She should first return to Jinzhong to ask Old Madam Cui’s opinion. Princess Zhennan felt slightly relieved in her heart. Although the Cui family had produced many capable individuals with quite a few rising talents, she believed Ye Jingchuan was no worse than anyone else—even Shen Yang had inquired about her son on behalf of the Shen family’s young ladies. Though the Shen family’s status wasn’t quite as high as the Cui family’s, they could still be counted among the distinguished clans.

She smiled as she took Old Madam Song’s arm, her posture intimate and natural. “Old Madam is right. Both children are still young—there’s no rush. I’m just here to feel things out. They say one family’s daughter is sought by a hundred families, and Tingting’s daughter is especially excellent.”

Actually, if Princess Zhennan were to judge whether Song Chuyi was good or not, she truly couldn’t see it very clearly. But since her son thought she was good in every way, she naturally felt affection for her as well, loving the house and its crow.

Everyone took refreshments in the side hall, then moved to the covered pavilion to dine. Earl Guangen and the others were separately entertained by First Master Song, Song Jue, and others at a banquet in the outer flower hall.

They had only eaten halfway through the meal when Nanny Huang hurried in from outside, bent down, and whispered something in Old Madam Song’s ear. Old Madam Song looked somewhat surprised and raised her eyebrows, then smiled and excused herself, saying she needed to change clothes, leading people outside.

First Madam Song and Third Madam Song did not follow her out. They exchanged glances and began hosting the female guests with drinking games—no matter what had happened, propriety could not be abandoned, and someone had to remain here to entertain the guests.

Once outside the covered pavilion, the cold air hit her face. Old Madam Song looked at the heavy snow falling from the sky and frowned, as if doubting she had heard correctly. She asked again, “You just said the Princess Consort of Duke Yingguo requests an audience?”

Duke Yingguo Manor was having very difficult days these days—although they had used the excuse of the old madam being pushed down by Tong Shao and injured to break off the engagement with Marquis Wuning Manor, and even though Her Majesty the Empress herself had issued an imperial edict reprimanding Madam Wuning for ruining her ancestors’ virtue and being strict in teaching her daughter, Tong Shao had taken poison and killed herself.

Although Marquis Wuning Manor didn’t dare openly do anything to Duke Yingguo Manor due to the Empress’s reprimand, and no longer dared to chase up to Duke Yingguo Manor to beat, scold, and smash doors as brazenly as before, there were other things they could do.

It was said that Madam Wuning now hugged her granddaughter’s clothes and wept every night, and when attending social gatherings, she would speak of Duke Yingguo Manor through gritted teeth, saying Shen Qingrang had first seduced then abandoned her, ruined her granddaughter’s purity and damaged the girl’s reputation, yet still couldn’t change his nature of visiting brothels and courtesans, which was why Tong Shao’s temperament had changed drastically and she had done something foolish.

The common saying goes that death settles all accounts. Although Miss Tong’s reputation had been thoroughly ruined in the capital a while ago, she had after all paid the price for her actions. Now that Duke Yingguo Manor had broken off the engagement and she had taken poison and died, others forgot her detestable behavior and only felt she was pitiable. The public opinion of Duke Yingguo Manor gradually worsened.

Add to this the fact that Shen Qingrang truly was a dog that couldn’t stop eating filth—he was repeatedly discovered lingering in brothels and entertainment houses—Duke Yingguo Manor had now been ostracized from the circle of meritorious nobility.

Right now, He Shi should be in a state of utter chaos. How did she still dare to come to Changning Earl Manor requesting an audience? Changning Earl Manor had clearly cut off relations ever since that time when Song Chuyi went to Duke Yingguo Manor for a banquet and was provoked by Tong Shao. This time when Song Yi was marrying his second wife, even though they hadn’t initially planned to make a grand occasion of it, Old Madam Song had never intended to send an invitation to Duke Yingguo Manor.

Nanny Huang nodded and said softly, “She specifically stated that she came to request an audience with you and our Sixth Miss.”

If she hadn’t mentioned Song Chuyi, He Shi this time probably truly couldn’t even enter the gates of Changning Earl Manor. It was fortunate that today Changning Earl Manor had guests and didn’t want to make a scene and lose face, otherwise He Shi could only have received a closed door.

Old Madam Song’s expression indeed darkened, and she laughed coldly. “See Xiao Yi? Her own family has met with misfortune—what does she want with my granddaughter for no good reason? Has her mind become completely muddled?”

Though she said this, Old Madam Song still decided to see He Shi. Supporting herself on Nanny Huang’s hand, she got onto the sedan chair and returned first to Ningde Court.

He Shi had been waiting anxiously in the outer room of Ningde Court, rubbing her hands together, constantly craning her neck to look outside, terrified that what awaited her was only the decision to send her away.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to worry for too long. The curtain outside was raised, and voices called out repeatedly that Old Madam had returned. She exhaled heavily, feeling the oppressive tightness in her chest ease considerably, and hurriedly stood up.

Previously, she had often visited Changning Earl Manor, but rarely had she been this humble. Right now, she truly had been forced into a corner with no other options. In the past, at least their title was a notch higher than Changning Earl Manor’s—though they had no real power, they could still maintain face. But now Duke Yingguo Manor had fallen to such a state, practically becoming notorious in the capital. She no longer had the leisure to care about face or no face.

Old Madam Song entered the room. Yulan immediately led people to bring hot water, wringing out a hot towel for her to apply to her face and wash her hands. She waited until the chill from earlier had completely dissipated before looking toward He Shi and laughing unhurriedly. “The Princess Consort has come in such haste—I wonder what matter brings you here?”

By rights, Duke Yingguo Manor already had no connection whatsoever with Changning Earl Manor. Why would He Shi still come looking for Song Chuyi? Old Madam Song looked at her searchingly. Though her expression appeared mild, there was no hint of a smile in her eyes.

He Shi lowered her head, seeming to feel somewhat embarrassed. She had no invitation card and hadn’t been invited—she had truly come begging. At the gatehouse, she had offered several red envelopes but no one would accept them. If not for the fact that later, people from Changning Earl Manor were afraid the comings and goings looked unseemly and reluctantly announced her presence, she wouldn’t even have been able to enter Changning Earl Manor’s gates.

After a moment, He Shi suddenly stood up trembling all over and walked a few steps toward Old Madam Song, then fell to her knees with a thud.

Old Madam Song was startled. In terms of rank, Duke Yingguo Manor was a ducal manor, still two ranks higher than their Changning Earl Manor. Though the Princess Consort of Duke Yingguo was of the younger generation, such a kneeling still made her frown. She quickly called for people to help her up.

“What words can’t be spoken properly? Princess Consort, doing this truly overwhelms me.” Old Madam Song frowned somewhat impatiently. “Please don’t kneel at the drop of a hat—I’m not some Bodhisattva on a shrine.”

He Shi’s eyes brimmed with tears. Trembling, she was helped to her feet by attendants. Upon hearing these words, she almost knelt down again. She rushed forward two quick steps—she didn’t dare kneel again, but her tears couldn’t stop falling. Her lips quivering, she stammered out her plea: “Old Madam, I beg you…”

She truly had no other options left. The only method she could think of was to come and beg Old Madam Song. If Old Madam Song refused to acknowledge her adamantly, she simply didn’t know what to do anymore.