“What exactly happened today?”

Having returned to the residence in the capital’s outskirts, Song Fu’s expression was grave. “Mother said you returned to Marquis Chengyang’s residence, but when I sent people to Marquis Chengyang’s residence to inquire, they heard no news of you.”

“What on earth happened? Why would you suddenly want to return to the marquis’s residence?”

Song Wan returned to her room with Heng Zhi and Heng Wu’s support. She covered her feet with her skirt hem and said gently, “Mother sent someone a few days ago saying she had received an invitation from Duke Yingguo’s household today.”

Song Fu abruptly stood up. “She deceived you into leaving, planning to send you back to Marquis Chengyang’s?”

Upon hearing Song Wan was returning to the marquis’s residence, Song Fu had no time for detailed questions and went to Marquis Chengyang’s residence to demand her return, but the gatekeeper said they hadn’t seen Song Wan. He didn’t believe it and was about to force his way into the residence when he saw several old women returning in disarray.

He grabbed one of the old women and interrogated her, learning that Song Wan had been abducted.

“I searched for a long time in the area those old women described but couldn’t find you.”

Hearing that all this was Madam Song’s doing, Song Fu’s eyes filled with rage. “I’m going to confront her.”

“Elder brother…”

Song Wan lowered her gaze and shook her head faintly. “Right now is a turbulent time. We shouldn’t create any more trouble on my account. The court situation is unstable—even a trivial matter could be seized upon by those with ulterior motives and used as leverage to attack elder brother in the future.”

Song Wan smiled. “I have my own ways to deal with this. Elder brother cannot sacrifice his own future for Wan’er’s sake.”

“Precisely because it’s a turbulent time, it’s convenient for elder brother to act.”

After dismissing everyone from the room, Song Fu was silent for a moment before saying, “Some days ago, Father met with Minister Ying, Master Ying Xun.”

Song Wan frowned. “Minister Ying was an old friend of the late marquis. He treats Jiang Xingjian and his siblings like his own children and niece. Is Father trying to play both sides, keeping options open with both…”

“It appears so.”

Song Fu was also somewhat vexed. “After telling Father about the Crown Prince’s matter, he never took a stance. Clearly Father doesn’t favor the Crown Prince. But Father always looks a hundred steps ahead and won’t abandon any opportunity.”

“He calculated that the Crown Prince has no one under him, so anyone who can interact with you and me must have some relationship with him.”

Whether it was a relationship of providing help in times of need or mutual exploitation, Song Lan’an knew that in the short term, the Crown Prince wouldn’t move against the two of them.

Song Wan clutched her handkerchief, her tone low and soft. “Although Father doesn’t favor the Crown Prince, he won’t offend him either. Since the Crown Prince took the initiative to approach, it gives the Song family the advantage.”

“So Father not only won’t support the Crown Prince because of this, but will more firmly support the Fifth Prince.”

During the three-way standoff, the Crown Prince’s sudden appearance disrupted the balance. But because the Crown Prince was a hidden piece only the Song family knew about, this became a powerful tool in Song Lan’an’s hands.

Openly he supported the Fifth Prince, while his siblings switched to support the Crown Prince. In the future, regardless of who ascended the throne, the Song family would be secure.

“You’re correct.”

Song Fu nodded. “But the Crown Prince isn’t a fool. He can tolerate the Song family’s vacillation.”

Song Wan pressed her lips together. “Will elder brother pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince?”

“Father will agree.”

Song Wan’s eyes showed worry at these words. “Elder brother, don’t go too far. No matter what, she holds the position of elder. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture and tarnish your good name over small matters.”

“Don’t worry, elder brother knows what he’s doing.”

The siblings understood each other’s thoughts. With just a few words, they knew each other’s intentions. Seeing Song Fu’s mind was made up, Song Wan no longer tried to dissuade him, only repeatedly saying she was fine and he needn’t worry.

Song Fu wanted to ask who had sent her back to the city, but after thinking for a long time, he ultimately didn’t speak.

