The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 3)

Chapter 83 - The News

Old Master Song and Song Jue had already started to treat Song Yan as an adult, which was greatly beneficial for his growth. Song Chuyi gave Song Yan a reassuring nod. This was a good development. She couldn't stay by Song Yan's side forever or walk the path ahead for him; sooner or later, he would have to navigate it on his own. Now that he had stumbled, someone was finally there to teach him how not to fall again, which was very positive.

As they left Old Master Song's study, Song Jue gave Song Yan a firm knock on the head, folding his hands behind his back with a mix of sternness and instruction. "Kid, although I'm taking you out to have some fun, don't think it's just playtime. Keep your eyes open, pay attention to who's in attendance, what their status is, and what they're saying. I'll be asking about all of it afterward."

Song Yan, who had been a bit intimidated by him these past few days, nodded quickly. Only then did Song Jue leave him and turn to ask Song Chuyi, "How are things on your end? Is everything going smoothly with Lady Fang?"

Since the incident with Wang Ying, Fang Xiaoru and Lady Fang had become as skittish as frightened birds. With Song Chuyi's calculated provocations, it was now impossible for them to trust Minister Chen fully. After all, trust, once shattered, is difficult to mend. Though Minister Chen might sense this and attempt to remedy the situation, it would ultimately be too late.

Knowing that Song Jue had been busy with the Yulin Guards lately and had suggested taking Song Yan out to gain experience, Song Chuyi didn't intend to distract him. "Progress is steady. As they say, a thick layer of ice takes time to form. After this Buddha manifestation ceremony, we should have a clearer understanding of Lady Fang's intentions."

Song Jue stretched his stiff neck, nodded in acknowledgment, and reminded Song Yan to meet him promptly the next day at noon. Then, taking a lantern, he headed back to his quarters.

Holding Song Chuyi's hand, Song Yan looked up, puzzled, and asked, "If we suspect Han Zhi might still be alive, wouldn't Consort Fan in the Eastern Palace suspect the same? She's the one who wants him dead the most. If they send people to search for him..."

Song Chuyi smiled, leaning down to flick his forehead. "That's why Grandfather told us to send people out to search. Consort Fan is meticulous. Even if she doesn't think of it right away, in a few days, for safety's sake, she'll definitely send Assistant Minister Wang's people to search again. It's unavoidable. But if Han Zhi really isn't dead, our people will find him first. We'll have the advantage, and even if Consort Fan suspects, she'll be helpless."

After escorting Song Yan back to the Chuzhou Pavilion, Song Chuyi crossed the arched bridge with Ziyun and saw Qingtao and Luyi waiting with lanterns at the courtyard gate. Leading her group inside, Qingying came forward to help her remove her cloak and assisted her with her evening routine. Sitting on a footstool, Qingying began to report, "Today, the First Lady sent Nanny Jin and Nanny Qin to deliver an invitation to Minister Chen's residence..."

Lady Chen had grown greedy to the point of madness, even brazenly trying to extend her reach into the Marquis of Changning's household, hoping to use the dowry prepared for Mingzi. Such greedy hands indeed needed to be pricked to remember restraint.

Seeing her remain silent, Qingying continued, amused. "The Zhao family had indeed considered asking for the Song family's help, but given past incidents, they didn't feel right about making the request. When they heard about Old Lady Xiang and Lady Chen shamelessly stirring up trouble by using their name to come to the Song family, they were furious. Old Lady Zhao is so angry she plans to petition the Empress..."

Old Lady Chen, already displeased with her illegitimate daughter-in-law, now had this incident as ample cause to cast her aside. Even Third Master Chen received a severe scolding from the Chen patriarch, who ordered him back to Shuzhong to continue his duties as a county magistrate.

With Lady Chen's ambitions thwarted, her aspirations for advancement seemed permanently dashed.

Having finished this story, Qingying shifted to speak about Ma Changjiang and the others. "They have been conducting a thorough search near the canal. If Han Zhi truly survived..."

Song Chuyi's brow furrowed slightly, and she instructed softly, "Tomorrow, have Luo Gui send a message to Ma Changjiang's group. If Han Zhi is indeed alive, don't engage. Just bring back the news."

This way, they wouldn't interfere with Old Master Song and Song Jue's plans.

___

Meanwhile, Qian Ying had anticipated the current turmoil at the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence. As the chief advisor to Zhou Weiqi, he had long disagreed with Consort Fan's relentless persecution of Han Zhi and Lady Fan, yet his role was merely advisory...

Now, though, he felt a slight sense of relief knowing that the prince was no longer entirely obedient to Consort Fan. Gathering himself, he sternly reminded the attentive steward at his side, "How is the lady doing now? With the marquis absent and the young masters away, you must manage the household well. If anything goes wrong, not only will the marquis punish you, but even the prince and Consort Fan will not spare you!"

The steward nodded vigorously, eagerly guiding Qian Ying forward while sighing. "The lady is, after all, just a woman. She can't directly address the officials from the yamen who came to question her. I've only just returned from the Investigative Bureau myself..." His voice took on a tinge of sadness. "Our young heir's body hasn't even been recovered. How could the lady bear this blow? She has already sent word to the marquis..."

"They couldn't even find the body?" Qian Ying paused at the doorway, frowning as he turned back to ask, "Among the people the Jinyiwei recovered, was the heir's body not among them?"

The steward shook his head with a pained expression. "The number of people matches, but counting the family servants from the manor in Tongzhou, there were a total of eight on the boat. Each one was burnt to a crisp—there's no way to tell which one might be the heir."

Qian Ying felt a slight discomfort, clenching his fist as he cleared his throat. He took a few steps down the corridor, glancing away from the glaring white lanterns hanging everywhere, which hurt his eyes, and headed directly into the flower hall to await Lady Fan.

Lady Fan looked truly haggard, almost unrecognizable in her exhaustion, leaning heavily on Qiuju and Qiuhe as she barely managed to greet Qian Ying.

Qian Ying first expressed his condolences, then continued, "His Highness worries that with no one at the estate to handle outside affairs, things might become overwhelming. He specifically sent me to arrange and manage matters... If My Lady is willing, you may leave the dealings with the government officials and the Jinyiwei to me..."

Lady Fan's fingers rapidly worked her prayer beads, her eyes lowered, showing no trace of life. Just watching her breathe was almost painful to witness. After a long pause, she nodded. "There's truly no one in the estate who can handle matters with the officials. We've already sent word to the uncles in the second branch..."