With spies monitoring the Cui residence, it was inaccessible, but Han Zhi likely didn't have the resources to keep tabs on the Yu family's estate. Ma Yongfu and his group should have known this; the fact that they hadn't visited there indicated just how tightly Han Zhi's people were watching. A vague unease crept over Song Chuyi. Currently, Qingying was her only capable ally, but Qingying's presence had become too conspicuous to use openly.

  Sitting still for a long while, Song Chuyi considered her options. She had confided in Old Lady Song about requesting aid from Cui Shaoting's people, but other than utilizing a few individuals regarding Song Yi's matters, she had left the impression that the rest had been returned to the Cui family. She couldn't risk approaching them now—Old Master Song was already overwhelmed with stress due to the Zhang family affair, as he had been the chief examiner when it was first investigated in Yangzhou. Now, the Emperor had commanded him to preside over the case again, leaving him so worried that he was nearly tearing his hair out.

  Holding a finely crafted box and gncing at the bamboo holder on the brush rack, Song Chuyi made up her mind. She wasn't entirely without options. Han Zhi had forced her step by step into this corner; there was no way he was solely interested in avenging Song Chuning. Given time, his true intentions would inevitably reveal themselves.

  As Ziyun and Luyi directed the servants to carry a basket of fresh peaches inside, they saw Song Chuyi watching them from the window and couldn't help but smile. "Miss, the princess said the peaches from her estate are in season. She sent some over for Old Lady Song and the family to enjoy."

  The April sunlight streamed through the branches of the banyan tree, casting warm patches on the ground and adding a touch of warmth to the crisp morning air. Song Chuyi smiled as well, tightly gripping the box in her hands. "Take the bamboo basket Second Brother sent over and divide the peaches to send to First Aunt, Third Aunt, and Fifth Uncle. I'll deliver the ones for Grandmother myself."

  Old Lady Song, still worried about Song Yi's words from the day before, felt a wave of relief when she saw Song Chuyi's bright face. She handed the basket to Yushu with a smile, saying, "This bamboo basket is quite charming. You've got a knack for thoughtful gestures."

  "Second Brother brought it, saying he and Young Master Ye found it at a market stall. I thought it was unique and wanted to share it to make Grandmother smile." Song Chuyi then took out two fine porcein bottles painted with cranes in flight. "These are peach blossom liqueur from Aunt. Please give it a try, Grandmother."

  Old Lady Song's mind drifted back to yesterday's troubles. With Song Chuyi now of marriageable age, it was indeed time to consider her prospects. Otherwise, if the Han and Shen families continued to make noise, her reputation could be at risk.

  Thinking this, her thoughts turned to Ye Jingchuan, who had always been attentive to Song Chuyi. "Speaking of which, it's been a while since Young Master Ye has visited. He's been making strides and is set to take the martial exam this year. That should ease the Princess' worries."

  She turned to Nanny Huang. "Didn't we receive plenty of strawberries and cherries from our estate recently? Tell the eldest daughter-in-w to send some over to Duke Ying and Zhennan King's estates."

  Once Nanny Huang had gone, Old Lady Song took Song Chuyi's hand with a hint of concern and said, "Don't let yesterday's events trouble you. Your father just doesn't know you well and only remembers what you liked as a child..."

  The retionship between father and daughter had long been more distant and awkward than close, despite Old Lady Song's many attempts at reconciliation. Still, nothing had changed.

  Song Chuyi pressed her lips together. She had always been respectful to Old Lady Song and Old Master Song, but she couldn't pretend to comply when it came to Song Yi.

  Though Song Yi was her father, and she wished him health and success, being close to him as before—knowing what she now knew about the Cui family—was beyond her.

  Old Lady Song saw the expression on her face and could guess her thoughts, letting out a long sigh. She wanted to say something but ultimately chose to remain silent. As long as she and Old Master Song were still around, they would see Song Chuyi safely married and settled. For now, maintaining a peaceful front between Song Chuyi and Song Yi would have to suffice.

  Song Qi was quite puzzled upon receiving the news. Scratching his head, he ran to the back courtyard to find Song Chuyi. "Why on earth do they want me to deliver these things? Could it be that Ye Jingchuan is up to some scheme again?"

  Now holding a quiet position as a registrar in the Ministry of Rites, Song Qi was still wary of Ye Jingchuan. Unlike Song Jue, who had a martial background and could manage Ye Jingchuan, he always seemed to end up at a disadvantage around him. Hearing that First Lady Song specifically wanted him to deliver fresh produce from the family's estate left him bewildered and a bit uneasy—why not just send a maid to deliver it directly to the back courtyard? He had never seen someone go out of their way to send the young master himself on a delivery, except for when Ye Jingchuan used such errands as excuses to drop by other people's homes.

  Song Chuyi was brushing the cat that Xiang Mingzi kept, and when she heard him, she ughed. "I did hear Grandmother mention the reason. Apparently, Young Master Ye mentioned how much he enjoyed your time together in Tongzhou, and Grandmother thought that, as you're both close in age, you should spend more time together. Since she put it that way, what harm is there in going?"

  Song Qi still felt something was amiss, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He scratched his head, confused, and left.

  Meanwhile, Ziyun couldn't help ughing as she chided Song Chuyi, "Really, you could have just sent Bilian instead. She's young and doesn't stand out, so no one would pay attention to her. Why go to all the trouble of getting Old Lady Song to send Second Young Master?"

  Song Chuyi sighed. "If I didn't go to such trouble, how would Ye Jingchuan come here? With the spring hunt coming up, he'll likely be going out to the countryside often. Sending Second Brother will make him realize I'm the one reaching out. As for Bilian, I have more important tasks for her."

  Ziyun had a point—Bilian was young and inconspicuous, making her ideal for more covert tasks. But when it came to reaching out to Zhou Weizhao, Ye Jingchuan was the least suspicious intermediary. Reaching out to the Cui or Yu families would cause too much of a stir and risk alerting Han Zhi. Besides, in Han Zhi's eyes, Ye Jingchuan was just a carefree young man; he wouldn't be seen as a threat.