First Madam breathed a sigh of relief. Exhausted, she went to freshen up and change. Learning that Master Yuankong wouldn’t be free until the afternoon, she instructed the young ladies to each go rest for a while.

To think that on this temple visit, Madam Xiao and Madam Fang had actually sought them out, and the matter clearly wasn’t simple—she felt quite overwhelmed. She could only wait until returning home to discuss countermeasures with Old Madam Song.

After thinking it over, she specifically instructed Jin Huan: “Go to Sixth Miss’s quarters and tell her to rest well and not worry about other matters.”

Recently, Song Chuyi’s status in the household had risen like a tide. Jin Huan no longer dared to look down on her and quickly agreed to go.

Song Chuyi had just changed her clothes when she heard that someone outside was looking for her. She frowned, her expression somewhat inscrutable.

Earlier, she had arranged for Qing Tao’s parents to wait at the temple. But the current situation clearly wasn’t suitable for continuing the interrogation. She had already instructed Qing Tao to have the bribed young novice let Qing Tao’s parents leave the temple. Since it wasn’t First Madam’s people, nor the previously contacted Qing Tao’s parents, then who exactly had come looking for her?

Hong Yu also found it strange: “She said she came under orders. When I asked what matter it was, she refused to say. She just waited outside motionless. I found it rather odd.”

“Go ask her what matter it is exactly. If she won’t say…” Song Chuyi curved her lips in a smile: “If she won’t say, tell her we’re going to find the adults.”

Hong Yu went as instructed. When she returned, her expression was quite peculiar, somewhat puzzled: “Miss, she says she came under orders from His Highness the Grand Prince to ask Miss some questions.”

His Highness the Grand Prince, whom she’d only met once?

The smile on Song Chuyi’s face gradually cooled. The Grand Prince clearly wasn’t a muddled person. Since yesterday’s incident, there had been no movements from him. Why would he suddenly pursue them to this temple? Moreover, given his status, even if he had matters to ask about, he could openly summon people. Even Song Chengru would have to answer his summons. Why would he need to send a maid sneaking around to find a small girl like herself?

“Have her come in.” After thinking it over, Song Chuyi finally decided to meet this maid.

Shortly after, Hong Yu led in a female official dressed in palace attire, her hair indeed styled in the newest palace coiffure, wearing a female official’s cap.

As if fearing others would doubt she was from the palace.

Song Chuyi glanced at her once, then placed her gaze in the distance, asking as if casually: “I wonder whose orders this elder sister speaks of when she says she came under orders to find me?”

“Under orders from His Highness the Grand Prince.” That female official had a haughty demeanor. Upon meeting Song Chuyi, she merely nodded slightly. Hearing the question, she seemed somewhat impatient: “His Highness the Grand Prince wants to ask Miss where you went yesterday? Why did you go there? And what connection does your esteemed household have with Zhiyuan Escort Agency?”

Song Chuyi gave Qing Tao a meaningful look, then slowly stood and walked toward her. Examining her closely, she said: “How can His Highness the Grand Prince be so discourteous? Where is the logic in entering without first paying respects to elders, then coming to question a junior like me? Moreover, if His Highness the Grand Prince wants to know these things, wouldn’t it be simpler to directly ask our elders?”

She clapped her hands. Outside the room, a group of stout older women suddenly rushed in and swarmed forward, pinning the female official to the ground.

“Audacious!” Though several women had the female official pinned down immobile, her verbal momentum hadn’t diminished in the slightest: “You clearly know who I am, yet you still dare lay hands on me?!”

“If you truly are a palace female official, I will naturally have my grandmother take me before the Emperor to accept punishment.” Song Chuyi glanced at her and waved her hand, having everyone escort her under guard to First Madam’s room.

Jin Huan entered the door just in time to witness this scene. Shocked, she stood rooted in place, not knowing how to react.

It was Song Chuyi who noticed her and smiled first: “This is truly fortuitous timing. We were just about to go over. Elder sister, please inform First Aunt first.”

First Madam hadn’t expected that someone could infiltrate the temple pretending to be a female official. Her anger was so great it was said that one Buddha ascended to heaven while another was born. Waves of fear also surged in her heart. If the infiltrator hadn’t been a female official but a man… or if they hadn’t gone to find Song Chuyi but some other young lady…

Thinking this way, she suddenly flew into a rage. Without another word, she first had Jin Ling and others give that person a severe beating, then sent someone outside to notify Song Jue.

Song Jue’s thoughts went even further than First Madam’s. He found several stout women to bind that woman up, wrap her in a cotton quilt and beat her, then called an experienced nanny to interrogate her.

At first, the woman stubbornly refused to confess. But gradually her strength gave out, and she finally poured out everything she knew in one breath.

It turned out she had come under orders from Madam Fang and Madam Xiao to first probe Song Chuyi’s quarters for information.

What shocked First Madam and Song Jue even more was that Madam Fang and Madam Xiao actually had backup plans—if Song Chuyi didn’t take the bait and follow the female official out to meet the so-called ‘Grand Prince,’ there would still be an ambush when they descended the mountain in the evening…

Song Chuyi couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat. This Madam Fang was truly ruthless indeed.

“This is too much!” First Madam swept her sleeves and stood up, viciously kicking that woman: “You people are simply audacious beyond compare!”

Being angry now was pointless. Song Chuyi frowned and looked at Song Jue: “Elder brother, we should prepare early now. If they learn that the person is in our hands, there’s no guarantee they won’t act desperately.”

Song Jue had only brought out a total of twenty-some people. To protect so many young ladies and misses was truly somewhat taxing. Especially if the opponents were people from the Five Cities Military Commission—that would simply leave no chance of victory.

“Send people home separately to report.” After thinking it over, Song Chuyi immediately made up her mind: “Send several trustworthy people to return separately with the message. Grandfather must be informed of this matter. Grandfather will make decisions.”

She could see that Song Jue wanted to return himself. She quickly pulled at him to persuade him to abandon this idea: “The situation outside is unclear. If their target isn’t only me but also includes you, elder brother, then going would be exactly what they want. No matter what, Huangjue Temple is a famous temple. Inside there are many warrior monks and such. As long as we stay here for a day, they must be responsible for our safety. Right now, our safety is still the most urgent matter.”

First Madam’s face turned pale from Song Chuyi’s words. She quickly also went over to pull at Song Jue: “Yes, yes, yes, Xiao Yi speaks reasonably. You absolutely cannot go and take such risks.”

Song Jue looked at Song Chuyi with some surprise, not having expected that at such a young age, she would consider matters so thoroughly. At the same time, his mind had roughly settled on a decision. Hearing her words, he nodded lightly: “I understand. But since this temple has repeatedly allowed people of unknown identity to infiltrate, there may well be an inside traitor. You all must carefully inspect any vegetarian meals or refreshments they send in. The incense and candles they light must also be examined before use… In these extraordinary times, it’s better to be cautious.”