Even though Old Madam Chen had maneuvered through the official circles and inner courts for so many years, she couldn’t help but take a sharp breath when confronted by this young girl’s well-reasoned yet aggressive words.
First Madam also let out a perfectly timed cold snort and interjected: “I also heard about the Tongzhou incident back then. The Chen family even sent thank-you gifts to our household afterward, so there’s no reason they wouldn’t know that if it weren’t for Xiaoyi’s rescue, your grandson and granddaughter would have perished in the tiger’s mouth. But who would have thought the Chen household’s discipline was like this—not only does Miss Chen not think of repaying the kindness, she even pushed our Xiaoyi out to die in her place! If it weren’t for this child Xiaoyi being so honest and only revealing this matter now after being framed again, we still wouldn’t know she had encountered such a dangerous situation. Old Madam Chen was just criticizing our Earl’s household discipline so emphatically—I suppose you look down on our Earl’s mansion.”
Madam He also wanted to interject, but was glared at by Shen Xiaohai and immediately closed her mouth, not daring to speak further.
However, Shen Xiaohai himself couldn’t help but be shocked again by Song Chuyi—this child was extraordinarily intelligent and knew how to advance and retreat. Step by step, she had forced their Shen family to apologize and admit their wrongs, unable to stay out of it. She had also forced First Madam Li to come out and turn against Old Madam Chen, and had gathered all these people together so they had no choice but to unite against Old Madam Chen.
Old Madam Chen’s expression was extremely ugly. She naturally didn’t dare to actually verify the matter with His Highness the Grand Heir or Second Young Master Ye, because even if nothing had happened, it would be spread far and wide and ruin her granddaughter’s reputation.
Chen Mingyu was the eldest legitimate granddaughter she had raised with her own hands and loved most dearly. For her to abandon this beloved granddaughter was absolutely impossible. However, if she wanted to cover things up, Duke Yingguo’s household and the Li family were still manageable—after all, their children were also involved this time. But Princess Duanhui and Earl Changning’s mansion were truly difficult to deal with.
Chen Mingyu had already recovered her senses and turned her head with incredible speed to look at Song Chuyi in disbelief. In her heart, she couldn’t tell whether there was more frustration or more fear and terror. She involuntarily retreated several steps back to her grandmother’s side and clutched her grandmother’s arm.
“I recall that on the first and fifteenth of each month, ladies with imperial titles must have an audience with the Empress. I wonder what Old Madam will say when you see Her Majesty the Empress this time?” Madam Cui spoke unhurriedly, yet her words made people’s hearts jump with alarm.
Old Madam Chen naturally understood Madam Cui’s threat. Her face darkened as she glanced at Song Chuyi and sneered: “Say what? It’s just children’s drama. Could they really dismiss our Elder from office over this? Or perhaps kill our Mingyu?!”
She had always disliked nobles and imperial relatives who held positions without merit. At this moment, although facing Princess Duanhui whom she somewhat feared, since it concerned her own granddaughter, her concern made her lose composure. She naturally sneered with disdain and mockery as she looked around at Shen Xiaohai and Madam He, First Madam Li and the Li family sisters, pointing at them: “Besides, could they possibly execute all of these people?”
After all, all three families were involved in this matter—there was no reason to punish only one family.
Elder Chen was Emperor Jianzhang’s confidant. In his youth, he had served as inspector of Jiangxi, then rose all the way to become the Salt Censorship Inspector and was appointed Prefect of Yangzhou, controlling the Yangzhou salt administration for decades and resolving many troubles for Emperor Jianzhang.
Although Old Madam Chen was wary of Madam Cui, she wasn’t excessively afraid of her.
Shen Xiaohai couldn’t help but feel somewhat angry. Although he wanted to curry favor with the upright officials, there was no need to bow and scrape before the arrogant Elder Chen’s family. Now that they were pointing at his nose and threatening him, he couldn’t help but snort coldly: “I wouldn’t dare accept such words. Our little Seventh is young, and being instigated by others to make mistakes is inevitable. I don’t know what Old Madam’s household discipline is like, but in our family, when one makes a mistake, one must be punished and acknowledge it. Since this concerns a young lady’s reputation, even if he were beaten to death, I would have no complaints!”
Madam He was also furious that Old Madam Chen had actually dragged Shen Qingrang in as a shield. She bit hard on her handkerchief. Thinking about how Chen Mingyu had schemed to push Shen Qingrang out as this scapegoat made her teeth itch even more with anger. In her agitation, she even overlooked the three words “beaten to death” that Shen Xiaohai had said.
First Madam Li held one daughter in each hand, feeling even more bitter—these two girls had absolutely no reason to bear any grudge against Song Chuyi. If Miss Chen hadn’t been fanning the flames behind the scenes, they wouldn’t have been pushed into this whirlpool at all, leading to their current awkward and difficult position. Miss Chen wasn’t worried—the Chen family had deep roots and she was still young, so in a few years people would forget about this disgraceful incident. But her own daughters were approaching marriageable age…
Shen Xiaohai’s words were decisive and thoroughly refuted Old Madam Chen’s face. Old Madam Chen was furious and said “good” several times before turning back to look at Song Chuyi: “So what exactly do you want?!”
Now she could see that this girl was quite special—she could actually influence the opinions of Madam Cui and the Princess Consort of Earl Changning’s household. It seemed that only she had the final say in the entire room.
Madam Cui’s wide sleeves concealed her movements as she reached out and squeezed Song Chuyi’s hand.
Song Chuyi understood. Madam Cui had told her before that between great clans, it was difficult to fight to mutual destruction. The best approach was to secure the greatest benefits.
Children only looked at immediate victory or defeat; adults often secured the greatest advantages for themselves.
“That depends on whether Old Madam Chen wants to make this matter bigger or smaller.” Song Chuyi opened her clear black and white eyes and frankly met Old Madam Chen’s slightly cold gaze without backing down: “It also depends on Old Madam Chen’s sincerity.”
When under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head. Old Madam Chen looked at her tear-filled granddaughter beside her, then thought of her deceased eldest son, and finally made up her mind.
“I’ve heard you have a younger brother.” Old Madam Chen spoke somewhat unwillingly and reluctantly, her face rigid as if someone owed her tens of thousands of taels of silver: “If he wishes to pursue the imperial examination career in the future, I can recommend him to Tang Mingzhao.”
Tang Mingzhao was a great scholar of the current age. Even these nobles and prestigious families like the Four Surnames found it difficult to invite him. If one could enter his tutelage, the benefits for Song Yan’s future and life were self-evident.
Using Chen Mingyu’s reputation to exchange for a rare life mentor for Song Yan—this was an extremely profitable deal. Song Chuyi only paused for an instant before smiling with curved lips: “Old Madam Chen is truly straightforward. In that case, today’s matter and the Tongzhou incident are both wiped clean.”
Having thrown out a figure like Tang Mingzhao, Old Madam Chen naturally wasn’t afraid that Madam Cui and First Madam wouldn’t persuade Song Chuyi to agree. However, having sent out such a great gift, her heart felt suffocated. She could no longer maintain the extremely cold expression that usually graced her face. Supporting Chen Mingyu, she stood up, glanced at Song Chuyi once, and walked outside.