Fortunately, they hadn't rushed into action at the Shizi Pavilion to make arrests; otherwise, they really would have alerted the enemy. Right now, they couldn't afford to show any unusual movements. With the enemy in an advantageous position, any acceleration in their pns would only hasten the fall of the entire Cui family.

  "They can't stay in the Shizi Pavilion all day and night, can they?" Song Chuyi curved her lips in a faint smile, but her eyes remained cold and emotionless. "As long as Wang Ying still finds them useful, they won't be able to stay hidden forever. Besides, there's no need for us to keep a close watch on them now. Since Wang Ying is involved..."

  Song Jue cut in, his voice low, "Then we should focus all our attention on Wang Ying! Didn't Grandfather mention that Wang Ying didn't submit the report he was supposed to? Could it be that those behind the scenes noticed something and are preparing to close the net early?"

  "It's unlikely they're pnning to close the net just yet," Song Chuyi replied on behalf of Old Master Song, shaking her head as she looked at Song Jue. "They probably heard that Grandfather's protégés came to visit, guessed he might return to the Cabinet soon, and feared their moves would arouse his suspicions."

  But the current issue was that the Song family was under tight surveilnce. Today, Song Jue's outing was pre-arranged with colleagues at Yanziwu, making it just another routine social call that wouldn't raise any suspicion. However, any personnel mobilization from the Song family would undoubtedly alert them.

  Song Chengru also found this problem to be particurly tricky. Narrowing his eyes, he burned the list he had shown to Song Chuyi and said, "Tomorrow, I'll attend court and handle some matters. They surely won't scrutinize every person I come in contact with. I'll see if I can find a chance to entrust someone reliable to take care of this. We'll have to wait and see how things unfold tomorrow. This situation won't be resolved in a day or two, so we must keep our composure."

  The night breeze brought a refreshing calm, with occasional fireflies dancing among the hibiscus flowers, tempting one to grab a small fan and chase them pyfully. But Song Chuyi wasn't in the mood. When she saw Xiang Mingzi and Song Chuyou catching fireflies, she only stopped to exchange a few words before returning to Guanju Courtyard.

  The lights in Guanju Courtyard were bright. Qingtao and Ziyun were waiting on the veranda, standing up immediately upon seeing her. Noticing the trace of worry in her expression, they asked, "Miss, both the Prince and Second Young Master Ye sent gifts, and Luo Gui has also brought new messages. Would you like to freshen up first, or see the gifts?"

  Without pausing, Song Chuyi entered her room and sat on the beauty couch. "What did they send?" she asked.

  Luyi carefully held up a revolving ntern, her face beaming with childlike joy. "Second Young Master Ye sent this—a revolving ntern! It glowed green all the way in, and seeing it in the dark just chases away all worries."

  No young woman disliked such charming items, and seeing Luyi so pleased, Song Chuyi smiled and told her to put it away. Then, turning to Qingying, she asked, "Did Second Young Master Ye only send this ntern?"

  Qingying shook her head, offering Song Chuyi a rose dew tea and leaning in to whisper, "Second Young Master Ye also sent a message with Chang'an, asking you not to worry. He'll write to inquire where Ye Jingkuan has gone and what he's doing."

  He didn't know the details of the situation, yet knowing that Ye Jingkuan was keeping this matter highly secret and by imperial order, he was still willing to investigate such sensitive information, all because she had expressed her concern. Song Chuyi paused, holding the gold-embellished jade cup decorated with peonies, momentarily lost in thought, uncertain about her feelings.

  This intention of his—she couldn't say she was entirely unaware. Having lived this long, she'd loved before and knew the signs of affection. Yet when it came to accepting Ye Jingchuan's goodwill, a chill crept up from her heart. Others saw her as a girl in her prime, but she knew the true nature of her own heart.

  After waiting for her to regain her focus, Qingying took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to her. "This is a letter from His Highness."

  Zhou Weizhao had done her a great favor by ensuring Duke Ying's family had a hot potato to deal with. But her previous joy had faded entirely as she opened the letter listlessly, giving it a cursory gnce. Yet with just one look, she immediately sat up straight.

  The letter contained news about Lai Chenglong and Ye Jingkuan leaving the capital!

  If Zhou Weizhao had known their whereabouts, he would have realized that the Cui family was the target and understood that those orchestrating this scheme were at least aligned with the Eastern Pace. Just as Old Master Song had said, the Prime Minister intended to repce the group heading to Yangzhou, none of whom were supporters of the Eastern Pace. How could the Eastern Pace stand for this? The Crown Prince and the Fan family must have silently approved of their subordinates' actions for this very reason.

  Knowing this, Zhou Weizhao still sent her a warning?! Song Chuyi's grip on the letter tightened, her hand trembling slightly. This Crown Prince's eldest son, who was unlike anyone else she'd met, had he stayed on Longhu Mountain too long?

  He knew full well who she was and that she wouldn't spare a single one of those who conspired against Cui Shaoting. This would mean losing a significant number of pawns for the Eastern Pace. Was he not afraid that this would only push the Crown Prince further toward Consort Fan and Zhou Weiqi?!

  Steadying herself, she continued reading. The letter mentioned that in the northwest, Cui Shaoting would likely be preoccupied with the construction of the Great Wall and military expenses for war horses, keeping him unaware of the happenings in the capital.

  With information tightly controlled, if Yang Xuan, who held Cui Shaoting's trust, were to propose a trade alliance, Cui Shaoting might very well agree. Yang Xuan was his protégé and someone he relied upon greatly. His suggestion would alleviate the pressure on the border, giving Cui Shaoting time to prepare.

  Zhou Weizhao's letter stressed the importance of making contact with Cui Shaoting, dealing with the spies around him, and then discussing with Ye Jingkuan and Lai Chenglong how to present their findings to Emperor Jianzhang.

  Holding the thin letter, Song Chuyi broke into a cold sweat. She thought for a moment, then looked up and instructed Qingying, "Wasn't it said that Luo Gui would be at the West Corner Gate all night? Tell him to go home quietly and find Ma Wangkun... and notify Qingzhu that I want to meet with His Highness."