That sense of exclusion that Ye Jingchuan always felt whenever he was with Song Chuyi and Zhou Weizhao unknowingly appeared again. He felt somewhat dejected – Song Chuyi didn’t like him, didn’t even trust him as much as she trusted Zhou Weizhao. Just like earlier, when Song Chuyi had inexplicably trembled with fear, he had been at a loss, but Zhou Weizhao had merely called her name once and awakened her.

This feeling was truly quite unpleasant. After all, he was still a half-grown youth experiencing for the first time having someone he wanted to treasure in his heart, yet the object of his affection seemed to avoid his feelings.

The lanterns on the long corridor were relit. Through the dim yellow light, he looked at Song Chuyi not far away, feeling she was shrouded in a thin layer of light and shadow, hazy and impossible to see clearly.

Qing Ying hurried forward to tell Song Chuyi, “Ma San and Sun Ergou are more seriously injured. Doctor Yan says it’s somewhat troublesome. The others haven’t injured bones or tendons – mostly sword wounds and external injuries.”

This courtyard had already been discovered by Yuanhui and could no longer be stayed in. She herself had been too careless. Thinking she needed to guard against Yuanhui, she had never imagined his audacity would be so great that he would dare openly dispatch assassins in the capital.

She surveyed the devastation throughout the courtyard and, after thinking, instructed Qing Ying to tell Doctor Yan to prepare carriages and first take refuge in the residence by the Yellow Immortal Temple – this courtyard was already exposed. If Princess Rongcheng wanted to make the black-clothed figures’ purpose seem like an assassination attempt on herself, then this courtyard would have to be used. Fortunately, that residence by the Yellow Immortal Temple had always been guarded, with Zhou Weizhao’s people right next door. Combined with Ma Changjiang and the others now being on alert, things should be peaceful for a while.

After this period of peace passed, they should also set out with her for Jinzhong.

Ma Changjiang clutched the wound on his arm, seething with anger. “They better not fall into my hands. If they ever do, I’ll make them unable to live or die!”

In his youth, he had already taken to the mountains as a bandit, then later fought his way through military camps. He had the rough manner of a soldier, had seen much, killed many, and seen even more blood. When he said such words, he truly had some credibility.

Song Chuyi smiled, propping her head as she sat at the stone table, catching her breath before turning to ask him, “I had you watch Yuanhui before. If I remember correctly, he still has an elderly mother and a married elder sister?”

No matter how formidable someone was, they couldn’t have jumped out from a crack in stone. Yuanhui’s weakness was being too filial. In her previous life, after he helped Prince Duan ascend the throne, all under heaven cursed him for ruining the great succession, calling him a treacherous minister. His mother consequently refused to see him, and each time he would kneel outside the family gate for three days and nights.

Later, when his brother-in-law ran roughshod over the village and got into trouble, he sought favor from Prince Duan for the first time for a private matter, obtaining an official position for his brother-in-law and an imperial decree of honor for his sister.

Song Chuyi hadn’t originally planned to use such underhanded tactics, but she suddenly realized that many things were not for her to decide. She gave others leeway, but others wouldn’t give it to her.

This time, if not for Zhou Weizhao and Ye Jingchuan, she would already be dead. She had once sworn that whoever wanted her dead, she would want them dead.

Ma Changjiang was somewhat surprised, not understanding how Song Chuyi even knew this. They themselves hadn’t paid much attention to this matter – after all, monks didn’t jump out of stones either, so having a relative or two was perfectly normal, wasn’t it? His mouth hung open for quite a while before he finally reacted, grunting a couple of times and scratching his head. After thinking for a long time, he remembered that Yuanhui did indeed seem to go down the mountain once every month, apparently to his mother’s and sister’s homes.

Ma Wangkun had also remembered. Raising his finger and waving it, he nodded decisively. “Right, right, right! He does have a mother and a married sister, living at Baihe Village at the foot of Huangjue Temple mountain! His brother-in-law seems to be a village chief.”

Even if Yuanhui had achieved something in Buddhist practice, he ultimately wasn’t a true Bodhisattva and couldn’t manage secular people and secular affairs. His mother and sister were both people of the mortal world. With attachments in his heart, he couldn’t truly be that so-called holy monk untouched by worldly matters.

“Very good.” Moonlight fell on Song Chuyi’s face, her long eyelashes casting shadows on her eyelids. “Tomorrow at dawn, you leave the city. I want his mother, his sister, and his brother-in-law. Treat them well, find a private residence for them to stay in first, and don’t rush to show yourselves.”

Adding up her previous and current lives made a full forty-some years. She had always lived walking on thin ice, constantly frightened and alarmed. Now she no longer wanted to passively take beatings. The stones blocking her path ahead – she would smash them all, one by one.

“Don’t be impulsive.” Ye Jingchuan urgently interrupted her. When he met her cold, clear gaze, his eyes couldn’t help but darken. “I mean, everyone at Huangjue Temple is Yuanhui’s people. He speaks with more authority than even the head abbot. He himself is also extraordinarily skilled. Rashly offending him…”

“He won’t have the chance.” Song Chuyi fixed her gaze steadily on Zhou Weizhao. “Your Highness, what I said last time still stands. You’ve helped me greatly, and where I’m able, I will certainly repay you with my utmost effort. Now, can you help me once more?”

The wind suddenly rose. Her hair, already loosened and disheveled, completely came undone. Her waist-length hair cascaded like a waterfall over the dark red cloak, making her snow-white skin and flower-like features even more striking.

Qing Zhuo at the side frantically made eye signals at Zhou Weizhao, wishing she could immediately speak up and agree on Zhou Weizhao’s behalf.

“The wind is cold and the dew heavy. We’ll talk after returning.” Zhou Weizhao remained noncommittal, only turning to instruct Qing Ying. “Attend to your young miss so she can wash and re-dress. I’ll personally escort her back.”

Qing Zhuo and Han Feng exchanged glances, both feeling their master was truly somewhat obtuse.

Night fell deep, that half-moon already hanging on the treetops. Qing Ying curtsied in acknowledgment, supporting Song Chuyi as they turned and entered the connecting hall.

Only then did Zhou Weizhao instruct Qing Zhuo, “Take my jade pendant and personally go with Han Feng to Aunt’s residence.”

Ye Jingchuan felt stifled in his heart, always feeling he seemed to be half a beat slower than Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi in reacting. He took a deep breath and called out to stop Qing Zhuo. “I should make the trip instead. If I speak with sister-in-law, it would be more convenient than you going.”

After all, Qing Zhuo and Han Feng were familiar faces who constantly attended Zhou Weizhao and would inevitably attract attention. As the prince consort’s own younger brother, he could obviously do these things much more conveniently.

At least he could do what he was able to help her with, which was better than standing on the sidelines staring helplessly.

Him going would indeed be more reliable than Qing Zhuo and Han Feng going. Zhou Weizhao stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Ye Jingchuan. After a long moment, he sighed. “Then be careful.”