These were all plans they’d discussed beforehand. If the previous plans had all been completed as agreed, then now it was time for him to return to Han Zhi’s estate—the matter of operating gambling dens wasn’t any secret at all. It was only because they’d previously had the Eastern Palace’s protective umbrella that they’d dared to be so unscrupulous.
Once this protective umbrella was withdrawn, and someone hinted it was permissible to act, naturally those below would move at the first sign of wind.
Following the gambling den investigation, Han Zhi’s Tongzhou estate would of course logically need to be searched. With such a search, they would discover they could actually find a major criminal from the Yangzhou corruption case—Zhang Run, son of Zhang Yuan.
When that time came, Han Zhi wouldn’t be able to escape even with wings.
Song Chuyi turned her head toward him and slowly nodded: “It’s about time. You can set off now.”
Zhang Run’s face revealed a joyful expression. He solemnly straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to the Song family members: “Many thanks to Eldest Young Master Song and Sixth Miss Song for making this possible. This great kindness and virtue, I shall never forget for all eternity.”
He knew that sooner or later he’d see the day Han Zhi died, but he hadn’t expected this day would come so quickly and suddenly. When Guan Shan had sent him off the estate, he’d thought he wouldn’t have a chance to see Han Zhi’s downfall for quite some time, yet ultimately he’d waited for it after all. Compared to that bunch from the Eastern Palace and the case investigators like Fang Xiaoru, the one he hated most was actually Han Zhi—this ungrateful wolf who had once received his unreserved trust, been engaged to his younger sister, then turned around and bit them, tearing their family to pieces.
Song Yan gripped Song Chuyi’s sleeve tightly. He couldn’t quite understand what exactly was happening. Hadn’t sister come to see Han Zhi to resolve his own troubles? How was it that now it seemed there were many things he didn’t know about?
Zhang Run’s face glowed with color. He didn’t look like someone going to his death, but rather someone going to a banquet, dressed very neatly and smartly.
“I’m leaving now.” Zhang Run walked to the doorway and once again turned back to bow down to Song Jue and Song Chuyi, the corners of his mouth carrying a pleased smile: “Many thanks to Eldest Young Master Song and Sixth Miss. I’ll go now.”
Ye Jingchuan pressed his lips together. He’d only learned of Zhang Run’s matter yesterday, and couldn’t help but feel he was pitiable. He sighed with unspoken words.
Song Jue couldn’t help but be somewhat moved. Although by law Zhang Run deserved death, after all he was just a scholar whose heart was devoted solely to the books of sages. The struggle for benefits between Prince Gong, Prince Duan, and the Eastern Palace had ultimately turned them into cannon fodder.
Song Chuyi’s expression remained relatively calm. She slowly nodded at Zhang Run and softly reminded him: “Young Master Zhang, I presume to remind you of one thing—biting off more than you can chew. With your current capabilities, at most you can drag down Han Zhi alone. If you implicate others as well, I fear matters won’t develop as you anticipate.”
Song Yan was somewhat confused. Originally he’d thought that Song Chuyi going to the gambling den with him was an enormous risk, but now it seemed Song Chuyi had been laying bait instead, bit by bit putting out bait that would be swallowed by that fish Han Zhi.
The Song family’s villa was brightly lit. Nanny Xu led people in carrying the meal. Song Yan and Song Chuyi had been rushing about all day without properly eating anything. She felt so distressed her eyes nearly reddened: “How could this happen, throwing everyone into such turmoil. Second Young Master Ye nearly couldn’t restrain himself several times from personally leading people to search for you.”
Ye Jingchuan was a rare good person. Every time their young miss got into trouble, he was always the most diligent in coming, and helped very earnestly. Like when he went to Magistrate He’s house at noon to deliver the card—he’d also gone personally without stopping, saying he could explain things more clearly.
This kind of person—handsome, of excellent character, and rare in that despite his good family background he didn’t have a trace of those wealthy young wastrels’ dissolute airs, and his feelings toward Song Chuyi were so obvious—Nanny Xu was growing increasingly fond of him.
Song Chuyi’s hands paused in their movement. This time had indeed been thanks to Ye Jingchuan’s help. He’d deliberately chosen the moment when Zhou Weiqi came to call on Princess Rongcheng to say those ambiguous words, arousing Zhou Weiqi’s suspicions. Then he’d purposely guided Zhou Weiqi to investigate Han Zhi’s recent movements.
If someone else had done this, it wouldn’t have had the same effect. Ye Jingchuan truly was a good person who also took her very much to heart—otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed immediately without even asking what she wanted to do or knowing the reason.
She recalled grandmother’s and maternal aunt’s repeated hints over time, and suddenly felt somewhat dazed.
She’d never thought about marrying. The lesson from her previous life was too painful—once bitten by a snake, one fears well ropes for ten years. Those unrealistic romantic fantasies and those promises of generational marriages now seemed to her like reflections of the moon in water or flowers in a mirror—the slightest stir by anyone’s hand and they’d vanish. Just like Song Yan’s classmate A’Heng, who at the critical moment could unhesitatingly cast aside the wife with whom he’d depended on for survival. Just like the father of that girl she and Song Yan had helped lay to rest outside the estate this morning, who for the sake of a few taels of usurious debt could abandon them without regard for their lives or deaths.
In the moment her mind wandered, Qing Ying lifted the curtain and entered, walking to her side and gently bending down: “Miss, a letter has come from Director Lai.”
Lai Chenglong was writing to her at this time?
Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows in some surprise. Now that everything had essentially settled into place, logically Lai Chenglong should be more focused on investigating Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin’s matters. Why would he suddenly write to her out of the blue? Could he have encountered some trouble?
She took the letter and opened it to scan through. She couldn’t help but laugh.
Qing Ying always dreaded receiving Lai Chenglong’s letters—every time one arrived, something heart-stopping would happen. Seeing Song Chuyi laugh now, she was rather puzzled. After a long moment she recovered and asked: “What are you laughing about, Miss?”
In the letter, Lai Chenglong said that Old Madam Chen had invited his wife to visit her home, and during their conversation revealed intentions to plead on someone’s behalf and smooth things over.
He’d originally had no intention of investigating deeply. Just as Song Chuyi had told him from the start, His Majesty wanted him as a pure and loyal confidant. If he did too much too deliberately, his usefulness before His Majesty wouldn’t be so indispensable.
His desire to eliminate Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin was merely because he wanted to completely control the Imperial Guard in his hands. Offending Prince of Dongping and Grand Madam Fan would bring him no benefit whatsoever right now.
Since Elder Chen had personally come to plead and curry favor, he naturally went with the flow and did this favor, lifting it high and setting it down gently, removing Prince of Dongping from involvement.
Since it was Elder Chen and the Chen family who helped Prince of Dongping escape trouble, while it was Han Zhi who caused trouble for Prince of Dongping and Grand Madam Fan, then Prince of Dongping and Grand Madam Fan would have even less inclination to intervene in Han Zhi’s affairs. People like them feared nothing more than being dragged down by others.
Even if Han Zhi served loyally as Grand Madam Fan’s dog, Grand Madam Fan could send Han Yue Heng to a place like the Eastern Seas without batting an eye—how much more so now when Han Zhi was unwilling to be a dog anymore.