Song Chuyi couldn’t help but recall the events following the Crown Prince’s death in her previous life—Prince Gong and Prince Duan fought fiercely with each other, each crying more heart-wrenchingly than the other at the funeral hall, fighting tooth and nail for the throne. The Song family and many noble families became sacrificial victims. Then not long after, the Crown Prince’s grandson, His Highness, who had rushed back for the funeral, died on his way back to the capital.

Afterward, the Crown Princess also died of grief and melancholy. Even the Empress suffered no small blow, her health declining sharply thereafter, never recovering to what it once was. The series of tragedies in her life seemed to have begun after the Crown Prince’s death. Cold sweat gradually seeped from her forehead, dampening her hair and making it stick to her forehead. She clenched her hands into fists, nails digging into flesh, before slowly regaining her composure.

Old Madam Song was right—the current situation truly was different from the previous life. Song Jue was still fine, and the Song family also stood safely and securely, having weathered dangers.

Most importantly, His Highness the Crown Prince’s grandson, Zhou Weizhao—someone who in the previous life should have already descended to the Yellow Springs—was still living well now. Why should she be afraid? She could change everything, not only including the Song family, but also Song Yan and herself.

However, if the Crown Prince truly met with misfortune, Zhou Weizhao was after all only twelve years old. It was hard to say whether he could handle those uncles of his.

In that case, the path the Song family originally wanted to take would become extraordinarily difficult. After all, pledging allegiance to someone who had been Crown Prince for over ten years was utterly different from pledging to a twelve-year-old boy.

Seeing her face turn pale, Song Chengru’s expression also grew somewhat heavy. Sighing, he said: “I only hope the Crown Prince can be safe and sound, otherwise relying solely on the Crown Prince’s grandson, he’ll likely be unable to cope.”

Old Madam Song’s thoughts were also quite heavy, but the Crown Prince’s life and death were not for her to decide. Therefore she turned to speak of other matters: “Miss Chen summoned Xiaoyi because she wanted to ask her to have me let her go recuperate on an estate. Though staying in our household is good, thinking carefully, it’s truly not as comfortable as going to an estate to recuperate. Since she’s raised this, I plan to fulfill her wish.”

Now that the Su family matter had come to a close, the Su family members would likely have a layer of skin stripped off by Chen Xiang this time barring any accidents. Aside from Chen Xiang still causing some concern, there truly wasn’t much to worry about.

Hearing Old Madam Song say this, Song Chengru thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: “If that’s the case, ask her where she wants to go and try to act according to her wishes. However, there’s one thing—the place must still be found somewhere quiet, and guards from our manor must also go along. Otherwise, how could a young lady so easily establish herself?”

Chen Jinxin was ultimately a daughter of a noble family. Though she had experienced the torment of the inner quarters, she knew nothing of worldly affairs. This world was harsh toward women. An unmarried woman of marriageable age living alone, if she lacked sufficient power to support her, could be torn apart at any moment.

Of course, another reason was also to be responsible to Old Madam Su and the Chen Jun’an couple. After all, they had entrusted Chen Jinxin to the Earl’s manor, and since the manor had promised, they should protect her completely.

Old Madam Song had already considered all this. Hearing his words, she nodded gently: “Yes, we’ll have people the Earl’s manor trusts go along. The young lady said she wants to go to Jiangnan, likely influenced by her parents. But Jiangnan is after all too far. We couldn’t visit often either. My personal thought is that the Tongzhou area would be good—there are many hot springs there, which would benefit her recuperation. When we have time, we can also visit her often. A young lady—how could we truly have her go out and establish an independent household?”

Moreover, keeping her under their noses, if Chen Xiang really did remember this old score one day, they could detect it in time.

“Once it’s decided, go tell her personally.” Old Master Song also felt Chen Jinxin was pitiable, and his tone was especially gentle when mentioning her: “This child is sensitive and prone to worry. Better to avoid having her think we’re dissatisfied later and becoming anxious again—that wouldn’t be good for her health either. When the time comes to move, have the First Madam handle the arrangements.”

Before long, First Madam entered to discuss Song Chumi’s affairs with them. Song Chuyi felt it inappropriate to continue listening and took her leave. Song Chumi was already fifteen, about to have her coming-of-age ceremony. Her marriage was pressing, but though First Madam Song and Third Madam had both drafted many candidates and received name cards from many families, none had been settled.

The reason for this indecision wasn’t because the Earl’s manor and Third Madam’s couple had high requirements—it was purely because Song Chumi looked down on them all. These past days, Old Madam Song had already begun to show subtle displeasure over this matter—Song Linlang had chosen her own husband, but what was the result? Old Madam Song was likely truly terrified that the Song family would produce another Song Linlang.

Not knowing which suitable person First Madam had selected this time, she was thinking this when, turning around the corridor, someone crashed into her, nearly causing her to slip and fall along with Qing Tao who was supporting her.

After steadying herself and looking, she discovered it was actually Song Chumi. She couldn’t help but look behind again and ask her: “Fourth Sister, where are you heading?”

Song Chumi had no time to acknowledge her. She glanced at her and swept past in a rush.

Qing Tao turned to look in surprise, her throat tightening: “Old Madam is discussing Fourth Miss’s marriage with First Madam right now. For her to run over like this…”

Song Chumi’s expression was frighteningly ugly. Song Chuyi stood in place thinking for a moment, sighed, then turned and also began jogging toward Ningde Courtyard.

However, her pursuit was still somewhat slow. Song Chumi had already entered the room. Even standing outside the curtain, she could hear the crying and shouting inside.

Ziwei stood by the curtain somewhat hesitantly, gently giving Song Chuyi a glance, asking if she should enter.

But before Song Chuyi could speak, the curtain was violently swept aside, and then Song Chumi burst out like a gust of wind, crashing into her and causing a sharp pain in her shoulder.

However, she still reacted quickly enough, immediately reaching out to grab Song Chumi who seemed about to run off in tears—if she ran back to the third branch crying and shouting like this, who knew what gossip might arise later.

Nanny Huang and Nanny Jiang had also chased out right behind her. Seeing Song Chuyi barely holding onto Song Chumi, they felt relieved. Supporting Song Chumi from left and right, half coaxing and half persuading, they ushered her back into the room.

With matters already having escalated to this point, Song Chuyi’s desire to avoid suspicion was likely too late. She pressed her lips together and also squeezed into the room.

Inside, both Old Madam Song and First Madam were quite angry, especially First Madam Song. Her face alternated between green and white, as if she’d been greatly embarrassed, her chest heaving violently with anger.