Recently, Madam Cui had often sent people to deliver things to the two siblings, but she hadn’t come in person. Why had she suddenly appeared at their door now, when it was neither a festival nor a special occasion? Old Madam Song felt there was more to this than met the eye. Even if it was to see Song Yan off, the timing seemed far too early.

While she was deep in thought, First Madam had already brought Madam Cui inside. Her face bore a warm smile, clearly showing she’d had a pleasant conversation with Madam Cui.

She had just started to rise when Madam Cui was already before her, quickly urging her to remain seated: “We’re family—why all the formalities? Old Madam, you mustn’t shorten Thirteenth Maiden’s lifespan with such courtesy.”

Old Madam Song followed her suggestion and sat, smiling as she invited her to sit: “I was quite startled to suddenly hear you’d arrived. If the noon banquet’s hospitality is inadequate, Thirteenth Maiden, you mustn’t blame me.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Madam Cui smiled, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. “This time we came to your door without even sending a calling card first—how could we dare blame you for inadequate hospitality?”

First Madam saw that Yushu and Yulan had already served tea. After exchanging a few pleasantries with a smile, she excused herself to arrange the dishes for today’s noon banquet. But as soon as she stepped out, she saw Luyi hurrying over at a trot.

Her first reaction was that something had happened to Song Chuyi. She instinctively glanced behind her and immediately called out to stop her: “Why such a rush? Is it Sixth Miss—”

Luyi panted as she came to a halt and shook her head vigorously: “It’s not our Miss. It’s Fourth Miss—she’s in the annex threatening to take her own life…”

First Madam’s brow twitched sharply. She turned to instruct Jin Ling: “Go tell the kitchen matrons that we have guests today. Follow the old precedent from when Princess Zhennan came in previous years and prepare two tables.”

Jin Ling didn’t dare listen to more details. Hearing the order, she quickly curtsied and hurried off to find the kitchen supervisor.

First Madam herself didn’t dare delay, nor was it appropriate to go back inside to report to Old Madam Song at this moment. She could only sigh and lead Luyi with Nanny Jin, turning toward the annex.

Song Chumi must have been causing quite a commotion—even Nanny Xu’s face showed signs of anxiety. When she saw First Madam arrive, she quickly came forward, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her voice somewhat unsteady, she told her: “Fourth Miss is making a terrible scene—she’s grabbing scissors and trying to ram into the pillars…”

First Madam listened as she walked. Pushing open the door, she indeed saw Song Chumi hugging her knees, sitting at the foot of the table, crying fiercely. Her expression complex, she sighed, crouched down, and tried to help her up: “The floor is cold. You should get up.”

Song Chumi gripped her hand in return and, even after First Madam helped her sit in a chair, still wouldn’t let go: “Eldest Aunt, please help me… I beg you, please help me. Otherwise I won’t be able to go on living…”

“When you speak like this, have you thought about what will happen to your mother?” First Madam withdrew her hand and sat beside her, gesturing for Jin Huan to go out and bring water in. She turned to look at Song Chumi’s slightly dazed expression, her manner both gentle and stern: “You only care about your own happiness. Have you ever thought about what would happen to the Song family’s reputation and your mother’s reputation if you really went and became a co-wife to a man who already has a wife? And where does that leave your younger brother?”

Song Chumi’s words of rebuttal caught in her throat, and tears flowed from her eyes as fiercely as a river.

“Little Four, people don’t live only for themselves—they must also think more of those around them.” She reached out and patted Song Chumi’s shoulder, speaking earnestly: “Don’t do anything foolish anymore. Just stay quietly here these next few days. Your mother must be beside herself with worry.”

Third Madam Yun Shi feared both her mother-in-law and her husband. If her daughter truly died for such a disgraceful reason, Third Madam would probably spend the rest of her life in bitter suffering.

They had only exchanged a few words when Madam Cui stood up: “Old Madam, I’d like to go speak a few words with Little Yi.”

Old Madam Song had long anticipated that Madam Cui’s visit wasn’t merely for idle conversation. Hearing this, she wasn’t at all surprised: “I’ve already sent someone to summon Little Yi and Brother Yan. They should be arriving shortly. As it happens, her Guanju Courtyard is nearly finished being furnished. It would be good for you to go look it over and give her your opinion, Thirteenth Maiden.”

Her words had barely finished when Song Chuyi and Song Yan entered through the door, both smiling as they came forward to greet Madam Cui.

Madam Cui touched Song Yan’s head and remarked that he’d grown taller, then took Song Chuyi’s hand, saying she wanted to go see her Guanju Courtyard.

Song Chuyi glanced at Old Madam Song with some surprise, then after a moment came to her senses and agreed, taking Madam Cui’s hand as they left—Madam Cui rarely showed such lack of composure. She’d barely spoken a few words to Song Yan before urgently pulling her away. There must be something pressing.

Indeed, they had only walked a short distance when Madam Cui, seeing that no one was around, gripped her hand with what seemed like anxiety: “Little Yi, I remember that in Tongzhou you told me you once had a dream, didn’t you?”

Her hands held Song Chuyi’s tightly, gripping them, urgently seeking an answer.

Song Chuyi covered her hand with her other hand and slowly nodded.

“In that dream of yours, did you… did you ever dream of the Crown Prince…” Her voice paused as she glanced left and right, then asked with a tearful tone: “Did you ever dream of the Crown Prince being poisoned?”

Poisoned?! So the Crown Prince’s grave illness this time wasn’t due to his condition worsening, but because he’d been poisoned?! Song Chuyi’s eyes widened in shock. Who would be so bold as to poison the Crown Prince? And how did they manage it? What kind of poison was it?

She stared at Madam Cui and slowly shook her head, her brow furrowing with some difficulty as she spoke: “No. In my dream, His Highness the Crown Prince had already passed away by the end of last year…”

Madam Cui stumbled back a few steps, somewhat deflated. She lowered her head and calmed her emotions for a moment before managing to nod reluctantly: “I see…” The breeze lifted her loose hair and clothing. She paused for a while before raising her head to continue looking at Song Chuyi. Swallowing her other worries, she said softly: “When the Empress Dowager summons you this time, she’ll surely make things difficult for you. After all, Wang Jinsi was raised by her…”

But before Song Chuyi could respond, Madam Cui gripped her hand again: “However, when you enter the palace this time, don’t be afraid. Do what you must do. With Her Majesty the Empress present, the Empress Dowager won’t make things too difficult for you…”

“Her Majesty the Empress?” Song Chuyi couldn’t help feeling puzzled. She remembered that the relationship between Her Majesty the Empress and the Empress Dowager wasn’t good. His Majesty had also used the excuse of the Empress’s poor health to exempt her from the morning and evening attendances at the Empress Dowager’s quarters. Why would she go to the Empress Dowager’s quarters this time?

“Yes.” Though the smile on Madam Cui’s face was still somewhat forced, it was much better than before. She held Song Chuyi’s hand: “Her Majesty the Empress… she wants to meet you. The Imperial Grandson will also be there that day.”

Song Chuyi then understood. Zhou Weizhao probably wanted to see her to learn more from her mouth about the events in her so-called dream—such as the Crown Prince’s poisoning this time.