Ye Jingchuan had been bustling back and forth, following Song Jue everywhere. Initially, Song Jue tolerated it, but eventually, he couldn't help but give Ye Jingchuan an exasperated gre. "What are you doing, trailing me everywhere? Don't you have anything else to do?"

  Inside the room, Song Yan knelt in a dejected posture, looking utterly downcast. Hearing their conversation, he looked up at them with a pitiful expression.

  He still didn't fully understand what had happened. He thought they had come to help him retrieve something, yet it had turned into an eborate scheme. From his sister and older brother's conversation, it was clear they had pnned to use this incident to drive a wedge between Han Zhi and the Prince of Commandery, causing the Prince to abandon Han Zhi, thus trapping him in a carefully id snare.

  While Song Yan couldn't grasp all the intricate details, he was well aware that he had made a grave mistake. If it weren't for Song Chuyi's vigince, and for Old Master Song and Old Lady Song coordinating with the Ye family and Governor He, Han Zhi would have devoured him whole, leaving nothing but bones.

  Ye Jingchuan didn't respond directly; instead, he pointed at Song Yan and asked Song Jue, "Why are you making him kneel as punishment? Don't you know what kind of person Han Zhi is? He's as cunning as a fox, extremely sly. Even I've been deceived by him. What would a young kid like Yan'er understand?"

  No wonder even An An hadn't come to check on them; she had been following him back and forth, agitated, all because of Song Yan. Song Jue, understanding Ye Jingchuan's intentions, responded with a puzzled question, "Regardless of his understanding, he still vioted the family rules and made a mistake. When you're wrong, you should be punished."

  He looked over at Song Yan, who had raised his head, and added with solemn emphasis, "Regardless of your motives or reasons, you went against family principles, nearly causing harm to yourself and your sister, and almost bringing shame upon our family."

  Ye Jingchuan grew anxious. By that logic, he himself should atone with his life for the incident in Tongzhou. Although Prince Duan was the mastermind, it was his own arrogance that allowed those Tatar soldiers to reach Tongzhou in the first pce.

  He wanted to plead further on Song Yan's behalf, but then Song Yan responded crisply, "Yes, I understand."

  Song Yan knelt upright, perfectly composed, with his back straight.

  Song Jue nodded in approval. As long as he was receptive to instruction, there was hope. Just then, Qing Ying came over to summon him and Ye Jingchuan. Before leaving, Song Jue instructed Song Yan, "Don't get up until the allotted time has passed."

  Meanwhile, Song Chuyi was discussing their return to the city with them. "Tomorrow, Governor He will lead the search of Han Zhi's estate. We should leave early to avoid drawing suspicion."

  ____

  Consort Fan's expression suddenly sharpened. She already looked somewhat severe when not smiling, and now, with her brows arched, she appeared even harsher. She involuntarily raised her voice, frowning as she questioned Zhou Weiqi, who sat with lowered eyes, "What did you say?!"

  Han Zhi would actually do something so foolish! She had treated him well for so many years! But now, he turned around and bit her instead. Truly, he was a worthless ingrate, like that common-bred woman, Lady Fan, who could never reach greatness.

  Meanwhile, Zhou Weiqi was browsing the account books sent over by Grand Secretary Chen's side while he quickly gnced at his mother. "If we're being honest, Mother has been a bit too harsh on them tely, which led to Cousin's resentment."

  After being treated well for so many years, anyone would struggle to accept such a sudden change. Especially someone like Han Zhi, who was so sensitive and dark-hearted. He had long regarded Consort Fan as a mother figure, so being betrayed by her was naturally painful.

  Not only did the Han family find it sudden, but even the Prince of Commandery, her own son, couldn't understand why his mother seemed to change overnight, turning her heart to stone toward Lady Fan and Han Yueheng, even insisting that Han Yueheng accompany the entourage to Japan.

  If Consort Fan hadn't been so headstrong and gone behind his back to arrange this, and even funted it in front of Lady Fan, Han Zhi wouldn't be so dissatisfied.

  Zhou Weiqi carefully examined Consort Fan's expression, trying to discern her intentions. Why did she insist on dealing with her own family like this? It was akin to severing her own arm.

  In the past, Mother would never have done something so foolish. She had coexisted peacefully with Lady Fan for years, at least outwardly, and treated Han Zhi and Han Yueheng as her own. Why had her nature suddenly changed?

  Consort Fan, noticing his gaze, became annoyed, sneering as she raised an eyebrow at him. "What? Afraid that the money from the Northwest will stop?"

  Yes, that was exactly it. He feared that the dispute with Han Zhi and Han Yueheng might lead to a complete rift with the Marquis of Jinxiang. After all, the Northwest relied heavily on his uncle's efforts, bringing in an unknown amount of revenue each year.

  To accomplish anything, funds were essential. His uncle, as the governor of Datong, controlled the vital route out of the Northwest. If he knew Mother had schemed for Han Yueheng to accompany the entourage to Japan and refused to support Han Zhi, how could he remain loyal? After all, Han Zhi and Han Yueheng were his own children.

  The Prince of Commandery wanted to express his grievances but couldn't bring himself to criticize his mother, so he hung his head in silence.

  Consort Fan, gracefully adjusting the slightly crooked phoenix hairpin on her head, smiled with confidence. "Don't worry. No matter what I do with the Han family, it won't affect the Northwest."

  The Prince of Commandery raised his eyebrows in surprise, unable to fathom the source of his mother's confidence. She was now mistreating his aunt, scheming against his cousin, and abandoning his cousin, yet she could confidently decre that nothing would go wrong in the Northwest. Where did she get such confidence?

  A sudden thought struck him, causing his heart to skip a beat. He must be mad, he thought, forcing a wry smile. How could he think such a thing about his mother? Shaking his head, he tried to banish those thoughts from his mind.

  Consort Fan resumed her talk about Han Zhi. "He brought this upon himself. Of all the families to provoke, he chose the Song family and targeted their precious child who passed the entrance exam at the age of ten. No matter how the Song family handles it, don't get involved."

  Of course, he couldn't get involved now. With Zhou Weizhao's teacher arriving in the capital and Emperor Jianzhang's favor toward Zhou Weizhao increasing, he couldn't afford any scandal.