Song Jue had guessed the reason for his grandfather’s composure. Chief Minister Chang Yuan’an was an old fox—every word he said had to be carefully pondered again and again.

Since he had taken the initiative to tell his grandfather that Elder Zhang had gone too far, it was a signal—who didn’t know that Elder Zhang could enter the Grand Secretariat only because he had received the blessing of Xing’an, the head eunuch of the Ceremonial Bureau? This time it was also him who had quarreled in the Grand Secretariat with Elder Chen until they almost came to blows. Since Chief Minister Chang mentioned Elder Zhang, wasn’t he obliquely expressing dissatisfaction with Xingfu’s actions?

“Grandfather, do you mean that Chief Minister Chang will administer strong medicine before His Majesty?” He carefully chose his words, saying cautiously: “If Chief Minister Chang is willing to speak out, then Xingfu naturally moves one step closer to death. After all, the Chief Minister is His Majesty’s teacher—their relationship is extraordinary.”

Song Chengru stroked his beard with a smile but said nothing.

Song Jue was indeed the successor he had personally cultivated, knowing how to observe in all directions and listen in all quarters when viewing matters, and also very skilled at drawing inferences from one instance.

However, he was still young after all and had not experienced any major events—his horizons were ultimately not broad enough, or perhaps his experience was still somewhat lacking.

If Song Chuyi were to analyze this matter, the conclusion she reached would certainly be completely opposite to Song Jue’s.

Everything had two sides. Chief Minister Chang’s teacher-student relationship with His Majesty was naturally a good blade, but at the same time it was also a double-edged sword—after so many years, Chief Minister Chang had probably grown accustomed to being the imperial tutor. When facing His Majesty, he often appeared insufficiently respectful, instead being excessively severe.

But he had completely forgotten that His Majesty was no longer that pitiful Crown Prince who wasn’t favored and endured his days in the Eastern Palace, but had already ascended to become the ruler of a nation.

And Xingfu—what he was best at was gauging His Majesty’s thoughts. He would certainly make a big issue of this matter to seek escape.

Old Madam Song had clearly thought along the same lines—which was why Shi Tongzhou, this minor censor, would find it extraordinarily difficult to see the imperial countenance, because after all he faced someone as shrewd as Xingfu.

She was about to say something when she suddenly heard Nanny Huang’s voice outside. Nanny Huang had always been her trusted confidant—since she was coming over at this moment, there must be some major matter. She glanced at Old Master Song, who nodded, and called out for her to enter.

Nanny Huang first paid respects to everyone, then quickly stepped forward to Old Madam’s side, whispering a few words by her ear.

Old Madam Song was so shocked that even her complexion changed, and her voice involuntarily altered, almost crying out in alarm: “What?!”

Without waiting for Old Master Song and Song Jue to ask, she proactively turned her head and sighed: “It seems that what we released back then was not exaggerated in the slightest—she truly is a tiger that bites.”

Song Chengru immediately understood whom Old Madam Song was now speaking of. He frowned tightly and thought for a moment before asking: “The people we sent haven’t had any news for so long—I originally found it quite strange. Now it seems they’ve all fallen into her hands?”

“Not merely fallen into her hands?” Old Madam Song’s hands gripped and released the armrests tightly. An extremely cold laugh escaped from the corners of her lips: “The five households that Second Son originally took with him—not one remains, all gone.”

What did “all gone” mean? Song Jue initially hadn’t thought of Song Chuning at all, but after hearing Old Madam Song mention Second Son, he asked somewhat incredulously: “Gone? Does she actually dare to kill people?”

After asking, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat foolish. This eighth younger sister had killed before and had done inhumane things. Now she was far away in Changsha with no one to discipline her, and Second Uncle followed her every word even more.

Mentioning Song Chuning, the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold. All three were shocked by her cruelty and frightened by her ruthlessness—those were after all over ten human lives, yet she had so easily sent them all to the Yellow Springs.

“It’s only been a mere three months, yet she has already completely eliminated all those people.” Old Madam Song looked at Old Master Song with a bitter smile: “This depth of scheming and these methods truly make me feel chilled to the bone.”

Old Master Song nodded gravely: “Indeed, she’s troublesome. She was already extraordinarily vigilant to begin with. Now that we’ve alerted the enemy by beating the grass, I’m afraid her guard will only grow stronger. The resentment in her heart toward us will only deepen.”

If only they could have stopped them earlier, they wouldn’t now have to worry about internal troubles on top of external threats. Song Jue exhaled, feeling somewhat self-reproachful: “This can’t continue. Leaving her in Changsha for several years—who knows what she’ll cause. While she hasn’t yet made any major irreversible mistakes and hasn’t achieved any real power, we must bring her back.”

Song Chengru understood the meaning in his words and shook his head in disagreement: “You cannot go.”

Since Song Chuning could act against Song Yan and Song Jie, she could naturally also act against Song Jue. After all, she was also someone possessing the wisdom of two lifetimes, essentially having lived twice. Such a person was like a powder keg that could explode at any moment. To have him send the Song family’s future heir over there was absolutely impossible.

“Her matter is not urgent at this moment.” Old Madam Song also voiced her agreement: “Moreover, your Second Uncle is after all your elder. If he insists on not wanting you to take away Little Eight, even if you go it will be useless.”

Her thinking was roughly the same as Song Chengru’s. Song Jue was the successor the Song family was focusing on cultivating—he really couldn’t take this risk. Song Chuning’s intelligence was no less than Song Chuyi’s, and in terms of hardheartedness she surpassed her by a notch. To achieve her goals, she could do anything.

Song Jue wanted to say more but was interrupted by Song Chengru waving his hand.

“In the time we’ve been talking, the situation outside has probably already changed.” Song Chengru sighed and told Song Jue to go out: “You go out and take a look. Since neither side is willing to concede and they’ve made such a huge commotion, I’m afraid your Feathered Forest Guards also have work to do. You’ve been out for quite a while—it won’t look good if you can’t account for yourself.”

Although Song Jue still felt somewhat unwilling, he also knew that matters had priorities of urgency and importance. Hearing this, he agreed and turned to leave.

Once Song Jue had turned and left, Old Madam Song rubbed her temples with extreme headache: “Truly one wave has not yet settled when another rises. During this period our Earl’s manor has really been exhausted running about. When will such days ever end?”

Among all the distinguished nobles and important ministers in the capital, why did Prince Duan and Xingfu specifically target their family? Why did their family specifically raise such a worrisome granddaughter?

Song Chengru patted the back of her hand, gently comforting her: “Once this matter with Xingfu passes, everything will get better. At that time you can also properly rest for a while.”