Song Chuyi frowned. She always felt Prince Gong might not be as easily dealt with as they anticipated—Han Zhengqing was truly too formidable an opponent.

Zhou Weizhao was staring at her intently. When she discussed serious matters, she was always earnest. This earnestness completely concealed her earlier panic and distress, with no trace of the previous anxiety about gains and losses.

He knew why Song Chuyi was so anxious about gains and losses. He wasn’t angry about her earlier distance either. He had long known she was a cat that had been frightened and required abundant patience to regain her trust. He had time, and patience in abundance.

He had a lifetime to show Song Chuyi his sincerity. If she still didn’t understand, there was nothing he could do.

The large red lanterns all around were lit. Yulan came hurrying to find them carrying a lantern—the banquet had already begun up front.

“Maternal Aunt has also arrived, and even Miss Huaying has come.” Yulan smiled as she walked beside Song Chuyi: “She even brought your favorite plum wine, saying for you to taste it.”

Cui Huaying had come to the capital to add to her trousseau. She had already sent a letter beforehand. Because she was willing to come to the capital, Madam Yu had been happy for quite a while. Song Chuyi was also delighted to hear this. That Cui Huaying was now willing to go out meant she could probably let go somewhat of what happened in Jinling.

The banquet was set at Tingxiang Pavilion. On all four sides was lake water reflecting the moon and frost. Lanterns illuminated Tingxiang Pavilion like daylight. As soon as Song Chuyi entered, she heard Yuxiang already calling out with a smile: “Sixth Miss has arrived!”

Cui Huaying, who had been leaning against the railing viewing the scenery, turned her head at the sound and smiled as she beckoned to her.

Seeing the sisters clinging together, Old Madam Song also turned to remark to Madam Yu: “You needn’t always worry about Huaying. I see she’s the most open-minded person there could be.”

Someone who could decisively make such a decision in that situation, without any hesitation—no matter how fragile, couldn’t be that fragile. In Old Madam Song’s view, this was a smart person. When it was time to retreat, she would never yield to circumstances and gossip. Knowing what one wanted was most important.

The worried expression on Madam Yu’s face also completely dispersed, sweeping away her earlier concerns. She smiled at them: “You’re right. I’ve lived this long yet still don’t think as clearly as a child. I had always worried she wouldn’t come to the capital because she was troubled, but later I learned she was opening a girls’ school in central Jin…”

Old Madam Song had also heard Song Chuyi mention this matter once. She said Cui Huaying was learning from how Madam Qin had been in Chun’an, establishing a girls’ school in central Jin specifically to teach girls to read and write.

For a young woman to do such things was naturally not easy. Even though the Cui family had always been prestigious in central Jin and was a local prominent clan, people’s words were still fearsome. It was said that some stubbornly rigid pedantic scholars even came to her school entrance to spill ink and wash the ground, saying she had sullied the sages’ reputation.

At that time, Song Chuyi had specifically sent a letter to inform Cui Yingyun and the others, telling them they must support Cui Huaying.

“This is a wonderful thing.” She still remembered Song Chuyi’s bright shining eyes at that time, and couldn’t help but smile: “This is an excellent matter. Don’t listen to such confused people’s words. No sage has ever said women shouldn’t read and understand principles. Huaying is a person with great aspirations.”

Speaking of this, Madam Yu became worried again: “Indeed. Through Xiaoyi’s connections, she even got to know Miss Lu. She’s planning to go with Miss Lu to Zhangzhou to open a girls’ school, and even says she wants to go to sea with Miss Lu to see overseas scenery. Tell me, isn’t that worrying?”

The seas weren’t peaceful nowadays. Two young women, no matter how much status and background they had, no matter how many people they brought—how could one feel at ease? Even the coastal troops were constantly beaten back in retreat. How could one be reassured with them going?

All said and done, it was again Song Chuyi who gave her this courage. Old Madam Song helplessly patted Madam Yu’s hand: “This is still something without the first stroke of the character written. Didn’t they say they’d wait until the pirates were pacified before going? There’s plenty of time to wait…”

These words were rather teasing. Madam Yu let out a laugh, then turned to discuss with Old Madam Song the matter of going to the palace for the wedding send-off: “Great-Aunt wishes to come in person, but her health isn’t good. The boat doesn’t dare travel too fast, so I’m afraid she won’t make it in time. The family has discussed it—Sister-in-law and I will go together to send Xiaoyi off and make up her bed.”

The Great Zhou custom was for the bride’s maternal family to make up the bed and send her off. If there was no one, selecting a virtuous and respected elder would serve the same purpose.

Old Madam Cui was nearly sixty years old. Though her age wasn’t very great, her health had never been very good. How could she endure such a long journey? Old Madam Song had originally strongly urged her not to come in person, saying it would be the same when Song Chuyi had the opportunity to return to central Jin to visit her.

But Old Madam Cui adamantly refused.

“Thank you for the in-law’s kind intentions, but having lived to this age, I have no other wishes except to see my daughter’s flesh and blood marry and establish a family.”

She recalled the letter she had received earlier that had nearly moved her to tears, her hand movements slightly forceful: “It’s truly been hard on her.”

“The old lady longed for Tingting to return home her entire life. Tingting never returned home again and didn’t see her face even at her death. For her daughter’s wedding, Great-Aunt is unwilling to miss it no matter what.” Madam Yu glanced at Song Chuyi in the distance talking and laughing with Cui Huaying, her face also showing emotion: “I only wish that Xiaoyi will live well in the future…”

Old Madam Song always felt distressed in her heart whenever Song Chuyi’s mother was mentioned. Following Madam Yu’s gaze to look at Song Chuyi with her back turned, even her voice involuntarily softened: “It will be well. Xiaoyi is not like her mother…”

Thinking of this, then thinking of her son Song Yi who had sent back letters and gifts, she sighed again in her heart. Though he was her son, she hoped Song Chuyi would not marry someone like Song Yi in the future.

After finishing the evening banquet, Song Chuyi took Cui Huaying and Cui Huayi to Guanju Courtyard for tea. Cui Huaying was even more open-minded than before. The Wang family matter left not even a passing trace on her. She smiled as she told Song Chuyi about Lu Chonghua’s letter: “She’s truly bold beyond measure. After staying in Zhangzhou for a while and finding it insufficient, she now wants to go see Suzhou and Hangzhou. But I also hope she goes and travels more. When I go later, I can avoid many detours. Even when establishing girls’ schools, it will be much more advantageous. I hear they say ‘Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below’…”

Being able to walk the path she wanted to walk and live the life she wanted to live, Cui Huaying lived much more freely than married young ladies. Even Song Chuyi, looking at her, involuntarily felt much better—if there truly came that worst day, she wouldn’t fall to the fate of her previous life. At worst, she could be like Cui Huaying. After divorcing, she could still be upright and frank, living freely and unrestrained—there would always be her own way to live.