Song Chuyi had never had the habit of kicking someone when they were down, nor did she take pleasure in witnessing others' misfortunes, even if that person was the very one she despised deeply, the culprit responsible for her death in her previous life.

  Moreover, Shen Qingrang's fate in this lifetime had already been sealed the moment he embraced Miss Tong at Chongyin Theatre. A naturally cold, selfish, and irresponsible wastrel paired with a spoiled, hot-tempered aristocratic dy who couldn't tolerate the slightest thing was bound to cause endless chaos. Recently, during their free moments, Luyi would often recount these stories as amusing gossip, which was how Song Chuyi came to know that Miss Tong, even before officially entering the family, had already started meddling in Shen Qingrang's affairs, pushing the Marchioness of Wuning to pressure Lady He into selling off all the maids in Shen Qingrang's household.

  In her previous life, even when Shen Qingrang was loyally clinging to Song Chuning like a dog, he had never dismissed those maids who had grown up by his side. They knew his habits well, managing his affairs with skill; each was no pushover, and even Song Chuyi, the legitimate wife, had to remain vigint around them. Now, hearing they were to be sold off and their futures ruined, there was no way they would comply willingly. The Shen household was already as turbulent as a pot boiling over.

  Thinking of this, she had even less intention of getting involved. She let Ziyun stack the invitations into a pile to take out, then turned to ask Luyi, "I heard Fourth Miss sent a letter back?"

  She'd overheard the maids gossiping about this near the west gate. Although Song Chumi was somewhat foolish, if this trip back to her hometown with her mother-in-w helped her gain crity on her path ahead, it wouldn't be a bad thing. It would mean fewer foolish actions from her, sparing Third Master and Third Lady some of their constant worry.

  "Yes. But it wasn't written by Fourth Miss—it was her mother-in-w who wrote it and sent it directly to Old Lady's Ningde Courtyard." Luyi, always attuned to these little details, responded promptly. "It seems the letter mentioned that Fourth Miss volunteered to stay behind to care for her mother-in-w, who wrote to Old Lady, praising her for her filial piety."

  Filial piety? If Song Chumi had truly come to her senses, the best outcome would have been Lady Feng bringing her back to the capital. But for Lady Feng to say that Song Chumi had requested to stay back to care for her meant she hadn't fully grasped the situation—at least, not entirely.

  Some people would hit a wall without knowing to turn back. Song Chuyi felt a bit like ughing but stopped herself. Hadn't she also spent the st years in her previous life finally seeing the true nature of people and the coldness of the world? She was simply luckier this time, with a chance to turn things around.

  She had initially resolved not to attend this gathering, knowing it would undoubtedly be a spectacle. However, the next day, while paying respects to Old Lady Song, she happened to overhear First Lady Song discussing the banquet with Old Lady Song. "It'll certainly be lively. I heard that even Dowager Consort Zhuang from the pace sent down a pot of 'Cranes Dancing Among Clouds' and another of 'Radiant Smiles' chrysanthemums to grace the chrysanthemum banquet. I also heard that even Old Lady Chen and Lady Fang will be attending..." She paused, and despite her gentle nature, First Lady Song couldn't help but chuckle. "Old Lady Chen's attendance is understandable—their family remains clean on the surface, at least. But Lady Fang...her daughter is still in the Ministry of Justice's prison. Isn't she a bit too eager?"

  The retionship between the Chen and Fang families seems hard to sever, as Fang Xiaoru has followed Prime Minister Chen for too long. His future, even his life, hangs on a few words from Prime Minister Chen. How could he dare offend him? It's not just about his daughter; even if something happened to his legitimate son, he'd have to grit his teeth and endure.

  Such an unbreakable bond is indeed challenging to disrupt.

  Yet Song Chuyi always believed that where there's a will, there's a way. She approached, greeted Old Lady Song and First Lady Song, and then asked, "So, are we going?"

  Old Lady Song and First Lady Song looked at her with surprise. Ever since the Marchioness of Wuning, egged on by Shen Xiaohai, made a scene at their door, their family had all but severed ties with the Shen family. Although the Shen family shamelessly sent an invitation, there was no need to go. First Lady had only mentioned it as a bit of idle amusement.

  The First Lady thought that Song Chuyi just wanted to see the chaos in the Shen household. After a moment's thought, she shook her head, "It's better not to go. After all, Dowager Consort Zhuang from the pace personally lent her reputation to this event. Even if the Shen family wants to make a scene, they'll have to consider the occasion. You won't see much excitement there, and who knows if they'll take the chance to make things difficult for you?"

  The First Lady had been thoroughly disillusioned by Lady He. She had always been on good terms with her, yet Lady He had repeatedly schemed against their Changning Marquis Residence for the sake of Duke Ying's family. Now, just hearing about the Shen family made her bristle like a hedgehog.

  Old Lady Song, however, knew Song Chuyi's disposition. She didn't have an interest in going just to see others' misery; she probably had other pns. After some thought, she asked, "Do you want to go?"

  "I'd like to see Lady Fang." Song Chuyi nodded, naturally taking the handkerchief from Nanny Huang to help Old Lady Song tie it around her forehead, then rested her hands on Old Lady Song's knees. "Men's hearts are usually harder than women's. It may be difficult to move Lord Fang, but Lady Fang might be more open."

  Old Lady Song gently patted her head, and though she shared the First Lady's misgivings about the Duke of Ying's family, she considered it for a while and eventually nodded. "In that case, take Nanny Huang and Qingying with you. Later, I'll send someone to check if your cousins are going as well; it'll be good for you to have company."

  The First Lady also added her advice, "Duke Ying's family is troubled tely. They must be regretting this marriage arrangement. You, as the coveted prize, are bound to attract some nuisances, so be careful and vigint."

  People always covet what they can't have. Now the Shen family viewed Miss Tong as a scourge and saw Song Chuyi as the ideal match. The fact that they still had the nerve to send an invitation to the Changning Marquis Residence showed just how shameless they were.

  Song Chuyi understood the First Lady's meaning, as well as Duke Ying family's motives for sending the invitation. After a moment's thought, she nodded resolutely, "Rest assured, Aunt. With my cousin from the Cui family accompanying me, nothing will go wrong."