When Song Chuyi returned to the manor, Yushu was already waiting for her at the secondary gate. Upon seeing her, Yushu looked her up and down to ensure nothing was amiss before letting out a relieved sigh. "Around lunchtime, a few of the matrons from the Marquis of Jinxiang's household came by with a few pots of Western crabapple and poppy flowers, saying they were sent to apologize on behalf of Miss Han for offending you. The Old Lady didn't show them any kindness either. Going out as a guest and being treated poorly by the host—where does that even make sense?"

  Moreover, Old Lady Song had another worry. Han Zhi was simply too btant in his actions. How was it that he just happened to run into them at the inn in Qingzhou? And if that wasn't enough, he and his cousin caused Song Chuyi to fall seriously ill at the Tongzhou vil.

  The affairs involving the Pingyang Marquis Household and Lady Fang had already given Old Lady Song more than one fright. She no longer dared to take lightly the Marquis of Jinxiang's household, especially since it was overseen by Lady Fan, one of the famous Fan sisters.

  Song Chuyi followed Yushu back to Ningde Courtyard and found Old Lady Song looking displeased. Third Lady was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief and turned away quickly, trying to cover her face when they entered.

  Song Chumi was a few months older than Song Chubin, who was about to have her future in-ws come by for a formal visit tomorrow. Meanwhile, due to her connection with the Yun family, Song Chumi was still uncertain of her own fate, locked up somewhere. Third Lady had managed to hold back her grievances until Old Lady Song returned, and now she was here to plead her case.

  However, Old Lady Song, thoroughly shaken by recent events involving Song Chuning, was not about to concede. Song Chumi had once disregarded the entire Changning Marquis's Household for the sake of a man, and the Old Lady wasn't about to forgive that.

  Song Chuyi knew this well but kept a calm facade as she respectfully greeted both Old Lady Song and Third Lady.

  Old Lady Song held her close and asked, "The Marquis of Jinxiang's household sent over a few matrons to offer gifts, repeatedly saying they were there to apologize on behalf of their young dy. I don't even know what she's apologizing for, nor am I inclined to deal with them, so I sent them back with the gifts untouched."

  At the vil st time, when the Marquis of Jinxiang's people came to fetch Han Zhi, they also brought gifts, but Old Lady Song had casually dismissed them as well. Guo Yantang had an old friendship with Song Linng and had arranged to travel together from Qingzhou, but Han Zhi was an unexpected and uninvited guest. The Marquis of Jinxiang's household was known to be sensitive in its position, and Old Lady Song wanted no part of it.

  After speaking for a while, Old Lady Song finally took pity on Third Lady, who sat there looking quite pitiable, and decided not to press Song Chuyi any further. She sighed and allowed Song Chuyi to return to her room to change clothes.

  When Song Chuyi left, Qingying met her and mentioned that Ma San and his men had already uncovered details about that official, Huang Yuanwai, who had filed a compint against Song Yi. They discovered that he was currently keeping a fourteen-year-old girl in his residence in the city, spending his days there in indulgence.

  Qingying, being a young woman, couldn't help but blush a bit as she recounted these details, though she was used to seeing many things in the pace. "Apparently, Huang Yuanwai even took on another girl, staying at that same residence..."

  Song Chuning was always thorough in her work. Song Chuyi had asked Song Jue to visit Song Yi several times, learning that the two plots of nd in Yongzhou were a gift from Huang Yuanwai after Song Yi had helped him wrest them from his cousin. Initially, Song Yi was reluctant to accept the gift, but Song Chuning persuaded him, saying that truly incorruptible officials were rare, and that as long as all transactions went through the proper channels, the reward was above reproach. Only then did Song Yi reluctantly accept.

  Favor is a reciprocal matter. Once one favor is done, more often follow. Soon enough, Song Yi and Huang Yuanwai became close. One day, Huang Yuanwai sent over a few beautiful women, each skilled in music and entertainment, and given Song Yi's interests, he accepted them without suspicion. Yet, the very next day, one of these women threw herself at a pilr, ending her life.

  As if by design, a servant from the back office immediately reported the incident to the Censorate in Changsha, and Huang Yuanwai filed an accusation against Song Yi, ciming he had abducted the girl, who had already been betrothed. Censor Yin Zhengde, known for his unwavering principles, took the case without hesitation and furiously submitted a report to impeach Song Yi.

  Song Chuyi continued walking back to Guanju Courtyard with her servants, taking a sip of hot tea to warm up before asking Ziyun, "How is Ma Yongfu doing? Has he managed to locate that servant who initially filed the report?"

  Currently, Luo Gui, who served at the front gate, was the one running errands and reying messages for Song Chuyi through Nanny Xu. Ziyun removed her cloak and nodded, "Luo Gui just had Nanny Xu pass on a message that the man was found and is being brought back to the capital. It seems he had hidden himself well, all the way up in the mountains, but Ma Yongfu managed to find him."

  Ma Yongfu was different from Ma San—he was a scout, not a front-line fighter, and he had his own methods for finding people. This was why Song Chuyi entrusted him with the task.

  Hearing that the man had been found, Luyi also breathed a sigh of relief. She poured hot water into the copper kettle and used it to iron Song Chuyi's newly tailored gown until there wasn't a single crease, then commented, "It's a good thing we found him. Now we can clear Second Master's name and spare you and the young master from being dragged down by his reputation."

  In her heart, Luyi felt that if Song Yi had even a shred of conscience, this experience would serve as a wake-up call. After his daughter from the Li family threw him into the fire, it was her dy who was now trying to save him. He should reflect and become more responsible, especially toward Song Yan and Song Chuyi.

  However, Song Chuyi did not expect kindness from Song Yi. She had initially allowed Lady Fang to expose Song Yi's affairs, intending to teach him a lesson and give him a taste of hardship while severing his ties with Prince Duan. Now, her reasons for helping Song Yi were twofold: first, to keep him safe and in his official position, as he would be a future protective figure for Song Yan; second, to seize the opportunity to deal with Lady Fang. She initially thought Lady Fang would take her hint and act on it for Wei Yanzhao's sake, but since Lady Fang ignored her subtle suggestion, Song Chuyi would take further action to cut off Prince Duan's influence. After all, it was unpleasant to be at someone's mercy, and given that Lady Fang was willing to kill Song Chuning for Wei Yanzhao, she would surely consider doing the same to her.

  "All right," she chided Luyi lightly. Seeing Luyi pout, she smiled and turned to Qingying. "Tonight, go with Ma San and keep a close eye on Huang Yuanwai. Tomorrow, I'll go see him myself."