Old Madam Song’s expression was gloomy as water, rarely displaying her emotions so intensely. The force with which she wielded her brush seemed as if she wanted to devour someone.

Even Nanny Huang, who understood Old Madam Song well, couldn’t help but feel chilled all over. She gently shook her head at Song Chuyi.

Seeing Nanny Huang’s small gesture, Ziyun suddenly recalled what Song Chuyi had said today—some matters truly weren’t suitable for Old Madam Song to know. Now that she knew about Song Chuning’s arson, Old Madam Song was already this angry. If she knew that Song Chuyi had secretly contacted Madam Fang behind the Song family’s back and coldly watched Song Yi’s troubles without offering aid, she truly didn’t dare imagine what Old Madam Song’s reaction would be.

Old Madam Song quickly finished writing the letter. She read it over herself once, then handed it to Song Chuyi. “It’s time. If we act now, by the time we return home, it will be about time to send our Eighth Miss Song on her final journey.”

In the letter, Old Madam Song’s instructions to First Madam were very clear. She even specified which imperial physician to find, detailing everything down to how to handle the Li family’s questioning and doubts when they came.

Song Chuyi glanced at it once and placed the letter back on the table. After thinking it over, she still told Old Madam Song, “Elder Brother said in his letter that the Li family has already come more than once. Previously it was First Madam Li. This time I don’t know if they deliberately stationed someone outside our estate to wait for news—they actually showed up on the second day after she set the fire.”

Li Ruzhang was quite concerned about this granddaughter. Old Madam Song’s lips curved in a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Unfortunately, the fire didn’t manage to start. However, continually blocking people and not letting them see their granddaughter is indeed unreasonable on our part.”

Old Madam Song’s expression grew a few degrees colder. “Let’s wait a bit. Once we’ve packed everything properly in the next few days, let First Madam’s wife take them to see her. If they don’t see her with their own eyes, they’ll never give up.”

Recalling that she had agreed to Guo Yantang’s suggestion this morning to delay their return to the capital, Old Madam Song frowned and had Nanny Qin summon Guo Yantang—since the plan was changing on short notice, she should at least notify him.

After Nanny Qin left, Old Madam Song looked at Song Chuyi again, somehow showing concern between her brows. “This early return to the capital isn’t entirely because of your father’s matter. I received word that Ninth Princess has specifically requested you as her study companion…”

This was Ninth Princess Zhou Man, born to Consort Xian. She had always been much favored by Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian, and as Consort Xian’s youngest child and only daughter, she had always been cherished and doted upon by everyone.

Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows in some surprise, though her heart wasn’t merely slightly astonished as her surface showed.

On the surface, Consort Xian was famously gentle and without opinions, deferring to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Emperor and Empress in all matters. But if she were truly someone who relied only on past affection, it would be impossible for her to stand so firmly among the beauties of the rear palace after aging and losing her looks.

If she was so formidable, how could the daughter she bore be simple?

Yet this formidable mother-daughter pair, for no apparent reason, wanted her to be Zhou Man’s study companion?

It was normal for Consort Song to propose selecting study companions for the princesses, and for other age-appropriate princesses to select companions to their liking. But logically speaking, whether based on suitable age or closeness of relationship, if she were to serve, it should be as Eleventh Princess Zhou Qi’s study companion. How could Ninth Princess, out of nowhere and for no reason, specifically request her?

Or could it be that Prince Duan wasn’t entirely unaware of her conspiracy with Madam Fang to eliminate Song Chuning?

Thinking of this point, Song Chuyi couldn’t help but feel a chill of alarm—actually, ever since Song Chuning connected with Prince Duan, she had already stopped expecting to remain uninvolved. Song Chuning, who couldn’t stand to see her doing well, would definitely tell Prince Duan that she was the one behind sabotaging his affairs in the capital before…

Seeing her remain silent for a long time, Old Madam Song reached out to rub her head. “It’s not certain it will happen. No matter how favored she is, she’s still just a princess. There’s no reason that just because the young lady is ill or uncomfortable, you must serve her like an ox or horse. Historically, when princesses select study companions, they also consider whether the family’s daughter is engaged, whether she’s in mourning, or whether she’s ill…”

Song Chuyi had experienced these intricacies before and naturally understood them very clearly. In her previous life, she was originally supposed to be Eleventh Princess’s study companion, but because the family feared she would cause trouble and reported her as ill, she hadn’t been able to go.

“Grandmother, I recall that princesses’ study companions have never been just one person. Could Ninth Princess have specified only me alone?” Song Chuyi tilted her head to look at Old Madam, her gaze clear and unflinching.

Old Madam Song shook her head. She seemed to think of something and even let out a light snort. “No, not only you. I heard the list also includes that young lady from the Chen family and a young lady from the Shen family, as well as the daughter of the current Commander-in-Chief of Datong.”

It was very normal for someone from Duke Yingguo’s estate to be selected—after all, Grand Consort Zhuang had always been highly respected by the Emperor and Empress.

But Chen Mingyu…

The Chen family truly never put all their eggs in one basket.

Old Madam Song turned to instruct Nanny Huang and the others to pack things. Although they had traveled light when coming, this return trip was not simple. There were furniture and wood prepared for Song Chubin, as well as part of Song Linlang’s dowry. Even if they departed in three to five days, they needed to start packing and cataloging from now.

After finishing her instructions to Nanny Huang, Old Madam Song turned back to remind Song Chuyi, “Go back and have the maids pack your things properly. We’ll probably be setting off in the next day or two. With so many matters in the capital, if we don’t return soon, the very heavens might change.”

She paused, her tone becoming more gentle, carrying obvious intimacy and affection as she comforted Song Chuyi, “You needn’t worry too much either. When soldiers come, generals block them; when water comes, earth dams it. I don’t believe they would dare devour you when the time comes.”

Ziyun accompanied her out the door and couldn’t help but pat her chest first. “Just now Old Madam’s expression truly looked like she wanted to devour Eighth Miss. This time Eighth Miss…”

She thought again and felt that Song Chuning probably wouldn’t easily admit defeat as Song Chuyi said. She sighed with worry, “But Eighth Miss doesn’t look like someone destined to die young either. With that brain of hers, one of her equals eight of me. Who knows if she’ll think up some other scheme that benefits herself at others’ expense.”

Song Chuyi came back to her senses from the matter of Ninth Princess. Seeing her so worried, she smiled and shook her head. “There’s no need to worry about that—she doesn’t have the strength to cause more trouble.”

After the arson incident, whether it was Old Madam Song, First Madam Song, or Consort Song herself, none of them would tolerate her for even another moment.

Moreover, her own poison still hadn’t been cured. Once Song Jue took Lady Sun away, she would only be left barely breathing, waiting for news of her death from illness to spread.