When glad tidings came again from Fujian, Song Chuyi had completely lost interest in paying attention. Even the news that envoys from a Japanese daimyo had entered the capital along with the victory reports failed to catch her attention. She felt that she and the Cui family were now trapped in deep waters that appeared calm on the surface but raged turbulently beneath, not knowing where to even begin extricating themselves.

The Shen family had formally sent betrothal gifts to Marquis Wuning’s household. They couldn’t afford to offend that family of troublemakers, nor could they withstand the unbearable rumors flying everywhere. It was said that Duke Yingguo had already memorialized Emperor Jianzhang, saying that since Shen Qingrang had already established his own household, he would yield the title for Shen Xiaohai to inherit. But Qing Ying didn’t tell Song Chuyi any of this news. She knew Song Chuyi currently had no mind to concern herself with the Shen family’s misfortunes.

Ziyun hurried in, her complexion rather poor as she crouched down beside Song Chuyi and gently shook her head. “Nothing. My aunt says it’s been a full three and a half months now without the slightest news from uncle. The messages from Jinzhong also say uncle hasn’t sent any letters home for quite a while.”

Cui Huaying’s wedding was approaching. Given Cui Shaoting’s temperament, even if he were completely bewitched by a beauty trap, he couldn’t possibly forget such a major matter as his own daughter’s marriage—unless someone didn’t want him to be able to send messages out.

And who could accomplish this? Cui Shaoting was no Song Yi. He was clear-headed and deeply cunning, never known to act foolishly. As for accepting beauties sent by subordinates, that was completely unheard of. Even Yu Shi would only think accepting beauties for Cui Shaoting’s enjoyment was pure fantasy. But Lai Chenglong wouldn’t frighten people without reason. Cui Shaoting had truly, unprecedentedly, accepted a beauty from the Yangzhou prefect. If what Lai Chenglong wrote in his letter was true—that this Yangzhou courtesan had been raised by the Yangzhou prefect since childhood, of unknown origins and specially trained—then she was very likely the culprit who cut off Cui Shaoting’s contact with the outside world, or at least his contact with people like them.

What were this person’s true origins, and who exactly stood behind her? Did Cui Shaoting truly have no guard against her at all? This was too unlike Cui Shaoting’s usual style. Song Chuyi’s head ached from thinking. She leaned against the cushion and slowly closed her eyes.

“Has any news come back from Ma Changjiang and Ma Wangkun’s side?” Having learned that someone was deliberately preventing them from contacting Cui Shaoting, Song Chuyi temporarily set that aside and instead asked about Ma Changjiang’s situation. “I had them deliver a letter to Tongzhou. Is there any news?”

She always felt this matter might be connected to Han Zhi—although the Crown Prince’s Consort Fan Liangdi and Zhou Weiqi had both indicated they intended to designate her as the princess consort, Han Zhi was the type of obsessive person whose decisions were very difficult to change. Since he had initially decided to use her to consolidate his position while keeping her as a target in his grasp, once he discovered someone even more powerful was snatching food from his mouth, he would stop at nothing.

If he couldn’t have something, he would destroy it—this had always been the creed of people like Han Zhi and Song Chuning.

This time Ziyun nodded. “News came back saying that Young Master Zhang has arranged to meet you tomorrow at Chongyin Workshop.”

Zhang Run was Han Zhi’s lover from his youth. Han Zhi possessed an almost pathological possessiveness toward him. Combined with Zhang Run’s own obsequious flattery, obtaining some information shouldn’t be difficult.

Now that all matters had no leads whatsoever, she couldn’t let any possible clue slip away.

After finishing the evening meal, Song Chuyi went as usual to Song Chengru’s study. Cui Yingshu was also there today. Upon seeing her, his expression turned grave as he stood up, speaking with slight agitation. “You were right. Something is definitely about to happen. Today Lai Chenglong has already taken people and left the city.”

Lai Chenglong was currently the Emperor’s favored person and the Imperial Guard Commander. Unless something of utmost importance arose, he couldn’t be mobilized at all, let alone leave the city. The thought of arranging a meeting with Lai Chenglong instantly died in Song Chuyi’s heart. She only felt these waters were being stirred muddier and muddier—had Lai Chenglong anticipated he might not be in the capital in the near future and wouldn’t be able to pass messages to Song Chuyi, so he had issued his warning in advance?

Had the situation truly already reached such a serious stage?

Song Chuyi steadied herself and asked him, “Uncle, do you know where they went?”

Cui Yingshu pressed his thin lips together, glanced at Song Chengru, and nodded with his hands behind his back. “According to reliable intelligence, Yangzhou.”

Yangzhou, Yangzhou again!

Song Chengru curled his fingers and unconsciously tapped the black lacquered wooden table several times. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he said, “Xiao Yi said that in her dream, Shaoting didn’t take this position as Three Border Commander-in-Chief, much less had such an incident occur. At that time, the one who had the incident was you. Presumably because Shaoting in reality was too conspicuous, they shifted their attention to him instead. Even Lai Chenglong must avoid the sharp edge and dare not speak directly—the power behind this must be extraordinary. There are no more than five people in the current court with this capability, yet not a single one has any grievance with the Cui family.”

So there was simply no way to determine who exactly wanted to move against Cui Shaoting or even the Cui family, especially since the waters behind all these people were thoroughly muddied.

Moving against Cui Shaoting could be either because of past grievances, or grievances with the Cui clan itself, or because interests were involved. Song Chuyi suddenly recalled the smuggling operation beyond the passes and abruptly shivered. “Could it be because someone wants to take control of that route beyond the passes?”

So they needed to first remove the obstacle that was Cui Shaoting?

If that was the case, then both Prince Gong, who had only been able to operate in the south, and the Crown Prince, who had cleaned up the southern route, were suspects.

Now they had already placed someone beside Cui Shaoting and cut off his contact with Lai Chenglong, the Cui clan, and Earl Changning’s household. What exactly did they plan to do next?

Song Chengru and Cui Yingshu exchanged glances, each seeing their own ashen faces reflected in the other’s eyes.

This feeling of not knowing what moves the opponent would make next was truly terrible. They were now like people with blindfolds over their eyes, completely unaware of where ahead might be an bottomless abyss—one step forward could mean falling into irredeemable ruin.

“I’ll go visit my teacher,” Cui Yingshu said, looking at Song Chengru. “Teacher has always enjoyed His Majesty’s deep trust, and after all, he was the one who personally promoted both Shaoting and myself. If he knows something, he might not be unwilling to give me a hint or two.”

Chief Minister Chang was a true old fox who had cultivated himself to perfection. Even if he knew something, at this critical juncture he probably wouldn’t reveal the slightest bit of information. Song Chengru held no hope, but still nodded. It was still much better than having no recourse and running around like headless flies.