Song Chuning never expected that the Earl of Changning’s residence in the capital would guard against her to such an extent. On the night of her return, First Master Song and First Madam Song didn’t even show their faces. They only sent several rigid nannies to escort her all the way to the residence in the garden.

Then she was confined like a prisoner—even wanting to go out for a walk or return to the second branch’s quarters to fetch some books to read, those nannies all said no.

She wasn’t angry. On the contrary, she felt happy—for her, others’ fear was far more acceptable than emotions like pity. The more the Song family feared her, the happier she was.

Cuiguo carefully brought in a pork heart and lotus seed soup to serve her, while looking at her with some concern. “The kitchen keeps sending ginseng soup recently. Although ginseng soup is good, you’ve been drinking so much you’re getting inflamed…”

Song Chuning’s motion with the spoon paused. She looked at the soup before her with a half-smile.

Could the Song family actually want to poison her? She smiled inexplicably, glancing at the several nannies standing outside like bodhisattvas who wouldn’t move, and reached up to pull out a silver hairpin from her hair.

But after taking it out of the soup, the silver hairpin still gleamed brightly without any abnormality.

Cuiguo stared wide-eyed and hastily went to close the door. When she came back to look at her, she was frightened, her eyes wide as she asked, “Miss, is there something wrong with this soup?”

Song Chuning shook her head, though she wasn’t completely reassured. She lifted her head to glance out the window and instructed Cuiguo, “Go ask Qiuniang to come over.”

Qiuniang was given to her by Master Fang, said to be skilled in medicine, left to protect her.

Returning to the Song family meant returning to a place she knew was a trap. Even though Song Chuning feared nothing under heaven, she had made thorough preparations—if Song Jue’s matter was exposed, the Song family elders would probably want her dead first.

And she was currently just a small girl. Even if she died, at most they would publicize it as a sudden illness, place her body in the family temple for a few days, and that would be that.

Cuiguo nodded and tiptoed to knock on the door of the side room, leading out a woman around forty years old.

“Qiuniang, come take a look.” Song Chuning pushed the bowl of soup forward, looking at the seemingly ordinary woman. “See if there’s anything unclean in here.”

Compared to Master Fang, this Qiuniang clearly suited Song Chuning’s taste better—she never talked excessively, didn’t treat her like a child to be placated and used, and wholeheartedly fulfilled the role of a physician.

Hearing this, Qiuniang’s eyes moved. She responded affirmatively, crouched down, dipped her finger in some of the soup and tasted it on her tongue. After a while, she shook her head at Song Chuning. “There’s nothing unclean.”

Only then did Song Chuning relax. Hugging her arms, she closed her eyes somewhat wearily and sighed. She had always felt Changsha was no good, but now it seemed Changsha had its good points too. At least there she could eat and use things without worry, without being on edge like this.

First Madam Song was also uneasy. After confirming multiple times that Song Chuning’s courtyard was tightly surrounded, she still felt uncertain, hesitating. “Perhaps we should station more people to guard it. Better safe than sorry…”

Otherwise, if Song Chuning suddenly came up with some malicious scheme and did something to her little grandson, she truly would have nowhere to cry.

Song Jue sat in the lower seat drinking tea, his gaze steady as he looked at First Madam Song. “Mother, don’t panic too much. Those nannies are all from the palace. Their eyes are the sharpest—they can detect the slightest movement from that side.”

First Madam Song relaxed somewhat seeing her son, and regardless of anything else, at least her son had returned smoothly and safely.

Her heart eased slightly from Song Jue’s words. She sighed. “How can I not be afraid? With such a venomous creature placed nearby, anyone would be on edge, unable to eat or sleep.”

Song Jue’s heart also harbored some indescribable wariness toward this eighth younger sister—it wasn’t once or twice now. This eighth sister had acted against family members more than once or twice. He had never encountered such a deranged girl before.

No wonder Grandmother had specifically left word instructing him to remember to keep a close watch on her. Without watching her, probably no one in the entire Song residence would be safe from her harm.

First Madam Song shook her head heavily. Suddenly she heard Nanny Jin reporting from outside, “Madam, someone from Nanny Sun’s side came to say that today’s soup that was sent over wasn’t drunk—it was all poured out.”

As long as Song Chuning became suspicious of something, even if it was confirmed to have no problems, she would never use it again.

This matched her personality. First Madam Song glanced at her son, feeling that this matter had indeed been anticipated correctly by Song Chuyi. She let out a cold laugh and said she understood.

After thinking, she instructed again, “Send it over again tomorrow. She can’t very well live without eating or drinking, can she?”

After Nanny Jin agreed, she looked at Song Jue with a slight desire to sigh. “Look at whether she’s worry-free or not. She has at least ten thousand schemes in her heart. If one isn’t careful, she’ll probably tear you apart and swallow you whole, leaving not even bones behind.”

Song Jue understood why First Madam feared Song Chuning like a tiger. He gently comforted her. “Mother needn’t worry too much. Didn’t I return safely? This shows she can’t accomplish everything. Moreover, this time Eldest Sister and Little Yi have thought things through so thoroughly. Even if she has heaven-reaching abilities, she can’t stir up any storms.”

Hoping this was true, First Madam Song gathered her spirits to discuss with Song Jue about his classmates attending the full moon banquet. “How many people are coming exactly? I need to be prepared here to avoid arranging the table numbers poorly.”

Song Jue answered one by one. Seeing the sun had reached the window, he stood up to prepare to go to the guard station to report for duty.

But he had barely taken a step when Nanny Qiu outside relayed a message, saying someone from the Li family had come and wanted to see Song Chuning.

This was also something anticipated early on. After all, Song Chuning was the Li family’s granddaughter. Hearing she had returned, it was natural for the Li family to come see her.

First Madam Song saw Song Jue standing still. On one hand she indicated she could handle it herself, while on the other she called Nanny Qiu in to ask, “Who came?”

Actually, without guessing one could guess—Old Madam Li was currently practicing Buddhism at the temple, so naturally the one in charge of the Li family was First Madam Li.

Nanny Qiu indeed replied, “It’s First Madam Li who came personally. Currently Third Madam is accompanying her, seated in the flower hall.”

This First Madam Li of the Li family had never gotten along well with Lady Li or Song Chuning. This visit was probably at the behest of Old Master Li and First Master Li, just coming to go through the motions.

First Madam relaxed, thought for a moment, and said, “Then quickly have Third Sister-in-law bring her in. Don’t neglect our guest.”

Hearing it was First Madam Li who came, Song Jue also felt relieved. He saluted First Madam and took his leave.