Earl Changning’s residence bathed in the green shade of parasol tree leaves on this summer day. The rich fragrance of gardenia flowers threaded through the wind and reached people’s noses, the profusion of scent making one’s heart expansive and joyful.

Song Chuning had just finished bathing, her body still carrying the scent of roses. Her damp hair hung loose over her shoulders, blown by the wind so that it fluttered up, dropping several water droplets onto the back of her hand.

She propped both hands on the windowsill, facing the wind as a smile slowly bloomed on her face.

Today, Old Madam Song had been angered by Madam Su and felt unwell. First Madam Song was attending to the illness in Old Madam Song’s room and couldn’t get away. And at this moment, the wind was so strong—if in Song Yan’s courtyard, with things dry as tinder, a candle stand were to be knocked over…

She thought of Li Shi, who had died without a sound, thought of how her own mother could not be buried in the Song family ancestral tomb or receive worship from Song family descendants, and sharp hatred floated up in her eyes.

Song Chuyi must be feeling quite pleased with herself right now, mustn’t she? Thinking that killing Li Shi meant peace at last? Thinking that bringing out the Cui family would solve everything once and for all? Her hands clenched tightly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Since in her dream she could manipulate Song Chuyi at will, she could do the same in reality.

Song Chuyi had killed her mother—she would repay it with Song Yan’s life! If Song Chuyi made her suffer, she would make Song Chuyi suffer even more.

Moonlight spilled through the wide-open window onto her face, making her already expressionless face appear even more ghastly pale. From a distance, it looked quite frightening.

Cuiguo hesitated for quite a while before daring to approach, her voice kept extremely low as she urged: “Miss, it’s time to rest.” After saying this and seeing Song Chuning had no reaction, she boldly stepped forward with a towel to help dry her hair, worry rising in her heart. Under the current circumstances, Song Chuning’s position in the residence had suddenly become awkward. Although the Old Master and Old Madam wouldn’t take out their anger on a child because of Li Shi’s matter, there would inevitably be some discomfort in their hearts.

She didn’t know whether the high branch she had painstakingly climbed onto would continue to grow long and strong on the tree, yet her entire family’s survival depended on this branch.

Song Chuning sensed her distraction. Black eyes like ink dots stared at her imperceptibly for a while, then she turned her head away, her voice cold: “Call Lüshan here.”

Cuiguo placed the towel on the nearby table in confusion. She knew this young mistress of hers had a mind of her own and wasn’t someone she could casually speculate about. After a long moment, she composed herself, bowed, and went out to find Lüshan.

Lüshan was cleverer than Cuiguo by several degrees, but even so, she maintained extreme caution before this mistress, respectfully standing to the side with her head lowered, awaiting her orders.

Song Chuning didn’t say much to her, only instructing her to make a trip to Nanny Yu’s room, saying to send a few of the fresh honey peaches that the Young Madam had sent over to Nanny Yu.

After all, Nanny Yu was an old servant who had attended Li Shi and had considerable affection for Song Chuning. Lüshan imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief, her view of Song Chuning improving somewhat—since Li Shi’s incident, aside from crying once before First Madam, Song Chuning’s reactions had been consistently cold, frighteningly so.

Now it seemed that since she was so considerate toward the people Li Shi had left behind, she must not be entirely heartless—probably just too grief-stricken to know how to express it.

She curtsied and from the well in the courtyard retrieved several honey peaches that had been chilled until cold. Taking a glass dish, she loaded some and carried them to Nanny Yu, who lived in the side room next to the main chamber.

Perhaps because of Li Shi’s passing, Nanny Yu seemed less fierce than usual. She silently received the glass dish and pushed the door to enter, not even saying thanks. Lüshan stood outside for quite a while, only feeling her heart pounding violently.

She returned to the cross-courtyard with a heart jumping like a rabbit, only to have Cuiqiao quietly gesture for her to be silent, saying Song Chuning had already gone to bed.

She nodded blankly, groped her way back to her own room in the dark without lighting a lamp, and sat heavily on the bed with a deep sigh.

Less than half an hour had passed when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. She perked up her ears to listen and vaguely heard something about a fire. Opening the door to look, she indeed saw flames and thick smoke rising from the northeast direction.

This was Fourth Young Master’s residence! Her heart felt as if it would leap from her chest. Somehow, she suddenly thought of Nanny Yu and couldn’t help but run toward the main chamber.

She had just run past the corridor when she saw Nanny Yu in her dark clothing hurrying in through the side door, her footsteps unceasing as she rapidly entered the room.

She stopped by a round pillar in the corridor, her mind in such chaos that she could barely stand. Then she made up her mind and ran toward Ningde Courtyard.

Ningde Courtyard was already brightly lit. Old Madam Song was advanced in years and couldn’t bear hearing about such matters. Her entire body was trembling as she gripped First Madam’s hand with startled uncertainty.

Shortly after, Yulan returned from the wing, but she hadn’t brought Song Chuyi back with her. Her face somewhat pale, she entered and looked at Old Madam Song and First Madam, taking a deep breath before daring to report: “Sixth Miss has already gone to Fourth Young Master’s courtyard…”

Old Madam Song was so frightened her eyes went blank, nearly falling backward immediately. Fortunately, First Madam was supporting her so she didn’t fall. She had no time to say anything else and rapidly ordered people to quickly go fight the fire.

However, at this time, the servants and stewards in the residence had all gone home. Even though there were about twenty servants staying overnight, they couldn’t accomplish much.

First Madam hurriedly had someone take the authorization token to have the women at the corner gate open it, ordering people to go out and summon the stewards to bring people to fight the fire.

Old Madam Song was worried and, throwing on an outer garment, personally rushed over with First Madam.

Ziyun used all her strength to hold back Song Chuyi, preventing her from plunging headlong into the sea of flames. She didn’t dare raise her hand to wipe the cold sweat on her forehead—whether from the smoke or from fright—and pleaded with a crying voice, hoarse and desperate: “Miss, just now Steward Qin and Laifu and several others have already rushed in. Fourth Young Master will certainly be fine! If you rush in like this, they won’t know who to rescue first!”

Qing Tao also blocked Song Chuyi’s path, holding her back with all her might. Knowing that Song Chuyi couldn’t hear anything right now, she simply said nothing and, together with Hong Yu and Luyi, dragged Song Chuyi back forcefully.

Song Chuyi’s eyes had turned red with fury. She only felt anger, despair, and fear overwhelming and engulfing her entire being. She could barely hear what the people around her were saying—she could only see their constantly moving lips.

But as she watched, these scenes and people all blurred. In her eyes remained only Song Yan’s blood-red eyes and his cold, lonely corpse lying on the ground.

Her throat felt as if it had been scorched by fire, both painful and itchy. In her agitation, she suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood.

Nanny Xu happened to arrive just then and was splattered with blood all over her front. She was instantly dumbstruck.

Ziyun and the other maids had never witnessed such a scene and couldn’t help but cry out in panic.