When Song Chuyi returned to the third floor, Cui Huaying had already fallen asleep from crying too much. Even in sleep she was somewhat restless, her eyeballs rolling continuously. Song Chuyi knew this was because she was dreaming, and judging by her appearance, she was probably having nightmares.

Seeing her enter, Cui Huayi immediately came forward, grasping her hand and glancing at Cui Huaying before lowering her voice to ask: “Xiaoyi, what exactly happened?”

She had recently been helping her mother manage her sister’s wedding affairs, and already understood the status of this old nanny by her mother’s side. If this weren’t truly an important matter, her mother wouldn’t have sent this old nanny with such a message. Moreover, this old nanny had spoken with Song Chuyi for quite some time—what could there be that couldn’t be said in front of both sisters?

Song Chuyi walked with her to the window. After thinking for a moment, she told her what the old nanny had said, finally adding: “However, I estimate that Cousin-in-law doesn’t have anything seriously wrong. Having vomited it out and taken some medicine, he should recover. It’s just that what Nanny said afterward is somewhat frightening—Miss Kong is familiar with the back courtyard of this residence, and she also has martial skills…”

Cui Huayi was so angry she nearly ground her teeth, never dreaming in her wildest nightmares that someone could be so vicious. Her eyes turned red with fury: “This is clearly intentional, harboring such malicious intentions. Isn’t she afraid of karmic retribution?”

People who do bad things never fear karmic retribution. Those who truly fear retribution wouldn’t dare to do bad things. Song Chuyi didn’t even lift her eyelids, reaching out to press down on Cui Huayi’s hand: “Don’t get agitated. If you make noise like this and Cousin finds out, what then? Let her sleep well for one night. You stay here with the Xie family sisters and watch over her. I’ll go outside to take a look.”

Cui Huayi needed almost no further urging from Song Chuyi before nodding reassuringly. She always had an inexplicable dependence on Song Chuyi. Only after Song Chuyi went out did she remember the other cousin who should be here accompanying the bride. She couldn’t help but instruct her maid Yuwei to go out and ask Song Chuyi if she knew when Cui Hualuan would return—they mustn’t let her run into that deranged Miss Kong halfway.

As soon as Song Chuyi went out, Qing Luo and Han Yan returned. The expressions on both their faces were quite good. Upon seeing Song Chuyi, they quickly said: “Miss, rest assured. Fourth Young Master and His Highness are both fine. They sat at the same table, and because His Highness is in the midst of recovering from his injury, no one opened wine at their table. Fourth Young Master and the uncles, to keep His Highness company, all used tea instead.”

Song Chuyi imperceptibly let out a breath of relief and nodded. Just as she was about to turn and enter the door, she heard Young Nanny Xu shriek from downstairs. The reason she knew it was Young Nanny Xu shrieking was because Nanny Xu was Young Nanny Xu’s older sister, and Nanny Xu almost immediately called out: “That’s my younger sister!”

Song Chuyi glanced toward Qing Luo. Qing Luo understood at once, lightly and agilely gliding down along the railing with nimble movements. In just a moment she had returned silently: “That Miss Kong has been guarding in the side room downstairs this whole time. Just now when Eldest Miss Cui brought people in, she sprang out. Right now Eldest Miss Cui is in her hands.”

Guarding in this building all along? Song Chuyi inexplicably felt her heart tighten. She instructed Han Yan: “You stay here and watch over the young ladies. Guard the place together with the older servants. Don’t let anyone up, no matter who they are.”

She herself hurried downstairs with Qing Ying and Qing Luo, just in time to see Miss Kong in the center of the courtyard, somewhat unsteady in the swaying light of the hanging lanterns.

Upon seeing her, Miss Kong laughed—a sinister laugh tinged with schadenfreude: “Oh, so Sixth Miss Song was upstairs too. Just now, though I saw your servants going in and out, I never saw you return. I thought you weren’t coming back. Now this is perfect—everyone’s gathered together…”

Cui Hualuan’s neck was gripped in Miss Kong’s hand, which also held a sharp dagger pressed against Cui Hualuan’s jade-white neck. Her expression was manic.

Cui Hualuan wasn’t overly frightened, asking Miss Kong with relative composure: “Although your father met with misfortune, His Highness didn’t implicate his family members. You and your mother could have taken your wealth and sought refuge with your maternal relatives. Why must you be so foolish?”

Why be so foolish as to come here and commit such a wrongful act? This was clearly a path to certain death.

Miss Kong laughed shrilly twice. The dagger in her hand pressed even closer to Cui Hualuan as she barked fiercely for her to shut up. Immediately after, full of hatred, she surveyed this exquisitely refined embroidery tower, letting out an eerily cold laugh: “I originally wanted to become the Crown Prince’s consort… My father had already agreed to the Crown Prince that he would send troops to help attack Yangquan, that he would help stabilize the Jinzhong gentry. He just needed time, he only needed time! But your Cui family just had to interfere! Your Cui family just loves to meddle in others’ affairs! If you hadn’t curried favor with him by getting everything done ahead of time, he wouldn’t have thought our family was unwilling to contribute! All of this is your fault!”

So no wonder she had been guarding here so long without making a move, only pouncing when Cui Hualuan came out—because Cui Hualuan was the legitimate eldest daughter born of the legitimate wife of the Cui family. Her marrying Zhou Weizhao could practically be called a match of equal status.

Wanting to become the Crown Prince’s consort… Song Chuyi thought for a while about this Miss Kong’s objective and felt that Miss Kong’s mind wasn’t quite sufficient. Even if the Kong family had truly contributed to the Yangquan affair and established merit, with her status, wanting to become the Crown Prince’s consort was truly rather difficult—Empress Dowager would probably be the first obstacle she couldn’t overcome.

She glanced at Han Yan. Han Yan quietly nodded and swiftly lunged toward Miss Kong. But before she could get close, Miss Kong’s hand had already trembled, the pain causing her to almost drop the dagger. Han Yan reacted quickly, with sharp eyes and quick hands tackling Miss Kong to the ground, immediately twisting her arms behind her back and hauling her up.

Qing Zhuo gave her a meaningful look, shaking the pebbles in his hand: “Look at that—my bird-hunting skills still haven’t gone rusty.”

Following his gaze, Song Chuyi saw Zhou Weizhao standing behind him with his hands clasped behind his back, maintaining an extremely composed appearance.

Under the映照 of moonlight and lamplight, Zhou Weizhao, who was already quite handsome and distinguished-looking, appeared even more attractive. Combined with his upright posture like pine and cypress, his entire person emanated a warm and refined jade-like temperament.

Young ladies raised in sheltered boudoirs with little worldly experience would probably develop infinite longing for him based on this face alone, let alone considering his intimidating yet attractive status.

No wonder he attracts so many peach blossoms. Song Chuyi looked at Cui Hualuan, then at Miss Kong with tears streaming down her face as she struggled endlessly, and couldn’t help but shake her head.