Song Chuyi was leaning against the south window reading when she received the news. Ziyun poured her a cup of flower tea and placed it on the table, so panicked her complexion changed: “Miss, if the person is in his hands and says something…”

If the matter from two years ago when Song Chuyi had them intercept and kill Song Chuning and Wei Yanxi was revealed, and Han Zhi took this testimony to Shuntian Prefecture to file a complaint, it would be absolutely certain to succeed. Worse still, it would likely implicate Cui Shaoting—the fact that Ma Wangkun’s group were the Cui family’s private soldiers could always be investigated. At that time, jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash them clean.

Qing Tao happened to enter just then. Although she didn’t know what Ziyun and Song Chuyi were discussing, her expression also looked quite poor. Crouching before Song Chuyi with slightly bent legs, she reported: “Miss, word has come from the Tongzhou estate. The one who sent the message was my father.”

The Tongzhou villa never sent people to the Earl of Changning’s residence unless it was important, let alone Qing Tao’s father coming personally. Song Chuyi raised an eyebrow, already vaguely guessing something. Tilting her head, she asked: “What matter?”

“Yesterday, the heir of the Marquis of Jinxiang who once lodged at the villa went to our villa to ask for water, but discovered a large quantity of weapons in the villa.” Qing Tao lowered her eyes, trying her utmost to control her emotions, yet her hands still trembled slightly: “The attendant following him discovered this batch of weapons was precisely the one used by Wei Yanxi and the others who met with misfortune in the capital’s outskirts. He said it couldn’t be unrelated to the people at our villa.”

Han Zhi certainly knew to strike at her vulnerabilities everywhere. From appearances, he must have learned quite a lot from Song Chuning, even utilizing Nanny Xu, Lianyi, and An’an.

Song Chuyi couldn’t help recalling her previous life when Han Zhi, in order to continue his family line yet unwilling to be constrained by a noble wife in the future, actually came up with the idea of eliminating the mother while keeping the child.

Such a person whose heart had already turned completely black had absolutely no consideration of face or sentiment to speak of.

This shock frightened Ziyun even more senseless. For the first time, she felt she was standing on crumbling ice, her whole body shuddering: “Miss, I fear Ma Wangkun couldn’t endure and has already confessed.”

Qing Tao was actually more composed than Ziyun. Having followed Song Chuyi for a long time and being extremely intelligent to begin with, even though she was currently terrified to the extreme, she still maintained some clarity. Composedly shaking her head: “Back when we had Ma Yongfu and the others take action, from beginning to end there was absolutely no connection to the Tongzhou villa. Where would the Tongzhou villa get any weapons?! This is clearly Han Zhi framing us.”

It was framing, and also a warning.

Han Zhi had gone to great lengths to connect this matter with the Tongzhou villa. Clearly, through Song Chuning, he’d learned of her relationship with Lianyi and Nanny Xu and wanted to use this to threaten her.

Song Chuyi’s hands, maintained so well one could barely see the knuckles, rested on the black lacquered tabletop, her eyes shimmering. Only after a moment did she nod and ask Qing Tao: “What else did your father say?”

Since Han Zhi would allow someone to come report the news, it definitely wasn’t as simple as just having them report. He must have brought some message or other to negotiate conditions, right?

Sure enough, Qing Tao bit her lip: “He said to have you personally make a trip to the Tongzhou villa. He also said if you don’t go, he’ll have no choice but to make the Earl of Changning’s residence as famous in the capital as he is.”

How would he have the guts to implicate the Earl of Changning’s residence now? This was clearly adding another layer of pressure under already heavy pressure, afraid she wouldn’t take the bait.

Song Chuyi’s face was hidden in the sunlight, her expression indiscernible. Only after a moment did she laugh softly.

“Did he mention a time?”

Ziyun was greatly alarmed, grasping Song Chuyi’s hands with both of hers, nearly in tears: “Miss, you cannot go! What if he—what if he simply pins the blame squarely on your head…”

Qing Ying, however, silently pulled her back, slowly shaking her head at her: “An’an and Nanny Xu are still in his hands. If he truly pushes this matter onto the villa’s people, it will be difficult for Miss and the family to explain later.”

Old Madam Song had always thought Song Chuyi would report everything to her. If she knew Song Chuyi actually knew Song Eight had faked her death yet pretended not to know, and afterward even arranged for people to intercept and kill, inevitable friction would arise between her and Song Chuyi in the future.

Qing Tao looked hesitantly at Ziyun and Qing Ying, then bit her teeth: “Tomorrow at the latest. He said if he doesn’t see you tomorrow, he’ll expose this matter.”

Song Chuyi suddenly changed her mind. She had once wanted to eliminate Han Zhi with a single move, but at this very moment, she suddenly perceived the interest in that cat-and-mouse game Han Zhi played. When one could make someone wish they were dead, there was no need to let them die too quickly. After all, for such a conscienceless and insane person, letting him die too easily would actually be letting him off cheap.

“Go out and tell your father, have your father return and say I will definitely keep the appointment tomorrow.” Song Chuyi closed the book and handed it to Qing Ying, then asked her: “Did you send out the message I asked you to deliver?”

Qing Ying nodded: “Already sent out, entrusted to Second Young Master Ye.”

At the time, Ye Jingchuan’s face was full of displeasure, saying he’d actually only been treated as an errand runner, but in the end, he still accepted the letter and left after dropping a line that he’d definitely deliver it.

Thinking of this, Qing Ying looked at Song Chuyi and couldn’t help spacing out slightly.

Song Chuyi, however, was completely oblivious, gripping the small box in her hand ever more tightly, her eyes taking on a layer of icy coldness: “Ziyun, accompany me to Ningde Courtyard. Qing Ying, you and Luyi help me pack my things. We’ll set out for Tongzhou first thing tomorrow morning.”

Song Chuyi frequently visited the Tongzhou villa. Hearing this, Old Madam Song didn’t find it strange, though she was still somewhat hesitant: “It’s just that your eldest brother must attend to his duties, and Second Brother must also report to the yamen…”

She thought for a moment, furrowing her brow with a sigh: “Never mind, have Ajie accompany you.”

Song Chuyi, after all, wasn’t the small child from three years ago. Now when going out, if no elder was by her side, it would likely invite criticism. Old Madam Song had recently been worried about her marriage prospects and naturally wouldn’t let her go out alone.

A girl’s reputation was of utmost importance. One moment of carelessness resulting in having dirty water thrown on you would make it difficult to ever wash clean again. It was better to be cautious.

Song Chuyi knew her concerns and smiled as she nestled beside her, responding with an affirmative. As she was leaving, she happened to encounter Song Chumi coming to pay respects. In just over ten days, Song Chumi had become so thin she was wasting away, her complexion actually worse than when she’d just returned from the villa. Seeing people, she only stood woodenly and responded once.

Calculating, her wedding date was fast approaching, yet where was even a trace of joy or shyness of a bride-to-be? She was no different from someone nearing death. Ziyun felt somewhat unnerved in her heart, glancing back at her once, vaguely uneasy in the depths of her heart.