She and Qing Ying had only been talking for half a quarter-hour when Cui Huayi, somewhat impatient, came around the flower rack looking for her, complaining as she did: “Every time we discuss these matters you hide to one side. It’s really boring. I don’t know how you developed such a temperament—it’s just like Eldest Sister…”

Cui Shaoting’s way of raising daughters was entirely different from Cui Yingshu’s. It was said that Cui Hualuan, the legitimate eldest daughter of this generation of the Cui family who remained at the ancestral estate in Jinzhong to serve her grandmother, was a model among noble ladies of the realm—advancing and retreating with proper measure, graceful and magnificent, with poetry and books in her heart lending her natural elegance. Though she would only reach her hairpin ceremony next year, she was already in the sights of countless prestigious families.

In comparison, though Cui Huaying and Cui Huayi were also of noble birth, they seemed too lively and down-to-earth.

While speaking, Cui Huayi had already pulled her back to their seats, propping her chin to ask what she planned to wear for the day of the Bodhisattva’s manifestation at Huangjue Temple: “I heard you have a fire fox fur cloak, without a single stray hair from top to bottom. Wear that on that day—both bright and fitting for the occasion!”

That fire fox fur cloak was still a treasured item from Old Madam Song’s bottom drawer, truly extremely precious. But wearing it that day would really be too ostentatious and conspicuous. Song Chuyi smiled and shook her head, then caught sight of Ziwei leading several young maids over in a hurry.

“Finally found you young ladies!” Ziwei breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them. With one hand pulling Cui Huaying and the other pulling Xiang Mingzi, her face turned toward Song Chuyi and Cui Huayi as she smiled: “Hurry, hurry. Today the Eleventh Princess has come and specifically asked to see you all.”

Madam Shen was very satisfied with the Eleventh Princess. Although outwardly she couldn’t immediately go before Emperor Jianzhang to request the marriage for her son because the Ninth Princess was marrying far away, privately there was already a tacit understanding with Consort Song and the Song family.

Hearing this now, all the sisters guessed that this was Madam Shen visiting the Song residence, and Consort Song, wanting the Eleventh Princess to see her future mother-in-law, had let the Eleventh Princess out. They all hurriedly responded with smiles.

Ningde Courtyard was unprecedentedly lively. Although outside stood a group of palace maids and attendants, inside the main hall laughter and conversation were continuous. When Song Chuyi entered, she happened to hear Madam Shen saying to Madam Cui: “When you return, please be sure to send my regards to the old madam. After so many years I still haven’t had the opportunity to meet her… Next time there’s a chance, I must definitely go pay a visit.”

Madam Cui smiled and nodded, then beckoned Song Chuyi and the others to her side: “Quickly greet your Aunt Shen.”

Madam Shen gave each of them a meeting gift. She pulled Xiang Mingzi to look at her for a while, then grasped Song Chuyi’s hand and wouldn’t let go. She turned her head to smile at Old Madam Song and Madam Cui: “No wonder everyone says the old madam knows how to raise people. I’m also quite familiar with the two young ladies of the Cui family, and thought they were already the most tender blossoms on the branches. Who knew the old madam has two even more beautiful ones hidden here!”

Madam Shen’s words were both soothing and comfortable, without losing the intimacy with the Cui and Song families. Old Madam Song indeed listened with a face full of smiles, pointing at her and laughing: “Speaking of this, who dares compare with you all in your youth? Back then when you young ladies entered my room, the entire room would light up!”

The Eleventh Princess emerged from changing clothes and arranging her makeup, smiling as she sat in the seat of honor before Old Madam Song. After Song Chuyi and the others paid their respects, she quietly pulled Song Chuyi aside to whisper: “Little Aunt, I heard from Mother Consort that Dongping quarreled with Consort Fan Liangdi. It seems to be because of some mama from the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence. Consort Fan Liangdi beat a mama to death at the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence, saying she stole imperially bestowed accompanying jewelry…”

Since Little Fan Shi had gone to such lengths to have the escort agency send this mama from Huzhou to the capital at great expense over thousands of li, it showed this mama must be an important figure. Perhaps she held some damaging evidence against First Madam Fan—otherwise why would First Madam Fan react almost immediately, going to the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence to urgently deal with this hidden danger?

Speaking of which, Song Chuyi also found it strange—Little Fan Shi had been too obvious about it. No matter how you looked at it, the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence wasn’t under her sole control. Moreover, after what happened with Han Zhi, people sent by Prince Dongping to help were everywhere in the residence. Logically speaking, if she wanted to use this Nanny Zhang against First Madam Fan, she should have been careful, careful, and more careful. Under no circumstances should she have let the news of Nanny Zhang coming to the capital spread to everyone’s knowledge.

Otherwise, as now, First Madam Fan simply killed this Nanny Zhang to silence her. Wouldn’t Little Fan Shi’s efforts be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing? Not entirely—Prince Dongping and Consort Fan Liangdi had quarreled again…

Zhou Weiqi hadn’t expected that First Madam Fan’s trip to the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence was specifically to pick a fight. Burned out from dealing with everything, after hearing Nanny Fang’s words, he felt his patience had reached its limit. In the evening when discussing these topics with Consort Fan Liangdi, he couldn’t help but bring some anger: “Right now Aunt has just experienced the white-haired sending off the black-haired, and Cousin is about to marry far away. Even if you had some grievances with her before, you should feel your great revenge has been achieved. Why must you still cling to her relentlessly?! Making such a fuss and commotion—how do you expect Aunt to maintain her standing before the servants?!”

Consort Fan Liangdi gave a cold laugh. In her view, Little Fan Shi didn’t need to maintain any standing at the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence at all. But facing her son, she ultimately wasn’t completely tyrannical: “The person she brought from the old home in Xingyang thousands of li away had unclean hands and feet. I was merely helping her clean house. Could this also be wrong?”

Zhou Weiqi had already heard Nanny Fang mention this matter. That Nanny Zhang used to be the wet nurse serving Little Fan Shi. First Madam Fan clearly wanted to humiliate Little Fan Shi, which was why she insisted on pinning a crime on Nanny Zhang.

He looked at First Madam Fan with a headache: “You should restrain yourself… No matter how close Uncle is to us, there’s still a limit. You’re usually so calm and wise—how can you not see through this when it comes to this matter? I still haven’t figured out how to explain Cousin’s death to Uncle…”

The corners of First Madam Fan’s mouth held a cold and disdainful smile: “I told you, as for your uncle, you can rest assured. It’s not like Han Zhi is his only son. One died, but there’s still someone to break the mourning pot and carry the spirit tablet for him. He himself isn’t anxious—why are you anxious for him?!”

Zhou Weiqi was about to say more, but somehow suddenly recalled a thought that had flashed through his mind before. His entire person froze in place as if struck by lightning, forgetting to move.

It seemed First Madam Fan had decided to make the trip to the Marquis Jinxiang’s residence only after hearing that Little Fan Shi’s wet nurse had come from the old home in Xingyang… Her reason for beating this Nanny Zhang to death was also too strange and untenable…

He thought of this terrifying notion and felt goosebumps rising all over his body. For a moment he didn’t know how to react.