Empress Lu’s expression showed some embarrassment, but ultimately she said nothing more. Looking at Song Chuyi, she seemed to want a promise: “Now I only hope they can all be safe and sound.”

Actually, anyone who thought about it would know this was a pipe dream. Who would feel at ease with someone who had once tried to kill them? But as a mother, she always hoped her children could let bygones be bygones.

Song Chuyi didn’t make empty promises: “Everyone shares the same thoughts. To have this peace and safety is already a blessing.”

Empress Lu could find no opening with her, so she could only ask about some gossip she had recently heard: “I heard that Madam Du’s granddaughter has been betrothed to your stepmother’s natal family?”

Originally, they had wanted to make Du Fangxi a secondary consort for Zhou Weizhao. In one fell swoop, she had gone from being a ranked Imperial Grand Princess Consort to becoming the wife of the eldest son of the eldest son of the long-declining Marquis Guang’en’s household. The disparity was truly rather large. Although Empress Lu had now thought things through, she still looked down on the Du family’s actions: “Their family is certainly willing to part with her.”

Just to flatter Song Chuyi, they were actually willing to marry their legitimate eldest granddaughter into Song Chuyi’s stepmother’s natal family. The relationship twisted and turned in so many ways—how did they even think of it?

Empress Lu was reminding her that although Elder Du was still being employed by Emperor Jianzhang, it was because Elder Du didn’t belong to the Eastern Palace faction. She wanted Song Chuyi not to get involved with the Du family.

This was the benefit of reconciliation—everyone pulling in the same direction, with no one dragging their feet from behind. It was truly an extremely worry-free matter. Although Song Chuyi had already made plans in her heart, facing an Empress Lu who had regained her clarity and was no longer fixated, she still revealed a little: “Your Majesty, rest assured. Since ancient times, loyal ministers don’t serve two masters. I understand this. Since the Du family has a fickle heart and can abandon the Prince now, naturally they could betray us in the future as well.”

“Since you know this, why did you still agree to this match?” Empress Lu sighed: “Right now, His Majesty is truly wary of such things.”

After so many years as husband and wife, even though Empress Lu had fallen out of Emperor Jianzhang’s favor because of her sons’ affairs, she still understood his temperament well. Emperor Jianzhang had dealt with his son but didn’t deal with Elder Du at the same time—naturally he wanted Elder Du to learn this lesson and stand up on his own. Now that Song Chuyi was accepting the Du family’s flattery and goodwill, it would likely displease Emperor Jianzhang even more.

But Song Chuyi thought differently from Empress Lu: “The marriage relationships in the capital are deeply intertwined. If marrying off a daughter determined a whole family’s future, wouldn’t everyone just need to push their daughters toward His Majesty? Rest assured, such a small trick won’t reach His Majesty’s eyes. Moreover, I don’t intend to take in the Du family.”

Although taking in the Du family did have some benefits, compared to Emperor Jianzhang’s wariness, these benefits were truly insignificant. She looked at Empress Lu: “Regarding such people who abandoned Prince Gong and now prepare to attach themselves to us, Your Majesty shouldn’t bother with them.”

Empress Lu had never intended to bother anyway. That she could accompany Emperor Jianzhang for so long naturally meant she had her own methods. Sometimes, not adding to the chaos was the greatest help.

She squeezed Song Chuyi’s hand: “Regarding past matters, please be understanding. Even in the future, I hope you’ll show mercy for the sake of the children being so young.”

Prince Gong’s sons would certainly remain in the capital. There would be plenty of occasions for interaction in the future.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty is still here.” Song Chuyi reminded her without hesitation: “His Majesty is both the family patriarch and the sovereign ruler. All our fates rest with His Majesty alone. Whatever he wants is what will be. How could it be our turn to make decisions?”

Empress Lu was no fool. Song Chuyi had spoken so much with her—she had said what should be said, but hadn’t promised a single word of what shouldn’t be promised. She knew that saying more would be useless. She had Song Chuyi pay respects to Consort Song, personally bestowed some things on Xiang Mingzi, and only then released Song Chuyi from the palace.

Song Chuyi didn’t return to the Earl’s residence. She first went to her own mansion on Huangdaxian Temple Street. Ma Wangkun and Ma Yongfu came to greet her early, and upon seeing her, they led her inside while informing her: “Miss Du has already arrived.”

Du Fangxi was unlike Song Chuyi. At home, unless her grandmother took her out, she truly never stepped outside the gate or inner door. She had never gone out alone before. This time, she had desperately persuaded her mother before she could come out under the pretext of accompanying her mother to offer incense. Even so, she couldn’t stay too long, lest her mother’s side couldn’t maintain the pretense.

The two had met before, but seeing each other again this time, Du Fangxi couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. When she had seen Song Chuyi at the hunting grounds a couple years ago, Song Chuyi had still been young. Though her face looked pretty, she was ultimately quite childish, only seeming lovely and adorable. But now at a glance, Song Chuyi had grown taller, the pure and ethereal spirit of a young maiden fully displayed on her person. Her eyes were especially beautiful, like grapes on a tree—dark and glossy with a hint of moisture.

She once again felt grateful that she wasn’t an adversary to such a person. She quickly recovered, lightly curtseying to Song Chuyi.

Song Chuyi pulled her up and couldn’t help but smile: “No wonder Chonghua likes you so much. Such a beautiful young lady—even I can’t help but like you.”

Du Fangxi calmly allowed her teasing, not even blushing. Following Song Chuyi to sit down, she asked: “Chonghua left quite a while ago, didn’t she?”

“Over a month now.” Song Chuyi took a sip of tea: “In this past month she’s sent back two letters in total—one for her family, one for me, repeatedly asking whether your matter was settled.” It was clear that Lu Chonghua truly regarded Du Fangxi as a sister.

Du Fangxi’s face finally showed emotion. She lowered her head and sighed: “She’s clever and blessed.”

At least she could go far away, learning from Madam Qin to see the great rivers and mountains, being herself.

Song Chuyi had long heard about Du Fangxi’s circumstances from Lu Chonghua. Combined with Ma Wangkun and Ma Yongfu’s efforts, she knew that Du Fangxi’s days were quite difficult now. The problem was that Du Fangxi’s maternal grandmother’s family had long since died out, and Grand Madam Du and Du Fangxi didn’t even have anyone to rely on. If not for this, Du Fangxi probably wouldn’t have developed thoughts of resisting the Du family.

She smiled slightly: “Life is what people make of it. As long as you choose the right path, you can always walk it well.”

Du Fangxi deeply agreed, smiling openly at Song Chuyi: “Those words are very true. The path I’ve chosen now depends entirely on you, Sixth Miss. You must walk steadily in the future.”

The two smiled at each other. After Song Chuyi waited for her to finish her tea, she asked softly: “Not knowing the other party’s character and appearance, and the other party’s family status being even worse—do you truly have no regrets?”

“Do I have a better choice?” Du Fangxi calmly set down her cup, her tone flat without a trace of anger: “Since I don’t, I might as well obediently pick one that’s not so terrible from the worst circumstances.”