Old Master Song personally escorted Chen Xiang out through the side gate and saw several Imperial Guards wearing flying fish robes, equipped with embroidered spring sabers, and radiating murderous intent waiting outside the gate. He couldn’t help but be startled for a moment.

It wasn’t as if he had never seen Imperial Guards before, but judging by this formation, these Imperial Guards had actually drawn blood tonight. What matter in the capital city could be worth the Imperial Guards’ embroidered spring sabers being stained with blood in the dead of night?

Though undercurrents surged in his heart, his face revealed nothing. He cupped his hands toward Chen Xiang and let him out the gate. “Our hospitality was inadequate today, and I didn’t even get to share a few cups with you. Remember to visit often next time.”

Chen Xiang’s eyes already displayed stark sinister intent. His pair of eyes was so gloomy as to be somewhat frightening, yet his face appeared especially calm. He also cupped his hands toward Song Ren in apology. “Tonight’s presumptuous late-night visit has already disturbed Aunt and Elder Brother. And now this again… Next time I’ll be the host and properly apologize to Elder Brother.”

Song Ren smiled in acknowledgment. Watching as the gatekeeper led Chen Xiang’s horse over, he saw off the group as they galloped away, then immediately turned and sternly instructed the gatekeeper, “Be extremely vigilant and guard the gate well!”

He walked rapidly all the way to the flower hall. Seeing that Old Madam Song and Song Chuyi were still there, he couldn’t be bothered with other matters and first furrowed his brow. “Mother, I feel something isn’t right about this situation. Those Imperial Guards who came looking for Chen Xiang all seemed to have been in combat with others. I could even see blood stains on their clothes!”

Old Madam Song instinctively gripped Song Chuyi’s soft hand tightly and stared fixedly at the lamp niche for a long while, then sneered coldly. “The storm is finally about to break.”

After so much thunder and lightning for so long, it couldn’t always be much ado about nothing—it was time to see something substantial.

Old Master Song was about to say more when he heard voices outside calling for Young Master in unison. Immediately after, Song Jue, still wearing his Feathered Forest Guard uniform, rushed in hastily and said in a lowered voice, “There’s fighting outside Desheng Gate with intense combat. Could it be related to that censor?”

He casually picked up a cup of tea and drained it in one gulp, then added, “They specifically chose a day when Grandfather and the Grand Secretary were on night duty. At this hour, for someone to want to enter the city, I’m afraid the person had fallen into Xingfu’s hands, but later someone intercepted them. Who will emerge victorious is still uncertain. Our Feathered Forest Guards can’t get involved. The Imperial Guards have already rushed over.”

Both Elder Chen and the Zhennan Prince Manor were determined to secure this censor. It was unclear which of the two parties had intercepted them, but to be able to snatch someone from the Imperial Guards and actually succeed—it seemed that whether Elder Chen or the Zhennan Prince Manor, their strength far exceeded what appeared on the surface.

“Martial law will probably be declared soon!” Song Chuyi spoke up immediately following Song Jue’s words. “Xingfu and Chen Xiang absolutely won’t spare any more attention for the secret letter now. That censor will either die or be in their own hands. They couldn’t possibly allow him to seek refuge with any faction and will definitely conduct a city-wide manhunt. Our household absolutely cannot get involved.”

No one knew how much longer the Crown Prince’s body could hold out, and the Crown Prince’s heir was ultimately someone whose future she didn’t know. She could temporarily align with them but absolutely couldn’t stake everything on them.

Elder Chen had already been given a push by her and had no choice. The Zhennan Prince Manor naturally had a position due to Princess Rongcheng. But the Song family was different.

Their Song family could have remained safely and steadily as ministers loyal only to the Emperor. There was no need to throw themselves into these factional struggles. This time’s alignment with the Crown Prince was also just a temporary measure.

One couldn’t put all eggs in one basket. After decades of immersion in the Duke Manor’s affairs, Song Chuyi had come to deeply understand this principle.

Old Madam Song looked at Old Master Song, who immediately instructed his son, “Have the servants guard the gates well and strictly forbid them from making random visits to relatives or recklessly gathering information while flying the Earl Manor’s banner!”

Song Jue immediately acknowledged and said to Old Master in a low voice, “As for Mother…” He glanced at Song Chuyi and stated decisively, “There absolutely cannot be any more mishaps.”

Old Master Song pursed his lips and nodded, then bowed to Old Madam Song in farewell. “I’ll go speak with her personally to prevent her from doing something foolish in a moment of confusion.”

The men outside all understood the gravity and stakes of matters and were unlikely to make mistakes easily. But the women confined to the inner quarters were not necessarily the same. If one accidentally revealed something under someone else’s deliberate questioning because of resentment in their heart, it would truly be impossible to guard against.

Old Madam Song nodded heavily and advised, “Speak properly with her. If the argument becomes heated, she simply won’t listen to your reasoning and will instead ruin matters.”

Old Master Song nodded in acknowledgment, then admonished his son, “Go back and attend to your duties properly. You can know what you should know, but absolutely don’t ask about things you shouldn’t.”

“Rest assured, Father. I understand all this. The other Feathered Forest Guards all went home today. They won’t think of me.” Song Jue respectfully saw his father out the door, then turned back to look at Song Chuyi and sighed heavily. “In this matter, Madam and Mother have wronged you.”

Song Chuyi waved her hand and pushed him toward the exit. “Don’t worry. Do you really need to tell me these things? I understand everything in my heart.”

Song Jue’s heart also relaxed. He patted Song Chuyi’s head, wanting to say something more, but ultimately said nothing. Scratching his head, he turned and plunged into the darkness of night.

“Xiao Yi.” Old Madam Song beckoned her to her side, still feeling apprehensive in her heart. “That Chen Xiang is extremely ruthless and vicious. He personally executed his stepmother’s younger brother back then. If the censor truly falls into his and Xingfu’s hands this time, that censor definitely won’t be able to speak again. Then the secret letter in our hands will become critically important.”

In such a case, if they didn’t give it to Xingfu and Chen Xiang, they would probably face crazy retaliation. But if they gave it to the Crown Prince, their Song family would never again hope to maintain neutrality and stay out of the quagmire.

“Grandmother, don’t worry.” Song Chuyi watched as the servant girls raised the lanterns, personally helping Old Madam Song to stand, her voice calm and peaceful. “Although Chen Xiang and Xingfu are formidable, His Highness the Crown Prince has also cultivated his power for many years and has deep foundations. The Chen family and Ye family will certainly bite onto this censor and not let go. Who will win and who will lose is still unknown. Even if things truly reach the worst possible situation, I have a way to send out the secret letter without it passing through our hands.”

At least on the surface, it would definitely be sent out without any connection to the Song family—but in that case, it would inevitably mean owing another favor to Ye Jingchuan or Zhou Weizhao. Would that shrewd Zhou Weizhao develop any misgivings in his heart because of this?

The wind suddenly picked up, blowing petals from nearby flowers that rustled down. Soon even their hair had been covered with them. Old Madam Song tightened the clothing on her body and pulled Song Chuyi along to walk faster.