In her previous life, those around Song Chuyi had either died or been crippled—not one had met a good end. The only person who had any connection to her had lived a completely different life, sleeping peacefully all her days, and in the end even receiving an imperial patent of honor, enjoying glory and wealth for a lifetime.

Of course, this wasn’t very important. What was important was that the man this woman married was truly incomparably significant.

Shen Yang, the legitimate daughter of the Shangqiu Shen family with whom her mother had once been close friends, had married a seventh-rank inspector, yet he had ultimately advanced triumphantly all the way to become Zhejiang Provincial Governor, and in the end was even enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed prime minister.

Counting the days in this lifetime, it was about this time now. Shen Yang’s husband Guo Huaiying should be ascending to his position. And the reason for his rise was precisely because he was both someone Prince Duan regarded as his own person, and at the same time, in Cen Biliang’s eyes, a heaven-sent talent as well as a good nephew.

His background was profound—his ancestors had followed the founding emperor in conquering the realm, and from childhood he had grown up mingling with these imperial princes, vassal princes, and heir apparents. His maternal uncle was Cen Biliang, his mentor was Grand Secretary Chang, and his wife was the legitimate daughter of the Shangqiu Shen family.

But Song Chuyi’s reason for telling Ye Jingchuan to join him was certainly not merely because of his status and his imminent rise to prominence, but because although this person was adept at navigating between various factions, he was genuinely and truly a good official and a good person.

He would take over Cui Shaoting’s position, becoming another person who would strike terror into the hearts of Japanese pirates.

Zhou Weizhao lowered his head in thought for a while, then suddenly stopped his steps, turned his head to stare at Song Chuyi, and slowly spoke this name: “You mean, Guo Huaiying?”

Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised. At this time, Guo Huaiying was merely a Zhejiang inspector, hardly enough to attract attention, yet Zhou Weizhao had guessed correctly in one try.

She became increasingly curious about where Zhou Weizhao came from, whether he might also be like herself—someone who had lived through life again. But immediately upon reflection, she felt she was really thinking too much. In her previous life, Zhou Weizhao hadn’t even lived to see his twelfth birthday before he died. Even if reborn, there would be no reason for him to know so many things—unlike herself, who had struggled and drifted through the world for decades, with many things etched in her bones, not daring to forget even for a moment.

Seeing Ye Jingchuan indeed wearing a bewildered expression, Song Chuyi also widened her eyes. Zhou Weizhao pursed his lips and smiled, looking at Song Chuyi somewhat embarrassedly: “I was just guessing blindly. It’s just that thinking about it, the Fujian and Zhejiang region is critically important. Cui Shaoting has been transferred to the north, so the south cannot be without someone either. Thinking it through, in the south, the only person who could be directly connected to the Cabinet in the capital with deep ties would be Guo Huaiying.”

Grand Secretary Chang was quite competent as Grand Secretary. Naturally, he also shared similarities with previous Grand Secretaries—for instance, although he could often manage to recognize and employ talent well, he also inevitably cultivated his own power base. Guo Huaiying both had ability and shared connections with him, so naturally he should be properly promoted.

Song Chuyi nodded, affirming Zhou Weizhao’s speculation, then told Ye Jingchuan solemnly: “I’m not joking with you at all. After you return, relay what I’ve said to the Prince and the Prince Consort. I believe they will naturally understand my meaning.”

Fujian was not a good place to go. The Japanese pirates were not those mountain bandits and thieves who would collapse at first contact—small groups would stubbornly resist when gathered together, and large forces would have extremely strong combat power when united, making them very difficult to deal with. In her previous life, until her death, the Japanese pirate threat had never been completely quelled, which showed just how tenacious these short Eastern Ocean people were.

Ye Jingchuan was unfamiliar with the place, and most critically, he was somewhat impulsive and hot-tempered. Even if he served under the Governor-General, the Governor-General would probably only maintain and watch over him for Prince Zhennan’s sake. Continuing like this, something would inevitably go wrong sooner or later.

It would be better to have him go follow Guo Huaiying. At least this was someone who did real work. Following by his side, he could also learn experience and skills. After paying respects at this dock, he could also take the opportunity to become close to this future frontier official. Becoming close to him—wouldn’t that be very good?

“I’m not afraid you’re joking with me, but who is Guo Huaiying?” Ye Jingchuan looked at her with a completely bewildered expression, directly ignoring Song Jue who had jogged over and nearly slipped: “I can’t very well go follow some nameless nobody and pass my days, can I?”

Zhou Weizhao laughed despite himself. Seeing Song Chuyi turn her head to greet Song Jue, he turned his head and softly admonished in Ye Jingchuan’s ear: “If you want to fight Japanese pirates, you absolutely must follow him. Apart from him, I’m afraid no one will take you out to sea to fight pirates. Moreover, as to whether he’s truly a nameless nobody, you can just go back and ask your father and elder brother.”

Although he was currently only a seventh-rank Supervising Censor inspecting Zhejiang, who could say for certain about the future? Previously, hadn’t Cen Biliang also been just a censor inspecting Jiangxi? Yet now didn’t he sit firmly in the position of Minister of War? For someone like Guo Huaiying with both background and ability, promotion was only a matter of time. And now with Cui Shaoting being transferred and southern power structures being reshuffled, this was the best time for Grand Secretary Chang and his faction to make their move. Having already promoted Cui Shaoting to Supreme Commander of the Three Borders, how could they possibly give up that fat piece of meat that was the south?

Although Ye Jingchuan was always somewhat unconvinced by Zhou Weizhao, he had always known better. Hearing Zhou Weizhao speak this way, he knew there must be something crucial here. It was just that first, he was afraid of losing face, and second, he felt that if Zhou Weizhao knew while he didn’t, Song Chuyi would laugh at him. So he dropped the matter and didn’t mention it further. In any case, after returning home, his father and Ye Jingkuan would surely tell him the whys and wherefores.

Song Jue had just finished arranging the banquet when he discovered he couldn’t find anyone. With great difficulty, hearing that people were at the lakeside in the rear courtyard, he rushed over urgently. Seeing Ye Jingchuan, he was rarely somewhat angry: “Although it’s true our two families are on intimate terms, there are still no proper elders present here. You constantly running to Xiaoyi’s side is inappropriate!”

Ye Jingchuan felt somewhat apprehensive. Compared to the two blood brothers Song Jue and Song Jie, he truly feared this straightforward fellow Song Jue more. Hearing this, he laughed it off: “I didn’t come to see her—I came to see An’an. Besides, if it weren’t for me, by now you probably wouldn’t even need to hold a full moon celebration.”

Song Chuyi then softly explained the circumstances to Song Jue once through, concluding: “Second Brother, this time we truly owe it all to Young Master Ye and them. Otherwise, An’an would likely have been in danger.”

Song Jue furrowed his brows, and only after a long while suppressed the anger in his heart.

“Although this is a separate estate, it’s still a place with rules. Moreover, you come here frequently—if supervision isn’t strict, when something happens in the future, it will be too late.” Seeing Song Chuyi was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately his heart rose in alarm again, lowering his voice very low: “Besides, the rear courtyard still houses that Miss Chen from the Su family and Fourth Sister—”

Song Chuyi couldn’t help but be shocked as well, quickly looking at Song Jue and saying: “Second Brother, quickly send someone to check!”

If the old woman Li carrying away An’an just now had only been a diversionary tactic, with the real purpose being someone coveting Song Chumi or Chen Jinxin, then it would be disastrous!