Elder Chen hadn’t yet been escorted from Jinling to the capital when the imperial envoy’s party that had gone to suppress the rebellion at Yangquan returned first. Upon their return, it was the Crown Prince and the Minister of Rites who personally went to welcome them. Desheng Gate was surrounded so tightly that not even water could trickle through—everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the young and accomplished Imperial Grandson.

Both Ye Jingkuan and Ye Jingchuan would accompany Zhou Weizhao into the palace for an imperial audience, so the Ye family hadn’t sent anyone to receive them. However, people from the Earl of Changning’s household had been waiting at the dock early on. They first picked up Song Chuyi and Yu Shi’s group, then quietly slipped into the crowd—truly, the Imperial Grandson as this imperial envoy was far too conspicuous now, so the Earl of Changning’s household could only keep a low profile, as low as possible.

The carriage was arranged spaciously and comfortably. As soon as Qing Ying boarded, she expertly opened the wall compartment, took out the tea set and arranged it, poured tea for Yu Shi and the others, then smiled: “It truly is a sea of people. This time His Highness has certainly made a name for himself.”

Though Yu Shi was worried about Princess Duanhui and her daughter far away in Jinling, she couldn’t help but smile along: “As it should be. They didn’t see how imposing the Imperial Grandson was in Tianshui Town, personally executing the town chief and village heads who colluded with Huangjue Temple. Otherwise, the entire capital would be full of people wanting to become the Imperial Grandson’s mother-in-law.”

Mother-in-law or not—whoever actually became one, would they dare call themselves that? Even Cui Hualuan couldn’t help but laugh. After laughing, she sighed again.

If she had still harbored one or two parts of delusion while on the boat, unable to see clearly how she differed from Song Chuyi, after going through this ordeal, her heart truly couldn’t produce even half a thought otherwise.

Some people were probably born naturally compatible, able to stand shoulder to shoulder. That night at the critical moment between life and death, Song Chuyi had sent them away first, then calmly and composedly commanded people to seize another boat and rejoin Ye Jingchuan to return together to Tianshui Town, catching those remnants of Huangjue Temple completely off guard. This wasn’t something an ordinary woman could do. What the Imperial Grandson needed by his side probably wasn’t an ordinary woman either.

She hadn’t experienced it firsthand, but just hearing what little Nanny Xu had heard from Nanny Xu afterward, she knew how critical the situation had been that night. She heard that Song Chuyi had fallen into the water in Tianshui Town. The water at that time was full of people everywhere, unable to distinguish friend from foe, yet the Imperial Grandson jumped into the water without hesitation… Before her, he had never treated himself as the Imperial Grandson, not even caring about something as vital as his own life. Thinking of this, Cui Hualuan felt even the last spark of hope in her heart extinguish—what did she have to compare with?

Because it was the imperial envoy entering the city, the city was exceptionally lively. The Earl of Changning’s carriage waited until afternoon before finally reaching their doorstep. Princess Duanhui’s residence was outside the Imperial City—going there would take who knows how much more time. And they had already been exhausted from the boat journey. So Song Chuyi persuaded Cui Hualuan to stay one night at the Song residence first.

The First Madam, Third Madam, and Fifth Madam personally waited at the second gate. Seeing Yu Shi, Cui Hualuan, and Cui Huayi, they first exchanged pleasantries with smiles, then looked Song Chuyi over from head to toe before leading them toward Old Madam Song’s Ningde Courtyard: “Old Madam has been waiting since this morning, constantly sending people to watch at the dock. Though she knew you would definitely return today, she still worried endlessly, sending people to ask again and again. If you hadn’t come back soon, the old lady would probably have been so anxious she’d have us go out searching for you.”

Ningde Courtyard was thriving and prosperous. The neatly trimmed privet hedges had just been watered and gleamed in the evening sunset’s remaining light—a sight that made one happy just looking at it. Nanny Huang and Nanny Wu were already smiling as they came out to greet them, their faces full of joy at seeing them: “You’re finally here! Old Madam has been waiting until her eyes grew sore!”

Yushu smiled faintly at Song Chuyi, softly called out “Sixth Miss,” and personally lifted the curtain for them before following inside.

Old Madam Song’s spirits looked quite good. She first exchanged pleasantries with Yu Shi for a while, then held Cui Hualuan’s hand and praised her effusively, before turning to look at Song Chuyi with a smile: “Our little monkey here has been completely outdone!”

Her face wore a smile, but light flashed in her eyes. Song Chuyi’s heart felt both sour and soft. She leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder and softly called out “Grandmother.”

Old Madam Song’s tears nearly fell. She could hardly bear to imagine how dangerous it had been in Tianshui Town. When Song Jue mentioned that Song Chuyi had later returned to Tianshui Town, she had broken out in a cold sweat and hadn’t slept well for several consecutive days. Now seeing the girl standing perfectly fine before her, the heart she had been holding in suspense finally settled back into her belly.

Having rushed all day, then delayed in entering the city for an entire afternoon, everyone was already exhausted. Old Madam Song instructed First Madam Song to take them down to rest. She herself held Song Chuyi’s hand, unable at the moment to say a single coherent sentence.

Song Chuyi snuggled into her embrace, her arms encircling her grandmother’s waist, her voice both sweet and crisp: “Grandmother, I missed you so much!”

The heartful of complaints Old Madam Song had harbored instantly vanished like smoke. She gently stroked Song Chuyi’s hair and sighed before saying: “You only know how to coax me with sweet words to make me happy. If you really missed me, why did you take so long to come back…”

Song Chuyi hastily emerged from her embrace and shook her arm playfully: “I didn’t deliberately delay. Grandmother is also getting old…” As she spoke, her voice gradually lowered: “I wanted to come back early too…”

Old Madam Song patted her hand: “I know. Your maternal grandmother lost her daughter, so naturally she dotes on you, just as I dote on Mingzi.” She continued: “It’s a pity Mingzi isn’t home today. She’s been looking forward to your return.”

Song Chuyi was just wondering why she hadn’t seen Xiang Mingzi when she heard Old Madam Song say this. Just as she was about to ask where Xiang Mingzi had gone, she heard Yulan outside call out “Eldest Young Master.” The curtain lifted and Song Jue strode in with large steps.

Old Madam Song was startled and opened her mouth to scold him: “The older you get, the less proper you become! Don’t you ask whether your maternal relatives and cousins are present or not before barging in so brazenly? What if you offended them?”

Song Jue wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled at his grandmother, playing the rogue: “No need to ask—Yulan and the others outside already told me. If there were people present, your grandson wouldn’t dare barge in.”

Old Madam Song chided him once, though she wasn’t truly angry at her grandson. Song Jue was always the most proper of people. He must have urgent business to come at this time. She asked: “Why are you back at this hour?”

“Imperial Censor Shi has submitted a second memorial.” Song Jue smiled, mockery flashing in his eyes: “He’s impeaching the Ministry of Justice for incompetence, stating that Elder Chen’s matter has been reported for over a month without any progress.”

This Imperial Censor Shi was practically Elder Chen’s death knell.