Song Chuyi had always been curious about why the Ninth Princess was so determined to have her as her companion. Now that Madam Cui had explained it this way, she understood. Fortunately, she had never taken this Ninth Princess’s intentions as goodwill to begin with. Now knowing the reason behind it, it would be even easier to deal with in the future.

Ziyun and Qing Tao, however, remained somewhat anxious. After finally having two years of peace, how long had it been since the end of national and family mourning before things were becoming unsettled again?

While worried, they went to the needlework room to fetch new clothes for Song Chuyi—she had grown quickly these past two years. Her figure had shot up like willow leaves sprouting on branches, changing visibly day by day. Even clothes tailored just last year were now a bit short. The old lady and the First Madam had long since given orders to make new clothes for her.

Qing Ying pinched some lily incense into the golden censer with the vermilion bird and sun design, then turned to ask: “Will the young lady be going to the west city these days?”

Starting last year, she had bought a three-courtyard residence near the Huang Daxian Temple in the west city. That area was naturally a gathering place for people from all walks of life, making it convenient and inconspicuous for people like Ma Yongfu to come and go.

Over these two years, Ma Yongfu and Ma Wangkun had helped her accomplish quite a few matters. She had become increasingly adept at using these people. The token Cui Shaoting had given her still hadn’t been needed.

On the table by the window sat a narrow-mouthed beauty vase with five or six pink roses that had just been cut from the flower house that morning. When the breeze from outside blew through the flowers, one could see a touch of green on the tree branches beyond, making the scene all the more pleasing to the eye.

Song Chuyi glanced at it and, noting she hadn’t seen this flower before, didn’t answer Qing Ying’s question first, but instead asked her: “These flowers placed here look more elegant than red roses. Who sent them?”

Qing Ying was just sewing rabbit fur onto embroidered shoes. Upon hearing this, she paused before saying: “Second Master sent someone to deliver them early this morning.”

Song Yi was thin-skinned. Even knowing the fault lay with himself, he wasn’t the type who could provide himself a ladder to climb down. Feeling guilty toward Song Chuyi and Song Yan but not daring to approach them, he worked through food and playthings instead, changing up his pattern daily to send things.

But this room never used things Song Yi sent. Whether seasonal fresh flowers and sweet pastries, or fine hair ornaments and rouge, they were all stored away in trunks.

Song Chuyi turned her head away and looked no more. While stepping down to smooth the wrinkles in her skirt herself, she asked: “Who arranged them?”

Not only had they been arranged, but someone had specifically sought out the crystal narrow-mouthed beauty vase the old lady had given her to match with them.

Before Qing Ying could speak, the beaded curtain rattled as it was lifted, then made a heavy collision sound as it fell back down. The newly promoted Bilian came in carrying a water kettle and smiled: “The young lady has returned! Second Master’s side just sent someone with a box of—”

She was a second-rank maid, being prepared to be promoted to first-rank when Ziyun and the others grew older and were released from service.

Song Chuyi nodded slightly, showing no displeasure, then turned and left with Qing Ying. She had originally intended to go to Ningde Courtyard, but upon turning around ran into Madam He.

Third Madam Yun Shi welcomed her in—Third Master Song Ci had reached his time to report on duties and had returned to the capital early. With national mourning ended, Third Madam became even more anxious about Song Chumi and personally attended Old Madam Song day and night.

Song Chuyi lowered her eyebrows and eyes to curtsy, then waited to the side for them to pass first. Madam He didn’t recover her senses for a long while. Only after entering the old lady’s courtyard did she sigh: “The Sixth Miss has truly blossomed into such graceful beauty.”

Old Madam Song glanced backward and saw Song Chuyi following behind. Before she could pay respects, the old lady pulled her up and smiled at Shen Huiyi who had curtsied, saying: “Don’t praise her. Right now in the capital, which family’s daughter isn’t beautiful? You’ll only spoil her.” Then she praised Shen Huiyi: “I think Second Miss Shen has grown to be like a tender green onion—pink and dewy, impossible not to love.”

Madam He glanced at her daughter whose lips were pressed tightly together, feeling somewhat annoyed.

She had explained every principle until her mouth was dry and tongue parched, yet this daughter somehow had turned obstinate, impervious to reason, as if Song Chuyi were her mortal enemy. But Song Chuyi had never actually offended her.

Old Madam Song, being an old hand for years, could see everything with her sharp eyes. She immediately understood that this Second Miss Shen probably harbored some old resentment toward Song Chuyi. Though the smile on her face didn’t fade, she stopped asking her questions and instead asked Madam He about First Miss Shen: “She truly is blessed. In previous years we often saw her—a smiling, dewy little girl. Now she’s about to become a mother. You’re about to become a grandmother too.”

Shen Huixin was indeed more presentable than Shen Huiyi. Madam He knew Old Madam Song was slapping Shen Huiyi’s face but had no choice but to respond, forcing a smile: “Indeed. Time truly flies.”

Old Madam Song glanced at Third Madam, knowing Madam He had come to discuss marriage proposals for Song Chumi, so she sent Xiang Mingzi and the others out: “Outside now it’s a riot of purple and red—all kinds of flowers have bloomed. Your eldest brothers even specially built two swings by the pond. Why don’t you go out and play? What’s the fun in being cooped up indoors?”

Xiang Mingzi had been at the Song family for over two years and had always been favored. Needless to say with Old Madam Song—even her several uncles and aunts treated her like a precious pearl. That little girl from years ago who couldn’t unfurrow her brow in the bitter wind and rain, having lost her mother with no father to protect her, had long become a shadow so faint it could barely be seen.

She smiled and agreed, taking Shen Huiyi’s hand to go outside.

Shen Huiyi had just received a mild slight from Old Madam Song and was wearing a sullen expression. Though Xiang Mingzi offered a ladder to climb down, she was utterly unwilling to take it but didn’t have the audacity to make a scene here. In the end, she only kept her head lowered without speaking, saying nothing further unpleasant.

All along the way she maintained her sour expression without speaking. Xiang Mingzi, however, no longer stayed close to her—no one wants to press a warm face against a cold backside. Moreover, Xiang Mingzi had always been cherished in Old Madam Song’s palm. She left her and went to talk with Song Chuyi instead.

The Song family sisters gathered intimately together talking about who knows what, while she, the guest, stood alone like a solitary tree to the side. Shen Huiyi immediately became angry. Remembering what Song Chuyi had said two years ago when scolding Han Yueheng, she couldn’t help but sneer coldly: “I remember back then the Sixth Miss kept saying others were poor hosts, but looking now, it’s just the pot calling the kettle black.”

Song Chuyi didn’t pick up her thread of conversation at all, acting as if she hadn’t heard. Girls like this who were both self-deprecating and arrogant—if you were friendly to her, she’d think you meddlesome and calculating; if you kept your distance, she’d think you snobbish and cold to her. It was better not to engage at all.