Zhou Weizhao had already begun discussing Song Yan’s matter with her: “I heard from Master Qingfeng that he plans to take A’Yan to Hubei to find someone after our wedding, then go directly from Hubei into Sichuan. Have you decided about this matter?”

Song Yan was almost half of Song Chuyi’s life. Zhou Weizhao had never seen Song Chuyi hesitate about anything, but when it came to Song Yan’s matters, she was always filled with cautious uncertainty and worry. Even though Song Yan was no longer simply a child to be slaughtered at will, and even though he had advisors like Master Qingfeng by his side as well as experts like Chang Gui given by Cui Yingshu, Song Chuyi’s worries had never diminished. Just as Zhou Weizhao looked up, he happened to see Song Chuyi’s slightly pale complexion.

Song Chuyi had been rather off lately. Although the matters concerning the Crown Prince and Prince Gong had all been dealt with, and now even Empress Lu was willing to let go of her grievances, she didn’t seem relaxed in the slightest. The closer it got to the wedding date, the more tense and anxious she seemed. She thought she was hiding it well, but Zhou Weizhao could see her unease.

He reached out wanting to straighten the tassel pendant hanging from her phoenix hairpin, only to see Song Chuyi instinctively dodge.

After dodging, Song Chuyi came back to her senses. She looked at Zhou Weizhao with some trepidation, somewhat uneasily brushing her hair, pressing her lips as she nodded to him: “What did you just say?”

She looked at Zhou Weizhao, her expression carrying some anxiety and an imperceptible attempt to please. In the previous life, she had thought her feelings with Shen Qingrang were excellent. During their newlywed period, Shen Qingrang had also given her some days of good treatment. She too had once naturally reached out to straighten Shen Qingrang’s collar, just as Zhou Weizhao was doing to her now. But Shen Qingrang had always instinctively dodged away. Later, after Song Chuning scolded her awake, she recalled Shen Qingrang’s conscious avoidance and felt ashamed. Now, immersed in past memories, she had unconsciously done the same thing as Shen Qingrang. She knew how uncomfortable it felt to be disdained. Nervous, both her hands clenched into fists, trembling unconsciously as they rested on her knees.

But Zhou Weizhao wasn’t angry. He smiled at her slightly and repeated his earlier action, reaching out to straighten the tassel pendant tangled in her hair. Only then did he look at her, asking patiently and carefully: “After we’re married, A’Yan will be going to Hubei. Master Qingfeng plans to take him directly from Hubei into Sichuan. What are you planning?”

Song Yan had never passed Song Chuyi’s scrutiny. Even Song Chengru coming forward to convince Song Chuyi had taken considerable effort before returning defeated. Master Qingfeng had no choice but to bring Song Yan to seek his help, hoping to work through him to persuade Song Chuyi, lest Song Yan’s journey of experience fall through.

Zhou Weizhao always knew how to soothe her emotions. Song Chuyi indeed felt much more at ease, frowning as she looked at Zhou Weizhao: “But Hubei’s situation is critical right now, and Dongping is also there…”

This was precisely why Master Qingfeng and Song Yan had sought out Zhou Weizhao. Master Qingfeng had spoken very clearly: “Your Highness is certainly willing to spare the attention to always look after this dear brother-in-law, but what about the future? To put it bluntly, A’Yan isn’t someone who lives off women, and relying on his father is even more hopeless. His essays now have stability—after all, he was taught by Tang Mingzhao, so naturally handling the civil service examinations poses no problem—but they lack sharpness. If he were someone content with mediocrity, this old man wouldn’t be by his side now.”

“This old man understands Sixth Miss’s heart full of protective love. But raising boys is different from raising girls—it’s not enough to simply provide them with wealth and honor for life. Your Highness should persuade Sixth Miss.”

Zhou Weizhao impassively nodded first, reaching out to push a cup of flower tea in front of Song Chuyi: “Back then you also felt assured letting him go to Jinling, and Brother Yan indeed handled things very well. Even an old fox like Elder Chen fell into his hands. A’Yan is long since no longer the untutored youth he was.”

“That’s different!” Song Chuyi immediately refuted, looking at Zhou Weizhao and shaking her head: “The situation then was completely different from now. At that time, whether it was you or my grandfather, you were both close to His Majesty. But now it’s different. If Dongping really wants to do something, what will happen to A’Yan?”

Her worry was indeed about this point. Zhou Weizhao smiled: “Xiao Yi, don’t always treat A’Yan like a child.” He paused, and seeing Song Chuyi raise her head, her beautiful eyes full of indescribable worry, he softened his tone: “A’Yan has his own ideas. He’s never been someone who only wants to live under your protection.”

Whether Song Yan of the previous life was like this, Song Chuyi no longer had a chance to ask, because in the previous life, Song Yan couldn’t even live out ordinary, mediocre days under her protection.

She felt her throat somewhat blocked, even her voice carrying a hint of choking: “But we can’t let him take such risks. You know that A’Yan isn’t truly just simply helping Master Qingfeng find someone. Dongping must be treating this Hubei disaster relief as a lifeline. Whoever dares to ruin his plans, he’ll dare to take their life.”

Perhaps that’s what it was before, but after learning that Prince Dongping had also gone to Hubei, Song Yan certainly wouldn’t think that way anymore. Song Chuyi had no way to let Song Yan take such risks.

Zhou Weizhao nodded: “I know, but you can’t make decisions for A’Yan, and you can’t walk the remaining road for him either. Since he wants to venture forth, why not? Moreover, Uncle is there too.”

The sight of Song Yan’s death and the news of Zhou Weizhao’s death from the previous life surfaced again in Song Chuyi’s mind. Her hands trembled slightly, and the cup fell to the ground with a clatter and a bang.

“He’s just a child!” Song Chuyi finally lost some composure: “He only happened by chance to encounter Elder Chen who was desperate. He doesn’t truly have any outstanding abilities. How can he possibly deal with Prince Dongping?!”

Song Chuyi was like a cat with its fur standing on end, her eyes that were usually clear as a lake now rippling with waves.

Zhou Weizhao had always known that Song Chuyi once had a terrible dream, just as Old Madam Song had said—she had never walked out of that dream.

Even though the current situation was already completely different from her dream, even though Song Chuning and Shen Qingrang who had caused her tragedy in the previous life had long since been utterly defeated, the dead dead and the departed departed, she was still immensely afraid.

This fear wasn’t worry for herself—it came from concern for others.

Zhou Weizhao finally stood up, took two steps forward, and pulled her into his embrace. Like he had soothed his cat a thousand times before, he reached out to pat Song Chuyi’s back, one stroke at a time.

The little cat in his arms finally relaxed her stiffened back bit by bit. Zhou Weizhao pulled her back slightly, staring into her eyes as he asked softly: “Xiao Yi, what are you worried about? In other words, for me and A’Yan, what exactly are you worried about?”