When she returned to the residence, Yushu was already waiting for her at the second gate. Upon seeing her, she first pulled her aside to examine her from head to toe, and only after confirming that nothing was wrong did she breathe a sigh of relief. “At lunchtime, several nannies from the Marquis of Jinxiang’s household sent over several West Mansion crabapple and corn poppy plants. They specifically said it was to apologize on behalf of their young lady, saying that Miss Han had offended you. Old Madam Song immediately gave those nannies no pleasant expression. To think that you went out properly as a guest, yet instead of entertaining you well as the host family should, she lost her temper and offended someone—this is inexcusable by any standard.”
Moreover, Old Madam Song had another concern—Han Zhi’s actions were still too obvious and left too many traces. How could it be such a coincidence that they ran into each other at the Qingzhou courier station? And if that wasn’t enough, at the Tongzhou villa, it was precisely he and his cousin who caused Song Chuyi to develop a high fever that very night.
The incident with Marquis Pingyang’s household and Madam Fang had already scared Old Madam Song out of her wits several times. She no longer dared to take lightly this Marquis of Jinxiang’s household controlled by the younger Lady Fan, who was one of the Fan sisters.
Song Chuyi followed her all the way back to Ningde Courtyard, and indeed found Old Madam Song’s expression unpleasant. Third Madam at the side was raising her hand to wipe away tears. Only when she saw people entering did she hastily turn her head away and use a handkerchief to hide her face.
Song Chumi was several months older than Song Chubin. Song Chubin’s future in-laws were about to visit tomorrow for a formal meeting, yet Song Chumi, because of the Yun family incident, was still confined somewhere unknown. Third Madam had endured with difficulty until Old Madam Song returned, and naturally she had to seize the time to plead for mercy.
However, Old Madam Song had been frightened by Song Chuning’s incident and Song Chumi had once disregarded the entire Changning Earl’s household for the sake of a man, so naturally she would not agree.
Song Chuyi understood perfectly well in her heart, but on the surface she pretended not to know. She stepped forward and paid her respects to both Old Madam Song and Third Madam.
Old Madam Song drew her close and asked, “The Marquis of Jinxiang’s household sent several old women over with gifts, repeatedly saying they were apologizing on behalf of their young lady. I truly don’t know what exactly they’re apologizing for, and I’m too lazy to deal with them. I had them take all the gifts back without accepting them.”
Last time at the villa, when people from the Marquis of Jinxiang’s household came to fetch Han Zhi, they also sent gifts, which Old Madam Song dismissed perfunctorily—Guo Yantang had a prior connection with Song Linlang and they had agreed in Qingzhou to travel together, but Han Zhi appeared halfway out of nowhere. Moreover, the Marquis of Jinxiang’s household had always been in a sensitive position, so she didn’t want to get involved.
After talking for a while, seeing Third Madam sitting there woodenly and looking quite pitiful, Old Madam Song ultimately felt it improper to continue questioning Song Chuyi in detail. She sighed and told Song Chuyi to go change her clothes first.
Song Chuyi took her leave, and as she exited, Qing Ying approached to report that Ma San and the others had already investigated the background of that estate owner. The estate owner who had accused Song Yi had taken in a girl barely fourteen years old at his courtyard in the capital and was currently infatuated with her, spending every day at the courtyard on Stinking Water Alley.
Qing Ying was after all a young lady, and although she came from the palace and had seen much of the world, when speaking of such matters she still couldn’t help but blush slightly. “I heard that Estate Owner Huang later simply took in another one as well, spending every day in the courtyard on Stinking Water Alley.”
Song Chuning always handled matters without much oversight, and Song Chuyi had already had Song Jue go repeatedly to question Song Yi, learning that the two plots of land in Yongzhou were a thank-you gift from Estate Owner Huang after Song Yi helped him reclaim them from his cousin.
At the time, Song Yi originally refused to accept them, but Song Chuning persuaded him, saying there were no truly incorruptible officials, and moreover, as long as proper procedures were followed through the land agency, it would be like a pie falling from heaven—a perfectly seamless good fortune. Only then did Song Yi reluctantly agree.
Social exchanges naturally involve give and take. Having received this favor, in the future Song Yi and Estate Owner Huang naturally grew closer. One day, Estate Owner Huang specifically sent over several beauties, all skilled in music and performance without exception. Once started it continued, and moreover Song Yi had always had a taste for such things, so he accepted them without suspicion.
Who could have known that the next day, one of the beauties killed herself by running into a pillar?
And by such coincidence, a servant from the rear compound went to report to the Imperial Censor patrolling Changsha.
Estate Owner Huang also jumped out to accuse Song Yi of forcibly seizing a commoner’s daughter, and even claimed that his daughter had actually been engaged long ago.
Yin Zhengde was originally an upright and inflexible bookworm. Having received such a complaint, there was no reason not to accept it. Full of righteous indignation, he submitted a memorial impeaching Song Yi.
Song Chuyi’s steps didn’t pause as she led the group all the way back to Guanju Courtyard. After drinking a sip of hot tea to warm herself, she asked Ziyun, “How is Ma Yongfu’s side? Have they found that servant who made the initial accusation?”
The one currently running errands and passing messages for Song Chuyi was Qing Tao’s cousin, Luo Gui, who served at the gate.
Ziyun helped her remove her cloak and nodded. “Luo Gui just had Nanny Xu pass word in, saying they’ve already found him and are escorting him toward the capital. I heard he was hiding quite deep, having fled all the way into the mountains, but Ma Yongfu still managed to catch him and bring him back.”
Ma Yongfu was different from Ma San. In the military, he wasn’t one who charged into battle; he was a scout with his own methods for tracking people down, which was why Song Chuyi felt confident having him handle this matter.
Hearing that the person had been found, Luyi also couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. She poured hot water into the copper kettle and ironed the new clothes Nanny Xu had made for Song Chuyi until not a single wrinkle could be found, then interjected, “Finding him is good too. Clearing Second Master of wrongful accusation will also spare the young lady and young master from being dragged down by him and pointed at by others.”
She had another thought in her heart—she felt that if Song Yi had any conscience at all, this time Li Shi’s daughter had pushed him into the fire while their own young lady had saved him, so he should change that irresponsible temperament of his and treat both Song Yan and Song Chuyi better in the future.
However, Song Chuyi didn’t expect Song Yi to treat her well. Her previous indulgence in letting Madam Fang expose Song Yi’s matter was merely to teach Song Yi a lesson and make him suffer, as well as to completely sever his relationship with Prince Duan.
As for saving Song Yi now, first, having Song Yi live well and serve properly as an official would be a protection for Song Yan in the future no matter what. Second, she also wanted to take this opportunity to deal with Madam Fang—she had originally thought that Madam Fang, for Wei Yanzhao’s sake, should have been able to follow her hints, but since Madam Fang treated it all as passing wind, then she could only sever another of Prince Duan’s arms. After all, being held at a weak point was an unpleasant feeling, and moreover, since Madam Fang could kill a Song Chuning for Wei Yanzhao’s sake, she would dare to move against herself for him as well.
“Enough.” She scolded Luyi playfully. Seeing Luyi purse her lips, she smiled and instructed Qing Ying, “Tonight you personally go with Ma San to Stinking Water Alley and keep a close watch on Estate Owner Huang for me. Tomorrow I’ll go out myself.”