The Zhang family had always been Prince Duan’s lackeys. Over the years, they had done no small amount of dirty work covering up for Prince Duan. This time with the Xingfu matter, wasn’t it Elder Zhang who was the most active in stirring up trouble, jumping up and down?

Song Chuyi became increasingly certain of the suspicion in her heart. She lowered her voice extremely, extremely low: “Fourth Sister, you’re right. In our whole family right now, the one who can persuade Grandfather and Grandmother even a little is probably only me.”

After she finished speaking, seeing Song Chumi’s gaze suddenly focus on her, she lowered her eyes and patted the shoulder that Song Chumi had just bumped painfully. Then she asked with genuine sincerity: “But that Young Master Zhang, no matter how good he is, he’s still a married man. I’m truly afraid you’ll suffer grievances going there. Moreover, how long have you two even known each other? How dare you give him your heart?”

Seeing Song Chuyi speak so earnestly, Song Chumi finally felt she saw hope. She grabbed her hand and shook it: “He’s sincere. He’s already promised my uncle that he’ll definitely give me a proper status. His father has even personally visited my uncle’s home.” At this point, her cheeks had already flushed red, revealing a young maiden’s charming manner: “He truly treats me with genuine feelings. It’s just that you also know about my mother… she wrote a letter severely scolding my maternal grandmother and uncle, telling me to abandon this idea. Grandmother and Grandfather are also anxious to find me a match… that’s why I panicked and sought out Grandfather and Grandmother.”

Her maternal grandmother and uncle were Yun Shi’s stepmother and half-brother. Yun Shi still held some reservations toward them, yet Song Chumi unexpectedly had no misgivings whatsoever. One really didn’t know if she was raised too sheltered from the world’s dangers or if she was dizzy from being intoxicated by love.

But Song Chuyi had basically asked everything she wanted to ask. She probably couldn’t get much more out of Song Chumi. She thought carefully, then asked in a warm voice: “Has Young Master Zhang and the Zhang family given you any proof? Otherwise, if Grandfather and Grandmother really agree to this for you and go to the Zhang household, but they deny it outright, what would we do?”

Song Chumi let out a breath of relief and said hurriedly: “Yes, yes, it’s at my maternal grandmother’s place. Maternal Grandmother said I shouldn’t be holding onto it, otherwise if people said we were exchanging tokens privately…”

Song Chuyi patted Song Chumi’s hand and showed a perfectly reassuring smile: “If that’s the case, then I’m relieved. It’s just that you running out privately like this isn’t a solution either. The servants at Ningde Courtyard will probably all be punished… By the way, Fourth Sister, how did you manage to run out? The people trained by Nanny Huang’s subordinates are not easy to deal with.”

Song Chumi’s mind at ease, she recovered her usual composure and gave a slightly proud light snort: “My wet nurse helped me arrange everything.”

She looked at Song Chuyi, once again showing her elder sister’s manner as before: “Sixth Sister, you and I are different. At least I have my own father and mother. You… Second Uncle is the way he is, you can’t rely on him. If you really run into trouble in the palace, what would happen to A’Yan? Listen to me just this once—you help me this time, and I’ll tell you how to avoid the Empress Dowager’s trap. How about it?”

After a while, Song Chumi was hurriedly taken away by Nanny Huang and the others who rushed over. Song Chuyi stood in place watching for a moment, then with a cold, expressionless face, ordered Ziyun and Qing Tao: “Come with me to Old Madam’s place.”

The Zhang family could truly be considered vicious and cunning in their methods, finding an alternative approach. She pulled together the cloak that Luyi had just draped over her shoulders and quickened her pace.

When she arrived at Ningde Courtyard, it happened to be right after Nanny Huang. Hearing that she had come, Yushu personally came out to greet her, fatigue showing between her brows: “Why has Sixth Miss come so late? How many lanterns did you bring? Be careful not to trip.”

Song Chuyi knew she must have suffered undeserved disaster because of Song Chumi’s matter. She gently took her hand going inside, her voice light and floating like a feather: “I have urgent business to see Grandmother. I’m afraid you won’t be able to sleep well again tonight. Have Sister Yulan prepare you a bowl of tortoise jelly later, to prevent a sore throat tomorrow morning.”

Yushu smiled and acknowledged, lifting the curtain to send her in. She herself tactfully withdrew to stand guard with Qing Tao and the others in the outer room.

Old Madam Song was anxiously fuming over Song Chumi running off. Seeing her arrive, she hurriedly beckoned her over, pulling her forward with some concern: “She ran to your place? Did she offend you?”

Song Chuyi shook her head to comfort Old Madam Song, then gazed at her with clear, bright eyes: “Grandmother, Fourth Sister’s matter is probably truly not that simple…”

Old Madam Song’s gaze immediately sank down. She nodded, indicating Song Chuyi should continue.

“Although it’s late at night, we still need to have Grandfather and First Uncle come together.” Song Chuyi lowered her voice: “I’ve already had Sister Yushu take my maids to stand guard in the outer room.”

Though this statement seemed disconnected, Old Madam Song looked deeply toward the outer room—for Song Chumi to have been able to evade a whole room full of maids and servants, each with their own duties, and run out, one truly had to develop some wariness toward the people at Ningde Courtyard.

“Good.” She patted Song Chuyi’s hand and instructed Nanny Li, who had just entered: “Go to the study outside and find Old Master and First Master. Have them come here.”

“What matter is so urgent?” As soon as Old Master Song entered and saw Song Chuyi was also there, he couldn’t help but be surprised: “Why are you here too, Xiao Yi? Coming from the garden is quite a distance. You’re not being timid and running back to bother your grandmother again, are you?”

First Master also looked at Song Chuyi with a smile: “It’s just that Guanju Courtyard is by the lake and water. You must bring enough people and be careful not to slip.”

Old Madam Song, however, couldn’t smile. She shook her head with a grave expression and explained Song Chumi’s visit to Song Chuyi tonight: “I heard it was her wet nurse who helped her. It’s truly a rarely heard marvel. I never realized before that she had such a capable wet nurse.”

They had placed Song Chumi at Ningde Courtyard precisely to prevent her from stirring up more trouble. Yet this was only the first night, and such an incident had occurred. She wanted to run to Song Chuyi’s place and could run to Song Chuyi’s place. If she wanted to leave the manor through the west corner gate, could she just slip out like that too?

Old Master Song pulled up the corner of his mouth as if sneering coldly. Song Chumi crying and clamoring to eagerly offer herself as a secondary wife to a married man had already ignited his anger. Now adding this matter on top made him even more furious.

“If she truly cannot stay put, send her to the family temple to cultivate this very night. No need to wait for her mother to return.” He glanced at Old Madam Song with a cold laugh: “Otherwise, while we wait and wait, who knows if she might carelessly elope to the Zhang Manor one night.”

First Master Song’s plea for leniency that had been about to leave his mouth was never spoken.

Thank you all for the rewards and monthly tickets. Here’s the update, begging for subscriptions, subscriptions, subscriptions—saying the important thing three times. Kisses!