After Song Fu moved out of the Song manor, he had been unable to find a suitable residence.

He had originally wanted to take this opportunity to shelter Song Wan under his protection and support her in the future. This way, she wouldn’t be controlled by the clan, and it could also avoid situations like Madam Song acting on her own initiative.

However, for some unknown reason, over these past few days, the residences he had people look at were either unsuitable in size or had extraordinarily high prices. And among them, there had been one residence where he’d already put down a deposit, yet the next day the owner returned it doubled.

After going back and forth, Song Fu had no choice but to temporarily stay at Song Wan’s dowry estate.

Today after finishing his official duties, Song Fu brought some pastries to visit Song Wan. Although living away from the manor now had many inconveniences, he had many more opportunities to accompany his sister.

Song Wan’s dowry estate wasn’t far from this residence. If riding on horseback, it would take only the time to brew a pot of tea to arrive. These past few days, Song Fu had been taking his evening meals there.

“The Crown Prince is magnanimous and open-minded in character. He employs people without being constrained by formalities—he can be considered an enlightened ruler.”

Song Fu looked at Song Wan, whose face was flushed with color, and smiled indulgently. “The Crown Prince’s discerning eye is also sharp—he can see that my Song Fu’s sister possesses genuine talent and learning.”

“If Wan’er were a man, even Elder Brother couldn’t compare to you.”

“Why must Elder Brother tease Wan’er?”

Song Wan pressed her lips together and smiled with three parts shyness.

After the siblings finished their meal, they sat in the courtyard drinking tea and conversing.

“I wonder when there will be an opportunity to meet that Eunuch Ji Rong. To think that he coincidentally saved you—I should properly thank him.”

“Perhaps it’s not easy for him to leave the palace, and when he’ll come is uncertain, which is why we keep missing each other. If he comes here next time, I’ll set a time with him and let Elder Brother meet him face to face.”

“That would be good.”

Song Fu nodded, then continued, “The Crown Prince should have already taken action. I’ve recently been deliberately paying attention to the various ministries and discovered that quite a few batches of people in the eighth and ninth rank positions, as well as those without rank, have been replaced. However, because these official posts are truly too low, they haven’t attracted others’ attention.”

“Such meticulous infiltration that silently nourishes is safe and secure. These people can move about conveniently—it’s considerably better than those positions where every action is watched by countless eyes.”

“Wan’er speaks reasonably.”

Song Fu said, “During this period, no news about Shen Qianshu has emerged. I don’t know what the situation is. If Consort Jiang remains silent throughout, it could buy the Crown Prince quite a bit of time.”

“Shen Qianshu’s leg…”

Song Wan furrowed her brow. “It should not be a major problem.”

Shen Qianshu was young—though easily injured, he also recovered quickly. If there truly were any major problems, the palace physicians would surely have news emerge. Now, whether it was Jiang Man or the Chengyang Marquis Manor, all were quiet. It seemed they were trying their best to delay time to allow Shen Qianshu to recover.

“My thoughts are the same.”

“Yanqing Palace is surrounded so tightly that not even water can leak through. Aside from Jiang Xingjian bringing that concubine into the palace the other day, no other news has emerged.”

“Aunt and the Empress’s people have tried to probe several times but haven’t succeeded.”

“Lin Jiayue?”

Song Wan furrowed her brow, always feeling that her entering the palace together with Jiang Xingjian was highly unusual.

“Yes.”

Seeing that Song Fu didn’t take Lin Jiayue seriously, Song Wan clutched her skirt hem, her eyes showing worry.

This person Lin Jiayue—she couldn’t see through her, so she couldn’t speak carelessly.

“You’re wary of that person?”

Song Wan nodded. “I can’t see through her, nor can I discern this person’s scheming methods. Previously, she was devoted to Jiang Xingjian, using all her heart and strength everywhere to help him and the marquis manor. But the marquis manor’s current state—Elder Brother has also seen it.”

“Now she hates Jiang Xingjian. If she truly harbors intentions of secretly taking revenge, I’m genuinely worried that she might bungle things with her cleverness and end up helping Jiang Man instead.”

