Old Lady Song sat in silence for a long while, her grip tight on the armrest. After gncing at both Song Chuyi and Old Master Song, she finally spoke decisively, "Send someone to bring Yan'er back immediately and find out exactly what he's been up to outside!"

  Song Yan was indeed far too young and too easily influenced by external forces. If someone was luring him into trouble, it couldn't be easier. With Han Zhi harboring such malicious intent... Old Lady Song could hardly bear to imagine what kind of twisted things Han Zhi might be leading Song Yan into.

  Old Master Song gently patted her hand to calm her, then turned to Song Chuyi and asked, "Since you've known about this for some time, you must have already started thinking of a way to handle it. You haven't told me or your aunt and uncle; does that mean you pn to resolve it on your own?"

  "I was afraid it might blow up and arm the elders..." Song Chuyi admitted straightforwardly, "At the beginning of the new year, we're set to travel to Jinzhong to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. If Yan'er were to get into trouble now, both our Song family and the Cui family would be embarrassed..."

  Old Master Song eyed her closely and continued, "So, according to your original pn, what were you intending to do? Have someone follow Yan'er to find out exactly where he's going and what Han Zhi is luring him into doing, and then?"

  He didn't doubt Song Chuyi's concern for Song Yan. Han Zhi deliberately targeting Song Yan was, indeed, malicious to the extreme. For most things, Song Chuyi might endure, but if it involved Song Yan, she would absolutely not let Han Zhi off easily.

  Song Chuyi shook her head honestly. "I haven't figured everything out yet. I need to understand what Yan'er is actually doing before I can decide my next move."

  Old Lady Song quickly interjected, "This isn't something you can handle on your own. Don't be fooled by Han Zhi's youth; he's currently the true master of the Marquis of Jinxiang's household. He commands Han Zhengqing's forces, has numerous soldiers and henchmen under him, and even has the backing of the Prince of Commandery... Old Master, you need to think of a way, or just demand Yan'er back from him and see how he responds."

  Old Master Song waved his hand, sighing to his wife, "If I step in, this matter will indeed escate. Given Han Zhi's cunning nature, he might even take the opportunity to make things worse. Xiao Yi is right; as long as we don't know exactly what Yan'er has been deceived into doing, it's best we do nothing. We shouldn't even question Yan'er. If Han Zhi senses anything, Yan'er's situation could become truly dangerous."

  Old Master Song had an accurate read on people. Even with the small clues he'd gathered st time during the affair with Cui Shaoting, he could discern Han Zhi's character. Han Zhi was the type who loved to boil frogs slowly, making sure his targets couldn't escape easily.

  "What can we do, then?" Old Lady Song asked, anxiety fshing in her eyes as she looked between Song Chuyi and Old Master Song. "Are we just supposed to watch as Yan'er sinks deeper and deeper without knowing what kind of trap he's falling into?"

  Song Chuyi remained silent, her head lowered. Song Yan was still young, unlike her, who had lived through a previous life. He didn't yet understand that fate was the fairest thing of all. Any mistakes made in one's youth would come with a price to be paid in ter years.

  Old Master Song looked at Song Chuyi. "Here's what I'll do. I'll give you three days. I can provide you with any resources or money you need. If you can resolve this quietly, that would be best. If not, after three days, I'll take over."

  For the head of the Song family, Song Chengru, to take action would mean that this issue could no longer be hidden within the family. If it came to that, it would indicate that Song Chuyi had also exhausted her means, and Han Zhi certainly wouldn't let the matter end so easily.

  After a moment of contemption, Song Chuyi nodded decisively.

  That evening, she went to the courtyard where she had st met Lai Chenglong. The sunset was just right, half-hidden behind inky clouds, casting a red glow across half the sky. Bathed in the fading light, she sat in an open pavilion, her expression serious.

  This time, Lai Chenglong arrived promptly, still dressed in his uniform, his sword at his waist emanating a chilling aura. His first words to her were words of gratitude: "Your pn was fwless, even down to the precise opening you chose for me. Thanks to the Zhao family's determined outcry, I was able to swiftly deal with Jia Yingxin and Xu Liang."

  The Zhao family would never be content to take the fall for allegedly spying on the Emperor's movements. Naturally, they worked tirelessly to clear their name, having Captain Zhao decre that he had never intended to join the important ranks of the Imperial Guard. Knowing that he wasn't willing to join, Jia Yingxin and Xu Liang's efforts to recruit him appeared all the more suspicious.

  Today, Song Chuyi had styled her hair in a parted topknot, with braids adorned with pearls cascading over her chest, perfectly complementing her misty, ethereal eyes. She looked harmless, like a fairy from a painting.

  But when she looked at Lai Chenglong with her jet-bck eyes, her request was blunt, "This favor might not be as tricky as my uncle's case, but it's no pleasant matter either. If Uncle Lai is willing to help, I would be immensely grateful."

  Without using the favor she had just done for him as a bargaining chip, her eyes were open and sincere, clear to the bottom.

  From the moment he accepted her help, an unspoken alliance had been formed between them, a mutual agreement to support each other.

  Though Song Chuyi hadn't said it outright, Lai Chenglong had already prepared himself to return the favor. Now, hearing her straightforward request, he agreed without hesitation. "Tell me. If it's within my abilities, I'll make sure it's done."

  Qingying, who had been on edge all this time, finally rexed. If even the Jinyiwei couldn't help with this, she didn't know who else could.

  "Recently, Han Zhi has been targeting my younger brother. He's been leading Yan'er all over the pce. Due to the urgency of time and Han Zhi's deliberate precautions, my people haven't been able to track exactly where Yan'er goes or what he's up to," Song Chuyi said directly to Lai Chenglong. "My grandfather has given me only three days to handle this. If I fail, he'll take over. And if he does, everyone in the Song family will inevitably know about it. I can't let my brother fall into that kind of situation. The Jinyiwei has extensive eyes and ears and operates with impressive speed, far more than my people can manage. So, I'd like to ask for your help."