The autumn wind blew refreshingly over everyone. Compared to the oppressive heat of recent days, such an evening always made one feel relaxed and cheerful. First Madam’s complexion had finally improved somewhat, but after hearing First Master Song’s words, she couldn’t help but turn deathly pale as she stood up abruptly, crying out in alarm: “What?!”

First Master Song remembered his mother’s instructions before coming and thus patiently explained to her: “Don’t you know what Chen Xiang’s intentions are in coming to request this marriage match at this time? Even if you’re foolish, you should be able to guess that Madam Su arriving one after another with him, both targeting Miss Chen, isn’t a coincidence, right? Recently the political situation has been volatile. Don’t go to Consort’s palace anymore for now. This time Mother will personally go to the palace. You just stay home and properly manage the inner household—don’t cause any more trouble.”

With First Madam’s limited perspective and insight, she actually couldn’t fully understand. However, she did know what kind of person Chen Xiang was. Hearing that Chen Xiang had actually come to request marriage to Miss Chen, and that afterward he had hurriedly led his team away, she was already shocked to the point of losing all color in her face. She had no energy left to care about matters of entering the palace or not—Consort had already pushed Song Chuyi to the Empress Dowager, and because of this matter both she and Consort had incurred the displeasure and disgust of First Master and Old Madam Song. She herself had already been given the cold shoulder by First Master for several days. She had already done everything she could for her daughter. If she did anything else that displeased her husband and mother-in-law, she might very well lose her position. She couldn’t let things deteriorate further—absolutely not.

“Yes.” She organized her chaotic thoughts and resumed her usual dignified appearance, looking up at her husband: “About last time, it was indeed my fault. I shouldn’t have been so confused as to harm Little Yi.”

First Master Song glanced at her from the corner of his eye, sighed, and sat down in a chair, accepting the tea Jin Ling handed him: “As the clan matriarch, your behavior was truly too outrageous. In all these years, Mother has never flown into such a rage—once was with Li Shi, and the second time is with you.”

Hearing First Master Song actually compare her to Li Shi, First Madam’s brow twitched violently, and she lowered her head even more.

“Although Little Yi has lost her mother, don’t forget that behind her stands the entire Cui clan.” Seeing her remain silent, First Master Song paid it no mind and continued speaking on his own: “Don’t forget either that you are the Song family’s clan matriarch, her eldest uncle’s wife. Don’t bully a child who has lost her mother—doing so makes you appear both cruel and frightening. In all your years married into the Song family, you’ve only made one such mistake, but this one error nearly cost a Song family child her life. You’re currently raising Fifth Brother’s three children—how do you expect them to view you? And how should Jue and his wife view you?”

First Madam hadn’t expected First Master Song to speak such heart-piercing words so plainly. For a moment she truly couldn’t stand steady, staggering before regaining her balance. She looked at First Master Song in disbelief, opening her mouth several times but unable to form a complete sentence.

“I’ve said these words many times, and today I’ll say them once more.” First Master Song stared into First Madam’s eyes, speaking each word clearly and distinctly: “You are the legitimate eldest daughter of the Li family, representing the Li family’s reputation. You are also the Song family’s clan matriarch, representing the Song family’s face. You already have both son and daughter and hold a transcendent position. I hope you treasure all this and don’t one day shatter it with your own hands. Some things, once broken, can never return to how they were before.”

First Madam listened in a daze for quite some time, finally unable to help as tears filled her eyes. She could almost not control herself from crying aloud. She watched helplessly as First Master Song went out the door without thinking to stop him.

“Madam.” Jin Ling cautiously called out to her, boldly advising: “Please rest early. The Master has already left.”

“No.” First Madam wiped away the tears that had already overflowed from her eyes, her voice hoarse: “Go make a trip to Sixth Miss’s place.”

Jin Ling and Jin Huan exchanged glances, nearly frightened out of their wits. Finally unable to care about self-preservation, they both rushed forward, one in front and one behind, grasping First Madam and talking over each other to dissuade her: “Madam, it’s already so late, and Sixth Miss lives at Ningde Courtyard. If you go, you’ll inevitably disturb Old Madam. If you disturb Old Madam, that would be terrible.”

Jin Ling was somewhat anxious, and a string of words spilled out uncontrollably: “Moreover, Madam, you’ve already made one mistake. Last time you went to find Sixth Miss, even now Old Master and Old Madam are still angry with you. The Master and Eldest Young Master have also become much colder toward you. You mustn’t—”

First Madam looked at the panicking Jin Ling and Jin Huan and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly—she had merely wanted to go apologize to Little Six, yet she had frightened these two maids to this extent. It seemed that First Master’s words just now had not only frightened her but also intimidated the people around her.

She had never imagined that one day First Master Song would treat her this way. But given that she was in the wrong, even if she wanted to feel resentful, she felt somewhat guilty. First Master was right—Song Chuyi was far more important than she had imagined, and far more beloved by Old Master Song and Old Madam Song than she had thought.

“Forget it!” She sighed, looking at the flowers on the table being blown by the wind. Her eyes felt unbearably dry—perhaps she had been struggling for so long these past days that she had almost forgotten how many nights she had gone without sleep.

Seeing that she no longer insisted on going out to find Song Chuyi, Jin Ling and Jin Huan both unconsciously breathed sighs of relief. They began busying themselves tidying her bed, preparing to serve her as she retired.

However, First Madam called out to Jin Ling as she turned to leave: “It’s not convenient to go to Sixth Miss right now, but Fourth Young Master lives together with Third Young Master. Go make a trip there.”

Jin Ling turned back, looking at First Madam with some surprise, feeling apprehensive in her heart, afraid that First Madam would ask her to do something like what Nanny Jin had done to persuade Song Chuyi.

Fortunately, First Madam had no such intention. She pointed at several blocks of Elegant Mandarin Duck ink bestowed by the palace on the table and said to Jin Ling: “Take these to Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master. Also, have the sewing room make them several new sets of clothes.”

She had really been so anxious before that she’d become somewhat confused, actually thinking of going directly to find Song Chuyi—whether that little girl felt hatred or fondness, she would never reveal the slightest hint on her face. Even if she talked until her lips wore out, she probably wouldn’t be able to discern what her attitude truly was.

It would be better to steadily show her through actions—since she cared so much about her younger brother Song Yan, she herself would cater to her preferences and atone for her mistakes by treating Song Yan well. She believed that one day, Song Chuyi would gradually forget about this matter.

Of course, if this young lady could avoid this encounter with the Empress Dowager— But if she couldn’t avoid it, First Madam’s heart thumped heavily. She closed her eyes, feeling so sore and bitter that tears nearly fell.