“Elder Brother rarely hears Wan’er speak such harsh words—it’s quite interesting.”

Song Wan startled, then suddenly smiled.

She wasn’t trying to squeeze out Lin Jiayue. It was truly that this person’s methods were strange and uncanny, making her impossible to guard against.

“Forget it, let’s not mention her.”

Song Fu said, “During this period, I want to investigate what exactly Jiang Xingjian did during his six years at the border.”

“He wouldn’t stay at the border for six years without reason. That he keeps his lips tightly sealed about this matter must mean something is suspicious. By my estimation, he should have been at the border…”

Song Wan lowered her eyes. “Hoarding private troops.”

Song Fu heard this and gave a soft sound of agreement.

“However, this matter requires careful planning. If we can’t catch him red-handed, it’s easy to bring trouble upon ourselves instead.”

The siblings spoke a few more inconsequential words. Seeing the sky had already darkened, Song Fu rode away on horseback.

He had just left the residence not far when in an adjacent residence, someone stood up.

Shen Qianyu put down the teacup in his hand and lowered his head to smooth out his wrinkled garments.

Wan Xiao watched with a slight smile.

Shen Qianyu only saw that the other’s eyes seemed to carry a few parts teasing. He was somewhat displeased. “What are you smiling at?”

“Master’s appearance is truly like a young lady preparing to meet her sweetheart, careful and cautious, afraid of somehow inviting displeasure.”

“Nonsense.”

Shen Qianyu scoffed. “Of all the men in this world who indulge in tender pleasures, how many can accomplish great endeavors?”

Casually brushing off his robe hem, Shen Qianyu acted completely unconcerned. “Do you think I’m the type to be infatuated with beauty and care about romantic love?”

“This subordinate has no such meaning.”

Wan Xiao’s face still carried a faint smile. Shen Qianyu was just preparing to go out when he turned and heard Wan Xiao say, “Master, you’ve left something behind.”

On the stone table in the courtyard sat a square brocade box. Hearing this, Shen Qianyu picked it up and strode toward the door.

This brocade box truly had some weight to it, making both his arms feel sore from carrying it.

Moving his arms that he’d been resting for several days, Shen Qianyu gave a light snort.

He simply felt that Song Wan’s learning was no worse than any man under heaven anywhere, making her admirable—that’s all. Wan Xiao was accustomed to judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind.

Saying things like meeting a sweetheart…

As a eunuch, what the hell did Wan Xiao understand about sweethearts?

Walking to the entrance of Song Wan’s residence, Shen Qianyu lowered his head to look at his somewhat wrinkled garments and carefully arranged them twice before gently knocking on the door.

Old Lady Lang welcomed him in with a face full of smiles and went to report to Song Wan.

Song Wan emerged from the house with a shy smile. When she saw Shen Qianyu, her cheeks instantly became tinged with a layer of crimson.

Last time she had truly been in such a wretched state and even implicated him to take care of her the entire journey. Seeing him again today, she inevitably felt somewhat embarrassed.

“I have not yet thanked Eunuch for that day’s events.”

Shen Qianyu waved his hand. “It was a small matter, hardly worth mentioning.”

“Coming today, I also have something to inquire of the young lady.”

“Please, Eunuch.”

Song Wan led him to the courtyard, and the two sat in the courtyard conversing.

“If I had known Eunuch would come today, earlier I should have had my elder brother wait a moment longer. Then Wan’er could have introduced my elder brother to Eunuch.”

Shen Qianyu smiled faintly, thinking to himself that if Song Fu didn’t leave, he would have waited until falling asleep.

“This is something my… my master asked me to bring to the young lady. The young lady’s methods were extremely useful. My master has already placed people into the various ministries—it has resolved a major concern weighing on his heart.”

Pushing the brocade box in front of Song Wan, Shen Qianyu opened the brocade wrapping.

Inside was a square red carved lacquer box. The man raised his hand to open it, and a fresh sweet fruit fragrance wafted over.

Shen Qianyu said, “These are Jinding Xiehua crisp pears. My… my master had people deliver them by swift horse from Ningling.”