After Cui Huaying’s visit, Song Chuyi finally became lively again, the light returning to her eyes at last. Qing Ying and the others breathed a sigh of relief and gradually recovered their usual cheerfulness.
When Song Chengru returned from court and saw that she still had the interest to tease the squirrels in her courtyard, he stood behind her with his hands clasped behind his back, watching her for quite some time. A smile couldn’t help but appear on his face—he had always been extremely fond of this granddaughter of his. Perhaps initially it was because of her cleverness, but it was definitely not solely because of her intelligence. These past few days when she had been melancholy and dispirited, as her grandfather he couldn’t very well ask about it, and he had truly worried. Now seeing that she had recovered on her own, he finally felt at ease.
Master Chang followed behind him, stroking his beard and coughing once. The Sixth Miss swiftly turned her head around, and the sight of the girl and the squirrel tilting their heads in unison was both comical and adorable, lifting his spirits considerably as well.
Song Chengru had already beckoned and called Song Chuyi to come over. “Don’t always tease it. Just the other day it ran into my study and knocked over the inkstone on my desk.”
Song Chengru’s hobbies were quite peculiar. Most people who liked pine trees cultivated cloud-and-mist pines, planting them in pots where they were both elegant and attractive. But not him—he planted four or five pine trees in his courtyard. They constantly dropped numerous pine needles, which actually made it convenient for the women in the kitchen to come sweep them up with baskets to use as kindling. Having planted pine trees, it was good to have some living creatures as well, so Song Yan and Song Jue had caught some squirrels to release into the trees. Over time, they had become quite tame and friendly toward people.
As they spoke, the squirrel had already scurried up the tree trunk along the branches in a flash, clutching a pine cone while looking down at them. Song Chuyi withdrew her gaze and entered the study together with Song Chengru and Master Chang. “His Highness has already had the Prince Consort send word to the Prince of Zhennan. As for Commander Lai, I also found a way to notify him, informing him that there might be a traitor among them. Now we can only wait for news.”
Everything that should be done had already been done. Apart from quietly waiting for news, there truly were no other options.
Song Chengru nodded and said to Master Chang, “With Elder Du gone, a position has opened up in the Grand Secretariat. Chief Minister Chang’s intention is to have Feng Jing, the Minister of Rites, enter the cabinet.”
Emperor Jianzhang had the Grand Secretariat ministers nominate candidates for the cabinet, and Chief Minister Chang had nominated Feng Jing, the Minister of Rites.
Previously in the cabinet, Elder Du had been aligned with Prince Gong’s faction, Song Chengru was ostensibly a neutral minister, while Chief Minister Chang truly didn’t form cliques or take sides with anyone. After Elder Zhang and Elder Chen fell from power, Chief Minister Chang had gradually brought the Minister of Works and Cen Biliang into the cabinet. Now that Elder Du was gone, if Chief Minister Chang brought his protégé Feng Jing into the cabinet as well, then the entire Grand Secretariat would be under Chief Minister Chang’s sole authority.
Song Chuyi keenly caught the implication in Song Chengru’s words and frowned as she looked toward Master Chang.
“Did the old gentleman agree to this?” Master Chang’s eyes were penetrating. “From the former Prince Duan to the later Prince Gong, Chief Minister Chang never once interfered. He is an extremely perceptive person—whoever becomes emperor, they work for that person. Now it’s abundantly clear that the Crown Prince is the one favored in the Sacred Heart, and he understands what needs to be done. But as for you…”
Song Chengru raised his eyes to look at him.
“But as for you, you’ve already achieved the utmost in wealth and status, reaching the highest position a minister can attain.” Master Chang spoke quite directly. “In the future, you’ll also be the grandfather of the Crown Prince’s consort. It would be best if you could exercise restraint and maintain a low profile.”
The tallest tree catches the most wind. Song Chengru was already the Minister of Personnel, wielding great power over officials’ promotions. If he could still control the other ministers in the Grand Secretariat, let alone Emperor Jianzhang and Chief Minister Chang—even the future Zhou Weizhao would probably not be able to fully trust him, wouldn’t he?
