Qing Tao didn’t dare to advise any further. Her bond with Hong Yu had never been deep to begin with, and besides, Hong Yu truly had committed an enormous blunder and violated a grave taboo this time—actually going to their mortal enemy’s side to sympathize with her and speak well of her. No matter who her mistress was, this would be intolerable.
Her nimble hands swiftly finished styling Song Chuyi’s hair, and she promptly agreed: “When Nanny Xu returns later, I’ll tell her. It’s just that sending Hong Yu away like this, I’m afraid Luyi will…”
“If Luyi knew that she went to Song Chuning’s place, she would only be angrier than me.” Song Chuyi thought of Luyi, and her heart felt somewhat better. She sighed and said, “Let’s go to Grandmother’s. If we delay any longer, we’ll be late.”
Old Madam Song had indeed been waiting for her for a while. Upon seeing her, she smiled: “Why so late today? Have you finished your medicine?”
Just as Song Chuyi nodded, young maids outside came filing in carrying food, filling the table to capacity.
“Last time you mentioned that beef congee with a spicy flavor tasted good, didn’t you? Today I specifically instructed the kitchen to make it. Come and try it.” Old Madam Song watched as Yushu served her a bowl, then took a sip of the eight-treasure congee that Yulan had prepared for her.
The beef broth had been simmered until the meat was tender and flavorful. Cooked together with pearl rice and medicinal herbs like codonopsis along with the beef, it had a medicinal aroma combined with a subtle spicy flavor. Song Chuyi soon broke out in a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
Before long, breakfast was cleared away. Old Madam Song pulled Song Chuyi to chat, bringing up the matter of Duke Yingguo’s Princess Consort’s eldest daughter’s wedding: “Originally I didn’t want you to go, but they’ve sent invitations repeatedly, and they say that the County Princess from the Princess Consort of Prince Zhennan’s household will also attend. We couldn’t very well keep refusing.”
Song Chuyi knew about Duke Yingguo’s Princess Consort frequently sending people with invitations recently, so she nodded.
After studying her young granddaughter’s expression for a while and seeing her calm demeanor, Old Madam Song felt quite guilty. After deliberating for a long time, she patted her hand: “You’re a clever child. Now I have no face to speak well of your father anymore. I only hope that he can come to his senses on his own and properly compensate you children in the future…”
If Old Madam Song had spoken well of Song Yi and made excuses for him, the resentment Song Chuyi had developed toward them because of Cui Shi would have only deepened. But since Old Madam Song wasn’t doing that now, Song Chuyi actually felt much better. She nodded and simply took the opportunity to ask directly, following her words: “I heard Father wants to take Eighth Sister to his posting?”
This matter couldn’t be kept secret at all. Old Madam Song nodded heavily: “Your father is truly too confused! Don’t worry, your grandparents are still alive and won’t allow him to act recklessly. If he truly insists on being stubborn and refuses to turn back, even if it means having him disown me as his mother, I will send Little Eight to the family temple!”
Song Chuning was only six years old yet already dared to allow her servants to commit violence and do something like arson. Who knew whether, if she followed Song Yi to his posting, she might engage in even more shocking behavior? If she truly committed some grave mistake in the future that harmed Song Yi or even the Song family, that would be cause for genuine regret.
After thinking all night, Old Madam Song had become even more determined in her decision.
Old Madam Song spoke so frankly about her plans that Song Chuyi was somewhat moved. After a moment of silence, she looked at Old Madam Song and said in a low voice: “Grandmother, I have something to tell you.”
It must be about Third Madam from last night. Old Madam Song nodded, and Yulan, Yushu, and the others immediately dispersed completely. Even Nanny Huang retreated outside.
“Grandmother, I’m afraid Old Madam Su really did place a hot potato in our household.” Song Chuyi thought for a moment and gave the condensed version of what Third Madam had confessed to Old Madam Song: “Chen Jinxin has such items in her possession—no wonder Chen Xiang, Prince Zhennan’s manor, and others all came rushing to our Earl Manor. Although we truly were unaware before, others won’t believe that we were simply acting out of pure goodwill. In outsiders’ eyes, our Earl Manor is harboring treasure with the intention of capitalizing on it…”
Chen Xiang and the others probably even think that the Earl Manor had a hand in Su Yi’s incident. No wonder Prince Duan had become even more aggressive after the Su household’s troubles—it turned out the crux of the matter lay here.
Old Madam Song felt goosebumps rising all over her body, and for a moment her scalp tingled with numbness.
The Earl Manor had always been unwilling to participate in factional struggles, but now it seemed they had no choice but to pick a side.
“Third Madam wants to exchange those letters for her young mistress’s safety. Although I told her I still needed to discuss it with you and Grandfather, there really isn’t much room for discussion.” Song Chuyi calmly analyzed the current situation: “After all, they are guests in our manor, and the items are all in our Earl Manor. Even if we wanted to distance ourselves from them, we can no longer do so now.”
Old Madam Song somewhat regretted having so readily agreed to Old Madam Su’s dying request back then, and resented Old Madam Su’s concealment even more. For a moment, she couldn’t utter a single word.
This was no trivial matter of quarreling—one misstep and the Earl Manor might be dragged under…
“Grandmother.” Song Chuyi grasped her hand and said softly: “You needn’t be too anxious. Grandfather will think of a solution.”
Old Madam Song nodded, but couldn’t help letting out a sigh, holding Song Chuyi’s hand in hers: “Good child, thank goodness you… This time at Duke Yingguo’s heir manor…”
“We should still go.” Song Chuyi comforted the old lady: “We’ve already agreed; there’s no reason to back out. Moreover, given all the recent troubles, Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister rarely get to go out… Since the Princess Consort is so insistent, I can also take this opportunity to see if I can find out any useful information.”
The inner quarters had always been an excellent place to gather intelligence. Since Duke Yingguo’s Princess Consort wanted to approach her, she could naturally use the same tactics against her opponent, seeing if she could extract some inside information from them.
For instance, when exactly Duke Yingguo Shen Xiaohai had begun his connection with Prince Duan…
Old Madam Song knew her reasoning was sound and didn’t object. However, being ultimately worried, she sent Nanny Huang to summon Third Madam—now that everyone thought the secret letters were in the Earl Manor’s possession, they couldn’t bear this risk for nothing. They needed to secure the items first.
“By the way, Grandmother.” Song Chuyi recalled the purpose of her visit today and softly shared her plans regarding Song Yan: “He’s still young after all, and I’m uneasy with him living so far away… There happen to be several empty courtyards in the garden. I was hoping you could help clear out two rooms…”
Old Madam Song shook her head: “I was just thinking about this matter too. If you’re going to move into the garden, you might as well move back to the Second Branch’s main courtyard. After all, it’s sitting empty anyway.”