First Madam Song hadn’t seen Grand Master Song for three consecutive days now. No matter when she sent someone to request his presence, they would say Grand Master hadn’t returned yet, or that he had gone to a concubine’s room.

She had never had such a cold war with her husband before. She felt every minute and second was unbearable torment, and in just a few days, her entire figure had lost a whole size.

Nanny Jin silently crept in, her face wearing a dejected expression. As soon as she met First Madam’s eyes, she hung her head and sighed: “Master is resting elsewhere.”

Again like this! First Madam Song heavily expelled a breath from her chest, feeling the world spin around her. It took quite a while before she recovered.

She had only made one mistake, yet the Song family was punishing her like this!

Seeing that the day to enter the palace was drawing ever closer, her heart was both nervous and anxious, and she felt even more uneasy not knowing what Old Madam and Old Master’s plans were. She couldn’t help but stand up abruptly, steadied herself by holding onto the armrest, and said flatly: “Go to Sixth Miss’s place.”

When under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head. The reason Grand Master Song and the Song family elders were so angry with her was, in the end, still because of Song Chuyi. Thinking of this, her gaze darkened, and she felt both sour and bitter in her heart. She straightened her clothes and led the way outside.

Jin Ling and Jin Huan exchanged glances and hurriedly gathered their things to follow, though their hearts were both anxious. Previously, they had never taken any of the young ladies outside the first household seriously, feeling that when it came down to it, they would be married off anyway. But now they could all see how the situation stood, and couldn’t help but have some different thoughts in their hearts.

However, when First Madam Song reached the small entrance hall of Ningde Courtyard, she came up empty again. Luyi was just sitting under the corridor doing needlework. Seeing her, she quickly stood up: “First Madam, our miss is not home. She just went to Old Madam’s place.”

First Madam Song didn’t dare go to Ningde Courtyard to hit this nail. Old Madam Song had specifically instructed that she should stay in her own room and reflect properly during this period.

She paused, nodded to indicate she understood, and then turned to leave. But just as she went out the door, she ran head-on into Nanny Jin. Seeing Nanny Jin looking hurried and anxious, she thought something else had happened and quickly asked: “What’s the matter that you’re in such a rush?”

Nanny Jin stopped in her tracks and, not daring to delay a moment, reported the matter rapid-fire: “Someone came from the gatehouse saying that Commander Chen from the Imperial Guard is here.”

Chen Xiang?!

First Madam instinctively thought of that day when the Su family met disaster, and asked with some uncertainty and confusion: “It’s so late—what has he come for?”

“He says he wants to find our Old Madam and has a few matters to ask about.” Nanny Jin’s voice was also somewhat trembling, presumably frightened by hearing Chen Xiang’s reputation: “Right now he’s still waiting outside.”

First Madam steadied herself and immediately instructed Nanny Jin: “Go find Grand Master and tell him Commander Chen has arrived. Tonight our Old Master is on night duty…”

With such a major matter occurring, surely her husband couldn’t continue ignoring her people, could he?

First Madam thought for a moment, then personally led Jin Ling and Jin Huan to Ningde Courtyard—since Chen Xiang had come to the door late at night and was only requesting to see Old Madam Song, it meant this wasn’t official business. Since it wasn’t official business, he was just a somewhat special guest, nothing worth panicking over. Taking this opportunity to notify Old Madam was the proper thing to do.

Old Madam Song was just pulling Song Chuyi into conversation. She had just mentioned First Madam Song’s matter when she heard that First Madam had arrived. She couldn’t help but let out a cold snort, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

“Ask her what she wants.” Old Madam Song pointed for Yushu to go out: “If she’s still asking whether to change the window screens and curtains, tell her there’s no need, and she should go rest herself.”

Song Chuyi tugged at Old Madam Song’s sleeve, and Old Madam Song coughed once, leaving the rest of her harsh words unsaid.

“You too!” She turned around to scold Song Chuyi: “At a time like this, why are you still concerned about saving her face?! She’s over forty years old, deceiving you, a nine-year-old child, into going to your death, and still being so petty and mean—such villain’s behavior should be properly dealt with so she’ll remember the lesson.”

As the principal wife of an earl’s manor, if she always acted in such a manner, who knew how many mistakes she would make in the future, how many jokes she would become. Old Madam Song felt that to cure First Madam Song’s selfish ailment required strong medicine.

“I know Grandmother feels sorry for me.” Song Chuyi personally peeled grapes for Old Madam Song, using a jade pick to select one and send it over: “But First Aunt is my elder after all. If you scold her in front of me, she’ll feel she’s lost face, and others will think you’re doing this because you favor me. When both sides develop misunderstandings, it would be even worse.”

Old Madam Song, or rather the Song family, currently had no plans to replace the principal wife—they just wanted First Madam Song to acknowledge her error. Appropriate cold treatment and lessons were necessary, but once they crossed a proper line, it would be easy for First Madam or the Consort to think they were favoring her. Then the goal wouldn’t be achieved and would instead cause a whole mess of trouble. This wouldn’t be suitable at all.

The reason she had Luyi deliberately go make a scene and expose this matter was to let First Madam know that if she did such things in the future, she might very well end up completely isolated and abandoned.

Looking at it now, her goal had been more or less achieved, so she should quit while ahead. Otherwise, there would be many troubles in the future, not worth it.

Old Madam Song understood Song Chuyi’s meaning and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

“Xiaoyi, this matter was truly done without enough consideration on her part, and the Consort is too selfish.” She touched Song Chuyi’s head, her gaze somewhat distant: “Consort was not like this before. Perhaps she’s been in the palace for far too long—so long that she’s lost confidence and trust in her family members. After this matter, I should have a good talk with her. She’s shut up alone in the deep palace, not knowing our plans outside, so she only acts according to her own assumptions. This is not a solution.”

They needed to talk properly. Otherwise, if both sides were unclear about each other’s plans and thus developed resentment, that would truly be the greatest disaster.

Song Chuyi nodded, then waved her hand at Yushu.

Yushu also breathed a sigh of relief. With a smile, she curtseyed to her and turned to go out.

First Madam was waiting outside, barely able to catch her breath. When she saw Yushu come out, she couldn’t help but relax considerably, and her face unconsciously showed a smile: “Does Old Madam have time?”

“Sixth Miss is just keeping her company eating grapes. What a coincidence—we were about to invite you, and here you are.” Yushu’s words made First Madam Song feel comfortable. She personally lifted the door curtain to welcome First Madam in: “Please be careful. Water was just sprinkled outside—mind you don’t slip.”

First Madam Song entered the room and saw both Old Madam Song and Song Chuyi looking toward her. She couldn’t help but clutch her handkerchief tighter. After a long moment, she said softly: “Old Madam, someone from the gatehouse came to report that Commander Chen of the Imperial Guard has come requesting to see you.”