On the day of An’an’s birthday, heavy snow fell once again. The new wife would enter the household on the nineteenth, while An’an’s birthday was on the fourteenth—quite a coincidental timing. In previous years, when Song Chuyi went to Tongzhou for An’an’s birthday, she would always stay two or three days to keep her company. But this time, she would probably have to go on the same day and return the next. Luyi finished tying the strings of her hood for her and said somewhat worriedly: “Miss hasn’t been resting well these past few days, and now you have to sit in a carriage for two consecutive days. I don’t know if your body can handle it.”

But she was only speaking idly. Whether her body could handle it or not, Song Chuyi had never once missed An’an’s birthday. Moreover, after the new wife’s wedding banquet was over, in another half month Song Chuyi would have to set off for Jinzhong. At this time, she really should go to Tongzhou to notify Nanny Xu and Lianyi to make preparations.

Qing Ying brought a hand warmer for Song Chuyi to hold. Hearing Luyi’s words, she laughed: “Others might not know, but don’t you know our miss’s temperament? Even if the sky were falling, she would still go celebrate this birthday with An’an. Just say less. Did you bring all of An’an’s new clothes? Are all the gifts prepared?”

Luyi was about to respond when Ziyun lifted the curtain from outside, smiling: “Fourth Young Master has arrived!”

The previous few times, Song Yan hadn’t made it, but this year he had long said he would go celebrate An’an’s birthday. He wore a frost-white robe with gold trim, with a golden cloud-patterned belt tied at his waist. Seeing Song Chuyi, he smiled: “Elder Sister, the carriage outside is already hitched. Uncle Qin said the snowy roads are slippery and difficult to travel, so he won’t let me ride a horse. He wants me to ride in the carriage with you.”

Recently, besides studying with Song Jue and experiencing life at teahouses and theaters, Song Yan most enjoyed learning riding and archery from Qin Chuan and the others. Song Chuyi smiled and took his hand as they went together to pay respects to Old Madam Song.

Xiang Mingzi was already waiting in Old Madam Song’s room. Seeing them, she immediately complained: “Usually you’re not this dawdling, but this time when others have been ready early, you’re the ones dragging your feet!”

Old Madam Song couldn’t help but point at her and tell Song Chuyi and Song Yan: “Rarely getting to go out, she’s like a wild monkey from the mountains, unable to sit still for a moment. If you hadn’t come soon, she was about to have Yulan tie you up and drag you here!”

After laughing, they had breakfast together. Old Madam Song pulled Song Chuyi aside to give instructions: “Go today and return tomorrow. I’ve provided you with enough attendants. Chief Steward Qin and Lin Hai are both going with you. This is also an extraordinary time, so be extra careful yourselves. Your eldest brother said he had matters to attend to and couldn’t escort you. Coincidentally, the day before yesterday, Princess Consort Zhennan mentioned that Second Young Master Ye also had business in Tongzhou, so I asked him for help. He has twenty府君卫 under his command. With him accompanying you, I can feel more at ease.”

Although it was nearly the New Year, Song Jue shouldn’t have been this busy. He had previously said he would escort them to Tongzhou.

Xiang Mingzi glanced at Song Chuyi with her eyes—Old Madam Song clearly had an understanding with Princess Consort Zhennan and was gradually beginning to create opportunities for Song Chuyi. This girl had too much of her own mind. If she liked something, she liked it; if she didn’t like it, she didn’t like it. To win her favor, one had to take it step by step, slowly, without revealing any trace.

Song Chuyi naturally also understood Old Madam Song’s meaning and couldn’t help feeling somewhat helpless. But she pressed her lips together and ultimately didn’t directly refuse.

The snow fell even heavier. Ye Jingchuan stood at the city gate in white python arrow-sleeves, waiting somewhat anxiously. Chang’an bustled around him offering food—Ye Jingchuan had left too early, afraid that the Song family’s carriage would leave first. He hadn’t even bothered to eat breakfast and had been waiting at the city gate since the fifth watch.

He really couldn’t understand whether his young master’s brain was a bit damaged. Which young lady would leave before dawn?

Ye Jingchuan had no appetite at all. Mounted on his horse, he gazed toward the main road. Finally, with great difficulty, he spotted Qin Chuan and Lin Hai in the lead. His eyes immediately brightened, and he spurred his horse forward to greet them.

Both Lin Hai and Qin Chuan were somewhat surprised he had come so early. They hastily saluted and asked in surprise: “Second Young Master, do you have other matters to attend to?”

After all, they were asking him for help. If he had other things to do, they shouldn’t delay his proper business.

Ye Jingchuan hurriedly waved his hand, then suddenly widened his eyes and looked behind Qin Chuan and the others—why was Duke Yingguo’s manor also leaving the city?! His vigilance immediately rose, and he instructed Chang’an, who had trotted over: “Go find out why they’re also leaving the city.”

Chang’an was extremely clever and had always known why his master always found Seventh Young Master Shen displeasing. Following orders, he glanced at Song Chuyi’s carriage, then ran off in a flurry through the snow. Soon he ran back and mounted his horse to catch up with Ye Jingchuan, quietly telling him: “They’re moving. I heard they’re first sending things to the Tongzhou wharf, and on the twentieth they’ll depart to return to their ancestral home.”

No wonder Shen Qingrang looked so dejected. It turned out he was leaving the prosperous and flourishing capital to return to that godforsaken place in his hometown. Good riddance to this pest—just seeing him made one feel uncomfortable all over. Duke Yingguo’s manor was indeed detestable to look at. Ye Jingchuan couldn’t help but feel happy again. He glanced back at the Song family’s carriage, his face breaking into a smile.

However, just after leaving the city gate, that blind fool Shen Qingrang spurred his horse forward to block the Song family carriage’s path, saying he wanted to see Sixth Miss Song.

Ye Jingchuan was somewhat impatient, wishing he could whip the backside of the horse under Shen Qingrang to make him disappear faster. His words weren’t very pleasant either: “What is there to say? What is there to see? Without an elder present, it’s not convenient to meet. Everyone still needs to hurry on their journey, so you should leave quickly too.”

Seventh Master Shen was somewhat unwilling. He stared fixedly at the jeweled fragrant carriage where Song Chuyi sat, pressing his lips together with a sinister look in his eyes. But there was nothing he could do. Never mind Duke Yingguo’s manor’s current dilapidated state—even before it had been tormented into disarray by Marquis Wuning’s manor, he wouldn’t have dared to provoke the Song family.

Shen Qingrang stubbornly waited outside the carriage, his eyes painfully sore beyond description. Clenching his fists, he called out: “Sixth Sister…”

In the past, when he was in a good mood, he would call Song Chuyi “Sixth Sister.” When in a bad mood, he’d call her “Sixth Miss Song.” He hoped Song Chuyi would remember this sentiment.

Song Chuyi ultimately didn’t speak. From beginning to end, she didn’t even lift the curtain a crack.

All things past were like yesterday’s death; all things future were like today’s birth. In the end, she hadn’t utterly destroyed the Shen family but had left them a way out. She let them return to their hometown to preserve themselves—not like how they had utterly destroyed her in the previous life, leaving no room for survival. From now on, they owed each other nothing. If they met again, they should not recognize each other. That was enough.