When they returned to the manor that evening, Old Madam Song had specifically waited for them. Upon seeing them, she immediately asked: “I heard Miss Tong gave you all grief?”
Third Madam Yun Shi explained from the side: “In the afternoon, the Shen family sent someone over. The gist of their words was nothing more than that they couldn’t control Miss Tong, and that you all had been wronged. The Old Madam was terribly worried. If not for Maternal Aunt’s persuasion, she nearly sent someone to bring you all back.”
Xiang Mingzi smiled and glanced at Song Chuyi, then stepped forward to link arms with Old Madam Song affectionately: “Old Madam, please don’t worry. We weren’t wronged. Even if Miss Tong wanted to do something to Xiaoyi, Xiaoyi would have to be willing to let her do it. When she tried to grab Xiaoyi’s hand and couldn’t hold on, she took quite a nasty fall…”
So Song Chuyi had recently been constantly following behind Song Jue clamoring to learn that strange and peculiar ‘Bone-Dislocating Hand Technique’—turned out this was what it was for. Old Madam Song could no longer keep a straight face and burst out laughing with a snort, poking Song Chuyi’s forehead somewhat helplessly: “You silly girl—a young lady, do you really want to be like Miss Tong and the Ninth Princess, feared by everyone?”
It would be better if everyone feared her—it would also save her from being targeted. Song Chuyi hugged Old Madam Song’s other arm and softly told her about Madam Fang’s matter today. Seeing Third Madam go out, she said: “The Chen family and the Fang family aren’t a solid iron barrel either. Even if Fang Xiaoru is willing to risk his neck following Elder Chen, he still has to consider his entire household. Over time, with Madam Fang and the concubines constantly whispering in his ear every day…”
Old Madam Song had expected that Madam Fang would harbor resentment toward Elder Chen. Then again, if she had no resentment, she wouldn’t be human—she’d be a Buddha. After thinking for a while, she nodded: “Since she’s shown her stance, when the time comes I’ll mention it to your elder aunt. We’ll encounter each other at the temple and interact a few more times.”
Although people had verbally expressed their intention to follow the Song family, this wasn’t some children’s game of house—it couldn’t just be counted as done once said. They still needed to show some sincerity. Before Madam Fang could provide something of value, they would just maintain this lukewarm relationship. After all, it wasn’t the Song family who needed to walk on eggshells now, and it certainly wasn’t the Song family who needed to beg anyone.
Song Chuyi nodded and told Old Madam Song: “When the time comes, I’ll also inform Grandfather to have him look more into Fang Xiaoru’s faults and his subordinates’ weaknesses during the Ministry of Personnel’s capital evaluation. He’s already like a bird startled by the twang of a bow. Being investigated once more, he’ll likely be scared out of his wits. But Elder Chen is an old hand at this—he’ll surely see that this capital evaluation is all thunder and no rain, and won’t take Fang Xiaoru’s pleas seriously…”
Under such a pincer attack from both sides, Fang Xiaoru would inevitably lose confidence in Elder Chen. After all, no matter how shrewd he was, he was still human, with weaknesses and things he feared. When his nerves were stretched taut to a certain point and could hold on no longer, he would naturally seek another reliable patron.
And the Song family, who had once vaguely extended an olive branch to him, would become his lifeline. To grasp this chance at survival, he would desperately, desperately cling to this straw…
Song Chuyi’s skill at manipulating hearts had risen another level. It was probably because there had been too many matters recently, forcing her to grow once again. Old Madam Song didn’t respond. She stroked Song Chuyi’s head, stroke after stroke, and only after a long while did she slowly sigh: “Xiaoyi, in a little while, you should return to Jinzhong together with A’Yan. Old Madam Cui’s seventieth birthday—whether considering sentiment or propriety, you both should go see her.”
Being clever was naturally an advantage, but Old Madam Song had also heard another ancient saying: “Extreme wisdom brings harm.” Song Chuyi’s fate remained a thorn lodged in her heart. This girl had suffered too much in her dream, so much so that even in this reality where she could live less arduously, she still calculated exhaustively and used every bit of cunning. Continuing this way wasn’t a long-term solution.
Old Madam Song would rather she lived more easily, like an ordinary girl.
Song Chuyi looked up at Old Madam Song, and only after a long moment did she respond in a daze: “Alright”—in both her past and present lives, she had never met her maternal grandmother. She also hadn’t known that Old Madam Cui’s seventieth birthday was coming up so soon.
But fortunately, in this life she could make it in time. She shook her head to drive away those complicated thoughts. Returning to her room, she removed her cloak and instructed Ziyun to pack things for the trip to Jinzhong: “Have Luyi go to the estate in Tongzhou to notify Nanny Xu and Lianyi. This time we’ll all go back together.”
Qing Ying happened to return from outside just then. Hearing Song Chuyi say they were going to Jinzhong, she first froze, then asked somewhat surprised: “Return to Jinzhong?”
“Yes, to go back and celebrate our Old Madam’s birthday!” Luyi was beaming with joy, her face flushed: “Come to think of it, Miss hasn’t even met our Old Madam yet.” She was a household-born servant of the Cui family, and when mentioning Old Madam Cui, she said “our Old Madam” with every breath.
Qing Ying made a sound of acknowledgment, scratched her head, and handed the item in her hands to Song Chuyi: “This is from the Eldest Young Master for you. He said to be cautious.”
For Lai Chenglong’s plan to succeed, the Imperial Forest Guard’s defense deployment map was crucially important. Fortunately, she had the advantage of proximity—she had Song Jue, her brother who was a Battalion Commander in the Imperial Forest Guard.
Song Chuyi unfolded it and examined it carefully, then handed it back to Qing Ying, cautiously instructing her: “Tomorrow you personally make a trip and must hand it directly to Ma San. Have Ma San and Ma Wangkun go together to deliver this item to Commander Lai Chenglong. Tell them this matter is of utmost importance—they must not disappoint me. At the critical moment, they’d rather destroy it than let it fall into someone else’s hands.”
By giving this defense deployment map to Lai Chenglong, what happened next would be entirely up to Lai Chenglong himself—whether he could eliminate Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin in one stroke and thoroughly become a core figure of the Imperial Guard, or continue to be blocked by Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin, making every step difficult, all depended on this time.
Qing Ying solemnly agreed, carefully tucking the item into her bosom, then softly asked Song Chuyi: “We’re helping Commander Lai so much, but in the future he may not necessarily be of use to us…”
Song Chuyi shook her head, removing the hairpins and ornaments from her head herself, looking at herself in the mirror with a smile: “I’m not doing this to win him over, but for our own sake. Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin were once Chen Xiang’s men, and now they’re running dogs under the Prince of Dongping. There’s a very good chance Han Zhi will pull their leash and send them out to bite me. Tell me—is it better for the Imperial Guard to be in the hands of someone who has made a deal with me, or in the hands of these two vicious dogs who have masters behind them?”
At the very least, Lai Chenglong wouldn’t reach the point where he had to choose between his life and helping her and Cui Shaoting—until that moment came, he would do his best to extend a hand to help them.