Moreover, the censors and remonstrating officials were already sharpening their knives to impeach him for power manipulation. If he didn’t improve relations with Chief Minister Chang and the others now, problems would likely arise in the future.
Song Chengru naturally understood these political intricacies perfectly well. He glanced at Song Chuyi, was silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed. “So be it, then.”
Only after Song Chengru had made his decision did Song Chuyi smile slightly. “Even someone as experienced as Grandfather can’t avoid having his weaknesses exploited by others—what more Father? Grandfather, regarding Father and Third Uncle…”
Fifth Master was just compiling books at the Hanlin Academy anyway. He had always been honest and dutiful, and moreover he was in the capital where no one could reach over his head. But Second Master and Third Master were both serving as provincial officials outside the capital. If someone wanted to target the Song family, going after them would be extremely likely.
Song Chengru had long been guarding against this. “I’ve already repeatedly admonished them to be cautious in their words and actions, so rest assured.” He then asked her when she would visit the Cui family. “Take a few stalks of green peonies for me. The Old Madam has come all this way from afar, so we must make sure she lives comfortably.”
Old Madam Cui loved chrysanthemums most of all.
When Song Chuyi mentioned her maternal grandmother, joy filled every corner of her brows and eyes. “My aunt and cousin have already arranged the courtyard. We were just lacking flowers and plants that would suit Grandmother’s preferences. Since Grandfather is willing to part with them, that’s wonderful!”
Old Madam Cui’s boat was still on the road and probably wouldn’t arrive until after Song Chuyi’s wedding, so being happy this early was a bit premature. Song Chengru glared at her. “I don’t see you being this attentive to your grandfather!”
After jokingly scolding her for a while, he told her to go to Ningde Courtyard while he and Master Chang discussed the memorial.
Old Madam Song’s quarters always had the pastries that Song Chuyi liked prepared. When she saw her arrive, Yulan personally went to have someone bring them out. After chatting for a while, First Madam Song came in to show Old Madam Song the menu for the noon banquet on Song Chuyi’s wedding day—it had already been deliberated over repeatedly, but naturally such matters required the utmost caution.
The Crown Princess, the Princess Consort, and others could all have their noon banquets held at their natal homes.
This time, the Earl of Changning’s residence kept things extremely low-key, setting up only twenty tables in total.
As she was listening, Nanny Huang lifted the curtain and entered, saying that Qing Ying was looking for her outside. Song Chuyi quickly stood up, and upon exiting the door, she saw Qing Ying waiting in the covered corridor.
“Miss!” Qing Ying had already come forward. As she followed Song Chuyi out of the courtyard gates, she said, “Qing Zhuo has come and says he needs to see you. He has something to tell you.”
Song Chuyi’s footsteps paused slightly. After thinking for a moment, she nodded. “Have him come to Master Qingfeng’s courtyard.”
Song Yan had been staying less at Chuzhou Pavilion recently, spending most of his time in the front courtyard keeping Master Qingfeng company. It wasn’t quite appropriate for Qing Zhuo to enter the inner courtyard, so Song Chuyi chose Master Qingfeng’s courtyard to meet him. In any case, she would need to stop by to find Chang Gui and Qin Ying to arrange matters regarding Song Yan’s trips to Hubei and Sichuan. There had been so many things recently that she had been busy from dawn to dusk. If she didn’t give instructions now, she would forget about it again later.
Qing Zhuo had come to speak about Qing Luo and Han Yan. “Those two won’t be coming back anymore. His Highness told me to send two others to protect your safety. I came to inform you. The new ones will arrive with the Celestial Master and his wife when they come to the capital, and they’ll be brought to you then.”
Since returning from Zhuque Street last time, Qing Luo and Han Yan had been requisitioned by Zhou Weizhao, who said they had business at Longhu Mountain. Unexpectedly, they never returned. Song Chuyi pondered this briefly, then immediately raised her eyes to look at Qing Zhuo.
For them to not return for no good reason, there should be a proper explanation. After all, judging by Qing Luo and Han Yan’s demeanor, they didn’t seem like they were willing to return to Longhu Mountain.