Chen Mingyu still hadn’t much awareness of the turmoil in her own courtyard. The Chen family had three branches in total. She had always felt the Chen family’s third branch was naturally meant to be a degree lower. Her father and second uncle were both born of the legitimate wife, only Third Master Chen was born of a concubine—naturally different from them. She was currently vexed over palace matters. Previously, entering the palace to accompany Her Majesty the Empress was something she had earnestly desired, but now every visit seemed like torture. She leaned against Old Madam Chen, her voice even tinged with a sob: “Her Majesty the Empress now always deliberately brings up Prince Dongping with me. Clearly she… she intends to bring him and me together.”
But clearly the one she liked was Zhou Weizhao. If she could bear to give up Zhou Weizhao, she needn’t hate Song Chuyi to the bone like this, much less go to such lengths begging Elder Chen and Old Madam Chen to painstakingly arrange a way out for her.
Old Madam Chen opened her eyes and swept them over Chen Mingyu, her eyes carrying a hint of cold laughter: “I’m afraid after that water bandit incident, Her Majesty the Empress has also come to understand a bit.”
When the news came back about Huang Yiping, Old Madam Chen only felt it somewhat strange, thinking it was the Song family persuading Commander Zhou, who then sought Huang Yiping’s help. But Elder Chen said a few days ago that Huang Yiping had deep connections with Zhennan Prince’s household, and she immediately understood the twists and turns within. Most likely for Song Chuyi to narrowly escape this disaster, His Highness the Grand Heir had also expended considerable effort. If they could all know this, Her Majesty the Empress naturally could too. The Song family had both influence and real power. Now His Highness the Grand Heir was even actively helping to win them over. Of course Her Majesty the Empress didn’t want to oppose her grandson. This being the case, the extra Chen Mingyu in her eyes would naturally best be married to the other grandson, Prince Dongping.
Hearing Old Madam Chen say this, Chen Mingyu became even sadder. In the end, it was still because His Highness the Grand Heir had helped Song Chuyi too much. She didn’t understand where exactly she fell short of Song Chuyi, didn’t understand why His Highness the Grand Heir regarded Song Chuyi as so different, when clearly whether in status, position, appearance, or talent, she didn’t lose to Song Chuyi. This bit of former unwillingness had now developed into an obsession in her heart. Now she couldn’t even bear to hear these three characters “Song Chuyi”—hearing them made her want to get angry.
She stroked Chen Mingyu’s hair and sighed lightly, then consoled her: “The matter hasn’t reached an irretrievable point. Wait until His Highness returns from Yangquan to speak further.”
Going to Yangquan to quell the rebellion was certainly due to Emperor Jianzhang’s regard for Zhou Weizhao, but this also wasn’t something ordinary people could accomplish. Even with the help of people from the Household Administration Bureau, with the assistance of the Eastern Palace’s advisors, whether he could handle it satisfactorily was still an unknown. If Zhou Weizhao fell in Yangquan, she would actually be quite pleased with Her Majesty the Empress’s current approach.
Right now there was no other solution. Chen Mingyu’s pitch-black eyes seeped a bit of tears, which she quickly forced back: “Grandmother, sooner or later, I will make Song Sixth know what it means to be disappointed.” She didn’t believe heaven would forever stand on Song Chuyi’s side. Why should Song Chuyi do everything smoothly and have her heart’s desires, as if effortlessly possessing what others wanted but couldn’t obtain? And like a plague god—couldn’t be beaten to death, couldn’t be sent away. Truly vexing beyond measure.
Old Madam Chen laughed lightly. Elder Chen wanted to challenge Chief Minister Chang. Naturally there still needed to be companions in the Cabinet. The Song family standing there, unwilling to be close to the Chen family, was truly too much of an eyesore. Last time the scheme against the Cui and Song families hadn’t succeeded, but there would always be a second time. She nodded: “Rest assured. Don’t be anxious about anything for the moment. Just wait and see what comes.” Once Elder Chen weathered this trial and finished being chief examiner for the spring examinations, naturally in the future he would advance another level to unlimited glory.
When Song Chuyi received the letter Song Jue sent, Old Madam Cui’s birthday celebration had already ended. She wore a sapphire blue brocade double-flash cloak, sitting before the study window. Outside, peach blossom petals danced through the sky—pink rain together with pear blossoms white as snow beside them, simply beautiful enough that one’s eyes were reluctant to look away.
Qing Luo silently refilled her tea cup. Soon she received a bean-green porcelain container from Han Yan who came knocking at the door, bringing it in to place on her table, softly urging her: “Miss, drink the soup while it’s hot.”
Qing Luo knew medical arts, and her medical skills were quite good. Since Song Chuyi had fallen ill on the boat, she had become somewhat sensitive to cold. Now Qing Luo daily changed up methods to prepare medicinal meals to send in. In just this short time, she already felt her palms no longer produced cold sweat, and her feet were no longer always cold. She picked up the porcelain container and took a sip, continuing to scan through Song Jue’s letter with her eyes taking in ten lines at once.
The letter said Third Master Chen had written essays for Zhou Chengfang, and Lu Bingyuan had also written one. Coincidentally, the day Zhou Chengfang gave Third Master Chen silver, Censor Tao Dinghu was accompanying relatives drinking wine at Lion Tower. Even more coincidentally, he had seen Zhou Chengfang asking his own steward for money.
Tao Dinghu had been dissatisfied with Elder Chen for a long time. As long as there was an opportunity, he would definitely be among those stepping on him. Song Chuyi smiled and picked up her brush to begin writing a reply to Song Jue.
She only asked about things like Old Madam Song’s health, Xiang Mingzi’s marriage arrangements, little Ren’er’s health and beginning studies, and such small matters. Additionally, calculating the dates, eldest sister-in-law Li Qingzi should also be due to give birth. She specially instructed Song Jue to carefully watch over her.
Having finished writing the letter, she had also nearly finished the medicinal meal. Qing Luo came over to clear her table, softly telling her: “Miss, Ma Changjiang sent in news saying Commander Lai wishes to see you once.”
The day before yesterday Song Chuyi had already met Madam Lai. According to Madam Lai herself, Lai Chenglong came to assist Zhou Weizhao in quelling the rebellion. To actually be willing to dispatch even the Imperial Guard Commander to be at Zhou Weizhao’s beck and call—it looked like Emperor Jianzhang truly very much wanted the Grand Heir to accomplish this matter.
Song Chuyi couldn’t help but look toward Qing Luo. She had always been at ease with the people Zhou Weizhao sent. Zhou Weizhao also had no reason to harm her. Never mind Qing Luo and Han Yan’s other qualities—they were truly first-rate at handling affairs. Even girls as excessively clever as Qing Ying and Qing Tao, standing before these two, fell somewhat short. They were truly too efficient and decisive yet thorough in their work, saving her untold troubles.
Qing Luo had picked up the porcelain container and already turned to go out. Song Chuyi spoke to stop her: “Aren’t you worried about why I would meet Commander Lai? He’s the Imperial Guard Grand Commander.”
Though it was said he came to help Zhou Weizhao, his identity was ultimately too special. Qing Luo could actually remain so composed without asking anything. What exactly had Zhou Weizhao told her? Could he really make her so obedient that she disregarded even her former master, single-mindedly following her, this new master with whom she’d only spent a few days?