It had only been a brief moment since she stepped away, yet Song Chuning had actually managed to seize that tiny window of opportunity to insert herself in. Song Chuyi couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart, her suspicions growing even deeper.

Song Chuning seemed to know exactly what kind of personality Hong Yu, who was guarding Nanny Yu, had. It was as if she had calculated precisely that Hong Yu would soften and let her through. Even more terrifying was that this girl, still so young and small, somehow knew how to bring about someone’s demise without uttering a single explicit word.

Song Chuyi didn’t believe anyone could be naturally gifted enough to be this clever.

She turned to look at Ziyun: “Are you familiar with the maids in the Second Branch?” Ziyun was Nanny Huang’s granddaughter. Her roots in the household ran deep and she enjoyed unique advantages, making her even more adept at gathering information than Qing Tao.

Ziyun thought for a moment before nodding: “Cuiqiao, Cuiguo, and the others were all selected by the Lin family. I’ve grown up with them on the back street since we were little, so I’m fairly well acquainted with them.”

“Then go and ask around for me—have they noticed anything different about the Eighth Miss compared to before? Has there been any change?” Song Chuyi furrowed her brow, realizing her words were too vague, so she emphasized further: “Just ask them, after serving the Eighth Miss for so long, have they discovered anything unusual about her.”

A person’s habits and manner of conducting themselves couldn’t change overnight, and these perhaps subtle transformations would absolutely not escape the eyes of those who served closely by their side.

Just like herself—when she had changed her way of handling matters, Qing Tao had immediately noticed.

Having spent these days together, Ziyun had gained some understanding of Song Chuyi’s temperament. Hearing her say this, she quickly composed herself and acknowledged the order before turning to leave.

Hong Yu stood beside them with reddened eyes, her voice as faint as a mosquito: “Miss…”

The fact that Song Chuning understood the personalities of her personal maids in such fine detail truly made Song Chuyi’s skin crawl all over. If someone ever set their sights on these maids, she might not even be able to guard against it.

For this reason, the weaknesses in these maids became particularly glaring.

Though Hong Yu could keep her composure, she was ultimately too honest and loyal, often softening her stance after just a few persuasive words. While this was certainly an advantage for a master, sometimes it could also be a knife. Just like this time—Hong Yu clearly knew how important Nanny Yu was and had been repeatedly instructed by Song Chuyi herself to guard her well and not let anything go wrong, yet she was swayed by a few words and allowed someone in to deliver some clothes to Nanny Yu.

She sighed and rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“Go back and think carefully about where you went wrong.” She hardened her heart as she looked at Hong Yu, who began sobbing after hearing these words, feeling nothing but troubled distress: “Even though Second Madam is gone, the road ahead is still very long, and you’ll encounter many people. If you continue to be this easily softened, I won’t be able to keep you by my side anymore.”

Hong Yu’s shoulders trembled even more violently, her head nearly buried in her chest. Upon hearing these words, she pushed open the door and ran out.

Qing Tao’s movements paused slightly. She glanced toward the door with some concern and sighed as she said to Song Chuyi: “Miss, shall I have Luyi go check on her?”

But then she began to worry on Song Chuyi’s behalf as well. Actually, Song Chuyi hadn’t said a single harsh word this time, yet Hong Yu’s reaction was so extreme. Being so soft-hearted and feeling aggrieved so easily was not a good sign.

Song Chuyi had just nodded when Yushu came in with a smile, asking: “Go check on who?”

Qing Tao quickly poured tea and smiled: “Nanny Yu collided with a pillar at Taoran Residence. Hong Yu was terribly frightened. I was just saying I should go check on her.”

At the mention of this matter, Yushu’s expression changed. She glanced at Song Chuyi before nodding heavily, forcing a smile: “Who says otherwise? Ah, Old Madam has also heard about this and is quite angry. She originally said she wanted to send her to Shuntian Prefecture…”

But then she felt this topic was too heavy, so she turned to speak of other amusing matters: “Speaking of which, there have indeed been many complicated affairs at our Earl’s household lately. Just a few days ago, that Su family’s eldest matriarch came to our house making a scene, demanding we return someone. She said that no matter what, she must have Miss Chen back. She came to make trouble twice in total—isn’t that infuriating?”

The Su family? Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised: “The Su family’s eldest matriarch came to our house demanding someone? Doesn’t their old matriarch care?”

The Su family had already been judged, and logically they should have returned to their ancestral home in Taiyuan. How could Su family’s eldest matriarch be so bold as to still come demanding Chen Jingxin?

Yushu shook her head, her face showing some disdain: “It’s precisely because Old Madam Su is dead and no one’s managing things that she’s throwing away all face to demand Miss Chen’s dowry.”

That’s not right. Song Chuyi had met this Su family eldest matriarch several times before and could tell she was someone who understood circumstances and knew when to advance or retreat. Now that the Su family had fallen, how dare she run to the Song household to make trouble?

“What’s even more infuriating is that Duke Yingguo’s Princess Consort and the Princess Consort of Zhennan were also affected, thinking our household was bullying others with our power and influence.” Yushu was somewhat angry: “They were present when Old Madam Su entrusted Miss Chen to us that day and saw how the Su family’s eldest matriarch treated Miss Chen. How can they now speak up for her instead? They even said the Su family is truly facing financial difficulties now, talking about how the young ladies in the household are struggling to get by, essentially trying to persuade Miss Chen to share some of her dowry to help the Su family.”

The Princess Consort of Zhennan and Duke Yingguo’s Princess Consort had come over and specifically mentioned this matter? A flash of inspiration struck Song Chuyi’s mind—she felt as though she had grasped some thread, but when she tried to think it through carefully, she still couldn’t figure out what connection this might have.

She smiled and tilted her head toward Yushu: “Perhaps they heard the rumors from outside. This can happen.”

Seeing that she was no longer bringing up Nanny Yu’s matter, Yushu breathed a sigh of relief and instead began to persuade her: “Old Madam has prepared medicinal cuisine and is specifically waiting for you to come share it. Though she doesn’t say it aloud, in her heart she truly cares for you the most.”

Seeing Song Chuyi lower her head without speaking, she sighed: “What family harbors grudges overnight? Old Madam has always been good to you. You’re a clever person—there’s no need for me to spell everything out; you understand it yourself.”

Yushu was Old Madam Song’s most favored senior maid, equivalent to the old matriarch’s mouthpiece. Song Chuyi understood her meaning and appreciated her thoughtfulness. She took a small box from the kang table and handed it to her, smiling and nodding: “I understand. I’ll definitely accompany Old Madam for the evening meal.”

Song Yan’s Songtao Courtyard had been burned down, so he naturally needed to find new lodgings. Though there were still side rooms at Old Madam’s quarters, living together would inevitably feel somewhat cramped. She wanted to discuss with Old Madam about moving out of Ningde Courtyard together with Song Yan.

Additionally, the servants attending Song Yan would all need to be reselected.