Night gave way to dawn. Qing Tao pushed open the window, and fresh air unique to the countryside poured into the room all at once, dispersing the sandalwood scent. Song Chuyi had already dressed with Hong Yu’s assistance. She glanced at the lush green parasol tree leaves outside, then turned to ask Nanny Xu, “Nanny, has Uncle Qin not returned yet?”

Given Qin Chuan’s character and the degree to which Song Chengru currently valued her, he should have told Qin Chuan to return immediately.

Nanny Xu held the tooth powder and shook her head somewhat worriedly, looking at Song Chuyi as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Last night Song Chuyi had sent her and Hong Yu away to pack bedding and luggage. Later something seemed to have happened, but Song Chuyi had shown no intention of revealing it to her. She felt somewhat flustered.

Seeing that Song Chuyi was about to go out again, she hurriedly caught up, somewhat hesitant. “Miss, there’s something I don’t know if I should ask or not.”

Nanny Xu had been by her side for nearly two months now and could be considered diligent and devoted in her duties.

“I also have something to ask Nanny.” Song Chuyi stopped and turned around. Her expression was normal but her words came rapidly. “Is Nanny’s master me, or Grandmother?”

Nanny Xu was shocked as she held the tooth powder, not knowing what to do. She stared at Song Chuyi dumbfounded, unable to say a single word.

Song Chuyi sighed softly and still turned to walk outside, but her words didn’t stop. “Nanny need not answer me now. After you’ve thought it through, tell me then—it’s the same. Once you’ve answered my question, I’ll naturally resolve your doubts as well.”

Qing Tao chased after Song Chuyi, looking back somewhat worriedly. “Miss, Nanny Xu has followed the Old Madam for decades after all.”

Song Chuyi’s steps didn’t stop, but tears glistened in her eyes.

Yes, Nanny Xu had followed Old Madam Song for decades and had feelings for her, so Old Madam Song valued her so much and transferred her to serve by her side. In the future, she could provide for her in her old age.

But what about the people by Cui Shi’s side?

What about Lianyi? What about Lianrong? What about these loyal servants who had once faithfully followed Cui Shi all the way from central Shanxi to the capital? Who would save them?

Who could compensate them for their ruined lives?!

Grandmother had always been good to her. Even when she had been arrogant and obnoxious back then, making people dislike her, Grandmother had still held some genuine affection for her. So in the end, she had also arranged her marriage to Shen Qingrang for her.

But whenever she thought that this goodness was tolerance and charity bought with Cui Shi’s life, the wound in her heart expanded bit by bit.

Uncle Zhang and Nanny Xu were already waiting in the main hall. Seeing her arrive, they hurriedly came forward anxiously to greet her.

“How did Miss sleep last night?” Nanny Xu’s complexion was somewhat poor, but she still forced out a smile. “We just sent people out to gather news. Our place hasn’t had any incidents for now.”

Song Chuyi keenly detected the other meaning in her words and frowned to ask, “Then other places had incidents?”

Uncle Zhang nodded repeatedly with trembling hands. “At a hot spring villa not far from us, over ten people died. I heard that villa belongs to Elder Chen’s family.”

Not far away?

That meant there were still Tatar soldiers hiding in town. Ye Jingchuan had been gone all night—how could there be no movement at all? Hadn’t his retainer said they would ask the county magistrate to mobilize personnel?

As she stood there dazed, Uncle Zhang wrung his hands again somewhat awkwardly and came forward. “There’s another matter to report to Miss. In that villa belonging to Elder Chen’s family, there are currently a young lady and a young master residing. Last night over ten guards died in their villa. The people they have left are insufficient, so they want to come to our place.”

Nanny Xu also handed over a card and sighed. “Now that we have soldiers guarding us here, I’m afraid there will only be more people seeking refuge at our door afterward. Miss should make plans early.”

Song Chuyi nodded slightly, reached out to receive the card and glanced at it, then turned to look at Nanny Xu. “Nanny, you and Uncle Zhang take ten guards and make the trip to bring Miss Chen and Young Master Chen here.”

Qing Tao hesitated somewhat. “If we accept the first one, there’s no guarantee there won’t be a second or third. With many people it’s hard to know their backgrounds. What if something happens?”

Human hearts were unpredictable. Who knew if someone might take advantage of the disaster for profit and mix into the crowd with ulterior motives?

Song Chuyi waved her hand to stop Qing Tao and said softly, “Qing Tao, go relay a message to the soldiers outside. Tell them to separate fifty men to specifically guard the ancestral hall not far away. If people come seeking refuge afterward, have them all go to the ancestral hall.”

Ye Jingchuan had only left them a hundred men total. This would divide away fifty at once. Qing Tao felt somewhat pained, but knew this was the most proper method. She nodded confusedly and went out to make arrangements.

Several guards Qin Chuan left behind were uneasy. After discussing among themselves, they called Qing Tao in to admonish Song Chuyi. “Though Miss has a kind heart, these Tatar rebel soldiers have no humanity. Our place has a big presence with many people—we’ve probably already caught their eye. If we divide out so many people again, I’m afraid something untoward might happen.”

She was waiting precisely for the Tatar rebel soldiers.

“Don’t worry.” Song Chuyi raised the letter in her hand and handed it to Qing Tao in a leisurely manner. “Go find that Hundred Households Commander from before again. Tell him he must deliver this letter to Ye Jingchuan’s hands within two hours.”

Song Chuyi always had her own ideas and rarely made mistakes. Seeing her calm and composed, half of Qing Tao’s unease dissipated first. She breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, took the letter and went to find that soldier.

Nanny Xu happened to come in, her face showing the relief of having survived a disaster. “So frightening! Those rebel soldiers were completely inhuman. If the Chen family’s servants hadn’t desperately protected their masters, I’m afraid Miss Chen and Young Master Chen would have met with disaster.”

“Are the people settled?” Song Chuyi asked, then beckoned Nanny Xu to come before her. “Nanny, I have something I need you to handle. This matter cannot have any errors—you must handle it well.”

Hearing Song Chuyi speak so solemnly, how could Nanny Xu dare to relax? She hurriedly held her breath and listened attentively.

“Now it’s broad daylight. No matter how bold those rebel soldiers are, they wouldn’t dare openly attack. You and Uncle Zhang take more people—bring all seventeen guards, plus twenty or thirty hired workers and servants. Go together to the Chen family’s place and the relatively large estates nearby, and transport all their valuables back using large flatbed carts.”

Nanny Xu listened somewhat dazed, scratching her head in confusion. “Transport them using large flatbed carts? Won’t that be too conspicuous? Wouldn’t that let everyone know we’re going to help them transfer their assets?”

Moreover, people might not necessarily be willing to take out the gold, silver, and jewelry accumulated in their estates. Besides, there were also the estate’s harvests—wheat, grain, sweet potatoes, chickens and ducks. How would they transport all these things?

Nanny Xu couldn’t help but want to shake her head. In such a critical situation now, being able to use their own people to save lives was good enough—why bother with their property?