Song Chuyi had matters weighing on her mind, and knowing that no matter how much the Ninth Princess caused trouble, it would make no difference, she felt rather low-spirited. She didn't even notice First Lady Cui calling her several times, only coming to her senses when First Lady Cui reached out to check her forehead. Forcing a smile, she replied, "I got lost in thought..."

  Old Lady Song looked at her with concern. "You've seemed distracted and out of sorts since this morning. Could you be feeling unwell? Perhaps we should call on Physician Wang. If you're ill, it's no small matter."

  Song Chuyi dared not tell her elders that her distraction was due to concerns about Song Yan, so she quickly shook her head and found an excuse. "I'm not feeling unwell; I was simply taken aback that even at this point, the Ninth Princess still wants to drag me down with her. I couldn't help but feel affected."

  The ways of the world are often unpredictable, especially in the small grievances between girls. It may seem like a minor matter, yet young women sometimes harbor jealousy as tiny as a needle's point, remembering slights over a flower or a fttering remark from someone else. Envy, indeed, was a trait best avoided. First Lady Cui wrapped an arm around her, nodding in earnest. "That's why, in life, there are some things we cannot avoid. Old Lady once taught you, and I'll remind you again: remember the words 'contentment brings happiness.'"

  Many troubles arise from greed. Song Chuyi understood that First Lady Cui was indirectly advising her not to involve herself in the rivalries within the Eastern Pace, and she nodded in agreement. As long as Consort Fan and Zhou Weiqi kept their distance, she had no intention of touching this troublesome matter.

  By the time dinner was finished and the guests departed, the moon was high in the sky. The cold wind whistled, turning her ears red and warm from the chill. Wrapping her cloak tightly, Song Chuyi briskly returned to Guanju Courtyard.

  Qingying approached, first wringing a warm cloth to wash her face before informing her, "Luo Gui came by earlier. He said Ma Changjiang had a visit from him in the afternoon, mentioning that the Fourth Young Master may have gone to meet the Marquis of Jinxiang's heir..."

  Although Qingying spoke as softly as possible, her words hit Song Chuyi like a thundercp. She shot up in shock, exciming, "What?!"

  How could Song Yan have gotten involved with Han Zhi? In his youth, he'd been so strictly supervised he hardly ever went out, let alone had the chance to meet someone like Han Zhi, who lived far away. Later, he went to study in Shuzhong, making it even less likely they'd cross paths. So it must be a recent development...

  In that moment, a surge of anger flooded her; her whole body felt cold as if chilled to the bone. She shook herself awake. "Meeting the Marquis of Jinxiang's heir? Did Ma Changjiang say why he's meeting him? Has he been going out just to see him these days?"

  But why would he need to meet Han Zhi? Han Zhi was not one to befriend someone without a purpose. If he sought out Song Yan, it was certainly not because he valued Song Yan's status as a noble young man. There had to be another reason, likely aimed at her.

  Qingying hesitated, then shook her head. "Ma Changjiang said the Fourth Young Master changes carriages three or four times each time he goes out. Often, he'd enter Juyi Tower only to switch to another carriage through the back door and head somewhere else, then change locations again after a while... Sometimes he even goes out of the city. If it hadn't been for him catching a glimpse of Guanshan, who serves the Marquis's heir, he wouldn't have figured out where the Fourth Young Master was or who he was meeting."

  No wonder Ma Changjiang, careful and thorough as he was, had taken so long to uncover anything. He must have realized something was wrong only when he spotted Guanshan and rushed to report it.

  Song Chuyi wanted to call Song Yan to her side immediately, to demand why he'd gotten involved with someone like Han Zhi, but she forced herself to hold back. She couldn't confront Song Yan now—if he'd hidden this from her, it meant he believed it was too shameful to reveal. If she confronted and reprimanded him now, it would only push him further away.

  Seeing her face turn as cold as ice, fists clenched tightly, Qingying became anxious. "Miss, should we send someone to bring the Fourth Young Master here? That man isn't to be trifled with; who knows what he's persuaded the Fourth Young Master to do..."

  If Han Zhi led him down the wrong path, involving him in forbidden matters... Song Chuyi closed her eyes, her entire body trembling, and took a long moment to steady herself. She shook her head resolutely. "Pretend we know nothing of this. Tell Ma Changjiang to gather Sun Ergou and Ma San, and send more people to tail the Fourth Young Master. I need to know his final destination!"

  This time, she would make Han Zhi pay the price!

  Qingying hesitated and asked, "Should we reach out to that Young Master Zhang? He's always with the Marquis's heir, so he may hear some news. Or, perhaps we should inform your uncle and aunt?"

  They'd just met Zhang Run a few days ago, and he hadn't mentioned any contact between Han Zhi and Song Yan. Although Zhang Run had once been infatuated with Han Zhi, Han Zhi's wary and secretive nature likely prevented him from trusting Zhang Run fully. Most of what Zhang Run knew was probably just bits and pieces. Reflecting on their st meeting at Chongyin Tavern, Song Chuyi couldn't shake an uneasy feeling.

  She couldn't contact Zhang Run. If Han Zhi had indeed set a trap for Song Yan after discovering her connection with Zhang Run, going to Zhang Run now would undoubtedly alert Han Zhi and further provoke him.

  However, if Zhang Run remained unaware of Han Zhi's intentions, he might still try to gather information about the Northwest accounts for her. Han Zhi, though, was now like a cat toying with a mouse, batting and taunting it, keeping it weak under his cws but giving it no escape.

  The thought chilled Song Chuyi to the core. She wasn't sure whether to instruct Ma Changjiang to notify Zhang Run or to wait until she had more crity, leaving her in silent contemption under the mplight.

  At st, she made her decision. "No, we're due to leave for Jinzhong after the New Year, so now..."

  The fewer people who knew about Song Yan's situation, the better. If word got out, it could impact his life forever.