Outside, the weather was bitterly cold with freezing temperatures, but inside the warm chamber it was as warm as spring. After a moment of silence, Song Jue said: “It’s a pity Qingbai is already dead. We don’t know how they passed messages to each other. We’re going through different channels—they might not be easily convinced.”

Ye Jingkuan quickly thought of this point. He waved his hand and shook his head: “No need to worry about that. There’s still Qing Luo, isn’t there?” He looked at Song Chuyi and Zhou Weizhao, saying: “Have the Celestial Master’s wife persuade them. They should know how to choose, shouldn’t they?”

Qing Luo and Han Yan were originally from Longhu Mountain. Later, there was that incident where they took Song Chuyi’s token and made an issue of it with the Marquis Guangping’s heir, creating such a tremendous uproar of rumors. Such a major matter—it was impossible for Qingbai not to have mentioned it to his father from beginning to end. And since he had mentioned it to his father, his father should have a good idea and know that Qing Luo and Han Yan were working for Qingbai. Having Qing Luo and Han Yan do this matter was indeed most suitable.

But Princess Rongcheng still couldn’t help worrying somewhat: “But these two were originally people who betrayed their master. They have no principles. Who knows if they might develop some ideas midway? Or, as long as they say one or two ambiguous words of warning when delivering the letter, all our previous efforts will be wasted. This is too risky.”

Because Empress Lu had fallen ill, Princess Rongcheng had been attending to her sickness in the palace for quite some time. Both exhausted and worried, her whole face had sunken in, haggard beyond recognition. As soon as something happened to Empress Lu, she became even more worried about Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi—after all, because Empress Lu had fallen ill, the rumors about the calamitous lone star spread even more rampantly, which was truly infuriating.

Song Chuyi’s hand was held in Zhou Weizhao’s grasp. She struggled once but couldn’t break free, so she could only let him hold it. Seeing Ye Jingkuan raise his eyebrows and look over, she sat up properly again, composed: “Though neither Elder Brother nor the Prince Consort can go personally, it’s not as if they have no one useful at hand, right? Just have them accompany Qing Luo there.” She paused, then especially emphasized: “Only Qing Luo should go. Forget about Han Yan.”

In the past, when speaking and arguing before her, it had always been Qing Luo. Han Yan had always remained silent, so even she had once thought that of these two maids, Qing Luo was the one in charge. But later, after going through this matter, she discovered it wasn’t at all as she had seen. Han Yan wasn’t without opinions—she had too many opinions. In everything, Qing Luo was pushed to the front, but in reality every matter reflected her intentions. Such a person, who appeared docile and obedient at all times, then at the crucial final moment bit you—that was truly fatal.

Song Jue and Ye Jingkuan exchanged glances, their eyes brightening. This was also a method. They would do just that—have Qing Luo take the letter.

Princess Rongcheng also felt much more at ease, feeling that Song Chuyi’s arrangement was much more reassuring. She let out a breath and nodded: “That’s good too. Then depart immediately? Find someone reliable. Don’t delay any further.”

Princess Rongcheng was truly exhausted mentally and physically from being tormented by one matter after another—her father-in-law was still far away in Xibei with no news, not knowing whether he was alive or dead. Although Song Chuyi said that the news Ma San and Ma Wangkun brought back this time indicated that Prince Zhennan was fine and would soon rendezvous with Marquis Dingyuan, after all, Ma San and the others had no further news. Empress Lu had fallen ill again, and if Zhou Weizhao’s side remained so unstable, she would truly have to live in constant anxiety.

It was better to deal with all these troublesome matters early, so they could focus single-mindedly on dealing with Prince Gong and his people.

Song Jue responded: “I’ll arrange it. We can’t have Wangyue go along—find someone unfamiliar.” After thinking, he said: “Have Wei Zheng go. Let them depart tonight.”

The earlier the better—indeed they couldn’t delay any longer. Song Chuyi made a sound of agreement, then specially instructed: “Leave Han Yan at the Celestial Master’s wife’s place.”

After all, they were people who came down from Longhu Mountain. Moreover, since the Celestial Master’s Palace was divided into factions, and both Qing Luo and Han Yan’s fathers were Perfected Persons of the Celestial Master’s Palace, being too uncompromising might push them toward that junior martial uncle’s side. If Longhu Mountain also descended into chaos, that wouldn’t be so pleasant.

This matter was decided to be handled by Qing Zhuo. When Qing Zhuo came in, his face was still pale. He told Zhou Weizhao about Qingbai slitting his throat: “He ran fast. In the blink of an eye he ran into our residence at the Yellow Immortal Temple, dashing about everywhere. We searched around and found him in the back courtyard. Before we could even speak, he slit his own throat with a knife and died. Previously, you couldn’t tell he was so tough.”

He had been hoping to beat him severely and make him confess why he had done such unconscionable things. Who knew he would die so decisively, leaving him with a breath stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down, extremely uncomfortable.

Zhou Weizhao shook his hand to indicate he didn’t blame him, then had him go search Qingbai’s residence. Only then did he look at the time, preparing to return to the palace. His trip out was to escort the Celestial Master, and the time was about right.

Princess Rongcheng immediately stood up as well. Just as she was about to go out, someone outside reported that Princess Consort Zhennan had arrived. She couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

Princess Consort Zhennan truly couldn’t bear it anymore and had come to ask Princess Rongcheng for news. Prince Zhennan was far away in Xibei. After Song Chuyi had given her one vague statement, there had been no more news. How could she rest easy?

Entering and seeing Song Chuyi and Zhou Weizhao, she hurriedly performed the proper courtesies. Both Song Chuyi and Zhou Weizhao quickly had her dispense with them. Only then did she somewhat anxiously move to Song Chuyi’s side, asking hesitantly: “Sixth Miss, from Jinzhong—has any news come?”

She was somewhat overjoyed to see Song Chuyi. Speaking of news, Song Chuyi’s information should be even more well-informed than the court’s. In any case, the court here had not yet received any news about how Prince Zhennan was faring.

Song Chuyi shook her head. Seeing her face full of disappointment, she advised: “Princess Consort needn’t worry either. I expect it will be soon.”

When Ma San and Ma Wangkun returned, Marquis Dingyuan had already instigated Han Yang and was preparing to make a move. Calculating from then until now, it had also been a month or so. If things went smoothly, the first thing Prince Zhennan and Marquis Dingyuan could do after obtaining those thirteen thousand guards would definitely be to coordinate with Commander Huang Yiqing from inside and outside to suppress Taiyuan. At that time, naturally battle reports would be transmitted back.

Her son and daughter-in-law had already privately told her all these things. She knew in her heart, but still her heart remained heavy with no place to settle, always fearing that her son and daughter-in-law were deliberately saying pleasant things to comfort her because they feared she would worry. Instead, now hearing Song Chuyi say this, she immediately felt much more relaxed inside. It was probably because the impression Sixth Miss Song had previously left her was of being extremely capable, almost always doing what she said she would do, and responding to whatever she promised.

She let out a breath of relief, looking at Song Chuyi as she tightened the handkerchief in her hand: “Let’s hope so.”

After speaking, she couldn’t help but think: if only back then, Sixth Miss could have taken a liking to her family’s second son…