Unfortunately, the hunter who shoots geese all day long got pecked in the eye by a goose. The Chen family always liked to employ these sinister underhanded tactics in the shadows, not realizing that even a little fox is still a fox, and there will always come a day when it grows up.

This time, Song Yan had relied entirely on his own ability to break Elder Chen’s scheme, and even countered with his own move. This matter was truly beautifully executed. Even Song Jue and Song Chengru couldn’t help but be shocked when they first heard Imperial Censor Shi’s memorial in the Hall of Supreme Harmony—the letters from Jinling had arrived too late. Only after they weathered the storm in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and returned home did they receive letters from the Wang family and Song Yan explaining the circumstances and mentioning how they had enlisted Imperial Censor Shi’s help.

Old Master Song felt deeply that having Song Yan and Song Jue in this generation was the Song family’s good fortune. He smiled and added: “Today the imperial envoy returned to court, and tonight there will be a banquet by imperial decree. The Imperial Grandson can truly be said to be in unlimited glory now.”

Advisor Qian and Advisor Ying exchanged glances. After sitting calmly for a while, they looked at Song Chuyi and Song Jue’s expressions before opening their mouths with some difficulty: “The Eastern Palace acting this way truly makes one worry for the Imperial Grandson’s future. Even that old fox Fu Youde still won’t choose sides between the two highnesses. If we place our bets at this moment, the timing is probably too early.”

“This matter need not be rushed. Let’s wait and see.” Song Chengru understood their concerns. He questioned Song Chuyi again, asking about everything that happened on her return journey in detail, before saying: “Fortunately you were alert and didn’t fall for it. If you had really changed routes midway and taken people with you, not only would you and Yan be in danger, the Imperial Grandson would likely have had an incident, and there were probably backup plans waiting for you on Yingshu’s side as well.”

What worried Song Chuyi most all along was still Cui Yingshu. Cui Yingshu had been an official for so many years and had never made such a huge mistake. This matter was definitely the result of someone’s scheme, unfortunately at that time she was far away in Tianshui Town, completely unable to help across such distance. Hearing Song Chengru mention it now, she quickly asked: “Grandfather, how are things with Uncle now?”

The entire court was in an uproar over Elder Chen’s matter and the Imperial Grandson’s assassination. The previously hotly debated Jiujiang dike breach seemed less attention-grabbing in comparison, but Song Chengru had been paying attention all along. Hearing this, he naturally picked up the thread: “It’s difficult to handle.”

Indeed it was difficult to handle. Song Jue, who had been silent, also spoke up: “The Jiujiang great dike was only completed half a year ago, yet it was destroyed, causing floods to overflow. The just-repaired prefectural government office was immediately washed to ruins by the floodwaters and heavy rain. The Jiujiang Prefect was so angry his beard stood up, and he immediately submitted a memorial impeaching Uncle for embezzling silver allocated by the Ministry of Works, cutting corners, and thus causing a great disaster.”

He paused, seeing Song Chuyi frown, then continued: “The evidence is indeed solid.”

Song Chuyi had already read Princess Duanhui’s letter. Hearing this, she raised her eyebrows: “The evidence Big Brother mentions—is it that cart of silver that was intercepted, being escorted by Uncle’s trusted subordinate?”

Advisor Chang reacted keenly. He had felt from the earliest that Song Yan’s incident, Cui Yingshu being impeached, and Song Chuyi and the Imperial Grandson being assassinated had some kind of connection. Hearing Song Chuyi ask this now, he said: “This is probably also a trap, but Jiujiang is far from the emperor, high in the mountains. Moreover, both the Jiangxi Regional Inspector and the Jiujiang Prefect jointly submitted memorials of impeachment. The witness and material evidence are reportedly complete, so although the Prince Consort has not yet reached the capital, everyone has already determined him guilty.”

Advisor Ying always spoke after Advisor Chang. After Advisor Chang finished, he counseled Song Chuyi: “Sixth Miss need not be too anxious. When soldiers come, we block with generals; when water comes, we block with earth. Right now we don’t know the exact situation. After Uncle returns to the capital for trial, we can carefully plan—there will still be time.”

“No need to rush.” Song Chuyi smiled faintly, waves of light surging in her eyes that made one dare not stare directly. Seeing Song Chengru and Song Jue both looking at her, she said: “If the person framing my uncle truly acted under Elder Chen’s instruction, then the ones who should be anxious now are them.” With Elder Chen’s downfall and Huangjue Temple’s complete destruction, while the Song family still stood firm and stable as Mount Tai, those people should really think carefully about where exactly their heads should be attached.

Since she said there was no need to rush, Song Jue naturally was even less anxious. He had always been able to keep his composure. Hearing this, he nodded. Seeing that the time was about right and knowing Song Chengru needed to enter the palace for the banquet tonight, he took Song Chuyi to bid farewell first.

Song Chengru instructed them to keep Old Madam Song good company before letting them go.

Song Chuyi was determined to first go see Li Qingzi. When she left, her sister-in-law had only been four or five months pregnant. By the time she returned, even her little niece had been added to the family. She had originally thought she would make it back before her sister-in-law gave birth.

Li Qingzi was going stir-crazy sitting through her confinement. Seeing Song Chuyi, her face was full of smiles. When her dimples showed, she appeared even more gentle. Holding Song Chuyi’s hand, she chattered on for a while before remembering to show her the baby. She quickly ordered someone to bring the child over, but Song Jue had already personally carried the little one in. Song Chuyi stood up to look. The little girl was pink and tender, with a chubby white face set with a pair of clean eyes like glass beads. Her little mouth was still blowing bubbles—so beautiful and lovable that Song Chuyi couldn’t help reaching out to poke her face.

Who knew Song Jue could be so peculiar? When little Renyi was this small, he let anyone hold or play with him, but now with a daughter, he was reluctant. He stepped back to avoid Song Chuyi’s claws and even frowned at her: “Be careful!”

Li Qingzi couldn’t help covering her mouth and laughing. She secretly shook her head at Song Chuyi: “Even when I use a handkerchief to wipe the little one’s face, he thinks I’m too rough and will hurt his precious daughter’s face…”

When Song Jue used to toss little Renyi high and catch him, he never worried one bit whether his son might fall and come to harm. Song Chuyi made a face at Song Jue, then turned back to talk with Li Qingzi. She took from her waist pouch a jade pendant carved from mutton-fat jade in the shape of a peony flower and personally placed it in the little girl’s swaddling clothes, gently kissing her face: “You must grow up well.”

In this life, your father stands here safe and sound, and you have come into this world too. You must all be well.

This gift was truly too precious. Even Li Qingzi couldn’t help shaking her head: “This thing is so valuable—how can a small child accept it?”

Song Chuyi extended her finger for the little baby to grasp, slowly shaking her head with a serious and devout expression: “She can accept it, Sister-in-law. The first girl among the Song family grandchildren—she can accept anything.”

Li Qingzi listened with smiling eyes, looking at Song Chuyi with increasingly gentle eyes. She had always been soft-spoken and easy to talk to. Because her husband was close to this Sixth Sister, she treated Song Chuyi just as warmly, her features radiating gentleness.

Li Qingzi’s wet nurse lifted the curtain and came in to report: “First Young Madam, Old Madam’s side has sent someone to request Eldest Young Master and Sixth Miss, saying someone is requesting an audience.”