Madam Xiao kept trying to strike up conversation with First Madam, but First Madam had no enthusiasm for playing along with her act. She kept turning to send people to check whether Master Yuankong was free yet.

This was clearly a sign of dismissing guests. How could Madam Fang and Madam Xiao not understand? But since the two had come specifically targeting the Song family, naturally they couldn’t retreat so easily. They could only pretend not to comprehend.

Madam Fang even smiled and said: “You don’t know this, but Master Yuankong’s junior brother arrived recently. I’ve heard his junior brother is also an enlightened monk of great wisdom. I’ve come several times only to miss him, which is how I learned about this. So I came again today, hoping to benefit from your household’s good fortune and meet the master.”

Who knows which master she actually wanted to meet. First Madam’s heart grew increasingly irritated. She worried that this Madam Xiao was also involved in matters concerning the Song family, and worried that Song Chuxuan would suffer criticism later. Her heart filled with growing regret.

Had she known that this Madam Xiao from the Marquis Pingyang household was so tactless, she would rather have died than marry her daughter there.

But now, even if she wanted to regret it, she couldn’t. She looked deeply at Madam Xiao, called Song Chuyi to her side and personally took her hand, then nodded and smiled at them: “If that’s the case, I’ll send someone again to see if the master is free yet. You two madams probably haven’t had time to offer incense before the Buddha yet? Then we won’t detain you any longer.”

No matter how things were at home, outside everyone represented the Song family’s face. Second Madam also sensed something amiss. She took her handkerchief to dab at the corners of her mouth and smiled: “Since elder sister-in-law puts it this way, I’ll take a few maids to freshen up. The weather’s getting hotter, and we’ve ridden in carriages all this way—I fear we might offend the master later.”

First Madam nodded with satisfaction.

With the conversation reaching this point, even with the thickest of faces, Madam Xiao and Madam Fang couldn’t continue staying. They had no choice but to rise somewhat unwillingly.

Madam Fang looked at Song Chuyi standing beside First Madam with lowered brows and demure eyes, still wearing a warm smile: “Having met only once, I already feel a special affinity with Sixth Miss. This is the karmic bond between us two. I wonder if in the future I might grow closer to Sixth Miss?”

Song Chuyi lowered her head without answering, only smiling faintly.

First Madam’s voice unconsciously rose: “She’s just a child—how many opportunities does she have to go out? Throughout the year, I’m afraid she can’t be seen many times. Madam Fang’s words are off the mark.”

Madam Xiao, deeply afraid that continuing would cause some incident, half-dragged, half-pulled Madam Fang out the door.

“What on earth were you saying in there?” Madam Xiao was somewhat angry: “I told you early on that the Song family people aren’t easy to deal with. Weren’t those words of yours just arousing suspicion?”

The smile Madam Fang had worn in the room vanished entirely. Her whole face turned gloomy and rather frightening. She turned to look at Madam Xiao and rebutted somewhat impatiently: “What else could I do?! If you hadn’t pointed her out just now, I couldn’t even figure out which one was their Sixth Miss. The Song family is far too cautious!”

Madam Xiao also nodded with a sigh: “Who says otherwise? Every one of their women’s quarters has become a fox spirit. Outside they’re gentle, courteous, and magnanimous, but behind closed doors at home, each one shows her claws and fangs—sharper-tongued than anyone. Finding fault with them is extremely difficult.”

“However difficult, we must proceed.” Madam Fang’s face stretched long: “If we really can’t find an opportunity, we’ll just seize her by force. That Song Chuyi must be obtained. At the time, the Song family clearly went to Zhiyuan Escort Agency first, yet only this Song Chuyi returned later. No one would believe she has nothing to do with the prince’s matter. Even if it’s not her affair, since she came back from there, she must know some details.”

Seize by force?!

Madam Xiao shook her head somewhat disapprovingly: “That won’t do. The one who came out from their household is the eldest young master…”

“Then kill him.” A fierce glint suddenly appeared in Madam Fang’s eyes: “They’ve finally come out. If we miss this chance, there won’t be another. Besides, things have reached this point. If that item is truly lost, none of us will survive!”

Madam Xiao looked at her in shock, her face showing surprise and displeasure: “Have you gone mad?!”

Madam Fang glanced at her and sneered coldly: “I’ve gone mad? Do you have any other solution right now? Do you know what kind of consequences it would cause if the item in Qi Shengyuan’s hands fell into the Song family’s hands?!”

Madam Xiao belatedly realized things weren’t as simple as she had imagined. Shocked beyond measure, she retreated two steps, her head covered in sweat with no time to wipe it.

“But…” Madam Xiao felt somewhat panicked, even less confident in her heart: “But they brought at least twenty household guards. How could this matter be so simple? If we’re not careful and fail, leaving traces behind…”

Madam Fang pondered for a moment, glanced at the side room, then turned to instruct her own maid: “Go back immediately and relay a few words to the master for me.”

As she spoke, she led Madam Xiao and the others into her side room, dismissed everyone else, and instructed the maid from earlier: “You must convey my words to the master exactly as I say them. Go quickly.”

Madam Xiao was already so frightened she could barely stand. In her heart, she deeply regretted getting involved in this affair.

But things had reached this point—there was no turning back. Moreover, Madam Fang was right. After the incident with the crazed horses, the Five Cities Military Commission had already earned a black mark in the Song family’s hearts. Since the Deputy Commander dared treat the Song family that way, how could people like them not suspect their own household? Even setting all this aside, Prince Duan wouldn’t give them a path of retreat…

After Madam Fang finished instructing her maid, she turned back to look at Madam Xiao: “Later, be careful with your words in front of them. Don’t arouse their suspicion. When descending the mountain, they must pass through a section of treacherous mountain road. Our people will ambush them there and strike.”

No matter what, first capture the person, then deal with it—at least that would provide an explanation to Prince Duan’s side.

This little girl was clearly not simple. Where was there a girl of such young age who went out alone? And so coincidentally went precisely to His Highness Prince Duan’s place, and even captured someone…

She’d be damned if she believed what First Madam said about it being the Grand Prince’s fortune. Speaking of which, what was the Grand Prince doing going there? And why would he open his mouth to help Song Chuyi out of trouble? Could it be he wanted to win over the Song household?

She made up her mind and looked at Madam Xiao, emphasizing once more: “No, I’m somewhat uneasy. He doesn’t have many people he can mobilize. You should also send word back home.”

Madam Xiao’s eyes widened and she instinctively wanted to refuse, not wanting to drag her husband into this. But she also understood that the arrow was on the string and had to be released. After hesitating for a long while, she finally nodded: “I’ll have someone go back right away. But what if they return to the household early? If our people aren’t ready yet and they escape, wouldn’t all our efforts be in vain?”

“So quickly go over and chat with them after they’ve finished freshening up.” Madam Fang replied without hesitation: “Also send word to Master Yuanhui, telling him to debate sutras with Master Yuankong and drag it out as long as possible.”