Nanny Yu had already been waiting outside the flower hall for a full three or four hours. But she hadn’t waited for news—she only waited for First Madam and Nanny Huang. And the news they brought nearly made her faint in the blazing sun.

Inventory the dowry?! Her eyes widened. Suddenly she felt her mind become completely muddled, her whole body trembling violently. Of course she knew when dowries needed to be inventoried. But precisely because she knew, she understood that even though the Li family had come, they still couldn’t save Li Shi.

She followed dazedly behind First Madam and Nanny Huang to the second branch’s quarters, watching as old women and servants went in and out inventorying Li Shi’s things. Suddenly tears fell heavily.

If Li Shi’s crimes were exposed and she was divorced, how could she hold her head up in the future? Old Master Li was someone who valued reputation above all. First Madam Li had always been at odds with Li Shi. Nanny Yu couldn’t control herself and cried even more sorrowfully. For a moment she couldn’t help but worry for Song Chuning. If Li Shi became a divorced wife, Song Chuning’s situation in the future would be extremely difficult.

But they had only finished sorting through half the items when someone hurriedly came to say there was no need to continue the inventory.

The person who came was a servant woman from the Li family. Nanny Yu immediately recognized her. Hope surged in her heart. Crying tears of joy, she stepped forward and grabbed her: “Did they discover it was a mistake and our madam was wronged?”

The servant woman wiped her eyes, but tears rolled out endlessly: “No—it’s not that. Madam, she… she’s gone.”

First Madam’s face showed surprise as she closed the ledger in her hands. In an instant she understood why there was no need to continue inventorying the dowry. She couldn’t help spacing out for a moment. When she saw Song Chuning—not knowing how long she had been standing there or how much she had heard—she couldn’t help being thoroughly startled.

She didn’t know how much Song Chuning had heard, nor did she know what the current situation was on Li Shi’s side. She could only force a smile and beckon, calling Song Chuning to come before her.

Song Chuning looked at First Madam with tearful eyes, pulling at her sleeve pitifully and helplessly crying: “First Aunt, what happened to my mother? Why are they all saying my mother is gone?”

First Madam didn’t know how to answer. After hemming and hawing for a while, she called Nanny Yu to come forward and lead Song Chuning away, while she herself led people to the flower hall to assess the situation.

Nanny Yu held Song Chuning’s hand, crying as they walked: “You’ve always said that Madam didn’t love you, but how could that be? After all, you’re flesh that fell from her body. She was willing to do anything for you. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have schemed so hard to marry into the Song household, and she wouldn’t have needed to lose her life…”

At this moment, Nanny Yu had already forgotten about Song Chuning’s frightening aspects. She only felt she should try her best to instruct this young miss about some things: “Madam has ruined everything. We servants probably only have a day or two left. In the future we can’t look after you anymore. You must be careful yourself. I know you’re clever, but from now on the situation is different. You must learn to endure…”

Yes, endure.

Song Chuning’s face was expressionless as she allowed Nanny Yu to lead her to the courtyard, gazing distantly at the direction of the flower hall.

Nanny Yu waved for her to go in, wiping her tears as she bid her farewell: “Go in. The weather’s gotten hot—don’t be greedy for ice bowls, Miss. Be careful of women’s ailments in the future. From now on, be careful in all things…”

Song Chuning didn’t think human life was particularly precious. But at this moment, she suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her heart. That strand of stabbing pain quickly spread from her heart to all her limbs and bones, hurting so much she couldn’t help clenching her fists. Her throat felt sore and tears fell.

She didn’t understand why things weren’t developing according to her dream. She also didn’t understand why Li Shi, who clearly had every advantage, would end up in such a state.

But she understood the root cause of all this.

Song Chuyi!

This girl who should have been as foolish as a pig like in her dream, following behind Shen Qingrang like a silly little fool—she didn’t know when this girl had also cultivated the ability to hide her emotions, and had begun to know how to bite.

Suddenly she couldn’t suppress her fury. She reached out and grabbed the tablecloth beside her and yanked it, sending everything on the table tumbling upside down.

Because she used too much force, wood splinters from the table pierced into her index finger. But she didn’t even feel the pain.

Her heart hurt too much—the injury on her hand didn’t seem painful in comparison. Moreover, compared to the days ahead, this physical pain was utterly insignificant.

She slowly pulled the wood splinter from her finger, feeling her muddled mind gradually clear.

Li Shi had committed such a grave taboo and even lost her life. Father was far away at his post, beyond reach. Grandmother had always favored Song Chuyi, and even Grandfather regarded Song Chuyi differently. If she remained in the household, grievances would be inevitable in the future.

But her mother had died after committing a grave error. Her maternal family wasn’t as powerful as the Cui family—going to stay with her maternal grandparents was out of the question. Her gaze changed several times. Suddenly she beckoned and called Luyi over, telling her to deliver a few words to Old Master Li.

To ask Old Master Li to help with other major matters—he probably wouldn’t be willing and couldn’t help anyway. But writing a letter should still be within his capabilities.

Her gaze wavered. Through the open window, she looked at the swaying tree branches outside, her heart overflowing with resentment.

Everything she suffered today—in the future she would repay Song Chuyi a thousand times, a hundred times over!

When Li Shi rammed into the pillar in the flower hall, blood splattered everywhere. Just looking at it was shocking. First Madam entered the room with a heavy expression, tentatively looking toward Old Madam Song.

Old Madam Li held Li Shi’s corpse and refused to let go. It wasn’t until Old Master Li called over a sturdy old woman to knock her unconscious that they managed to separate her from Li Shi.

The Cui family was still staying in the capital at present. Old Master Li was now afraid that the matter couldn’t be covered up. He had no face to mention how Li Shi’s funeral affairs should be handled. Hunched over, he took Old Madam Li and bid farewell.

As soon as he exited the Earl’s household gate, he saw several sedan chairs arriving in grand procession at the entrance. Looking at that ceremonial guard, it was actually a princess consort’s ceremonial guard. He was startled and turned back to ask the gatekeeper: “Which princess consort is this?”

“Princess Consort of Zhennan.” The gatekeeper didn’t yet know about the affairs inside and still answered every question this in-law master asked.

Old Master Li thought of how Song Chuyi had previously said she could call Ye Jingchuan to testify. His heart shuddered. All sorts of feelings surged up in his heart. Without looking back, he boarded the sedan chair.

After making trouble all day, it was nearly past noon. The flower hall was now in such a state. Old Master Song and Elder Master, along with Cui Yingshu, first went out to the study to discuss funeral arrangements.

Madam Cui said she wanted to go see Song Chuyi. Old Madam first returned to Ningde Courtyard, then had First Madam order people to prepare a banquet.

Who knew that they had barely sat down to drink a cup of tea when someone came outside to report that Princess Consort of Zhennan had arrived.

Old Madam Song’s teacup trembled in her hand. A drop of hot tea splashed onto the back of her hand. Her heart thumped. She turned her head back to look at Madam Cui, remembering what Song Chuyi had previously said about Ye Jingchuan.