He hadn’t expected that an ordinary woman’s dowry villa would be so difficult to deal with. Ye Jingchuan had struggled for half the night before barely managing to get Lianyi in hand, ending up unexpectedly disheveled in the process.

No wonder she had asked him to act personally. How could an ordinary person snatch a girl from such a heavily guarded place without causing a major disturbance? Ye Jingchuan deeply felt he had probably been tricked by Song Chuyi, and couldn’t help but frown continuously as he looked at Lianyi.

In just one night, the Count’s manor villa seemed to have strengthened its security, and Ye Jingchuan also keenly noticed that the soldiers stationed inside and outside the villa had increased considerably.

He drove the carriage into the villa, randomly grabbed someone to have them deliver the carriage to the back courtyard, then rushed off without pause to find Ye Jingkuan. In just one short night, the villa had added so many people—anyone could tell something was amiss.

Song Chuyi also happened to be bringing Miss Chen over to find Song Ren, and ran right into Ye Jingchuan.

Not expecting him to return at this hour, Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised, but couldn’t very well leave Miss Chen aside to ask him privately about Lianyi. After they exchanged greetings, they entered the flower hall together.

As soon as he entered, Ye Jingchuan understood why the defenses outside had suddenly been strengthened. Looking at His Highness the Grand Prince sitting in the seat of honor, refreshingly dressed in white python-embroidered arrow sleeves, he exaggeratedly raised his eyebrows.

Why wasn’t this Grand Prince staying properly in the Eastern Palace instead of running to such a chaotic place?

“His Highness the Grand Prince didn’t come here specifically to catch Tartars by relying on his good martial skills, did he?” He looked at Zhou Weizhao, his expression clearly somewhat unfriendly.

“Shut up!” Ye Jingkuan scolded him somewhat impatiently. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?! I haven’t even settled accounts with you for what happened before—don’t go looking for more grief!”

Zhou Weizhao set his teacup on the table and leisurely turned his head to look at him.

Though he and Ye Jingchuan should be about the same age, their temperaments were worlds apart. In his impulsiveness, Ye Jingchuan still carried a youth’s childishness and recklessness, but this young Grand Prince before them seemed exceptionally composed, his sculpted features not revealing even a trace of excess emotion.

Could it be that the water and rice at the Daoist temple were particularly nourishing?

“If you’re not convinced, I have time anytime to fight another round with you.” Zhou Weizhao didn’t mind Ye Jingchuan’s insolent words, and the corner of his mouth even carried a hint of a smile. “But martial arts are only meant for strengthening the body and defending the nation. Fighting and seeking trouble is not a good thing.”

Ye Jingchuan was rather unconvinced. With a cold face, he wanted to say a few mocking words, but after catching Ye Jingkuan’s warning gaze, he ultimately didn’t dare speak again and only snorted indignantly.

Song Ren and Song Jue were outsiders, and moreover in the presence of the Grand Prince, so they didn’t dare speak up to mediate. The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat cold for a moment.

Miss Chen furrowed her brow several times as if wanting to interject, but ultimately didn’t dare speak rashly due to her status. She simply stared straight ahead with her almond-shaped eyes, presenting a composed and generous appearance.

Song Chuyi didn’t know what quarrel Ye Jingchuan had previously had with the Grand Prince. She was only concerned about whether Lianyi had been successfully rescued and was somewhat distracted.

Just then, a military officer dressed as a chiliarch came in to report that there seemed to be a woman of unknown origin in the carriage Ye Jingchuan had brought in, and she didn’t match up with the villa’s registry.

Ye Jingkuan immediately frowned and looked at Ye Jingchuan, asking somewhat angrily, “What trouble have you stirred up now?”

Ye Jingchuan raised his eyebrows and instinctively was about to say it was Song Chuyi’s person, but then remembered that Song Chuyi had said she absolutely couldn’t let her family know, and froze for a moment.

Song Chuyi immediately guessed that the person in the carriage was Lianyi and couldn’t help but be alarmed.

Since the Grand Prince arrived last night, the guards in the villa had more than doubled, and the patrolling soldiers in the manor had also increased considerably. The interrogation of suspicious persons had become much stricter than before.

Worst of all, with His Highness the Grand Prince presiding above, plus Ye Jingkuan, Song Ren, and Song Jue, she simply had no authority to make decisions. And if she now spoke up to acknowledge that Lianyi was her person, it would certainly draw the attention of Song Ren and Song Jue. Song Ren might be fine, but Song Jue was extremely clever and would certainly ask for a full explanation.

Seeing Ye Jingchuan only opening his mouth without speaking, Ye Jingkuan thought even more toward the worst, rubbing his forehead and barely suppressing his fury before turning to order, “Severe interrogation! Investigate thoroughly what her background is!”

Ye Jingchuan had already committed a monstrous error by privately leaving his post and drawing Tartar raiders through the pass. If at this time he was deceived into committing other wrongs, then truly even the greatest immortals couldn’t save him.

On one hand, Ye Jingkuan was angry at this brother of his; on the other hand, he knew he couldn’t allow him to act recklessly. Last night, he hadn’t been able to find Ye Jingchuan anywhere and had long grown suspicious, but he’d been discussing matters with the Grand Prince and had temporarily forgotten to deal with him. Now hearing that he had inexplicably brought back a woman of unknown origin, he couldn’t help but raise his guard to the utmost.

Lianyi had already been rendered mute—how could she possibly withstand severe torture? Song Chuyi finally couldn’t remain calm any longer. With an anxious expression, she opened her mouth to speak.

But before she could speak, she heard the Grand Prince laugh lightly and casually. “The other day I joked with Jingchuan that if he could find the cook from Guiyan Tower who makes the best pufferfish, I’d have another match with him. I didn’t expect he’d actually take it seriously. He must have gone to Guiyan Tower overnight last night, right?”

This was indeed something Ye Jingchuan would do. Not expecting that at this critical juncture he still had the mood to remember such a thing, Ye Jingkuan glared at him fiercely.

Song Chuyi hadn’t expected him to speak up to help, and while relieved, she also felt somewhat nervous.

Song Ren and Song Jue didn’t grow suspicious at all. After all, from beginning to end Song Chuyi hadn’t been implicated—they simply thought Ye Jingchuan was being reckless and causing trouble.

Ye Jingchuan reluctantly accepted this favor, and only after a long while did he silently nod.

Zhou Weizhao then smiled as he looked at Song Ren and Song Jue. “Since he went to such trouble to bring the cook here, I must ask you both to help accommodate her.”

Song Ren and Song Jue both quickly agreed, naturally thinking to hand the person over to Nanny Xu to handle.

He had actually guessed it was related to her and was indirectly helping her succeed! Song Chuyi was somewhat flustered by this discovery and instinctively glanced at him.

He wore a bay leaf crown and remained calm and composed, showing no sign whatsoever that anything was amiss.

Yet he clearly seemed to know everything.

She had already owed him a favor once before, and now she owed him another. Song Chuyi couldn’t help but feel somewhat bewildered. She truly couldn’t discern this Highness’s thoughts. After thinking it over repeatedly, she could only temporarily set aside the doubts in her heart.

After all, going to deal with Lianyi’s situation quickly was most urgent right now. Though she already had a certain degree of say and freedom in the Song family, it was still far from enough to contend with the other Song family members. If Lianyi fell into the hands of Song Jue and Song Ren, it would be hard to say whether things would continue to go smoothly.