“Rest early. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

“Elder brother has been busy on my account all along the way. You should also rest early.”

Song Fu nodded and left the residence.

As soon as he left, Song Wan frowned and removed the embroidered shoes from her feet. Seeing the injuries on her feet, Heng Zhi was both heartbroken and furious.

Old Lady Lang quickly fetched hot water and medicine. Heng Wu helped Song Wan treat her wounds, and Heng Zhi carefully bandaged them.

“That black-hearted woman actually set her schemes on Miss. In the past, this servant could tell from her upturned eyes that she wasn’t a proper one. Now it truly confirms what this servant saw—she’s an inside traitor who…”

“What are you saying? Is that any way to speak about Madam?”

Heng Zhi pushed Heng Wu and glared at her angrily.

“Miss, don’t blame Heng Wu. She didn’t mean it.”

Old Lady Lang spoke up to plead for Heng Wu’s case. Ordinarily, Song Wan would certainly offer a few words of guidance.

Whatever Madam Song did wasn’t for them to comment on. After all, she was an elder, and as a daughter, Song Wan could only show respect.

Even if today the other party had truly sent her back to Marquis Chengyang’s residence, she had nowhere to air her grievances. Outsiders would only say Madam Song had done exactly right.

But today she was truly exhausted—both hungry and tired.

In all her years, Song Wan had never experienced such an ordeal as today. She was so tired she couldn’t say a word. She let Heng Wu curse while she herself drifted into drowsy sleep.

Old Lady Lang’s gaze swept from Song Wan’s neck to her waist. Seeing her hair and clothing intact, she finally let out a long breath of relief.

Song Wan slept for more than half a shichen. She didn’t slowly awaken until her stomach felt unbearably empty.

“Is Miss hungry? This servant made you lamb buns and chicken crisp cake soup, along with some side dishes.”

Heng Zhi brought over the food and set it before Song Wan. After a while, she brought over another bowl of lotus seed sweet soup.

“Today Eunuch Ji Rong came carrying items, saying he came to deliver gifts to Miss. Seeing you weren’t here, he left the items with Nanny Lang.”

Heng Zhi placed Shen Qianyu’s Six Rites of Discipleship on the table. Song Wan looked at them, slightly startled.

When she opened the discipleship letter on top, her eyes widened even more in surprise.

“This…”

How could the Crown Prince submit a discipleship letter to her?

Song Wan’s cheeks flushed red. She… what virtue and ability did she possess?

“This won’t do. Put these items away first and preserve them carefully. If Eunuch Ji Rong comes next time, return them to him exactly as they are.”

She was just a woman of the inner residence—how could she be an emperor’s teacher?

If people found out, she would surely be condemned by everyone in the world, her name reviled for ten thousand years. She might even implicate the Crown Prince.

Carefully folding the discipleship letter and putting it back, Song Wan gently patted her warm cheeks.

This Crown Prince was truly unconventional, actually able to take a woman of the inner residence as his teacher. The more Song Wan thought about it, the hotter her cheeks became. She couldn’t help but unconsciously fan herself with her hand, trying to dispel this heat.

But…

Thinking of how solemnly the Crown Prince had selected the Six Rites of Discipleship and personally written the discipleship letter, Song Wan felt her heart skip a beat.

In all her life, she had never been so valued by anyone before.

After thinking, Song Wan suppressed the joy in her heart and reopened that letter, carefully examining the handwriting on it.

They say handwriting reflects character. The Crown Prince’s brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, showing he was someone with an upright character. The calligraphy formed its own style and was written casually, showing his temperament was open and unrestrained, not someone who followed rules rigidly.

This letter also revealed that the Crown Prince rarely studied or practiced calligraphy in daily life, so his writing was… somewhat sloppy.

Song Wan smiled and put the letter away again, placing it back among the Six Rites.

Regardless of anything else, apart from her aunt and elder brother, this was the first time anyone had valued her so highly.

This truly brought joy to her heart.