Lai Chenglong had thought that the matter Song Chuyi was solemnly warning him about must be something enormous. He hadn’t expected it to be just this. After thinking for a moment, he immediately agreed: “At the latest by tomorrow morning, my people will deliver the intelligence to Luo Gui.”

Song Chuyi’s anxious heart didn’t relax one bit. She nodded her thanks, then immediately spoke to him about what came next: “After the Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin affair, many more people in the Imperial Guard will surely come to curry favor with you. Though you now sit securely in the catbird seat, you still cannot let down your guard.”

Lai Chenglong pricked up his ears to listen carefully. He always felt this young lady was different from all the girls he had ever met. When she spoke, her gaze was firm and brilliant, like a luminous gemstone that made people involuntarily believe her words.

“After Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin’s selling of official positions, His Majesty will surely see danger in every shadow and feel that no one in the Imperial Guard can be trusted. If at this time you start recruiting troops and building forces, accepting others’ money to vigorously develop your own power, you will no longer be the person you once were.” Song Chuyi looked at him. “But when His Majesty brought you back from Fujian all those years ago, it was precisely for that unwavering loyalty that you possessed.”

Lai Chenglong broke out in a cold sweat. He had been solely focused on grasping the Imperial Guard in his hands, thoroughly becoming a Commander of the Imperial Guard who controlled great power like Lord Lu of the previous dynasty. Yet he had forgotten that the foundation of all this depended on Emperor Jianzhang—in Emperor Jianzhang’s eyes, he was a trusted confidant, a pure minister. A pure minister shouldn’t have other thoughts. If he began to expand his ambitions and develop his power at this time, how would he be any different from Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin?!

He looked at Song Chuyi before him with a complex expression, feeling both frightened and shocked. This young lady actually dared to speculate on imperial psychology. Just how had Old Master Song taught his granddaughter to mold her into this form?

His determination to help Song Chuyi became even firmer. Previously it had been because of his good friend’s entreaties, but now it was entirely because this young girl deserved his help. He put on his bamboo hat and stood up, his right hand habitually gripping his saber. He nodded at Song Chuyi: “I’ve remembered everything you said. Don’t wander around when it gets dark—when it’s about time, you should head home.”

The Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin matter hadn’t concluded yet, and he too had rushed out during a brief respite from his busy schedule. Now it was about time for him to go to the Pacification Office.

Song Chuyi agreed and watched as he disappeared from sight with a few leaps. Only then did she sit back down on the stone bench padded with thick felt cushions, pulled her cloak tighter around herself, and asked Qing Ying with her head tilted: “Have Ma Changjiang and the others arrived?”

Ma Changjiang and Ma San had always taken Song Chuyi’s instructions very seriously. Since she had told them to follow Song Yan, they would certainly follow through from beginning to end without hesitation. They should have seen Song Yan safely back to the Earl Changning’s residence before rushing here to meet.

Qing Ying nodded: “They came back while you were talking with Commander Lai. Shall I call them over?”

Both Ma Changjiang and Ma San looked travel-worn and somewhat disheveled. Their hair was messy, and the shoes on their feet were covered in mud. Song Chuyi looked them over once and raised her eyebrows to ask: “Did they take Fourth Young Master out of the city today?”

Ma San wiped the sweat from his forehead. When he had just returned, he had gulped down a large pot of cold water in the side room, yet even now he still felt hot. Hearing this, he nodded hastily: “Out of the city they went, twisting and turning through three or four villages. Fortunately I was trained as a scout, otherwise I would have lost them long ago. But even so, we still don’t know which mansion in Baihe Village Fourth Young Master is in.”

Ma Changjiang immediately added: “Once we reached Baihe Village, seven or eight identical carriages surrounded us. Afterward, those carriages scattered in all directions, and we didn’t know which one to follow. Later, we finally managed to mark each place where the carriages stopped, only to discover that different carriages were also parked at the back doors of the mansions…”

How many alleys and mansions were there in Baihe Village? With so many carriages blocking the way, even gods wouldn’t know which carriage Song Yan had boarded, which mansion he had stopped at, and whether he had ultimately left from which mansion to go to another mansion.

To guard against her, Han Zhi was truly willing to spare no expense.

She waved her hand to indicate she understood, and seeing that both of them were exhausted, she felt somewhat sympathetic: “Starting tomorrow, you don’t need to follow Fourth Young Master anymore.”

Ma San and Ma Changjiang exchanged glances, thinking Song Chuyi was blaming them for being incompetent. Feeling somewhat uneasy and anxious, they tugged at their sleeves and lowered their heads in embarrassment: “It’s our uselessness—we can’t help the young lady.”

Song Chuyi immediately shook her head, her expression gentle: “I’m not saying you’re useless. It’s just that continuing to follow like this won’t yield any results. Instead you’ll be played for fools, led around in circles running yourselves ragged. I’ve already found someone else to handle this matter. You can rest for a few days and then accompany me to Jinzhong after a while.”

Ma Changjiang still felt somewhat apologetic. Song Chuyi truly treated them well—everything at home, top to bottom, was arranged perfectly. His daughter had even been taken as an adopted daughter by Nanny Xu and had married in grand style last month. Yet now when Song Chuyi’s own younger brother encountered difficulties, they couldn’t help at all. He was silent for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up again: “Young lady, why don’t I follow Han Zhi instead? He’s the real master of Guanshan—following him, we should be able to find some clues.”

Now wasn’t the right time. Someone as utterly depraved and deeply suspicious as Han Zhi must have long been guarding against Song Chuyi sending people to track him. If they were discovered by even the slightest carelessness, the consequences wouldn’t be any better than Ma Wangkun’s from last time.

Moreover, Han Zhi probably had no time these next few days to deal with Song Yan’s matter. With Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin’s downfall, Prince Dongping likely had quite a bit of dirty water to wash off himself now. As Prince Dongping’s devoted cousin and strategist, Han Zhi at this time would certainly have to help handle this affair.

However capable a person might be, they were still just one person—without three heads and six arms, there would always be times when they couldn’t manage everything. Just as she had previously, in order to sow discord between Elder Chen and the Fang family, had nearly overlooked Song Yan. Now that Han Zhi had to busy himself doing things for Prince Dongping, he couldn’t possibly be thorough in every aspect. With Zhang Run, there was still room to maneuver.

Have Lai Chenglong investigate what exactly Song Yan was doing, then have Ma Changjiang and the others free themselves up to find Zhang Run—she had to catch Han Zhi off guard. If Zhang Run fell into her hands, the one with headaches and troubles would be Han Zhi.

“Here’s what we’ll do—you wait here for my news.” Song Chuyi’s expression was calm, as if she already had a plan: “At the latest by tomorrow or the day after, I’ll have Qing Ying come here to tell you exactly what to do.”