The next day, Song Chuyi went again to that residence at the Temple of the Great Yellow Immortal. Previously, she had thought she would need to bring Chen Mingyu before the Empress before Empress Lu would believe that Fan Liangdi’s reach had truly extended too far. But unexpectedly, Empress Lu was quite decisive in killing—she didn’t need Chen Mingyu to appear at all and had already sent the elder Lady Fan to the Western Heaven first. For a moment, Song Chuyi hadn’t thought of how to deal with Chen Mingyu.

After these days of recuperation, Great-Aunt Chen’s injuries had mostly healed, though her movements were still somewhat inconvenient. Once they entered the capital, her heart had been tightly strung, cautiously trying to probe for information—at the very least, she needed to know who had captured them and what they intended to do. She had been entrusted with a task and remained loyal to it. Since she had promised Old Master Chen to take good care of the orphan girl Chen Mingyu, she naturally had to keep her safe. If there was an opportunity to negotiate terms, she wanted to exchange her testimony for freedom for herself and Chen Mingyu. Naturally, she would no longer dream of being the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of the Fan family. Sending Chen Mingyu back to the Chen clan would also be acceptable.

Chen Mingyu supported her as she descended from the carriage. The excessively dazzling sun stabbed at her eyes so that she couldn’t open them. After a good while, she gradually made out the surrounding scenery—but couldn’t discern much. Such a large courtyard with a big parasol tree planted in it—there were many such large residences in the capital.

She lowered her eyes somewhat disappointedly, but immediately couldn’t help widening them again. With some shock and some bewilderment, she stared at the corridor not far ahead for quite a long time before letting out a soft cry of surprise.

Who had she just seen?! She had actually seen that maid who regularly accompanied Song Chuyi—seemed to be called Qing Tao or something? She had wondered if she was seeing things, rubbed her eyes and looked again, only to discover it was indeed Song Chuyi’s maid.

It was Song Chuyi! The person who saved her was actually Song Chuyi! She unconsciously clenched her fists, her sharp nails digging into her palms until they were torn, but she felt this was the only way to keep herself clearheaded. Fear, terror, and unwillingness surged over her like an overwhelming tide. She stood there stunned, retreating two steps. Seeing everyone looking at her as if they’d seen a ghost, she barely managed to suppress the shock in her heart.

Song Chuyi saving her—she would never believe Song Chuyi acted out of goodwill. Her grandfather had just schemed against the Crown Prince, Song Yan, and Cui Yingshu, intending to send this whole group to hell together. She and Song Chuyi had old grudges yet unresolved. Under these circumstances, to believe that Song Chuyi had suddenly developed a kind heart and come to save her without regard for past grievances was truly rather difficult.

Great-Aunt Chen didn’t miss the cold sweat sliding down her forehead and asked with some surprise, “What’s wrong? Everything was fine just now—”

The panic in Chen Mingyu’s heart instantly calmed down—she couldn’t show weakness before Song Chuyi, absolutely not. She felt she was already at her most wretched now. Song Chuyi saving her was nothing more than wanting to use her to expose Fan Liangdi, right? She’d heard Song Chuyi had already been internally designated as the Crown Prince’s consort. That made sense—already being the Crown Prince’s consort, naturally she should consider matters for the Crown Prince. This affair falling into her hands was a knife, a knife that could stab Fan Liangdi and Prince Dongping to death. Someone as clever as Song Chuyi must have seen this point, which was why she had sent people to save her and transported her back to the capital over such a great distance.

Chen Mingyu pulled at the corners of her mouth, revealing a mocking smile. Now she had nothing—no home, no money, no grandmother. She had nothing at all and could only live by reading others’ expressions. She might not even be able to read others’ expressions anymore. But Song Chuyi could still remain high and lofty, continue being her Earl’s manor young lady, and even become the Crown Prince’s consort in the future, climbing ever higher. Why should this be?!

In what way was she, Chen Mingyu, inferior to Song Chuyi? She clearly wasn’t worse than Song Chuyi in any way, yet fate just happened to favor people like Song Chuyi. Heaven truly had no eyes!

She was deeply unwilling. This unwillingness and fury almost burned her entire being senseless. She had originally planned well, had discussed it properly with Great-Aunt Chen—if they could negotiate with someone, then she would come forward as a witness. If giving testimony could exchange for her life, at least there would be some hope for the future.

But now that she thought about it, what hope was there? What hope did she need? Just thinking about how her lifelong nemesis now stood high above while she had fallen to the point where her very life depended on that person’s grace—she wished she could burrow into a crack in the ground and disappear forever.

These thoughts flashed through her mind like lightning. She almost unhesitatingly made up her mind—she couldn’t let herself fall into Song Chuyi’s hands, couldn’t become Song Chuyi’s chess piece. Though she equally hated the treacherous Fan Liangdi, compared to letting Song Chuyi have her wishes fulfilled, she would rather see Song Chuyi meet with misfortune.

She raised her head to look at Great-Aunt Chen, barely suppressing the terror and resentment in her heart, forcing a smile and shaking her head. “It’s nothing… just a bit frightened.”

Great-Aunt Chen patted her hand, intending to offer comfort, but in the blink of an eye they had already entered the rear courtyard.

In the pavilion in the center of the lake sat a girl with her back to them. Great-Aunt Chen was somewhat shocked, and her steps unconsciously slowed. She turned her head and sighed to Chen Mingyu, “How could it be—” How could it be a yellow-haired girl? Looking at that attire, she probably hadn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet. The person with mysterious origins who had saved them, whom they had always assumed was someone significant, turned out to be a little girl.

Chen Mingyu had already taken several quick steps forward, alone rushing onto the long bridge. Great-Aunt Chen was somewhat dazed, momentarily forgetting to react.

It was Ma Changjiang and Ma Wangkun who moved quickly, pointing at Chen Mingyu and shouting, “What are you doing?” They swiftly left Great-Aunt Chen behind and charged forward.

But Chen Mingyu broke into a run toward the end, her movements incredibly swift. In a flash, she reached that figure from behind. Without thinking, without hesitation, she stretched out her hand and pushed hard against the girl’s back with great force. With a splash, she pushed the girl into the lake, which at this moment was covered with large lotus flowers and duckweed.

Ma Changjiang and Ma Wangkun were so anxious they didn’t know what to do, their eyes nearly splitting with rage as they lunged forward. But just as they were about to jump in, they stopped—they were men after all, and men and women shouldn’t have physical contact.

It wasn’t until the sounds of falling into water rang out one after another that the two of them exchanged glances and came back to their senses—Qing Ying, Qing Luo, and Han Yan had all jumped in. They breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Chen Mingyu, however, anger rose within them—they had never imagined this young lady would pull such a move.

Chen Mingyu’s gaze was heavy, her eyes sinister. Without even glancing at the two of them, she threw herself into the lake and swam desperately toward the person Qing Luo was dragging.