The weather had become increasingly freezing. All the flowers that had been placed in the corridor were moved into the warm room by Ziyun and the others. Now they were arranged beside the brazier and on the windowsill, being nurtured until they were fresh and vibrant. The room had already been fitted with a screen depicting narcissus flowers in spring slumber. The embroidered ball-chasing dog in the corner was vividly chasing butterflies, looking so adorably naive that it added several degrees of liveliness.

Xiang Mingzi propped her chin and told her about Song Chumi’s situation. “I heard she’s truly behaving now. Madam Feng will bring her back to the capital once spring arrives. It just so happens that Fifth Brother-in-law will also be coming to the capital next year to prepare for the examinations. This way, the household will become lively again. Recently You’er has been as happy as can be.”

Wang Shi was not a good mother. Song Chuyou had followed behind Song Chubin since childhood, and the two had always been deeply attached. Now that Song Chubin could return to the capital, she was naturally delighted.

Qing Ying and Ziyun came up quietly to replace their hand warmers. Across from Qing Ying, Xiang Mingzi tilted her head to look at Song Chuyi and sighed. “It’s such a pity you’ll already be on your way to Jinzhong by then…”

Among the Song sisters, she had spent the longest time with Song Chuyi. Back in Qingzhou they had already been inseparable, and after returning to the Earl of Changning’s estate, they were of one mind in Old Madam’s room. Now that they were gradually growing older, Song Chuyi was returning to Jinzhong—firstly because both Old Madam Cui and Old Madam Song wanted to find a living immortal to recast her fortune, and secondly because they were anxious about her marriage prospects.

By the next time she saw Song Chuyi, her own marriage might already be settled, and Song Chuyi’s would have been settled early on as well. Like Song Chubin and Song Chuyou, they would be separated by distance, not knowing when they might see each other again. Thinking about this, Xiang Mingzi felt somewhat lost and afraid.

Before Song Chuyi could speak, there was a burst of commotion and noise outside.

Qing Ying frowned at the sound. She went out and came back with a somewhat awkward expression, looking at Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi. “Someone from Old Madam’s side came to say that guests have arrived from Shu, requesting Miss Xiang to come over.”

Guests from Shu—why would they ask Xiang Mingzi to go?

In the brief moment Song Chuyi was dazed, Xiang Mingzi had already stood up with a bewildered expression, somewhat confused as she set down her handiwork and took her hand warmer, being attended by Yusheng as she went out.

Seeing Song Chuyi looking at her, Qing Ying pressed her lips together and sighed. “It’s Miss Xiang’s grandmother and younger brother.”

Old Madam Xiang and that concubine-born eldest son—Song Chuyi had already forgotten his name. They actually still had the audacity to come to the Earl of Changning’s estate in the capital?!

How did an old madam without money or the protection of an adult male manage to travel such a long distance with a half-grown child? Song Chuyi frowned and was just about to have Qing Ying go inquire, when the curtain in the room was lifted and Song Yan walked in.

“Coming from Old Madam’s place?” Song Chuyi knew that these past few days Song Yan had been following either Old Master Song or Song Jue to learn things. Seeing Song Yan now, she asked, “Do you know what guests came?”

Song Yan acknowledged, watching as Qing Ying brought up freshly boiled tea again. Holding the tea cup, he nodded. “People from Shu came to Old Madam’s place, saying they were Mingzi sister’s relatives. It wasn’t appropriate for me to stay, so I came over.”

He paused, somewhat hesitantly telling Song Chuyi, “It seems to be Second Madam Xiang.”

Whether it was Second Madam Xiang or Third Madam Xiang, Song Chuyi didn’t want to know. The Xiang family had already severed relations with the Song family, with a proper divorce document. Xiang Mingzi had long since been removed from the clan registry and placed under the Song clan’s name, recorded under Master Song’s name. Now, out of the blue, why had people from the Xiang family come?

Moreover, Old Madam detested the Xiang family to the bone. How could she allow people from the Xiang family to come to the door, and even call Xiang Mingzi to see them?

The whole thing felt wrong. Song Chuyi frowned and instructed Qing Ying, “Go to Ningde Courtyard and find Sister Yulan to inquire what exactly…”

Her words had not yet fallen when Yulan had already lifted the curtain and entered. Her face no longer wore its former smiling expression, but instead carried some panic and anger. Upon seeing Song Chuyi, she first called out “Sixth Miss,” then said, “Both maternal aunts have come, requesting Sixth Miss to come over.”

Why had even Madam Cui and Madam Yu come? Song Chuyi was even more confused. She let Ziyun drape a cloak over her and asked Yulan with furrowed brows, “Why are my aunts here too? Didn’t you say people from the Xiang family came…?”

Yulan sighed. While leading her outside, she couldn’t stop complaining. “This really is—it’s been so many years since I’ve seen such shameless people. Miss Xiang has already been removed from the clan registry, yet they actually have the face to come to the capital! If they hadn’t come with Third Madam Chen, she couldn’t even have entered our gates!” At this point, Yulan couldn’t help raising her voice again. “That Third Madam Chen too—the day before she sent over a calling card without revealing a word of this, and today she brought people from the Xiang family without any warning! Really…”

And it just so happened that Madam Cui and Madam Yu had also come to discuss Old Madam Cui’s birthday banquet, so didn’t they all run right into each other?

The Grand Madam led Madam Cui and Madam Yu out, her tone containing shame, anger, and embarrassment. “Who could have imagined encountering such a thing? Coming to the door at a moment’s notice, catching everyone completely off guard…”

Madam Cui frowned and sighed to Madam Yu, “It truly is an eye-opening experience. I’ve never seen such a shameless old madam who would throw herself about so recklessly…”

Some people accumulated virtue and did good deeds in their old age, while others became more of a disaster the older they grew.

Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows and first greeted Grand Madam Song and her two maternal aunts before asking, “Is it truly Old Madam Xiang inside?”

“Indeed it is!” Even Grand Madam Song’s good cultivation couldn’t hold back. “She latched onto Third Madam Chen’s fleet all the way to the capital, and still dares to swagger over to our household, saying she wants to take Mingzi away. Simply ridiculous!”

Old Madam Xiang had never cared about whether girls lived or died. In her view, no matter how precious a young lady of a noble family might be, she was still a money-losing proposition. Back when the Xiang family had fallen to such straits, Old Madam Xiang had never softened her attitude toward Xiang Mingzi. Now at this time she came to take Xiang Mingzi away?

Grand Madam Song was so angry she had a headache. Her nasal passages were irritated by the cold air, making her want to sneeze. She took out her handkerchief to cover her nose before feeling better. Looking at Song Chuyi, she instructed, “Your cousin is in the inner room. How could Old Madam be willing to let Mingzi see that wretched household? If it weren’t for Third Madam Chen being such a meddlesome fool who can’t tell right from wrong… Go in and comfort her well, let her feel at ease. I’ll take your two maternal aunts to see your eldest sister-in-law.”

Madam Cui placed one hand on Song Chuyi’s shoulder, quietly leaning close to her ear to whisper softly, “Your uncle heard rumors that the Imperial Guard took people out of the city. They should have found traces of Han Zhi.”