That night, the Song residence indeed sounded the cloud board. The sound of the cloud board carried on the wind, one strike after another, and by the next day, familiar households began to arrive. The Li family came the fastest. Upon hearing that Song Chuning had died, Old Master Li jumped up on the spot, demanding that the Song family give an explanation.

First Master Song, Third Master Song, Song Jue, and others were so busy their feet never touched the ground. Seeing this scene of wailing and crying to heaven, Old Master Li found it laughable—when she was alive, they wouldn’t even let them see her once, but now that she was dead, mourners came in waves.

However, he ultimately couldn’t make a scene. Old Madam Song invited him to the flower hall. In the presence of several elders from the Song family clan, she asked him seriously, “Do you truly want to make a scene?”

Old Master Li felt uneasy in his heart, not knowing what to say. Old Madam Song held who knows how many of the Li family’s weaknesses. If he made such a scene, in the future his wish to become tutor to the Grand Imperial Grandson and others would be out of the question. Even his position as Chancellor of the Imperial Academy might not be secure—his legitimate daughter had done vicious things, and his legitimate granddaughter inherited this same conscienceless madness. How would people view the entire Li family in the future? The censors would probably rush one after another to submit memorials about their affairs to gain a good reputation.

The grief and indignation in his heart subsided inch by inch. Like a spent firecracker that showed a bit of spark before deflating, he stumbled and pushed away the white hemp cloth offered by the Song family. Supporting himself on First Master Li’s hand, he returned home and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

First Master Li and Second Master Li felt just as bad, though their reasons for feeling bad were the same as Old Master Li’s—not because Song Chuning had died or lived, but because they knew clearly in their hearts that with Song Chuning dead like this, their family’s business beyond the pass would probably be cut off. Previously, to be cautious and avoid controversy, and also because Song Chuning refused, they had never been able to personally contact Prince Duan. Now that this arm of Prince Duan was severed, how would he still care about the fingers on this severed arm?

First Master Li busied himself sending someone to fetch a physician, yet on the surface still had to speak pleasantly and preserve the Song family’s face. He was just afraid that one careless word might make the Song family think this was deliberately requesting a physician to disgust them. Holding back his frustration, he ordered First Madam Li, “Quickly go find the familiar Doctor Zou! Don’t say to outsiders that Father is ill—say that Miss Jiao is unwell.”

First Madam Li, learning that Song Chuning had died, was not as sad as First Master Li and Second Master Li—she didn’t know about the family relying on Song Chuning to live more comfortably, so naturally she only remembered the bad aspects of this daughter born to Li Shi.

However, seeing her father-in-law, husband, and brother-in-law all in this state, her expression naturally cooled. She turned to order a maid to fetch the physician, then asked First Master Li, “Should we send someone to inform Mother about this? Also, according to propriety, as her aunt, I should go over there to help dress her in burial clothes.”

First Master Li was simple-minded. Upon hearing this, he immediately shook his head. “Given Mother’s temperament, if she knew that in less than two years Little Eight is also gone, who knows how heartbroken she’d be. It would just add another layer of worry for her. Let’s keep it from her. As for the burial clothes, see if the Song family sends someone this afternoon. If not, you can pack your things and go over in the evening.”

His words sounded nice on the surface, but outsiders didn’t know—the Li family knew that Li Old Madam going to the temple was also due to pressure from the Cui family. Moreover, the Cui family was extremely persistent, never relaxing for a moment on the offerings at that temple. They used silver to befuddle that group of nuns, tormenting Li Old Madam until she had probably aged at least ten years.

At this moment, even if they wanted to report this, the news probably wouldn’t reach Li Old Madam. Besides, if Li Old Madam used this excuse to return, there would inevitably be another round of seeking medical treatment, and they’d have to add more offerings and incense oil at the temple. With their two daughters’ dowries to prepare at the beginning of the year, where would they get such spare money?

After sighing for a while, First Madam Li left the room intending to check on her two daughters, when she saw First Master Li’s long-time attendant covering his hat with one hand, running quickly forward. After paying his respects, he hurried into the study.

First Master Li was already vexed. Seeing the attendant present a letter, he assumed it was an invitation from a colleague and immediately frowned and shook his head. “Just leave it on the desk.”

The attendant stepped forward two paces and bent at the waist. “The one who delivered the letter repeatedly begged me to make sure you glance at it, sir. Why not take a look first before deciding?” He had received a full three taels of gold from that person—money he couldn’t scrape together in a year serving the Li family. Of course, he did his utmost to personally deliver the letter into First Master Li’s hands before feeling at ease.

First Master Li glared at him but ultimately reached out to take the letter.

Upon unfolding and looking, First Master Li immediately closed the letter again. He glanced at the attendant who was craning his neck to peer, and rebuked him, “Get out! Ask Old Master to come see me.”

Then thinking better of it, he shook his head, tucked the letter away himself, and walked all the way to Old Master Li’s upper room. Second Master Li happened to be there as well, so he immediately took out the letter for them to see. “There’s a strange matter today.”

Old Master Li looked first, raised his eyebrows in surprise at First Master Li, then passed the letter to Second Master Li.

The three fell silent for a while. Finally, Second Master Li spoke first. “It says they were the ones connecting A’ning with us, but who knows if it’s true or false? Now that she’s dead, there’s no way to verify it with the deceased.”

Just as his words fell, a series of increasingly urgent knocking sounds came from outside. First Master Li called out somewhat impatiently for them to enter, then asked what the matter was.

The earlier attendant’s face had turned pale with fright, sweat pouring down like rain as he reported, “Two officials from the Ministry of Justice came to the gate saying that Second Master’s case investigation revealed some connection to Second Master, and they want Second Master to make a trip.”

Old Master Li, unable to catch his breath, trembled with his finger raised, nearly coughing up another mouthful of blood.

Second Master Li was also shocked, his whole body shaking, and he immediately jumped up. He knew that Song Yi’s case had recently opened court, but since this matter had both accusers and evidence, he had long thought it was finished. Later, when the Ministry of Justice investigated him, he had pushed out a steward to take the blame. Who would have known that now, out of nowhere, the Ministry of Justice had sent people to summon him?

If it weren’t for the matter of contacting the illegal land agency in Yongzhou to forge documents, the Ministry of Justice wouldn’t need to come find him.

But all the loose ends had clearly been cleaned up. Back then, he hadn’t shown his face personally—he had just sent a steward.

He thought that perhaps Song Chuning had ordered this steward to do other things. Feeling darkness before his eyes, dizzy and nearly about to faint.

But after all, the Ministry of Justice had personally sent someone—the Chief Clerk, no less. Could he not go? Second Master Li’s heart trembled, and his steps couldn’t help but weaken as he shuffled outside step by step.