But she had no better candidates at hand. According to what Zhou Weizhao said, even if someone as martially skilled as Song Jue went, what good would it do? If the northwest had been jointly controlled by Han Zhengqing and Zhang Tianhe, no matter how many people they sent, it would be a one-way trip with no return.
She suddenly felt some admiration for Elder Chen. Counting from her rebirth, this was truly the most thorny and difficult-to-handle situation she had encountered. Even this time, if not for the reminders from Lai Chenglong and Zhou Weizhao, she would never have detected the precariously hanging blade above her head. Most likely she would have died together with the Cui clan without ever knowing who had struck from behind.
Moreover, he was so cautious—when she, a young lady, went out, at least ten or so flies would follow behind her, watching her without the slightest gap. In the northwest, he had already coordinated inside and out with Yang Xuan, possibly even joining forces with Han Zhengqing and Zhang Tianhe to squeeze Cui Shaoting out of the information circle, turning him into an isolated individual. This could truly be called a flawless strategy.
If Chen Mingyu had even a tenth of his scheming ability, she probably wouldn’t be sitting here so safely and steadily right now. She shook her head, temporarily casting all these chaotic thoughts aside, somewhat troubled as she propped her chin thoughtfully: “I can’t go, and my grandfather and uncle’s people also can’t be mobilized. I truly can’t think of anyone else suitable.”
Zhou Weizhao reached out and pushed the fresh milk almond tofu in front of her forward a bit, his usual slight smile at the corner of his mouth: “It’s not that there’s no solution. You’ve forgotten—actually, there’s a most suitable candidate.”
Song Chuyi suddenly raised her head to look at him, quickly running through all the people around her, yet still couldn’t guess whom he was talking about. When he dipped his finger in water and wrote the character for “Ye” on the tabletop, it was like a sudden enlightenment. She widened her eyes and asked: “Ye Jingkuan?!”
That’s right, how had she not thought of it? Ye Jingkuan had been ordered to go to the northwest. Even if he was being entertained by Zhang Tianhe and Han Zhengqing and their ilk, Cui Shaoting, as the Three Borders Commander-in-Chief, couldn’t completely avoid showing his face even once—that would be too deliberate. Someone like Elder Chen wouldn’t make such a mistake. Thinking of Zhou Weizhao’s earlier hint that they could wait until the hidden pawns and informants around Cui Shaoting were all cleaned out before discussing with Ye Jingkuan and Lai Chenglong how to report the investigation results to Emperor Jianzhang, she hesitantly asked: “Does Your Highness have a way to make the Prince Consort work for us?”
Then she watched in astonishment as Zhou Weizhao definitively nodded.
Ye Jingkuan would be taking over Prince Zhennan’s residence in the future. His attitude represented Prince Zhennan’s attitude—which meant the entire Prince Zhennan’s residence was actually solidly invested in Zhou Weizhao’s side. Not the Eastern Palace, not Consort Fan, but specifically Zhou Weizhao.
No matter what, this could be considered an unexpected delight. After all, Ye Jingkuan was ostensibly someone Emperor Jianzhang had sent. His going to the northwest was as an imperial envoy, legitimate and proper, and acting under the pretext of investigating the smuggling of war horses would be even more convenient and swift.
His status was also right there. What he said, Cui Shaoting wouldn’t disbelieve. Song Chuyi decisively made her decision. She reached up and removed from around her neck the jade pendant Cui Shaoting had given her before he left and handed it to Zhou Weizhao: “I trouble Your Highness to send this along when you notify the Prince Consort. When my uncle sees this, he’ll naturally believe the Prince Consort.”
When she returned to the residence, it was already near dusk. Qing Ying lifted a crack in the carriage curtain and told her softly: “Miss, there are still people following.”
This was within expectations. Song Chuyi indicated to let them be and went straight to Old Madam Song’s rooms upon returning to the residence.
This matter involved far too much and was far too widespread. Song Chengru said the fewer people who knew, the less danger there would be. Therefore, this time even Old Madam Song was kept in the dark. When she saw Song Chuyi, she first reached out to pull her to sit beside her, then with a stern face asked: “Why are you like a monkey, jumping up and down without a moment’s peace? Young ladies should be more refined and composed. Look what you’ve become lately.”
Xiang Mingzi leaned on Old Madam Song’s shoulder and made a gesture of shame toward her: “The day after tomorrow we’re going to add to Cousin Huaying’s trousseau, yet you seem to have completely forgotten about this? Last night when I saw you in the garden, you were also in such a rush you wouldn’t even let people finish a complete sentence…”
Song Chuyi had indeed almost forgotten about this matter. No wonder Yu Shi, despite not receiving any letters from Cui Shaoting, didn’t find it strange—she was probably run off her feet with Cui Huaying’s affairs. Since she and Xiang Mingzi were both Cui Huaying’s younger cousins and had always gotten along well with her, there was no reason not to go add to her trousseau and keep her company. Harboring an anxious heart, she waited two days then prepared to go to the Cui residence.
Since Cui Huaying was today’s main character, she was inevitably surrounded in the center like the moon among stars. Even Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi only managed to exchange a few words with her with difficulty. Just as they were about to say more, they heard that Princess Rongcheng and Princess Duanhui had arrived together.
This was rare prestige indeed. When Cui Huaying came of age, Princess Rongcheng had also served as the honored guest. Her coming now was naturally giving face to Cui Huaying. The young ladies who came to add to Cui Huaying’s trousseau were all happy for her and wanted to see the princesses and speak with them, so they all crowded around Cui Huaying heading forward.
Chen Mingyu fell to the very back. The rouge mark between her brows was increasingly red and vivid, also making her eyes and brows appear increasingly clear. A pair of almond eyes like autumn waters brimming, looking at people couldn’t help but intoxicate their hearts. She naturally came forward intimately to take Song Chuyi’s arm with a smile: “No wonder people say the young ladies who come from the Cui clan are good. I see they’re good in a thousand ways and ten thousand ways too. Not just their upbringing and background—their bearing alone can truly compare to those of imperial blood.”
In the past, Chen Mingyu had also spoken this way. She never seemed to reveal her true emotions, nor would she deliberately praise other young ladies highly—her self-esteem wouldn’t allow her to praise highly any noble ladies of comparable status except for imperial princesses.
But today she had said it, and said it so smoothly, naturally, and sincerely. Song Chuyi’s right hand paused slightly. She understood this subtle feeling of looking down from on high at others who had already become turtles in a jar without knowing it—this mixture of condescending mercy tinged with schadenfreude.
In the end, Chen Mingyu was still too inexperienced. She hadn’t grasped the essence of Old Master Chen, and probably hadn’t even learned the superficialities of Old Madam Chen. Or perhaps she had learned them, but didn’t yet have the ability to hide her fox tail well.
Seeing Song Chuyi not speaking, Chen Mingyu lowered her head and smiled with pursed lips—she really wanted so much to laugh. The more the Cui clan and Song family currently enjoyed prosperity like cooking oil on a roaring fire, the more she seemed to see their miserable future.