Song Third Master didn’t chat with Han Zhi for too long. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he went straight upstairs to inform Old Madam Song about Xiang Yunzhang’s matter: “He still hoped to use his niece’s reputation to threaten me, saying something about how if we don’t take care of him, everyone will point fingers at Mingzi behind her back. I couldn’t be bothered to deal with him and told him straight out to abandon that notion.”

Everyone in Qingzhou now knew about Xiang Yunzhang’s concubine bribing a witch doctor to frame his legitimate daughter. Now, even if Xiang Mingzi no longer considered any debt of biological parentage, no one could say anything about it.

Moreover, once they reached the capital, the Earl’s manor could say whatever they wished. By then, Xiang Mingzi could simply change her surname altogether and sever any remaining connection with the Xiang family.

Old Madam Song didn’t take this matter to heart. When a dog bites you, you don’t necessarily have to bite back. As long as Xiang Mingzi didn’t regard Xiang Yunzhang as significant, she could act as if there was no such person as Xiang Yunzhang.

What she actually cared about was that Han Zhi downstairs. After thinking for a moment, she slightly raised her chin toward the lower floor: “Just now, what did that young man from the Han family say to you?”

It took Song Third Master a while to react. He quickly replied: “He said he wanted to travel together with us, so we could look after each other on the road. I was just thinking of seeking your instruction on this.”

Old Madam Song thoughtfully set down the teacup in her hand: “I heard he studied under the same master as Yan Tang in Qingzhou, yet it seems he doesn’t know about the major events that happened in Qingzhou recently.”

The affairs in Qingzhou had caused such an uproar, and they concerned the Changning Earl’s manor. Could Han Zhi, as the legitimate son of the Marquis of Jinxiang, really have remained so oblivious and heard nothing at all?

But even if he had other motives and deliberately chose the same day as them to depart, what was his purpose?

Song Third Master also couldn’t quite figure it out: “Perhaps it’s because of his poor health? Didn’t they say this young master has been plagued by constant misfortunes? Just now downstairs, he specifically told me that this time he even brought a physician along, saying his old ailment has flared up again.”

If he was ill, that made it even stranger. Given how much the Han family treasured him, shouldn’t they wait until he recovered before having him set out for the capital? How could they let such a sickly precious son travel alone without even a single elder to escort him?

Old Madam Song was about to say more when she heard Nanny Qin come in to report that the young master of the Marquis of Jinxiang’s household was requesting an audience.

He certainly knew how to conduct himself. Old Madam Song smiled faintly and softly instructed Yushu to lead Xiang Mingzi and Song Chuyi to the side room—Han Zhi was not young, and Xiang Mingzi had reached marriageable age. Since the two families weren’t that close, it was quite necessary to observe such proprieties.

Xiang Mingzi took Song Chuyi’s arm and whispered in her ear: “Little sister, I’ve actually met this Young Master Han before.”

Song Chuyi’s heart stirred, and she instinctively paid attention: “Met him? But just now Third Uncle said this Young Master Han seemed completely unaware of aunt’s affairs…”

“It seems it was when he first came to Qingzhou—he specifically came to our house to present his calling card.” Xiang Mingzi thought hard for a moment: “He came several times afterward, and when my father celebrated his fortieth birthday, he invited him as well.”

Han Zhi’s voice happened to carry over: “I was ill for a while and became completely muddled from the sickness, so I didn’t know so many things had happened. Aunty used to take such good care of me. Truly, the vicissitudes of life are unpredictable. Old Madam, please don’t grieve too much.”

Old Madam Song waved her hand, no longer mentioning the matter, and instead asked about other things: “We’ve all heard something about your family’s affairs. You’ve always been in poor health, with people serving you crowded shoulder to shoulder. How is it that now you’re going to the capital alone? Is your father comfortable with this?”

Han Zhi smiled somewhat bashfully, his delicate face showing a trace of shy smile: “My father is stationed in Datong and can’t return this year. My mother happened to send word that she’s fallen ill, and I’m worried about her, so I plan to return to the capital this year to spend the New Year with her. I was just worrying about the difficult journey when I ran into Old Madam. I was actually asking Third Uncle to take me along for part of the way.”

The current Marquis of Jinxiang, Han Zhengqing, had remained in Datong ever since inheriting the title. It seemed to have become customary for the Duke of Hanguo’s family to guard Datong for generations.

Old Madam Song’s suspicions eased somewhat. It wouldn’t be proper to press further, so she smiled and nodded: “If that’s the case, by all means travel together. At least you’ll have company.”

Han Zhi still maintained that bashful, shy demeanor, smiling as he cupped his hands in thanks and took his leave at an appropriate time to go organize his luggage.

As soon as he returned to his room at the courier station, the refined-looking young servant following him immediately came forward, intimately leaning against his shoulder and laughing as he cheered: “Just as you predicted—they really are departing today! How is it that you seem able to divine and calculate everything?”

Han Zhi lifted the servant’s chin, his manner frivolous and completely different from the shy young man he’d been in front of Old Madam Song. He leaned down and pecked the servant’s lips, his somewhat sinister eyes taking on a hint of amusement: “You certainly know how to flatter me, when you know full well I sent people specifically to inquire about their movements.”

The servant leisurely pillowed his hands behind his head and lay back on the bed, turning his head to watch Han Zhi who was lowering his head to adjust his belt: “She’s just a little girl. Is she really worth you paying such attention to? You’ve never liked dealing with women.”

Han Zhi finished arranging his clothes and opened the book chest to look inside. Seeing that everything was packed properly, he smiled at the servant: “What do you know? This little girl has great use. Look at that fool from the Xiang family—if he hadn’t courted death himself and known to treasure his blessings, he’d have so many advantages now. How would he have fallen to his current state? Besides, this little girl’s benefits go far beyond just that one thing. You’ll see in the future.”

The servant snorted coldly, clearly somewhat jealous: “Naturally I don’t understand—only you understand. Since you understand so well, why don’t you just leave me and go stick to that snot-nosed little girl instead? As if anyone cares about you.”

Han Zhi turned his head and saw him with his nose out of joint and eyes askew. His brows drew together and his face unconsciously lost its smile: “You can say whatever you want in front of me, but once you’re outside, you’d better be clever. To outsiders, you’re just a servant. If you say anything inappropriate in front of that little girl, I won’t let you off lightly!”

When he got angry, his already somewhat effeminate face became gloomy and sinister, without a trace of human warmth, looking truly rather unnerving. The servant couldn’t help but sit up. After sulking for a long while, he finally moved closer again and clutched Han Zhi’s arm: “I know, I know. Isn’t it just that your mother is forcing you to marry? As if I would obstruct your future. I still don’t know the principle that I can only be well if you’re well?”

Han Zhi knew some things couldn’t be explained clearly to him. He swallowed back the words of explanation he wanted to say, only still not forgetting to warn him: “It’s good that you know. On this journey, you’d better behave yourself and not cause me any trouble.”