Princess Duanhui didn’t hesitate for even a moment. If Prince Gong truly planned to commit treasonous acts in Jin territory, the Cui family would be the first to suffer misfortune. Since there were still Prince Gong’s informants in the Imperial Guard, Princess Duanhui simply didn’t use the postal stations at all. After consulting with Song Chuyi, she selected Ma Wangkun and Ma Yongfu to personally make a trip to central Jin—they had originally accompanied Song Chuyi to central Jin, were both clever, and were familiar with the Cui family. They were the most reliable choices.

After finishing, she found an excuse to pull Song Chuyi by the hand to Song Chuyi’s courtyard. This was for private matters. As an aunt, she had always doted on Song Chuyi. With her niece about to marry out, it was natural to have some private words of advice. Old Madam Song nodded meaningfully at Princess Duanhui: “Go then, but don’t miss the dinner hour.”

Nanny Huang personally lifted the curtain to see them out. Upon returning to attend to Old Madam Song, helping her turn around the screen to the washroom to change clothes, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Old Madam has perhaps overcorrected. I see Sixth Miss has been quite melancholy lately.”

Though she should be advised and have her mindset corrected, speaking too harshly—how could Sixth Miss with her crystal-clear heart not understand? There would certainly be knots and barriers in her heart. To have such knots before even marrying—how could her days be lived well afterward?

Old Madam Song’s smile faded slightly as she slowly shook her head: “If I don’t speak now, when they’re inseparable like glue, she won’t listen. Though the words are unpleasant to hear, they’re all for her own good. Jieyi, you’ve also seen Linlang and Zhanmei’s outcomes. I brought Xiaoyi up with my own hands to this point. I dare not make the mistake of being soft-hearted again. Better to shatter her dreams now than let her fall harder later.”

Nanny Huang had no choice but to drop this topic and looked at Old Madam Song instead: “You, if I may say so, don’t say what should be said, but do say what shouldn’t be said to frighten Sixth Miss…” She coughed several times. Seeing Old Madam Song’s furrowed brows, she felt somewhat embarrassed: “Though the palace sent down a governess to teach etiquette, Sixth Miss is thin-skinned—how could she listen? You just entrusted the Princess Consort, but I’m afraid the Princess Consort also can’t explain it clearly…”

Old Madam Song fell silent, looking at Nanny Huang with some hesitation: “It’s not really appropriate for me to do this either, is it?”

Princess Duanhui was after all Song Chuyi’s maternal aunt. Later, according to her in-laws’ generation ranking, Song Chuyi would still have to follow Zhou Weizhao in calling her aunt. Having a younger person handle this would always be more appropriate than this old woman doing it.

Princess Duanhui, however, couldn’t attend to Old Madam Song’s request for the moment. Unable to wait for Song Chuyi to pour tea for her, she first pressed her into a chair and examined her carefully for quite a while.

“What’s all this sulking about for no reason?” Princess Duanhui reached out and poked Song Chuyi’s forehead: “You’ve never caused people to worry in anything you do. Why are you acting confused now of all times?”

The wedding date was fast approaching, and she had chosen the person herself. Everyone thought it an excellent match back then. With Song Chuyi’s capabilities, even the imperial family could be handled. Now at this point, what was there to sulk about?

Princess Duanhui was very worried for her: “You’ve always had your own opinions. I won’t nag about other things for fear you’ll be impatient to hear them. But since ancient times it’s been said the husband guides the wife, the husband guides the wife. Now when you’re about to marry, how is it good to sulk at this critical juncture?”

Song Chuyi’s pale hand held a white porcelain cup from Jingdezhen. Her eyes rested on the butterfly and flower pattern atop it, head lowered without speaking.

Princess Duanhui sighed and was about to say more when Ziyun outside was already smiling as she lifted the curtain to report that His Highness the Grand Heir was in the garden, requesting Song Chuyi to come over.

Princess Duanhui’s earlier worry eased slightly. She reached out to stroke Song Chuyi’s hair: “Go quickly. Talk things through properly. You’re both intelligent people—don’t create misunderstandings that would spoil things.”

After all, Zhou Weizhao was someone with an exceptionally good temperament. Princess Duanhui felt relieved. Seeing Song Chuyi stand up, she suddenly remembered what Old Madam Song had asked her to tell Song Chuyi. Somewhat troubled, she thought for a moment and asked Song Chuyi: “Has Nanny Xu returned?”

Nanny Xu was an old servant at Song Chuyi’s side. Though Old Madam Song had sent her to be the steward’s wife at the Tongzhou manor, she had also accompanied them to Jin. Song Chuyi had always trusted her. With Song Chuyi marrying out, she should also return to help.

Hearing this matter, Luyi quickly smiled: “In reply to the Princess Consort, my mother will enter the city tonight.”

Princess Duanhui let out a breath of relief, thinking to entrust this matter to Nanny Xu to handle. She nodded and said no more. Walking together with Song Chuyi for a stretch, she watched her cross the cobblestone path to the garden before turning back toward Old Madam Song’s Ningde Courtyard.

Ziyun had said Song Jue was with Zhou Weizhao, but when Song Chuyi stood by the rose bushes, she only saw Zhou Weizhao in his cloud-white brocade robe.

Though several days had passed since they last met, though their previous parting had been somewhat unpleasant due to her willful behavior, Zhou Weizhao’s face still held a smile, his eyes full of joy.

Song Chuyi lowered her eyes and heard Zhou Weizhao call her name.

Ziyun and Qing Ying had already tactfully withdrawn. The wind stirred the nearby trees, making rustling sounds. The several pots of chrysanthemums at the corner were growing well, the wind blowing off many fine scattered petals.

“I went back and thought carefully. I roughly know why you’re angry.” Zhou Weizhao walked to her side and bent down to look at her eyes. Seeing her turn her head away, he also turned in that direction: “Xiaoyi, for things that haven’t happened yet, I have no way to make guarantees—though actually I already have made guarantees, but you still won’t believe them.”

“I’ve been different from other children since I was small. You might think when I say I only need you alone that I’m using flowery words to please you, but to me it’s the most normal thing—my master, he too has only ever had my mistress. I’m saying this now, and perhaps you don’t believe it. But in this kind of matter, I have no way to cut open my heart to show you. I can only wait for time to tell you whether what I’m saying is true or not…”

Actually it had only been Song Chuyi being unreasonable out of anxiety and fear. She pressed her lips together and looked at Zhou Weizhao, suddenly sighing: “I’m not angry.” After saying this, she felt it was somewhat like protesting too much. Her eyes held a trace of solemnity as she changed the subject: “Did Grandfather tell you about the Wu’an matter?”

At this point, nothing was more important than dealing with Prince Gong first. If they really let Prince Gong escape, there would be no peaceful days ahead.

“I’ll speak with Jingkuan and have him find a reliable person to send word to Zhennan Prince. Since he appeared in Wu’an, he can’t have vanished into thin air. With Zhennan Prince using the pretext of searching for bandits to conduct raids, and the Cui family assisting covertly, I believe there will be news soon.”