But sometimes these disasters weren’t all forcibly imposed by others—more often they were self-inflicted.

Song Chuyi vividly remembered that when Xiang Mingzi had first arrived a few days ago, Ziwei had cried while helping her bathe and then came back asking Old Madam to summon a physician—the inner sides of her thighs and arms were covered with bruises of various sizes, clearly from being viciously pinched.

Old Madam Song shed tears while gnashing her teeth and cursing Old Madam Xiang, wishing she could eat her flesh and drink her blood.

The Song family had carefully sent their precious treasure that they held in their palms for fear of dropping to the Xiang family, only to have the Xiang family treat her without mercy as if she were a fish eye pretending to be a pearl.

They finally understood Song Linlang’s painstaking effort and determination—if Xiang Mingzi had remained with the Xiang family, her future life would probably have been worse than that of the Song family’s maids. Her hatred for Xiang Yunzhang and love for Xiang Mingzi drove her to take the most ruthless and desperate path.

Song Chuyi didn’t want to think about the Xiang family’s affairs anymore. Without the Song family’s great tree to rely on, in a place like the Ministry of Justice where everything required money, Xiang Yunzhang probably wouldn’t even make a splash before being dealt with miserably in silence. If the Song family added insult to injury, his life would be completely ruined.

For a bedbug that would never again stir up trouble, thinking about him would only disgust herself more. Better not to think about it at all.

Unfortunately, Old Madam Xiang didn’t seem to have this awareness. Song Chuyi had barely spoken a few words with Old Madam Song when Nanny Huang brought news that Old Madam Xiang was currently sitting at the front gate crying, pulling along nearly ten grandchildren of various ages.

Right at the main gate too, already attracting quite a crowd of onlookers.

Probably because her money had all been swindled by thugs and ruffians, with nowhere to live and no money left, she was planning to scheme against Xiang Mingzi.

“Madam Li’s carriage stopped at the main gate, and she grabbed the carriage refusing to let go. Later she even clutched Miss Li’s skirt and nearly scared Miss Li to tears.” Even an experienced elder like Nanny Huang almost couldn’t control her tone, speaking with some contempt. “Madam Li had several bailiffs with her, and they beat them away with clubs.”

As they were speaking, Nanny Qin was already leading Madam Li and her party inside.

“What an eye-opener.” Madam Li held Li Xintong’s hand, her usually smiling face now covered with dark clouds. “So Magistrate Xiang’s mother is actually such a marketplace shrew! Aunty, you’re just too kind-hearted, actually tolerating her causing such a scene at your door. If you ask me, she should have been directly seized and sent to the yamen!”

Old Madam Song instructed Nanny Huang to have Third Master send out visiting cards, then smiled to comfort Li Xintong before looking up at Madam Li. “Did you think I knew she’d throw herself out there so shamelessly? These past few days I’ve heard plenty of bizarre things. This Old Madam Xiang was apparently famous for her domineering nature back in her village—a widow’s gate attracts much gossip, so if she weren’t this formidable, she might not have been able to support a magistrate son. She probably thinks she’s invincible under heaven, which is why she dares to be so bold.”

Madam Li quickly stopped Old Madam Song from sending cards. “Niece has already had the bailiffs seize her directly and send her to Circuit Intendant Xing—he’s temporarily in charge of Qingzhou now. Just the charge of assaulting an official’s female family member in the street is enough for her to suffer the consequences! Besides, I heard that Magistrate Xiang’s relationship with Circuit Intendant Xing was never particularly harmonious…”

Old Madam Song couldn’t help but laugh. “After so many years, you’re still such a mischievous one. But don’t actually have her detained—there are so many children outside waiting for her to feed them. I’m keeping her around simply because I’m afraid she’d die too easily. I want to see if she can spend another ten or twenty years cultivating a few more presented scholars.”

After chatting for a while, Madam Li brought up Li Xintong’s matters for next year. “After all, it’s been many years since we’ve been back, and I’m quite unfamiliar with the capital. I don’t know if the rules have changed—I’m afraid of making a laughingstock. I must ask Aunty for guidance and instruction.”

Li Xintong’s face was already completely red, even her ears were flushed. Song Chuyi felt it inappropriate to continue listening, so she excused herself with a smile and left.

Qing Tao took the cloak Yulan handed over and draped it over her. Only after entering the west wing did she dare to ask, “How did Eighth Miss suddenly fall ill? Could she be planning to do something bad again?”

Song Chuning also felt her illness had come rather strangely.

She had clearly been very cautious. Being in the Earl Manor, it was impossible not to eat any food ingredients sent by the Earl Manor, but she had Nanny Sun and Cuiguo test everything before she consumed it. How had she suddenly fallen ill?

What nonsense the imperial physician spoke about excessive worry leading to wind-cold entering her body—she scoffed at it. Excessive worry? Wind-cold entering her body? It was laughable—probably even street children wouldn’t be fooled by such claims.

Cuiguo brought in medicine for her to drink, her face showing unease and confusion. If something happened to Song Chuning, her family far away in Changsha would probably never be able to return.

Song Chuning didn’t drink it. She pushed the bowl away and coldly ordered her to bring in Nanny Sun.

She wouldn’t drink medicine sent by the Earl Manor. The imperial physician was being perfunctory—what good could his medicine be? Besides, even if it were good, she wouldn’t use it. Life was singular—one careless moment and it could be gone.

“Look at this medicine.” Song Chuning pushed the bowl toward Nanny Sun, her eyes flashing with inexplicable brightness. “Is there something wrong with it?”

Ever since returning to the Earl Manor, she had inexplicably felt uneasy somewhere. Although Grand Madam Qin had given her this Nanny Sun, for some reason she always felt that this Nanny Sun not only hadn’t been of any use, but seemed to be a jinx instead. Ever since this Nanny Sun who was supposedly proficient in medicine arrived, she had instead fallen ill.

Not only had she failed to help accomplish anything, she couldn’t even do her basic job well. Song Chuning had grown suspicious of her.

Nanny Sun lowered her head and glanced at it, her voice calm. “I personally decoct the medicine every day. You haven’t drunk any medicine from the manor…”

Song Chuning reached out and smashed the medicine bowl to pieces, her wolf-like eyes fixed on Nanny Sun for a moment before lowering her lashes and laughing coldly in response. “Oh? I remember when Grand Madam Qin gave you to me, she said you were a divine female physician. How is it that you can’t even cure my minor illness?”

With a sweeping glance from her, Cuiguo and Lüshan had already swiftly blocked the door. Several tall, sturdy servant women emerged from the inner room and surrounded Nanny Sun in the middle.

“I wonder if Grand Madam Qin ever told you—I’ve always deeply hated being deceived by others.” She coughed once, feeling somewhat dizzy, barely managing to keep from collapsing headfirst onto the bed. She forced herself to concentrate and addressed Nanny Sun. “Moreover, when employing people, I always make complete preparations. Nanny Sun, don’t blame me for being too suspicious. After all, many things require taking precautions. So your parents, husband, and daughter are all currently in my father’s hands in Changsha…”

She looked at Nanny Sun’s suddenly pale face and smiled with satisfaction, revealing the dimples at her cheeks. “My illness came too strangely. After treating it for over half a month, the condition hasn’t decreased but increased instead. Why don’t you tell me why that is? How about it?”

Many thanks to Elegant and Refined Bo for the protection talisman, and thanks to everyone for the monthly tickets. Love you all, mwah.