First Madam Song busily finished dealing with her own household’s people, then instructed Nanny Qiu: “Take these banknotes and those young novice monks to Madam Wei. See what Madam Wei has to say. Their servants are really too lacking in propriety.”

This showed no intention of giving the Wei family face. The matter was directly torn open, not leaving the Wei family even a shred of dignity. When the time came, Madam Wei would certainly become a laughingstock among everyone present today, and the Wei residence’s disgraceful methods would all be exposed under broad daylight.

The Earl of Changning’s residence clearly knew the Wei family had a son currently rising smoothly through the ranks, serving as a study companion beside the Prince of Dongping, and would soon take the imperial examinations. Yet they still made this decision—this was a solid expression of their position: they were determined not to align with any faction in the Eastern Palace, at least not with the Prince of Dongping’s side.

Moreover, what the Wei family did was indeed worthy of criticism. When the matter spread, outsiders would also say that the Earl of Changning’s residence had a strong backbone and acted with integrity. Add to that the fact that today the princesses from the Prince of Zhennan’s residence and His Highness the Imperial Grand Heir had all witnessed this incident—all could testify that Xiang Mingzi had been schemed against. Yet the Wei family’s scheme had failed and instead brought trouble upon themselves.

Outsiders would also reassess the status of Xiang Mingzi, who was originally the Song family’s cousin miss and had now been adopted under First Master Song’s name. The Earl of Changning’s residence was openly standing up for her without concealment, displaying an attitude of “our family’s girl will absolutely not be wronged for the sake of reputation.”

In the future, anyone who wanted to scheme against Xiang Mingzi would have to think thrice. And those who originally found Xiang Mingzi’s status awkward should also reconsider their assessment.

Madam Fang swallowed, suddenly feeling somewhat nervous—a nervousness she hadn’t even felt before at Old Madam Chen’s place.

She didn’t know why, but she didn’t look at the First Madam. She only fixed her gaze on Song Chuyi, hesitantly calling out “Sixth Miss.”

Song Chuyi looked at her with a smile, nodding at her in a seemingly reassuring manner. Her pitch-black eyes, like the finest Huizhou ink, were gleaming brightly: “Madam, don’t be nervous. This originally isn’t anything that can’t be seen by others. Madam Wei merely received a bit of instigation from others, which is why she had improper thoughts. The one who truly stirred up this trouble—it’s not Madam Wei.”

When Madam Fang came, her purpose was very clear. She had also prepared a thousand different arguments, hoping that as she and her husband had discussed at home, she could use the smallest price to exchange for the Song family’s trust and favorable treatment, pledging allegiance under the Song family’s patronage.

But she had only said a few sentences before being forced into a corner by First Madam Song and Song Chuyi, whose attitudes were ambiguous and unclear. She had no choice but to proactively kneel on the ground to express her determination to pledge allegiance. Now, Song Chuyi’s words made her feel as though she had fallen into clouds and mist. She only felt bewildered, her heart pounding as she stared at Song Chuyi, not daring to relax even a bit, afraid Song Chuyi would say something that would make her jump up in alarm.

“Madam Fang has always had a good relationship with the Chen family, so you must have heard some things. If it weren’t for Third Madam Chen bringing Old Madam Xiang to my home to cause that commotion, the events that followed wouldn’t have happened.” As Song Chuyi spoke, she lowered her eyes again, assuming a very troubled appearance: “The Chen family always does things that make people unhappy…”

Madam Fang’s heart truly pounded, beating rapidly as if it would jump out of her chest and leave her body at any moment. She couldn’t help but reach out to press her hand against her heart, forcing herself to smile at Song Chuyi with an appearance of listening very seriously.

Song Chuyi sighed, adjusting the tasseled ornament hanging at her waist: “Previously, I could be said to have saved Miss Chen. Who knew Miss Chen wouldn’t keep the debt of gratitude in her heart at all. The matter where she instigated my Fourth Sister to find a Buddhist nun to ruin my reputation and Duke Yingguo’s residence—I presume Aunt Fang knows about this?”

The Chen family wasn’t foolish enough to go around telling everyone about such matters! Madam Fang’s heart tightened. She wanted to shake her head in denial, but in the end, as if possessed by ghosts and spirits, she nodded her head.

Given her relationship with the Chen family, she absolutely had to indicate she knew. Otherwise, what would the Song family want the Fang family to pledge allegiance for?

While drinking tea, First Madam Song took the opportunity to observe Madam Fang, whose brows and eyes were tinged with unease yet who was still doing her utmost to endure. She couldn’t help but admire Song Chuyi’s ability to probe people’s hearts and press forward step by step.

Seeing Madam Fang nod, the smile on Song Chuyi’s face deepened. She was already beautiful to begin with, and this smile immediately brightened the entire room. Combined with those two dimples on her cheeks, even Madam Fang, who had been keeping her heart in her throat, couldn’t help but relax slightly.

“Previously, we had wanted to save Miss Fang as well, but it was Old Madam Chen who spoiled things.” Song Chuyi spoke, tilting her head to glance at Madam Fang: “Tell me, what kind of things has the Chen family been doing?”

All the hair on Madam Fang’s body stood on end. She realized that Song Chuyi and First Madam Song were about to enter the main topic. She hurriedly expressed her position: “Exactly so! My husband also says that when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away…”

First Madam Song’s face carried a warm smile as she placed her teacup back on the table.

Song Chuyi also smiled: “The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease. To be opposed to the Chen family is not our wish either. But circumstances force us—there’s no other way. Since Aunt Fang has already made a decision, why not first help us with a small favor, so we can also have some confidence in our hearts.”

They were already so quickly beginning to demand they extend their hands and feet to be bound? But wasn’t this progress too fast? Moreover, the Earl of Changning’s residence hadn’t even given a definite answer yet… Madam Fang clutched her chest, her eyes flickering, momentarily finding herself in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.

“Aunt Fang need not worry either—it’s nothing major.” Song Chuyi gently persuaded and coaxed with extreme patience: “For two parties to cooperate, these are matters where time reveals a person’s heart. We only want to teach Third Madam Chen a little lesson right now. I’ve heard Third Madam Chen is very fond of money?”

Madam Fang nodded, then after thinking, shook her head: “Speaking of greed for money, the widow of the eldest son of the first branch, First Madam Chen, is the one who’s truly burrowed into the eye of money. However, Third Madam Chen is not far behind. If it weren’t for the fact that Third Master Chen is of concubine birth, Third Madam Chen’s ambitions would probably be even greater.”

After all, she had to support that swarm of locust-like natal family members, and still had to scatter money for her husband.

Song Chuyi smiled: “This is exactly where we need to trouble Aunt Fang. Please help me with a favor—teach her methods of making money, lead her to lend out some money at interest…”

People who already had ambition, once they tasted benefits, would be like horseflies sucking blood—clinging tightly to the benefits without letting go. Even if the host died, they would still suck dry the last drop of blood. Third Madam Chen was exactly this kind of person.

Most importantly, she was merely a daughter-in-law of concubine birth. She had absolutely no say in the Chen residence, and the pressure was great. If she would betray the Chen family for silver—this was simply a matter of course.