health. Regardless of how others are, Old Madam Su always means well for you.”
Old Madam Song had never seen Song Chuyi looking so lifeless—as if after one trip to Tingyun Pavilion, all her vital essence had been drained away. Even her eyes were misty and murky; her usual liveliness and charm had completely vanished without a trace.
“What’s wrong?” She leaned forward and pulled Song Chuyi to her side. After carefully examining her from top to bottom, she tilted her head slightly to ask Luyi: “How is it that after one visit to Miss Chen, she’s returned looking so lost and distracted?”
Song Chuyi grasped Old Madam Song’s somewhat aged yet still warm palm with her own hands, finally feeling as though she’d struggled slightly free from the nightmare of her previous life: “Grandmother… I beg you for one thing.”
Her voice emerged with some choking sob, frightening Old Madam Song so much that her brows furrowed with alarm and doubt as she froze on the spot.
“Please help Miss Chen find a proper place to settle her and her servants.” She held Old Madam Song’s hand with both of hers, gazing tearfully into Old Madam Song’s eyes with an almost devout expression.
Old Madam Song stared blankly for a moment, then gently pressed Song Chuyi’s head against her chest, tenderly stroking her back stroke by stroke.
Though Song Chuyi had never once mentioned that terrifying nightmare since Li Shi’s death, Old Madam Song knew she had never truly escaped from that frightful dream. Whenever she knelt in the ancestral hall worshiping Cui Shi, the fear and despair in her eyes broke one’s heart.
She must have seen her dream-self in Miss Chen, and therefore wanted to fulfill Miss Chen’s wishes.
Old Madam Song sighed while patting her back: “Since you put it this way, Grandmother naturally has no reason to refuse. But Xiaoyi…” She held Song Chuyi’s shoulders and moved her back slightly, staring directly into her eyes: “Everything in dreams is opposite to reality. Look, your eldest brother is still fine, and we’re even better. You’re a good child, you absolutely must not—”
Before she could finish her entire sentence, Yushu called out from outside, “Old Master,” then lifted the curtain to usher Old Master Song through the door.
Old Master Song didn’t have time to ask what they’d been discussing that made both their eyes so red. His expression grave yet carrying a trace of imperceptible panic, he sighed: “The Eastern Palace has likely encountered some trouble. All the imperial physicians in the palace have been transferred to the Eastern Palace.”
The Crown Prince’s health had always been very poor. Reportedly, since he’d passed his fortieth birthday, he frequently coughed up blood and needed constant medicinal care year-round. Thinking that in this life the Crown Prince had already lived nearly half a year longer than in the previous life, Song Chuyi suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.