“Now is not the time.” Song Chengru, having heard the news, hurried over to look at her, glancing out at the pitch-black exterior. “There are eyes and people everywhere. Even a mosquito flying out of our residence would probably be watched to see which tree it landed on, let alone a person. Besides, it’s late—you should return to the palace, otherwise it’s not safe.”
It was still the same principle: the performance could go on, but it absolutely must be established under safe and prepared circumstances. Otherwise, if something went wrong, everything that followed would be ruined.
Seeing Song Chuyi somewhat unsettled, Song Jue also came forward and patted her head. “Grandfather is right. Now is not the time. No matter how anxious you are, you can’t go at this moment. In any case, the person has already arrived, and the letter has been delivered to you at just the right time. Wait for a more suitable moment.” He thought for a moment. “Tomorrow at court they should be discussing the Crown Prince’s regency. It will likely be quite a spectacle. Once things become thoroughly chaotic, you can go out then. Wouldn’t that be more convenient?”
“If you go later, it will also allow Miss Lu to hide more securely,” Song Jue said. “Otherwise, if your urgency causes you to leave traces, wouldn’t that harm Miss Lu and Second Young Master Ye?”
Speaking of which, they had truly underestimated Ye Jingchuan. Master Qingfeng had spent these days in Fujian and had managed to investigate some matters, yet he didn’t know that Ye Jingchuan had appeared in Huizhou territory and taken Lu Chonghua away without leaving a single trace. This Ye Jingchuan had truly made progress. Thinking of this, Song Jue couldn’t help but want to laugh. It seemed that spending time in teahouses and wine shops did have some benefits—at least he understood adaptability now.
Song Chuyi understood all the reasoning. It was just that thinking the traitor who spanned her past and present lives could very likely be definitively confirmed from Lu Chonghua’s mouth made her lose her composure somewhat. Now that Song Chengru and Song Jue spoke up to remind her, she immediately came to her senses and smiled in agreement.
Seeing her smile, Old Master Song’s face also bore a smile. “Good. You’ve eaten dinner, and it’s already getting late. Whatever else you need to instruct Brother Yan about, tell him now. After you’re done, return early.”
Earlier, Song Yan had said he didn’t want Cuiting and Mingtai to follow him to Shu. Zhou Weizhao had taken him to select new people. Song Chuyi nodded in acknowledgment and led Qing Ying and Qing Tao out.
She had just crossed the West Garden and stepped onto the arched bridge when she saw the Guanju Pavilion brightly lit. Yushu and Yulan came forward with lanterns to pay their respects, saying softly, “His Highness and Fourth Young Master are inside, both waiting for Your Ladyship.”
Zhou Weizhao had already finished selecting people with Song Yan by then. Song Yan simply refused to use his people. He could guess some of the reasons and sighed, ultimately saying nothing.
Song Yan was still somewhat sulking. “I’ve always thought Brother-in-law was formidable, but how could even the people around him…” He complained halfway through before stopping. Zhou Weizhao’s circumstances had been difficult in his youth. He only had the group of people that Old Master Lu had given him for protection. These people had accompanied him since childhood, followed him all the way from Longhu Mountain back to the capital and then to Yangquan through life and death. No one would know which one to suspect.
After staring at each other for a while, Song Yan couldn’t sit still again. He called out “Brother-in-law” in a muffled voice. Seeing Zhou Weizhao look over, he continued, “You won’t be angry at Sister because of these people, will you?”
After all, these people were truly too important to Zhou Weizhao. Song Chuyi was now so guarded against his people…
Zhou Weizhao reached out to touch his head, unable to help but smile. “How could I? I only feel somewhat ashamed that I can’t help your sister worry less. These people…” He paused before continuing, “These people have indeed accompanied me for a long time. But if this companionship was calculated, how could I possibly be angry at your sister for their sake?”
Song Yan finally felt at ease. Just as he was about to say something more, voices outside were already calling out that the Crown Princess had arrived. He happily stood up and ran out, watching Song Chuyi slowly emerge from the night. With infinite dependence, he reached out to take Song Chuyi’s hand, just as he had when he first returned from Jinzhong at age five. Even across several years of estrangement, it didn’t affect his reliance on his sister in the slightest.
Song Chuyi also habitually grasped his hand. She withdrew her other hand wanting to pat his head, but reaching out she discovered that Song Yan had unknowingly grown as tall as she was. She could only stop herself and look at Zhou Weizhao, who was leaning against a corridor pillar with a smile, then turned back to Song Yan. “Is everything prepared?”
Song Yan said yes. Song Chuyi then went through every detail again to instruct and remind him. Finally, she personally saw Master Chang and Wangyue before saying, “Grandfather wrote letters for Grand Scholar Tang and the officials along the way. You’ve put them away safely, haven’t you?”
Song Yan knew Song Chuyi was worried and kept a relaxed, comfortable smile on his face. “Don’t worry. I’m no longer the ignorant boy I once was.”
Song Chuyi said nothing more. She was reluctant to part with Song Yan, but she absolutely would not keep him in the capital to take risks.
Just as Chief Minister Chang had said, this was a game of strategy. With the war situation pressing and circumstances urgent, with Han Zhengqing and Prince Gong using borrowed force, their side might not necessarily win. Given that, Song Yan naturally should go to Grand Scholar Tang in Shu to study—that was best.
After instructing him once more, Song Chuyi personally straightened Song Yan’s clothes and took a pouch from Qing Tao’s hands to tie it on him. “This is what Sister made with her own hands.” Her head lowered, her voice momentarily choking with emotion, but she immediately recovered her usual gentleness. “Following Mother’s embroidery method… You must take good care.”
Song Yan choked out his acknowledgment, touching the pattern embroidered on the pouch. He pressed his lips together and glanced at Song Chuyi before leading Yushu and the others back to Chuzhou Hall.
Zhou Weizhao, leaning against the corridor pillar, smiled and beckoned to Song Chuyi, pulling her to his side and embracing her shoulders. “Don’t worry. Ayan will get better and better.”
He didn’t ask what business the person sent by the Princess Consort of Zhennan had that required seeing Song Chuyi alone. Smiling, he waited for her emotions to settle before leading her inside. “Your nose has turned red from the cold. Have some hot tea first to warm up.”
Only then did Song Chuyi remember something and asked him puzzledly, “Why didn’t you drink tea with Grandfather and Uncle in the flower hall?”
“I don’t know what the place where you used to live was really like, so I was somewhat curious.” Zhou Weizhao smiled as he handed her the tea. “So I said I was drunk. When Uncle asked if I wanted to rest in the warming pavilion, I said wherever Xiaoyi stayed would be fine, so I came in.”
This person was truly remarkably leisurely. Song Chuyi held the teacup and took a sip. Someone outside came in to say the carriages and horses were all prepared, requesting they board.
Song Chuyi’s wind hood was placed on her head by Zhou Weizhao. Looking through the warm light, she could only see Zhou Weizhao’s long lashes. In the end, she didn’t speak of Lu Chonghua’s matter. The journey was calm and peaceful all the way, yet this calm and peace didn’t make one feel at ease in the slightest.