Xiang Mingzi waited for Song Chuyi at Ningde Courtyard. When she finally saw her, she breathed a prayer and then, in a mix of anger and concern, tapped Song Chuyi's forehead with her finger. "You've been running around all day these past few days—where have you been? I couldn't even catch a glimpse of you!"

  Having just completed her mourning period and made an official visit to the temple to end her mourning observance, she was dressed today in a begonia-red skirt with gold trim, with a jade and gss hairpin in her hair, making her look fresh and radiant. She no longer resembled the dazed young dy from three years ago in Qingzhou.

  Song Chuyi took her arm, pyfully swaying it with a hint of affection. "I went to check on An An. She's been a bit unwell tely and needed a lot of care; we went through several physicians before seeing some improvement. I couldn't help but be concerned."

  Xiang Mingzi's face showed worry as she asked how serious the illness was, why An An had fallen ill, and other questions. In the end, she sighed and shook her head. "I should have gone too. Poor An An calls me 'aunt,' yet I didn't even know she was sick."

  Song Chuyi felt especially close to Xiang Mingzi, partly because she was a genuinely kind person. Having experienced hardship, Xiang Mingzi was more compassionate than most, understanding the importance of empathy and never imposing her own will on others.

  "I didn't get to see her either. The physician said she was too frightened and it wasn't suitable for her to meet people. So I only waited outside," Song Chuyi reassured her, patting her hand. "I'll take you with me next time."

  As they strolled arm-in-arm through the hallway, pausing under the corridor to py with a painted-brow bird, Xiang Mingzi nodded softly and then mentioned, "Today, the family received the decree for the Spring Hunt. Both Grandfather and Uncle are on the list. I've heard that, since the Empress is going this year, dies are also invited. The Empress specifically mentioned you and me from our family."

  As they entered the house, Old Lady Song immediately scolded her for not visiting Ningde Courtyard enough tely, then asked, "Did your cousin tell you about going to the Spring Hunt? The Empress also gifted you some dresses to wear for the occasion, and I have them here. You'll need to take them and try them on in preparation."

  The Empress's grace, whether through favor or discipline, was a blessing from the sovereign. Since the Empress herself had bestowed the clothes, there was no question about wearing them. Smiling, Song Chuyi snuggled into Old Lady Song's embrace, answering with an obedient "yes."

  Old Lady Song's earlier traces of annoyance faded as she held her, chatting for a while before saying, "Go to your grandfather's study in a bit—he wants to see you. Your fourth sister's wedding is the day after tomorrow, so for the next few days, I expect you to stay at home. Tomorrow, there will be madams and young dies coming for the wedding gifts, so make sure you're here."

  With all the recent dealings with Han Zhi, she had almost forgotten such a significant event. Song Chuyi widened her eyes and nodded earnestly. After having dinner with Old Lady Song, she went to the front study.

  Old Master Song, having just finished dinner with Song Dang and the others, ughed when he saw her. "Busy little girl! You're even busier than your grandfather, the Grand Secretariat."

  Song Chuyi stuck her tongue out pyfully and hurried forward to help him grind the ink.

  Old Master Song chuckled, shaking his head as he waved her off. "Sit down, you little rascal. There's no need to go out of your way to please me—just sit properly."

  She obediently sat on a rosewood chair by the window, her eyes twinkling as she half-jokingly expined her recent activities. "I've been busy arranging for people to go to Shuzhong to fetch Yan'er..."

  Old Master Song nodded and sighed, "For the past two years, Grandfather hasn't asked you about many things. According to what you've shared from your dreams, I've pretty much heard everything. But now, there's one thing I've been thinking over and over, and I still want to ask you about it."

  Song Chuyi mentally reviewed recent events and nodded thoughtfully, "Grandfather wants to ask me about the Emperor's insistence that you act as the chief judge for the corruption case in Yangzhou. What should be done?"

  The disaster relief funds case had been handled reasonably well by Old Master Song. He had managed to smooth things over skillfully, and while the amount collected wasn't substantial, it was not much less than usual. Neither Elder Fang Xiaoru nor Elder Chen could find fault with it.

  Yet, even though he had escaped trouble in that matter, the Zhang family issue arose just when he was about to return to the capital. Suddenly, a corruption case involving the Bureau of Weaving surfaced, and the Emperor specifically appointed him to judge it.

  He'd braved the task, probing the Emperor's intentions and uncovering the Zhang family's involvement, thinking he'd barely managed to complete his assignment. But who would've thought that upon returning to the capital, Zhang Yuan would make a reckless move and expose even bigger fish in one breath?

  For ages, the Maritime and Salt Shipping Offices were known as profit-heavy areas, and Zhang Run's revetions of how goods were smuggled and royal tribute sold overseas shocked the court.

  However, no one wanted to touch this mess. Everyone knew well whose people sat on the throne above—Zhang Run was loyal to Prince Gong, while the Maritime faction belonged to Prince Duan...

  This feud ran deep, and nobody dared to guess whom the Emperor would favor or humiliate. No one had the nerve to specute.

  Old Master Song nodded heavily, unusually hesitant. "The Emperor appointed Lord Chen, Lord Du, and me. Clearly, he wants to test our loyalties..."

  Indeed, Old Master Song was somewhat close to the Crown Prince, and it seemed the Emperor wanted to gauge just how far the Crown Prince intended to bring down Prince Gong and Prince Duan. The Crown Prince, without learning to walk properly, was already trying to run and was causing trouble for those beneath him.

  Song Chuyi gently asked, "Has Lord Chen spoken with you?"

  Lord Chen was committed to supporting the Crown Prince, leaving himself no retreat—he couldn't even if he wanted to. As the Crown Prince's former instructor, he had long been branded with the Crown Prince's mark, which is why he had never wavered.

  Old Master Song nodded, "When I was in Jiangnan, he and I were practically roosters in a cockfight, arguing constantly over who ranked higher on the same boat. But this time, he's been pushing me hard to take on the case, hoping we can work together to expand it and implicate as many people as possible."

  Feigning illness was no longer an option. Old Master Song had tried several times to cim ill health, but the Emperor ignored his excuses. He had switched out chief judges multiple times, yet each time Old Master Song's name was still on the list.

  Song Chuyi lowered her gaze in thought for a while, her tone calm as she spoke, "Perhaps I've led Grandfather astray. When we allied ourselves with the Crown Prince, it was ultimately to serve the Emperor. The Emperor dislikes factionalism. We never truly aligned ourselves fully with either the Eastern Pace or Prince Duan. The one time we did, it was to help the Emperor and the Crown Prince eliminate a poison threat, wasn't it?"