Song Chuyi had already witnessed Miss Chen’s decisive ruthlessness back in Tongzhou, and she became increasingly wary of this girl who appeared so pitiable yet possessed such strong offensive capabilities.
Elder Chen now deeply feared the Tongzhou incident. With his own interests damaged and at stake, he could no longer remain neutral. Therefore, Song Chuyi had no patience to continue playing diplomatic games with Miss Chen. She imperceptibly withdrew her hand from Miss Chen’s grasp and responded coolly, “Thank you for your concern, elder sister.”
These few dry words made Miss Chen lose face somewhat, but she almost immediately grasped Song Chuyi’s hand again, gripping it even more tightly. When she spoke again, she was already on the verge of tears: “Little sister, what happened back then was truly unintentional on my part. Who could have known those people weren’t Tatar raiders? If I had known those people were coming for you, I would never—”
This type of person could change faces at will to achieve her goals, even trampling her own dignity underfoot. Song Chuyi found her insufferable and could only cough twice. Seeing people around them gradually looking over, she sighed with a half-smile: “Elder sister speaks too seriously. The Tongzhou matter still has no conclusion even now—elder sister should be careful with her words.”
The teardrops that had been about to fall from Miss Chen’s eyes instantly stopped. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed as she took out her handkerchief to dab at her eyes, lowering her voice: “Elder sister was too impulsive…”
After being mocked by Ye Jingchuan, she had returned to the capital before dawn the next day. Later, she had specifically asked her grandmother to prepare gifts, wanting to visit the Earl of Changning’s estate to sound things out—Crown Prince Zhou Weizhao had specifically rescued her, and she seemed very familiar with the Crown Prince. This point alone was enough to make her extremely wary. But then she heard that the Earl of Changning’s Second Madam had died of a terrible illness. The Earl of Changning’s estate didn’t set up a memorial tablet or open a mourning hall. She wasn’t foolish—of course she knew this matter was extremely suspicious. The death had come suddenly, and although it was said that “the deceased are honored above all,” the Earl of Changning’s estate didn’t even open a mourning hall. Even if they claimed it was due to feng shui divination, she didn’t believe it. Therefore, it became even more inappropriate to visit. It wasn’t until she heard that Song Chuyi would come to add to Shen Huixin’s trousseau that she couldn’t wait to meet her.
But looking at things now, Song Chuyi was not only not foolish, she was extremely clever—slippery as a mudfish, so that she couldn’t even exchange a few words of empty talk with her.
She turned her head and nodded somewhat awkwardly to her maid.
Song Chumi had just finished playing with a few of her close friends. Seeing Song Chuyi had already come out, she smiled and came over to pull her along: “After sitting on someone’s bed, you have to eat chicken legs afterward. I wonder when these chicken legs will be delivered.”
Song Chuyi took this opportunity to escape, linking arms with her and walking quickly out to the balcony, letting out a soft sigh of relief. This Miss Chen truly made it difficult to breathe.
Inside the room it was extremely lively, but on the balcony there were also many noble ladies gathered together chatting and laughing. Song Chumi saw her maternal cousin and immediately abandoned Song Chuyi to go greet her.
A little maid brought tea up. Song Chuyi had just received it when she heard the little maid say with lowered brows and obedient eyes: “Sixth Miss, the Crown Prince wishes to see you.”
Zhou Weizhao?! Song Chuyi’s motion of lifting the cup lid paused, and she asked suspiciously, “What?”
Then she felt something was off. If Zhou Weizhao wanted to see her, he had plenty of ways to do so. Why would he choose Duke Yingguo’s estate? And someone as meticulous as him…
“The Crown Prince wishes to see you and asks you to meet him at Xianyue Garden.” The little maid remained unhurried, lowering her voice as she handed Song Chuyi a neatly folded paper packet: “Later, take this to the old woman guarding the gate of Xianyue Garden, and she’ll naturally let you in.”
But Song Chuyi almost laughed out loud. If earlier she had only been slightly doubtful, now her heart was filled only with scorn—even the later Duke Yingguo, Shen Qingrang himself, probably didn’t know the layout of Duke Yingguo’s estate as well as she did.
Xianyue Garden was the residence of Duke Yingguo’s eldest illegitimate son. Usually living there were he and his wife, Lady Yang. If Zhou Weizhao were choosing a location, how could he pick such a place?
The little maid turned to leave without waiting for her reply, but Song Chuyi had already swiftly grabbed hold of her—this little maid could come and go freely in Duke Yingguo’s estate, which meant she was from Duke Yingguo’s household. And if Duke Yingguo’s estate wanted to use such an underhanded method to test her and obtain information, or use this as leverage to threaten the Song family into providing information, they had truly miscalculated.
Perhaps she had never expected Song Chuyi would actually reach out to grab her, the little maid panicked until her face turned white. In an instant, the stray hairs on her forehead were sticking together with sweat, and she kept trying to struggle and escape.
But Song Chuyi gripped her even more tightly, and had even raised her voice to call for people.
The little maid’s complexion grew worse, almost biting through her lip, sobbing out a cry in her anxiety.
For a moment, everyone on the balcony looked over. Seeing this scene, they couldn’t help being shocked, all thinking this little maid had offended Song Chuyi somehow.
Song Chumi had already walked over quickly, her face carrying some anxiety as she frowned: “What happened? Did this little maid serve poorly and scald you?”
During their struggle, the cup in her hand had already fallen to the ground. At this moment, the scalding tea water was still steaming—no wonder Song Chumi thought this way.
Song Chuyi shook her head with a cold laugh, clutching the little maid and refusing to let go, while answering Song Chumi: “Fourth Sister, please help me ask Great Aunt to come.”
Hearing Song Chuyi say this, Song Chumi knew it was probably not just a matter of poor service. She wanted to ask more but was constrained by the many people around them. After much consideration, she nodded and turned to enter the room.
Inside, both Miss Shen and Lady Yang had already heard the news and came out in shock. Seeing this situation, they couldn’t help but freeze—last night, the wife of Duke Yingguo’s heir had already given them a thousand warnings and reminders to properly receive Miss Song the Sixth. Who knew that in just the blink of an eye, Miss Song the Sixth would become so angry, and even called for someone to fetch an elder…
“What’s going on?” Lady Yang had experienced more things than Shen Huixin after all. She stepped forward wanting to separate the two of them, while also trying to pacify Song Chuyi: “Where did this little maid offend Sixth Miss? It’s not worth getting angry over this—you can beat or scold her as you wish…”
Song Chuyi looked at the little maid who seemed about to collapse and faint at any moment, but didn’t feel the slightest sympathy in her heart. She turned her head and said softly: “This elder sister just told me that the Crown Prince is waiting to see me at Xianyue Garden. Although I’m young, I also know this matter doesn’t follow proper etiquette…”
Lady Yang was so frightened by these words that two of her three souls departed. For a moment she could no longer open her mouth to say anything, only staring with shocked wide eyes at that little maid, wishing she could devour her.
Xianyue Garden! That was her territory! This little maid was saying something about the Crown Prince being there, and wanting to see Miss Song the Sixth. Even though this Miss Song the Sixth was still young in years, this was no joking matter!