Song Chuyi was overcome with sorrow stirred up by Song Yi, as memories crashed over her like relentless waves, leaving her exhausted and without a moment to breathe. Returning to Guanju Courtyard, she stayed indoors, changed into her embroidered shoes, and leaned on the couch, holding a hand warmer, lost in thought.

  From the moment she reopened her eyes in this life, she had vowed never to let herself or Song Yan fall into the helpless state of their previous life—alone, vulnerable, and at the mercy of others, watching her loved ones meet tragic ends one by one.

  Had she been too compcent, or had she overlooked something? Why had Song Yan started going out daily again? What was he doing that he had to hide it from the family, even from her?

  If her rebirth couldn't change and save Song Yan's life, then what was the purpose of her rebirth? She covered her face with her hands, and memories of Song Yi's past indulgence, Song Yan's bloodshot eyes, and the repeated deliveries of gold and silver flooded her mind, making her eyes sting with tears.

  Ziyun, who had served her since she was eight, had never seen her cry. Now, watching crystalline tears seep through her fingers, Ziyun was so shocked she forgot herself and rushed to her side in a panic. "Miss..."

  Outside, Qingying's cheerful voice came through the curtains. "The Fourth Young Master is here! Fourth Young Master, please come in; our young dy has been waiting for you all day."

  Song Chuyi covered her eyes with a handkerchief, and as she lowered it, Song Yan entered with rge strides. He wore a sapphire-blue robe embroidered with magpies on a flowering branch, a matching belt around his waist, and his brows and eyes, more open and mature with age, made him look every bit the dashing young noble of a wealthy family.

  He naturally sat beside Song Chuyi, but as he got closer, he noticed her reddened eyes and was taken aback. "Sister, you've been crying?" He leaned in worriedly, noticing her shes were still damp, and sprang up in concern. "Did you meet Father in Ningde Courtyard? Did he say something to upset you?"

  For the first time, Song Chuyi pulled her hand away from his, her moist yet exceptionally bright, jewel-like eyes fixed on him as she finally asked, "Where have you been running off to every day recently?"

  Since she had just been crying, her voice carried a thick nasal tone. In this moment, she looked like a genuine young girl.

  Song Yan froze, instinctively turning his head away from her gaze and pressing his lips together. "I was meeting my cssmates."

  "Liar!" Song Chuyi couldn't hold back anymore; her usually calm tone grew suddenly sharp. "You haven't been meeting your cssmates at all! I had people search every teahouse and tavern in the capital—you've never been with your cssmates."

  As she spoke, tears began to slide down her long shes. "Song Yan, when did you learn to lie too? What are you doing that you have to hide it from me?"

  She was terrified—terrified that Song Yan would fall back into his old ways, wasting his life in indulgence, only to end up caught in someone else's trap, losing his life.

  Song Yan was completely at a loss, bewildered by his sister's rare dispy of emotion. In his memory, Song Chuyi had always been composed and calm, unshakable in her wisdom. He stammered, his hands sweating, unable to say a word.

  Thankfully, Qingying came in just then, first gncing at Song Yan before softly reporting to Song Chuyi, "A message has come from Old Lady's quarters—both of your aunts have arrived, and she'd like you to come over."

  Song Chuyi rose, not sparing a gnce at the downcast Song Yan. She changed her shoes and was about to leave when she turned and looked back at him. "Think about it carefully and decide if you want to tell me."

  Song Yan opened his mouth to call her back, but his throat felt as if it were filled with cotton, and he couldn't speak, watching helplessly as she left the room.

  Song Chuyi pulled herself together and went to Ningde Courtyard, where First Lady Cui was discussing the Ninth Princess's upcoming marriage with Old Lady Song. "The Astronomical Office has selected the date: she'll depart on the second day of the twelfth month. When I visited the pace to pay respects to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress a few days ago, I heard the Ninth Princess has fallen ill again..."

  First Lady Cui was not fond of this cousin. As a child, the Ninth Princess had been a bit spoiled, but as she grew up, her jealousy over anything superior to her became intolerable. Once, because a pace maid had eyebrows finer than hers, she had shaved them off and even scarred her face with scissors. Regardless of her noble status, such behavior made her difficult to like. Moreover, her hostility toward Song Chuyi only added to First Lady Cui's distaste for her.

  Old Lady Song shook her head as Song Chuyi sat beside First Lady Cui. "With that temperament, how could the Ninth Princess possibly be happy in marriage?"

  Some people ruin a good hand of cards, while others make the best of a bad one, turning it to their favor. Sadly, it seemed the Ninth Princess would never understand this.

  Lady Yu, who had been silent until now, sighed and chimed in, "Exactly. She's always coveting what others have without considering what she has herself. Such a nature will never bring her happiness. I even heard she tried to convince Noble Consort Xian to ask His Majesty to let Chuyi go along as a companion! How absurd!"

  Old Lady Song's anger fred at this. "What nonsense! Anyone foolish enough to believe her whims is a fool. She's doing this purely out of petty revenge. If we hadn't prepared in advance, Chuyi would be caught in her schemes, forced to endure endless torment."

  Fortunately, the Ninth Princess hadn't gotten her way in the end. First Lady Cui turned to Old Lady Song and remarked, "Young dies of marriageable age are easily targeted. This time, it was the Ninth Princess meddling with the idea of companions. Next time, it might be a family like Duke Ying's seeking a match."

  First Lady Cui was right—it was time to arrange a marriage for Song Chuyi. With the support of her future in-ws, she would gain a new yer of protection and avoid becoming a pawn in others' schemes.

  Old Lady Song exchanged a gnce with First Lady Cui, and they both said in unison, "The Ye family..."

  They had only spoken three words before stopping and sharing a ugh, realizing they had thought of the same thing.