The bamboo in the covered porch rustled in the wind, and a faint fragrance of osmanthus drifted in with the breeze, filling the air with sweetness. Luyi smiled as she brought over a tiered food box to Song Chuyi: “Miss, come look at these pastries—they’re so exquisite and beautiful that even I can’t help but drool at the sight of them.”

“Where did they come from?” Song Chuyi set down the book in her hands and glanced into the eight-treasure tiered box. Indeed, the contents were colorfully vibrant and attractive, with the osmanthus cakes even shaped like rabbits, looking quite appetizing.

Song Yan had already tossed aside the paper kite he was holding and came over. Seeing this, he couldn’t help but praise it, reaching out to pick up a pea cake. After tasting it, he smiled: “These must be from Aunt’s place. Only the chefs from the Cui family can make pastries this well.”

Luyi smiled as she arranged the small boxes one by one, praising: “Fourth Young Master, your tongue is truly sharp—you guessed right on the first try. But can you guess who sent this tiered box?”

Song Chuyi didn’t particularly enjoy sweets. After eating one milk bun, she set it down. Hearing this, she looked at her: “Who sent it?”

“It was personally delivered by Nanny Jin from the First Madam’s quarters.” Luyi smiled: “She’s currently outside chatting with Ziyun.”

Song Yan glanced at Song Chuyi—this morning during the greetings at Old Madam’s place, Old Madam had rarely gotten angry, and it was precisely at the First Madam. His sister’s expression had also been somewhat strange.

Song Chuyi’s expression became somewhat odd for a moment. After a while, she raised her chin toward Luyi: “Why is Nanny Jin personally delivering it? Don’t you know to invite her in? Quickly invite her in.”

Luyi put away the tiered box and acknowledged with a sound, then hurried out to invite Nanny Jin inside.

“Greetings to the Sixth Miss.” Nanny Jin rarely came, and with a face full of smiles, she gave Song Chuyi a courteous greeting. Then, sitting on the small stool that Luyi brought over, she smiled and began making friendly conversation: “The Princess Consort truly cares deeply for you and Fourth Young Master—she even went to the trouble of sending these little things like pastries all the way from the eastern district.”

Song Chuyi smiled and had Luyi bring the tiered box over for her to choose from, while lowering her head with a laugh: “Aunt didn’t bring my cousins to the capital, so all these things naturally benefit us. But it troubles you to deliver them on such a hot day—it makes me feel quite embarrassed.”

Nanny Jin’s hand holding the pastry trembled slightly. She couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind Song Chuyi’s words, but since the First Madam had sent her, she naturally couldn’t just leave without saying anything. Therefore, she shook her head somewhat awkwardly: “Sixth Miss, you don’t know—ever since the First Madam returned at noon, she’s been feverish. When she woke from her afternoon nap, she kept complaining of a headache, and now she’s barely managing to hold on.”

Song Chuyi more or less guessed Nanny Jin’s purpose in coming.

However, she suddenly felt somewhat stifled with anger. She wondered if it was because Consort Song had been in the palace too long—her heart had actually become so cold and hard that she wanted to pin the Wang Jinsi affair on Song Chuyi herself.

Actually, calling it framing wasn’t entirely accurate. Lady Wang’s death was indeed something she had single-handedly orchestrated. But why didn’t Consort Song consider that if Lady Wang’s scheme had succeeded, who knows what would have become of the entire Song family by now!

“How could this happen?” Song Chuyi widened her eyes with a surprised expression, then shook her head: “This won’t do. Has Old Madam been informed?”

Nanny Jin quickly waved her hands, appearing somewhat restless: “You know about this morning’s incident. Going to Old Madam now to request an imperial physician—wouldn’t that be plainly telling Old Madam that our madam is upset about her words?”

“Then what does your visit mean, Nanny?” Song Chuyi had Ziyun take the books she had organized from the table, and looked at Nanny Jin leisurely, her voice gentle: “Is there anything I can help with?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on Nanny Jin’s face deepened even more, and her voice became increasingly soft: “No wonder the First Madam regards you the same as the three young misses—Sixth Miss is truly an understanding person.”

After saying this, she went over the words in her mind briefly, then began her persuasion smoothly: “Sixth Miss is a sensible child. Today in Old Madam’s room, you also heard what the messenger from the palace conveyed. Our eldest miss is now being oppressed from both sides in the palace. You know the Empress Dowager’s temperament, don’t you? How can our eldest miss endure it? Even the little princess has been criticized and is not favored by the Empress Dowager…”

Song Yan felt something was wrong with these words and frowned as he pulled Song Chuyi’s hand, shaking his head at her.

Song Chuyi smiled and squeezed his hand, then turned back to look at Nanny Jin: “Grandmother didn’t let me hear about this matter. After the First Aunt left, she sent us away. So what does Nanny want me to do?”

“I wouldn’t dare say that.” Though Nanny Jin said this, her next words were quite bold: “I know you have a good heart and a good temperament. Our First Madam has been good to you too and has never treated you as an outsider. To put it plainly, it’s just a trip to the palace. Old Madam is just afraid you’ll suffer some grievance, but you’re so clever—how could you suffer any grievance? Once this matter is settled, both our eldest miss and the First Madam will be grateful to you!”

She really knew how to evade the main issue and focus on minor points. This was clearly out of concern that Old Master and Old Madam would still disagree with Consort Song’s approach tonight, so they sent a lobbyist in advance to persuade Song Chuyi. After all, if the person involved agreed, Old Master and Old Madam couldn’t oppose too strongly.

Song Chuyi could understand a mother’s selfish love for her daughter, and could comprehend Consort Song wanting to find someone to shield her when she couldn’t breathe. But she couldn’t do it.

She understood Empress Dowager Rongxian’s temperament better than anyone. The incident with Duke Chengguo back then was a thorn lodged in her heart, and the only remaining scion, Wang Jinsi, was the apple of her eye.

Before, when Wang Jinsi was in the Song family, the Empress Dowager had been so good to Consort Song and the Song family. Now that Wang Jinsi had been abandoned by the Song family, her hatred for the Song family and Consort Song was equally intense.

If things really went as Consort Song envisioned, with Song Chuyi going out to bear Empress Dowager Rongxian’s wrath, her fate would only have two outcomes—either her future would be completely ruined, or she would lose her life.

“I understand.” She lowered her head and replied softly, then had Luyi see the guest out.

Song Yan hurried over to pull her hand, somewhat indignantly saying: “Sister, you can’t go! Since Old Madam got so angry, it means that First Aunt and eldest sister are definitely doing something wrong. If you do what they say, what will happen when Old Madam gets angry with you?”

Even a small child understood this reasoning, yet Nanny Jin and the First Madam both acted as if she didn’t know, treating her like a fool. This wasn’t thinking she was stupid—it was threatening her and demanding repayment for past favors.

The First Madam probably felt that since she had been so good to Song Chuyi and Song Yan, if they were sensible, Song Chuyi should step forward and take on this difficult matter for Consort Song.