Shen Qingrang’s injuries had finally healed almost completely. As soon as he could get out of bed and walk, he was ordered to accompany his parents to the Earl’s residence the next day to apologize in person. In the past, visits to the Earl’s residence had been social calls, but this time he had to lower his head and apologize, and his father had to go along as well. Though Shen Qingrang had already resolved to humble himself, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it.

Just as he was feeling troubled, he heard that Princess Consort Zhennan had brought Ye Jingchuan to visit. He was delighted and wanted to go play with Ye Jingchuan—though there were many young men in the capital around his age, Ye Jingchuan had been to the border and killed Tartars, which made him different. Young men in their youth always had some lofty ambitions and heroic spirit, particularly enjoying gathering with heroes.

Ye Jingchuan had been waiting for him for quite a while. With his hands behind his back, he watched Shen Qingrang walk somewhat awkwardly and suddenly laughed: “Who would have thought? Has waddling like a duck become fashionable in the capital recently? Why do you look like this?”

“Don’t even mention it!” Shen Qingrang didn’t notice that Ye Jingchuan’s tone was somewhat off. He waved his hand extremely impatiently: “It’s all Song Six’s fault! Wherever she goes, someone is bound to have bad luck. I just happened to be unlucky!”

Ye Jingchuan looked at the withered lotus flowers and dried lotus leaves near the Bishui Residence, asking with apparent indifference: “That’s not entirely true, is it? I think Song Six is quite nice. Unless you offended her badly somehow, why would she report you?”

Hearing someone speak up for her—and it was Ye Jingchuan, with whom his relationship had always been fairly good—Shen Qingrang felt even more indignant: “What do you know?”

He wanted to say more to make Ye Jingchuan detest her as well, but thinking of Shen Xiaohai’s stern expression, he suddenly stopped: “Forget it. There’s no point telling you anyway. In any case, this girl annoys me.”

Ye Jingchuan was impatient to continue the conversation with him. Seeing that he didn’t seem likely to say anything more, he stretched out his foot and kicked him in the rear: “Go on, get lost. I can’t be bothered with you. What kind of man talks in such a stammering way!”

He put serious force into that kick. Already naturally strong, when he kicked with such force, it was even more devastating. Shen Qingrang immediately let out a pig-like screech and lurched forward, falling in a sprawl.

By the time the maids helped him up in a flurry, he was already in so much pain that tears came out. Though he looked back at Ye Jingchuan full of anger, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single curse for quite some time.

Ye Jingchuan was different from the other noble sons in the capital to begin with. He had enjoyed martial arts since childhood, and later spent several years at the border where he had even killed people. When getting along with them normally, if they disagreed, he would resort to physical force—and this wasn’t the first or second time.

Even if he reported it, Ye Jingchuan would only receive a few painless scoldings, while Shen Qingrang himself would suffer misfortune and be scolded by his father. After some restraint, Shen Qingrang finally held back.

On the way back, Princess Consort Zhennan insisted on pulling Ye Jingchuan into the carriage. Seeing his nonchalant appearance, she became somewhat angry: “Look at you after beating someone—still acting like nothing happened. It’s lucky your father isn’t here, or you’d see if he’d thrash you!”

“Father wouldn’t thrash me over this no matter what.” Ye Jingchuan perked up, smiling rather smugly: “The trouble he caused when he was young was countless times more than mine. Besides, that Shen Qingrang deserved the beating. I was merely carrying out justice on behalf of heaven!”

Princess Consort Zhennan was so angry she kept shaking her head, yet she had no way to deal with him. She sighed and poked him with her finger: “You, oh you! When it comes down to it, aren’t you just standing up for Miss Song Six? You think I don’t know?”

Seeing his mother angry, Ye Jingchuan no longer maintained his shameless attitude. He stepped forward to take her arm and wheedle her: “Mother, so what if I’m standing up for Miss Song Six? What Shen Qingrang did was wrong to begin with. Am I not allowed to help right an injustice? Besides, Mother, your worry was also resolved thanks to Miss Song Six.”

Speaking of this matter, Princess Consort Zhennan couldn’t help but soften a bit. Yesterday, because Shen Qingrang’s injuries weren’t fully healed yet, she had specially visited the Song family to inquire after him, and happened to receive some information at Old Madam Song’s place.

If this news was indeed true, it would truly be a great help to them. She naturally didn’t mind Ye Jingchuan standing up for Miss Song Six.

After all, anyone could do this calculation—her son and younger brother both depended on this information. If this news was true, not only would her son be cleared of suspicion and her brother exonerated, but Xingfu, who had always been watching like a tiger eyeing its prey and had formed a grudge with her brother, would also suffer the consequences. Such a great favor…

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholy. For so many days she had been unable to eat or sleep well, trying every method to extract information, even considering using Song Chuyi to probe for some news. But why had she never thought to simply speak frankly with Old Madam Song or Song Chuyi?

When the Su family was in such a state, Old Madam Song was still willing to risk taking in Chen Jinxin—wasn’t that because of Chen Jinxin’s father, Chen Liangqing?

The Song family had clear consciences, while the Zhennans had acted like petty people instead…

“What you say makes some sense.” She stroked her son’s head, feeling both comforted and somewhat worried: “That you know the principle of repaying kindness shows my daily teachings haven’t been in vain. But even when helping, you must know the proper limits. This kind of standing up for someone—naturally Mother won’t blame you too much. But if it involves other matters, you must have a clear understanding and not act rashly and recklessly.”

Ye Jingchuan knew what his mother was worried about. His expression became somewhat grave as he nodded.

Princess Consort Zhennan therefore treated him as an adult and gave him a sincere warning: “Your sister-in-law the princess heard news from the palace that the Empress Dowager has been dissatisfied with Consort Song all along. I heard she even treats the Eleventh Princess, born to Consort Song, with cold eyes and harsh words, and even went to quarrel with His Majesty over this matter… But His Majesty already deeply detests the Duke Chengguo’s household. Now his daughter is involved in such an affair—it can truly be said she’s acting against the wind. His Majesty’s tolerance for her has long since reached its limit, so he actually disregarded the Empress Dowager’s wishes and had Wang Jinsi executed.”

Therefore, Empress Dowager Rongxian’s heart was probably already filled with bone-deep hatred for the Song family. Back then, she had gone to great lengths over Wang Jinsi’s placement, and now Wang Jinsi had died at the Song family’s hands—one could imagine how severe her fury must be.

“Consort Song specifically suggested to the Empress Dowager that some young ladies enter the palace to keep the Empress Dowager company. We shouldn’t rashly speculate about the meaning behind this, but this matter is truly beyond your control.” Princess Consort Zhennan sighed: “Even your sister-in-law the princess receives quite cold treatment from the Empress Dowager. If she truly wants to do something to the Song family’s young ladies, even if we want to help, we simply have no way to intervene.”