In the evening, Song Chuyi was truly shocked for a while by Mister Qingfeng in the adjacent flower hall. She had heard of this Mister Qingfeng’s reputation before—he was the most wild and unrestrained person, and many said he had the lingering spirit of the great poet Li Bai. But listening to the drinking game content from next door, even Song Chuyi couldn’t help twitching her lips—no wonder in her previous life Shen Qingrang couldn’t invite Mister Qingfeng. With Shen Qingrang’s level of refinement, hearing Mister Qingfeng’s voice that could rival firecrackers, he’d probably retreat three steps back.
Even Xiang Mingzi whispered to Song Chuyi during the banquet: “This Mister Qingfeng is truly quite different from all the learned gentlemen I’ve met. No wonder he’s the one who became famous…”
Song Chuyan, sitting nearby, heard this and couldn’t help bursting into laughter. Although she was a concubine-born daughter, because the Song family’s household management was benevolent and had never mistreated concubine-born daughters, she wasn’t timid. Though she wasn’t close to Song Chuyi, her legitimate elder sister born of the legitimate wife, she had good relations with Xiang Mingzi. Hearing this, she couldn’t help laughing: “Cousin’s words make a lot of sense.”
Old Madam Song led the girls through their meal, smiling as she watched them play around for a while, then instructed servants to bring desserts. Just then, they heard that an imperial envoy from the palace had arrived. This late at night—why would the palace send someone out at this hour?! Everyone in the room was startled and uncertain. Only Song Chengru remained composed, immediately leading his wife, son, and daughter-in-law to the main hall.
The palace envoy came to bestow rewards—gifts from the Empress and Consort Song, all given to Song Chuyi and Song Yan.
Song Chengru accepted them on their behalf. At the moment, he showed nothing, generously rewarding the little fire-tender who came to bestow the gifts, then returned as if nothing had happened to continue entertaining Mister Qingfeng.
When it was time to rest in the evening, however, he couldn’t sleep. Sitting on the bed leaning against his pillow, he said softly: “This matter—it’s probably nine out of ten certain now…”
Rewarding Song Chuyi at this time, though the surface reason was very pleasant-sounding—saying the Song and Cui families had assisted the Crown Prince on the road to the capital and had merit in saving lives—even Song Yan, who had just arrived home today, received rewards together. What did this mean? Who couldn’t see through it?
Including the previous two times, this was the third time the Empress had bestowed such valuable gifts upon Song Chuyi. Not long ago, the Empress had even specifically issued an edict reprimanding Madam Wei because of the rumors she’d spread about Song Chuyi. The meaning here was already self-evident. Though Consort Song served as a shield this time, these rewards had indeed openly reached their hands. Those who should know had probably already guessed.
Old Madam Song remained silent for a while, then looked at Old Master Song: “This was something we ourselves had anticipated. Now that it’s at hand, what’s there to panic about? When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a path. Moreover, with Xiaoyi’s cleverness and His Highness’s cautiousness, what do we have to worry about?”
Just based on how the Crown Prince had made absolutely no move this time and turned a blind eye to Consort Fan’s mistakes, Song Chengru actually already felt sufficiently worried. But Old Madam Song was right—matters had reached this point, and worry was useless. Moreover, his grandson was also right. Since Song Chuyi had chosen this path, the Song family would naturally accompany her to the end. Thinking this way, the restlessness in his heart dissipated. Still, he said softly to Old Madam Song: “On the fifteenth of this month, take Xiaoyi into the palace and mention it to Consort Song.”
After so many years as husband and wife, Old Madam Song understood perfectly, knowing what her husband worried about most. She said: “You want Consort Song to persuade the Empress?” Seeing Old Master Song nod, she turned to face him sideways: “You’re right. The Empress is the mother of the nation and the Crown Prince’s birth mother. No matter how much she loves the Crown Prince, she should remember her identity as mother of the nation and as a mother. Consort Fan overstepping her bounds, acting like a hen crowing at dawn, and disrupting the legitimate hierarchy—she should have been beaten to death long ago. But the Empress has been hesitating, unable to make a decision because she’s concerned about the Crown Prince’s feelings for Consort Fan… But I wonder if it’s appropriate for Consort Song to raise this matter?”
Old Master Song chuckled: “Perhaps it wasn’t appropriate before, but if the Empress truly sincerely wants to plan for the Crown Prince’s future and betroth our Xiaoyi as the Crown Prince’s consort, what’s inappropriate about Consort Song saying this now? To eliminate weeds, one must remove the roots. Keeping Consort Fan will always be a disaster. The Empress should also know that even if our Song family wants to help His Highness, we need her support.”
Old Madam Song knew Old Master Song’s reasoning was sound and immediately agreed, though she still worried somewhat: “Our family’s wealth and honor are already extreme. Now if we produce a Crown Prince’s consort, in the future we’ll likely attract even more attention like a tall tree catches the wind.”
But Old Master Song wasn’t afraid of this point. Those who stand high always have exceptional courage. He smiled: “What’s there to fear? These past years have been so difficult, yet didn’t we still get through them without real danger? In the future, we’ll only walk more steadily.”
The young men of his Song family were each more accomplished than the last. As long as he could support them a bit longer, just a few more years until they’d all grown to stand independently, what was there to fear?
On the other side, Song Chuyi, who had actually received the rewards, showed neither happiness nor displeasure. She casually had Nanny Xu put the items away in the storeroom, then sat cross-legged on the bed while Qing Tao dried her hair, eyes downcast, lost in thought.
Her hair was only half dry when Han Yan returned. Though autumn was approaching, the heat still made people uncomfortable. Han Yan’s forehead bore a thin layer of sweat. She hastily wiped it and came to see Song Chuyi without even changing clothes.
Seeing her obvious haste, Song Chuyi had Qing Tao pass her a cup of water: “Speak slowly, no need to rush.”
Han Yan drained the water in one go, still somewhat anxious: “I’ve found everything out. Old Madam Chen entrusted Miss Chen—Chen Mingyu—to that elderly aunt from the Chen family who came to our household with her, planning to have her send Miss Chen to Yingyang…”
Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows and repeated Han Yan’s words: “Yingyang?”
The Chen family’s ancestral home wasn’t in Yingyang. The other Chen family members had all been taken away by Chen clan relatives. Only Chen Mingyu was an exception. She had always been the Chen family’s most favored young lady. Old Madam Chen had placed especially high hopes on her, once wholeheartedly wanting to help her climb up to the Crown Prince… Now in such a terrible situation, what path had she chosen for Chen Mingyu? What kind of path required specifically sending Chen Mingyu to Yingyang? All the other Chen family members had been taken away by clan relatives… What kind of benefit made Old Madam Chen feel that Chen Mingyu going to Yingyang was better than returning to the ancestral home with the clan?
What was in Yingyang? Song Chuyi pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered the Fan clan of Yingyang. Speaking of which, Old Master Chen had after all worked for the Eastern Palace. This time he got into trouble because of his collusion with Huangjue Temple, and whom did Huangjue Temple work for?
The corners of Song Chuyi’s mouth lifted slightly, curving into a mocking smile.