These were all prearranged pns. If everything had gone as pnned up to now, then it was time for him to return to Han Zhi's estate. Running a gambling den had never been a secret; it was only because they had the Eastern Pace as their shield that they had been so brazen.

  Once this protection was withdrawn and someone hinted at the possibility, those below naturally took the cue.

  With the investigation of the gambling den, it was inevitable that Han Zhi's estate in Tongzhou would also be searched. And during this search, they would discover a major criminal linked to the Yangzhou corruption case—Zhang Yuan's son, Zhang Run.

  At that point, even with wings, Han Zhi wouldn't be able to escape.

  Song Chuyi turned to him and nodded slowly. "It's about time. You can head over now."

  A look of joy appeared on Zhang Run's face. He straightened his attire and respectfully bowed deeply to the Song family. "Thank you, First Young Master Song and Sixth Miss Song, for allowing this. Your great kindness will never be forgotten."

  He had always known that he would one-day witness Han Zhi's downfall, but he hadn't expected that day to arrive so quickly and suddenly. When he had been sent out of the estate by Guan Shan, he thought he wouldn't have the chance to see Han Zhi's end. But, in the end, he lived to see it.

  More than the people from the Eastern Pace or those involved in the investigation, he hated Han Zhi the most. This man had once been someone he trusted unconditionally, someone who had been engaged to his sister, only to turn around and betray them, tearing their family apart like a heartless wolf.

  Song Yan clutched Song Chuyi's sleeve, struggling to understand what was happening. Wasn't his sister here to settle her own troubles with Han Zhi? Why did it seem like there were yers to this that he knew nothing about?

  Zhang Run, with a radiant face, didn't look like someone going to his death; instead, he appeared as though he was off to a grand banquet, neatly dressed and spirited.

  "I'm off." At the door, Zhang Run turned back one st time, bowing to Song Jue and Song Chuyi, a satisfied smile on his face. "Thank you, First Young Master Song and Sixth Miss Song. I'm on my way."

  Ye Jingchuan pursed his lips. He had only learned about Zhang Run's situation yesterday, and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. He sighed but held back his words.

  Song Jue was somewhat moved; though Zhang Run was destined to die by the w, he was, after all, just a schor focused solely on Confucian teachings. In the end, he became colteral in the power struggle between Prince Gong, Prince Duan, and the Eastern Pace.

  Song Chuyi's expression remained calm. She nodded slightly at Zhang Run and reminded him softly, "Young Master Zhang, let me give you one piece of advice: don't bite off more than you can chew. With your current abilities, you might be able to bring down Han Zhi, but if you drag in others, things might not go as you pnned."

  Song Yan was still puzzled. He had thought that going with Song Chuyi to the gambling den was a great risk, but now it seemed as though she was setting bait, bit by bit, for Han Zhi to swallow.

  The Song family's vil was brightly lit, and Nanny Xu led the servants in serving the food. Song Yan and Song Chuyi hadn't eaten properly all day, and Nanny Xu's eyes almost turned red with concern. "What is all this? Making everyone so anxious. Second Young Master Ye almost couldn't hold himself back several times from leading a search party for you."

  Ye Jingchuan was a rare gentleman. Every time Miss Song was in trouble, he would be the first to come and offer help with sincere effort. Just this afternoon, he had even personally delivered the invitation to Governor He's house, saying he could convey the message more clearly in person.

  A man like him—handsome, upright, from a good family, without any of the wild habits of the idle sons of nobility, and showing obvious interest in Song Chuyi—was growing on Nanny Xu more and more.

  (Transtor Xiaobai: This is why most readers prefer the second male lead in stories more)

  Song Chuyi paused, reflecting that this time she owed much to Ye Jingchuan's help. He had deliberately chosen the right moment to subtly hint things to Zhou Weiqi while paying respects to Princess Rongcheng, stirring Zhou Weiqi's suspicions. He had even guided Zhou Weiqi to investigate Han Zhi's recent activities.

  If anyone else had done it, the effect wouldn't have been the same. Ye Jingchuan truly cared about her; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed without hesitation, even without understanding her motives.

  She thought of her grandmother and aunt's occasional hints and felt a bit dazed.

  She had never considered marriage; the scars of her previous life were too painful, like a person fearing a well after being bitten by a snake. Unrealistic promises and alliances seemed like mirages—just a small disturbance, and they'd vanish. Like Song Yan's friend, Ah Heng, who, in a critical moment, could abandon his devoted wife without a second thought. Or the father of that girl she and Song Yan had helped earlier outside the estate, who would abandon his family just to escape a few taels of debt.

  As she drifted in thought, Qing Ying entered, lifted the curtain, and walked over to her, bowing slightly. "Miss, a letter has arrived from Lord Lai."

  A letter from Lai Chenglong at this time?

  Song Chuyi raised an eyebrow, surprised. Everything had already been settled, so Lai Chenglong should be more focused on investigating Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin's case. Why would he send her a letter now? Could there be some unexpected trouble?

  She took the letter, gnced over it, and couldn't help but smile.

  Qing Ying, usually fearful of letters from Lai Chenglong due to the turbulent events they often foretold, was puzzled by Song Chuyi's smile. After a moment, she finally asked, "Miss, why are you smiling?"

  Lai Chenglong wrote that Old Lady Chen had invited his wife over, subtly hinting at a plea for leniency.

  He hadn't pnned to pursue the investigation deeply. As Song Chuyi had once told him, the Emperor wanted him to be a loyal minister, a confidant. If he acted too aggressively, his indispensable status would diminish in the Emperor's eyes.

  His aim was to remove Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin, as he wanted complete control of the Jinyiwei. Offending the Prince of Commandery and Consort Fan would do him no good at this point.

  Since Grand Secretary Chen had personally intervened, it was only natural for Lai Chenglong to go along with it, easing off on the investigation and sparing the Prince of Commandery.

  Now, with Grand Secretary Chen's family helping the Prince of Commandery, while Han Zhi remained the one creating trouble for the Prince and Consort Fan, they'd be even less inclined to support Han Zhi. People like them despised anyone dragging them down.

  Even if Han Zhi was completely loyal as Consort Fan's ckey, she hadn't hesitated to send Han Yueheng off to such a distant pce. How could she possibly tolerate Han Zhi now that he no longer wanted to py the loyal dog?