By the time they returned to the Marquis of Changning's residence, it was almost evening. The biting cold wind stung their ears, and when Song Chuyi saw that Song Yan's ears were red from riding in the cold, she called him over with a wave, her heart aching as she asked, "Why didn't you ride in the carriage with me?"

  Song Yan's ears reddened, and due to having spent the whole night talking with Song Jue, he looked somewhat fatigued, with dark circles under his eyes. He shook his head immediately, saying, "I'm not young anymore. At Big Brother's age, he was already training in horseback riding and archery daily with his master." In the Six Arts of a gentleman, Song Jue had studied them all without neglecting any. At his brother's age, Song Jue was already learning to relieve his elders' burdens, while he was still causing trouble for the family.

  As they spoke, a servant woman approached to greet them. Seeing Song Jue following them, Song Chuyi couldn't help but sigh.

  She felt sorry for Song Yan and didn't want to scold him, but she also had to admit that there was a way men interacted with each other. She couldn't keep him by her side forever; letting him mature sooner was, after all, a good thing.

  First Lady Cui and Lady Yu were both waiting in Old Lady Song's room. When they saw Song Chuyi enter, they quickly stood up. Lady Yu was calm, but First Lady Cui reached out and tapped her forehead with a finger, saying, "You think just because you're capable, you can act without concern for others? Yan'er is still young and doesn't understand that a single move can set off a chain reaction, but don't you know? Keeping everything from us... if something had happened, how would I expin it to Mother and your uncle?"

  Lady Yu nodded in agreement, her heart unable to help but bme Cui Shaoting for spoiling this niece of his to such an extent—giving her people, giving her money. What other prestigious family would raise a daughter in such a manner?

  Song Chuyi recounted the events of the previous day, concluding, "Magistrate He should have already investigated the gambling den for the homicide, and soon, Zhang Run will implicate Han Zhi. With Zhang Run's case, Han Zhi will likely end up in the hands of the Jinyiwei."

  When nobles committed crimes, they were either taken to Dali Temple or the Jinyiwei. Currently, there was no way for Han Zhi to infiltrate the Jinyiwei, as Lai Chenglong controlled it completely. It would be nearly impossible for Han Zhi to escape this time.

  This, too, was a relief, as it removed a significant worry. First Lady Cui held Song Chuyi as they sat down and, with some hesitation, looked toward Old Lady Song at the head of the room. "The selection for the young master's new wife has been finalized. If everything goes smoothly, the marriage should take pce within the next month or two..."

  If Song Yi were to remarry, Song Chuyi and Song Yan's trip back to Jinzhong to see Old Lady Cui would likely have to be postponed. However, First Lady Cui couldn't shake her worry about Song Chuyi remaining in the capital.

  With Han Zhi's incident, the Eastern Pace could easily turn a blind eye to curry favor with the Song family, which showed that he already viewed the Song family as easy prey. Just yesterday, the Prince of Commandery himself went to Tongzhou to send Han Zhi away and extricate Song Chuyi from trouble—there was no clearer show of goodwill towards the Song family than this.

  Yet Zhou Weiqi... First Lady Cui immediately shook her head inwardly. She was the cousin of Zhou Weizhao and Zhou Weiqi, and while she leaned more toward Zhou Weizhao, who was born of the Crown Princess, as she had been raised by the Empress, she held no inherent prejudice against Zhou Weiqi.

  However, after Cui Shaoting's incident, she knew that Consort Fan and Zhou Weiqi had significant ambitions. People like them, coveting both the Chen and Song families, were hardly easy to deal with and certainly not suitable marriage material.

  Old Lady Song frowned as she recalled this matter. Although a suitable match had been found, they still needed to select an auspicious date, and with all the rituals, the whole process would likely take another two to three months. That would mean missing Old Lady Cui's birthday celebration.

  After thinking it over, she shook her head. "The in-w's birthday banquet is more important. Otherwise, if we dey any longer, Yan'er will have to return to Shuzhong. I'll ask Master Yuankong to select another date for the second son's marriage."

  First Lady Cui was about to nod in agreement when Nanny Huang entered from outside, approached Old Lady Song, and bent down to speak. "Old Lady, there's news from Tongzhou—they weren't able to capture Han Zhi."

  They didn't catch Han Zhi?! What did this mean? Old Lady Song's eyes widened.

  Song Chuyi was also surprised. Although she had angered Han Zhi yesterday, she hadn't revealed anything and had followed the pn, even taking away Song Yan's sachet. There was no reason this should have raised Han Zhi's suspicions.

  Unless Magistrate He's actions were too obvious, or the Prince of Commandery had accidentally divulged something during his argument with Han Zhi.

  First Lady Cui bit her lip, unable to contain her disgust. "They say good people don't live long, but troublemakers linger for a thousand years. Han Zhi is like an indestructible rat."

  Once the case was reported, the people from Dali Temple and the Jinyiwei would naturally handle it. No matter how capable Han Zhi was, where could he run? He still needed to eat, drink, and find shelter. By doing these things, he'd inevitably leave a trail.

  After some thought, Old Lady Song made a decision. "Until he's found, no one should leave the residence."

  After all, Han Zhi was skilled in martial arts and was involved with the gambling den. He might still have a few loyal men willing to follow him, so it was better to be cautious. As long as they didn't step outside, there was nothing he could do to them.

  When the news reached the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, Han Yueheng and Lady Fan were both shocked. Han Yueheng was organizing her dowry boxes when she heard the news. Her hands turned icy, and she dropped the hand warmer she was holding, which nded on the carpet with a thud, leaving a burnt bck mark.

  What was going on? Why was one disaster after another striking the Han family?

  It was common for Han Zhi to be away from home for ten days or more, and given his recent quarrel with Lady Fan over Han Yueheng and Consort Fan, his absence didn't seem unusual. But no one had expected that this time, something serious had happened.

  After hearing the report, Lady Fan, feeling cold all over, raised her voice. "Where are Guanshan and Guanhai?!"

  The Guan brothers were Han Zhi's trusted aides, always by his side. If anyone knew what had happened to him, it would be them.

  The steward's wife hurried in, practically tripping over herself, her face pale as she reported, "Lady, Miss, the Jinyiwei are here. They say they need to search our residence to see if the young master is here..."

  With Han Zhengqing absent, Han Zhi in trouble, and not a single male in the household avaible to greet the officers, Lady Fan clutched her handkerchief, trembling as she held Han Yueheng, tears streaming down her face.