Cui Yingshu, however, could not simply ignore this matter. He knew that Song Chuyi had always been at odds with Han Zhi, and he also knew about the incident where Han Zhi had tried to scheme against Song Yan but was instead outsmarted by Song Chuyi, resulting in the loss of his life. This time, young Madam Fan had barely left the palace before something happened at the Eastern Palace. He couldn’t help but feel that Song Chuyi was somehow involved. Yet he didn’t know exactly what role Song Chuyi had played in all this—although she was indeed irreconcilable enemies with Han Zhi and had indirectly formed a grudge with Fan Liangdi, there was really no need for her to scheme against the Crown Prince as well.
Ever since the beginning of winter, snow had been falling intermittently for several occasions. Just a few days ago, they had finally seen some sunshine, but then the sky turned overcast and dark again. By noon, snowflakes as large as goose feathers began drifting down. Song Chuyi stepped through the snow as she entered, her hood covered with snow that quickly dampened a large patch of fabric.
Song Jue personally helped her remove her cloak and grabbed a hand warmer from the table to press into her hands. “Why didn’t you wear an outer robe? Be careful not to catch cold!”
Teacher Shan and Teacher Cheng were already quite accustomed to this scene. The eldest young master had always treated the sixth young lady exceptionally well, as well as if they were full siblings born of the same parents.
Song Chuyi lifted her face and flashed him a smile, showing off as she told him, “Elder brother, you’re acting just like Nanny Xu! Don’t worry, I’m wearing deerskin boots, and my cloak is double-layered. I won’t catch cold.”
While speaking, Song Chuyi first called out to Cui Yingshu, addressing him as uncle, then greeted Teacher Cheng and Teacher Song with proper courtesy before walking over to stand beside Cui Yingshu. “Uncle said the Crown Prince has fallen ill? And the Prince of Dongping as well?”
Cui Yingshu nodded, coughed once, and told her, “They both fell ill after the Marquis of Jinxiang’s wife entered the palace to express her gratitude the day before yesterday. These past two days, their conditions have only worsened.”
Calculating the timeline, it was indeed about time. A few days ago at the Huangjue Temple, when Qing Zhuo had reported back, she had mentioned that young Madam Fan had said that once Han Yueheng left the capital and Han Zhi was also gone, she would expose Elder Madam Fan’s true face. Presumably, she had now put her words into action.
It was just a pity that no news had emerged from the palace about the Crown Prince being enraged. Cui Yingshu only mentioned that the Prince of Dongping and the Crown Prince had fallen ill, without any mention of Elder Madam Fan. Although young Madam Fan had caused such a commotion, making both the Crown Prince and the Prince of Dongping fall ill simultaneously, it seemed to have no effect whatsoever on Elder Madam Fan.
The cold wind outside battered against the windows. Inside the room, aside from the breathing of those present, there was only the howling of the wind outside.
“This matter has nothing to do with me.” Song Chuyi truthfully told Cui Yingshu about the previous events, then thought for a moment and added, “It’s the trouble that Fan Liangdi brought upon herself.”
If she hadn’t acted as if possessed, driving young Madam Fan to such a desperate corner, young Madam Fan wouldn’t have retaliated so viciously. One must understand how deep the resentment could be for someone who had endured for more than twenty years.
Teacher Cheng listened carefully to the entire account, nodded, and made his judgment. “The sixth young lady is correct. This matter has nothing to do with us. We should just act as if we know nothing about it.”
Knowing about the family scandals of the Eastern Palace and the Crown Prince was not a good thing at all. From this point forward, the Marquis of Changning’s household had best keep their mouths tightly shut and not utter a single word of inquiry.
Cui Yingshu truly hadn’t expected it to be such a situation. In his heart, he couldn’t help but develop layers upon layers of suspicion regarding Elder Madam Fan. However, he knew that Teacher Cheng and Song Chuyi were right—matters concerning the secret history of the Eastern Palace were not something he could inquire about, even though he was the Prince Consort of Princess Duanhui.
Song Jue, however, felt it was somewhat disappointing and couldn’t help but sigh. “I thought the Marquis of Jinxiang’s wife could stir up quite a storm, but after all that fuss, it turned out to be neither here nor there.”
