Old Lady Song instructed Song Chuyi to go outside and look for Xiang Mingzi. As Song Chuyi was growing older, Old Lady Song didn't want her reputation for intelligence to spread too widely, especially among these noble dies. Every matron should be clever, but not excessively so—Song Chuyi's exceptional wit and insight could intimidate people. Since Old Lady Song harbored some interest in evaluating Ye Jingchuan, she was being especially cautious with the Princess of Zhennan, avoiding any missteps if possible.

  As Song Chuyi stepped out, she saw Qingtao beckoning to her from the corridor. She quickened her pace, and Qingtao met her halfway, whispering, "A message has arrived from that gentleman."

  There were very few people who would send Song Chuyi a message. Messages from Cui Shaoting were always delivered by Lady Yu without any detours, and both Zhou Weizhao and Ye Jingchuan had their own methods. The only messages that could put Qingtao and the others on edge came from two sources—either the letters from Han Zhi, which had once scared Song Chuyi into several sleepless nights, or messages from Lai Chenglong of the Jinyiwei.

  Instructing Ziyun to inform Xiang Mingzi to wait for her at Tingxiang Pavilion, Song Chuyi quickly returned to Guanju Courtyard. Taking a pair of scissors, she scraped open the wax seal and stared at the thin sheet of paper for a long time.

  Lai Chenglong never minced words, and if he sent a letter, it was always regarding something major—such as the st time he warned her that Chen Xiang and Prince Duan were plotting against her. This time was no different; the message was brief but left Song Chuyi feeling as if she had been plunged into ice water, unable to recover for some time.

  The letter stated that someone had presented a beautiful woman from Yangzhou to Cui Shaoting. She wasn't the typical slender courtesan from Yangzhou, but someone of great significance. The seemingly fragrant and delicate beauty had actually been bought from outside the border by the former governor of Yangzhou, raised as his adopted daughter, and ter given to Cui Shaoting.

  The connections unraveled like threads—former Yangzhou governor, border dealings...

  Song Chuyi felt goosebumps rising on her skin. Looking out the window, she saw the bright hibiscus blossoms, their vivid colors overshadowing the potted Drunken Yang Fei hibiscus in her room.

  Lai Chenglong wouldn't have sent such a vague letter merely to inform her of this matter. But what was the critical matter that Lai Chenglong couldn't communicate directly to Cui Shaoting? As far as she knew, Lai Chenglong had always maintained private correspondence with Cui Shaoting... but recently, it seemed that those messages had gradually stopped. Even Cui Shaoting's own letters mentioned that Lai Chenglong hadn't written in months.

  She reviewed the connections in her mind—Yangzhou corruption cases, smuggling beyond the border, illicit warhorse trading, and the beauty presented by the governor of Yangzhou—until suddenly her eyes widened, and cold sweat began to bead on her forehead.

  Lai Chenglong was a newly appointed commander of the Jinyiwei, overseeing two of the Jinyiwei commandants. His power now exceeded that of Chen Xiang in earlier times, and he was one of the emperor's most loyal officials. Neither Prince Gong nor the Eastern Pace could sway or offend him, and both sides even sought to gain his favor. So why couldn't he rey this crucial information directly to Cui Shaoting, who would have taken even more precautions upon receiving it?

  Song Chuyi remembered the downfall of the Cui family in her past life. It had started when the South and North schors quarreled over the civil service exams. The northern schors criticized the exam results as being dominated by candidates from Jiangnan, sparking resentment from southern officials and schors alike...

  Later, Cui Yingshu, appointed as an imperial examiner, was dragged into a scandal involving exam bribery. The schor accused of conspiring with him to secure pcements was a renowned talent from the north. This incident infuriated the southern officials and schors, leading the imperial academy students and failed candidates to protest in the streets, demanding Emperor Jianzhang hold him accountable.

  By then, Song Chuyi had already been sidelined by Shen Qingrang, cut off from information. Eventually, she heard that Cui Yingshu had lost his position and returned to Jinzhong with Princess Duanhui.

  Was the hand that had loomed over the Cui family, forcing them from the heights to the depths, finally revealing itself in this lifetime? She opened her hand, looking at the clear line of life, then slowly clenched her fist.

  Coming back to herself, she raised the letter to the fme, watching it burn to ash. She turned and instructed Qingying, "Go out and deliver a letter for me."

  Qingying hadn't seen her so serious in a long time, and with a hint of surprise, she nodded and accepted the letter, turning to leave without hesitation.

  Qingtao, always skilled at reading expressions, sensed Song Chuyi's solemnity and felt a growing unease. Quietly, she stepped forward and poured a cup of tea, asking softly, "Miss, has something happened?"

  Yes, something had indeed happened, and she sensed it was something big.

  It was aimed directly at the Cui family. Since her rebirth, the Cui family had enjoyed smooth sailing, making her nearly forget that they, too, could face ruin. Unfortunately, in her previous life, she had become practically blind and deaf, cut off from anything beyond surface news.

  Moreover, the circumstances in this life were vastly different. In the past, Cui Yingshu had been the target of accusations, but now, it was Cui Shaoting, who commanded the formidable forces in the northwest.

  Song Chuyi's smile faded, and for the first time, her aura turned fierce. Whoever dared to reach out with this hand—she would sever it without hesitation!

  Standing up, she smoothed her clothes and gathered her thoughts. "I'm going to find Aunt."

  When Lady Yu saw her, she scolded her lightly, "What took you so long? Your cousin and Mingzi have already gone for a bamboo raft ride on the river."

  The view from the high pavilion of Chasing Moon Pavilion encompassed the entire garden of the Count of Changning's estate. The river winding around the western garden glistened in the sunlight, its jade-like ribbon reflecting the flowers and trees along its banks, reminiscent of the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring.

  Song Chuyi had no time for the scenery. She took Lady Yu's hand and softly asked, "Aunt, when was the st time you received a letter from Uncle?"

  Lady Yu, puzzled by the strange question, gave her a look. Seeing her seriousness, she hesitated for a moment. "It was three months ago, about the situation in Fujian... Didn't you see that letter too?"

  Three months without any word... Song Chuyi suppressed her worries and forced a faint smile. "I'd nearly forgotten. Did Uncle mention anything else in that letter? Like perhaps... taking a new concubine?"

  Lady Yu scolded her with a ugh, "What nonsense are you thinking, young dy? Don't you know your uncle? Not only is he without beauties around him, but he probably doesn't even have a single female mosquito!"