Mister Qingfeng inspected his quarters and felt very satisfied. Outside the room, a cluster of green bamboo swayed gracefully in the wind. Inside, everything was clean and spare with nothing displayed—except for a large blue-and-white porcelain vat containing several red-bodied, silver-tailed goldfish. Within it floated pieces of duckweed the size of pebbles, adding a touch of vitality. There were no other decorations, though the cabinets were built exceptionally large.

He stroked his beard as he looked around, very satisfied. He even developed some satisfaction toward Song Jue, who had come to receive him: “That you have such discernment is excellent. Very good, very good. You don’t seem like someone who came out of the military examination.”

Although the military examination also required writing policy essays, in literati eyes, they were countless times simpler than the civil examination’s eight-legged essays. Song Jue glanced at him and cupped his hands: “This was arranged by my sixth younger sister. As long as you’re satisfied, sir.”

Mister Qingfeng made a sound of acknowledgment, seemingly unsurprised: “Is she the girl Shaoting said was quite special and rather like me? Earlier I thought Shaoting meant we looked alike, but now seeing she has such discernment, perhaps she truly is ice-snow clever. How did she know I have many books? Opening up these three rooms—this is very good. These fish are also interesting. There’s just one thing that’s not good.”

Song Jue was very respectful toward him and readily asked: “I wonder what isn’t good? This junior will immediately have someone change it.”

Mister Qingfeng poked his head out from the pile of books, not being the least bit polite with him. He pointed at the redwood long table and said: “This isn’t good. I don’t put books on top. Help me find some food—I like having food on top.”

Song Yan was also telling his sister about Mister Qingfeng: “Just as Uncle said, the teacher is very different from my tutor…”

Song Chuyi suppressed her laughter and consoled him: “Reclusive masters are always different from ordinary people, but the principles he teaches you are all the most practical. He and your tutor—one is a great scholar of the current age, foremost among the empire’s scholars, while the other is unconventional yet worldly-wise. With you following both of them, I’m extremely reassured.”

Song Yan had previously been an extremely obedient child, doing everything by the book. But after being taught by his brother for a while, he’d become quite adept at dealing with various types of people. Even Mister Qingfeng had expressed shock at his ability to follow him through streets and alleys to find a good tavern, saying he was indeed somewhat different from others. At this moment, he nodded along with his sister’s words: “Yes, I know the teacher is outwardly wild and unrestrained but internally contains hidden depths.”

As they spoke, they’d already arrived at Old Madam Song’s courtyard. Old Madam Song held Song Yan and couldn’t look at him enough. After inquiring about his well-being for a while, she brought up his affairs in Jinling: “You truly frightened me terribly, you child…” She touched Song Yan’s head, looking at him somewhat dazedly. It seemed like just days ago he was still acting spoiled before her, yet in the blink of an eye, he’d already grown into an adult. She changed the subject and asked about Cui Huaying: “The Wang family hasn’t made things difficult for her, have they?”

The Wang family had truly acted too improperly in this matter. Their own son was completely cut-sleeve oriented, yet they concealed this from the Cui family and insisted on marrying their daughter. Every time Old Madam Song thought of it, her heart ached for Madam Yu. A perfectly good girl had suddenly become a divorced woman returning to her natal family—it was truly infuriating.

“Originally, they were the ones who did wrong. Later, with the matter of Young Master Wang being set up, they were too worried to do anything else. Apart from pleading with Sister Huaying in kind words for a while, they didn’t do anything else improper.” Song Yan truthfully told his grandmother and sister what he knew: “I heard that Old Master Wang even specifically wrote a letter to Uncle to apologize.”

During this time, Madam Yu had been very troubled by this matter. Although she didn’t say so, every time Song Chuyi saw her, she noticed her increasingly haggard face. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Did Cousin say when she would come to the capital?”

Cui Huaying had first returned to Jinzhong with Cui Yingtang and Cui Yingyun, escorting her dowry, and hadn’t come to the capital together. A few days ago, Madam Yu had said she would personally go to Jinzhong to bring Cui Huaying to the capital.

Xiang Mingzi also felt regretful for Cui Huaying: “Coming to the capital now wouldn’t be good either. Some people’s mouths are always particularly venomous. Even knowing it’s not the girl’s fault, they still speak as if she’s inferior. Better to wait some time until the matter gradually fades, then come to the capital—it won’t be too late.”

These matters weren’t for them to decide. Old Madam Song sighed for a while, then had someone summon the First Madam—today Mister Qingfeng and Song Yan had returned together. Old Master Song had always admired Mister Qingfeng’s reputation and had long ago instructed that a welcoming banquet be held for Mister Qingfeng today. She wanted to review the menu with the First Madam again—according to Song Yan, Mister Qingfeng was exceptionally particular about food.

Song Chuyi happened to be taking her leave with Song Yan when they encountered Song Jue’s maid coming to invite them. She said Mister Qingfeng at the front courtyard was looking for Song Yan, wanting Song Yan to help him organize his books. Song Chuyi just smiled as she watched Song Yan leave, then turned back toward Guanju Courtyard.

As soon as she entered Guanju Courtyard, Qing Luo came forward to help her remove two of the heavier hair ornaments, then said softly: “Miss, Old Madam Chen hanged herself today…”

Old Madam Chen was a proud and arrogant person. Even though Emperor Jianzhang hadn’t killed her, she didn’t want to remain in the world to be looked down upon. Song Chuyi nodded, her tone showing little fluctuation: “What about the others?”

“Second Madam Chen is keeping vigil with the children of the second branch. They say after preparing Old Madam Chen’s body, they’ll wait to travel to Lingnan together with Second Master Chen when the time comes.” Qing Luo had clearly investigated very thoroughly and explained everything to Song Chuyi in detail: “The eldest son of the Chen family’s first branch has a three-year-old legitimate son, and there’s also a young lady from the third branch—both were taken away by Chen family clan members. But the legitimate young lady of the Chen family’s first branch wasn’t seen.”

Chen Mingyu? Song Chuyi looked at her face in the mirror. Her hand movements paused, and she turned her head to ask: “Do you know where she went?”

Qing Luo was very dutiful: “Han Yan went to inquire. There should be news soon. Previously, Old Madam Chen had placed this Miss Chen in Chamberlain Qin’s household.”

Everyone in the Chen family was a venomous snake—difficult to deal with. One failed strike and they’d raise their heads, flicking their tongues and biting you to death. Song Chuyi didn’t dare be careless about any member of their family—just like this time, if Song Yan hadn’t grown up, if she herself hadn’t been cautious, the Chen family would have long since devoured them down to the bones.

Old Madam Chen had devoted countless efforts to Chen Mingyu—the first time Chen Mingyu made a mistake, she threw out Tang Mingzhao. The second time, it was directly Shen Cliff of the Shen family. For her to value this granddaughter so much…