This was also beyond Song Chuyi’s expectations. Back then, Qing Zhuo had said it clearly—young Madam Fan had stated that she would stake her life on it. She believed that only by using her own life could she make the Crown Prince and the Prince of Dongping believe her, make them believe that Elder Madam Fan truly had an improper relationship with Han Zhengqing, and truly was a vicious woman.
Her doubts were soon resolved. They had just finished their evening meal and hadn’t yet dispersed when Madam Cui heard news delivered by Ah Fu—the Marquis of Jinxiang’s residence had caught fire.
The fire burned with extraordinary intensity, affecting all the neighboring households. Even the back garden of the neighboring Earl of Guang’en’s residence suffered from this undeserved calamity. The officers from the Five Cities Military Command had already rushed over to fight the fire.
The Marquis of Jinxiang’s residence still had Han Zhi’s coffin laid out inside. Now, suffering this great disaster on top of that, the towering flames alarmed more than half the city. Looking from the highest point of the Marquis of Changning’s residence—the Chasing Moon Pavilion—one could indeed see the thick smoke within the firelight.
The Marquis of Jinxiang’s residence and the Marquis of Changning’s residence were in two different directions, separated by nearly half the city in between. That they could see the firelight from here showed just how massive the blaze truly was.
Old Madam Song and Madam Cui exchanged glances. Madam Cui, who had already heard about the grievances between young Madam Fan and Elder Madam Fan from Old Madam Song and Song Chuyi, couldn’t help but sigh softly. “This truly can be called keeping one’s word. She said she’d stake her life on it, and indeed she’s thrown away all regard for her life.”
Young Madam Fan hadn’t just staked her own life—she’d also dragged the entire Marquis of Jinxiang’s residence down with her, as if afraid the commotion wouldn’t be grand enough. This showed just how deep her hatred was for the Fan clan and Elder Madam Fan. She clearly had no intention of leaving Elder Madam Fan any shred of dignity.
Old Master Song, Cui Yingshu, and the others eating and drinking in the outer covered corridor also received the news and couldn’t help but step outside to stand for a while.
No wonder Song Chuyi had said there was no need to hurry in dealing with Elder Madam Fan—at least for the immediate future, she would absolutely have no spare energy to do anything else. So it turned out she had known all along that young Madam Fan would pounce and take a bite out of Elder Madam Fan.
Young Madam Fan hadn’t just staked her life—she’d made the commotion enormous, adopting the appearance of someone using death to demonstrate her conviction. Even if the Crown Prince had originally harbored only one part suspicion, it would now transform into ten parts.
Neither of the two Fan family sisters was easy to deal with. Elder Madam Fan had previously managed to grasp young Madam Fan’s vital point, tightly holding her two children in her hands, leaving young Madam Fan helpless and forced to yield. But now, for some unknown reason, Elder Madam Fan had somehow lost her senses and personally destroyed the greatest bargaining chip she held in her hands. Young Madam Fan, having suppressed herself for so many years and ultimately failing to protect even her son and daughter—how could she possibly still swallow this humiliation? When it came down to it, both were children raised and educated by the Fan family. They had learned much the same things. How different could the two sisters really be? Elder Madam Fan had simply enjoyed smooth sailing for too long, assuming that young Madam Fan was merely a snake whose fangs had been clipped. She didn’t realize that young Madam Fan had only hidden her sharp fangs away.
Song Chengru lowered his voice and called out to Cui Yingshu. “Fengqin, do you know who has been designated as the chief examiner for next year’s spring examinations in Jiangnan?”
Cui Yingshu followed Old Master Song into the covered corridor. The cold air clinging to his body was swept away entirely. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, thought for a moment, and said, “Is it Elder Chen?” He looked at Old Master Song and, seeing him nod, understood what was meant. One mountain cannot contain two tigers. Now that the Chen family and the Song and Cui families had clearly formed a rivalry, they indeed needed to begin making preparations.
Mama mia, five updates delivered! This author is a good child who keeps her word~~~ Please give monthly tickets, subscriptions, and rewards! Love you all, everyone! Mwah mwah!