Chengping Marquis scratched harder and harder, growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Yao Lu, just treat it as your uncle begging you. Pingping really didn’t kill anyone. I’ve already asked Bao Shichang—he said the matter is nearly solved. After questioning Pingping, they remembered that two silver ingots were missing from Ma Lishui’s body when he was recovered. They suspect someone acted on impulse to rob and kill him, and it just happened to make everyone think the person framing her was also the killer. The silver had markings from Baili Bank. Once they find the ingots and trace them, the real killer will surface. It really wasn’t Pingping—she doesn’t have the guts! Yao Lu, please forgive her.”

  “Heh, you want me to forgive her?” The Princess narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a bde. “Chengping Marquis, I’ll give you two options. One—I forgive Zhou Pingping, but from now on, your Chengping household and I are no longer family.”

  The marquis’s face turned pale.

  “Two—Miss Ji was falsely imprisoned for nearly seven days, while Zhou Pingping tried to scheme against me twice. When the case is closed and her innocence confirmed, she’ll serve a month in jail for disrespect as punishment.”

  “Yao Lu!” the marquis cried. “Do you even have a heart? Pingping is your sister!”

  “If you’re so dissatisfied with my options or with me, feel free to compin to His Majesty. Let’s see if the Emperor sides with you, his uncle, or with me, his elder sister.”

  “You—”

  Chengping Marquis was now scratching with both hands.

  Everyone knew the current emperor was unpredictable and temperamental—he looked at people like he wanted to behead them on the spot. Only the Princess, who shared the same mother as the emperor, had any sway. After all, her husband had died saving the Emperor, and out of guilt, His Majesty treated her with exceptional favor.

  Forget this minor Marquis—if even the Empress Dowager kneeled before the Emperor, she couldn’t match the Princess’s influence.

  That was the nature of supreme imperial power: whoever the emperor favored held the real weight in the capital.

  So much for ministers, generals, filial piety, and family bonds—they were all worth less than dog crap.

  “Zhou Yao Lu!” the marquis still tried to plead, but the Princess directly ordered him out. He left in a rage, sputtering, but still forced to go.

  The Princess was fuming. “That Chengping Marquis is getting more outrageous by the day.”

  “Please calm your anger, Your Highness,” said Cuiyun. “At this rate, that marquis is bound to get himself into serious trouble sooner or ter.”

  “If that day comes, it’ll be his own doing,” the Princess replied coldly, clearly having no patience left.

  After taking her medicine, Ji Ping’an pulled Cuiyun aside. “Momo, I noticed that the Marquis might be ill. When his colr opened, I saw some red rashes. Can’t be sure. But rashes can sometimes be contagious. When the body is weak from purging old blood and toxins, even with supplements, one’s immune system is lower than normal, making it easier to catch illnesses. Just in case, could everything the marquis touched be aired out or disinfected with sulfur?”

  “You’re very considerate, Miss Ji. We’ll handle it right away.”

  Cuiyun gave her a look of approval and quickly made arrangements.

  Outside the Princess’s residence, Chengping Marquis was being practically shoved out, red in the face and covered in bulging veins from rage.

  Seeing this, Song Zhiyin felt wonderfully satisfied.

  You dare scheme against the Song family? Then you’d better be ready for the backsh.

  And this? This was just the appetizer.

  She paid the bill, then left the teahouse with Taoxiang and headed back to the Song residence.

  Rain had fallen the night before, and the gardens were even lusher and more vibrant. Song Zhiyin walked past the winding veranda, its sides framed by flowering trees and weeping willows.

  Stepping off the corridor and onto the path, she happened to cross paths with Song Huaizhang on his way to the study.

  He gave her a cold gnce, his brows creasing in subtle reproach, then quickened his stride.

  “Big Brother,” she suddenly called.

  He stopped, tall and silent as jade, framed by bright green willows. He was the very picture of gentlemanly grace.

  Zhiyin took two steps closer, her charming features blooming like apricot blossoms. Tugging at his sleeve, she said, “I know you’re angry that I sided with Second Brother and not you. But what could I do?”

  “You couldn’t?” Song Huaizhang’s voice flowed like a spring over mossy stone—gentle, but carrying the chill of a deep valley in spring. “You knew perfectly well that Father and I would be back from court soon. If you had deyed even slightly, he wouldn’t have been able to take the girl. But you reminded Second Brother to hurry up and get her out.”

  “Okay, fine, I admit—I felt bad for the girl. Just a little bit,” Zhiyin said, making a tiny gesture with her fingers. “But really, Big Brother, that wasn’t the main reason I let Dongchun go. I swear on gold—it was because of you and Second Brother, the two people I love and respect most in the world.”

  Song Huaizhang looked at Song Zhiyin calmly and leisurely, his gaze practically saying: "Go on, keep spinning your tale. I’d love to hear how far your clever tongue can take this.”

  Zhiyin’s brows curved like fluttering willow leaves, her whole being lively and radiant.

  She said, “Big Brother, if I hadn’t let that maid go that day, and outsiders found out, wouldn’t people have ughed at our Song family?”

  Song Huaizhang didn’t reply—clearly that reason didn’t convince him.

  Zhiyin continued, “Big Brother, do you remember the game Father and Mother used to py with us when we were little? You, Second Brother, I, and Father would each hold a corner of a string tied to a Dragon Boat Festival sachet and pull together. If we didn’t pull hard enough, the sachet wouldn’t move, but if we pulled too hard, it would tear apart. Father and Mother used to say that a family is like that sachet. Only when everyone pulls together in the same direction can we thrive. If each person goes their own way—even with good intentions—all we end up doing is dragging each other down.”

  She paused slightly, tightening her fingers on the orchid embroidery on Song Huaizhang’s sleeve.

  “Big Brother,” she said earnestly, “I don’t want you and Second Brother to fall out. He likes Cousin Ping’an and is willing to marry her. One day, she’ll become part of this family, just like Sister-in-w. She’ll be working for the sake of this household too. Since there’s a perfect solution through marriage, why make enemies?”

  Song Huaizhang’s gaze dropped to the orchid embroidery on his sleeve, stitched by Han Qi. With a sigh, both helpless and indulgent, he reached out and tapped her on the forehead. “You, with your endless schemes. You always preach big lessons to me, but does your Second Brother even appreciate them?”

  “Because Big Brother spoils me the most,” she replied with a pyful grin.

  “Too much spoiling makes you cheeky,” he said with a light ugh, clearly having taken her words to heart. As he turned to leave, he added, “Go find your Second Brother and talk some sense into him. I’ll go speak with your Sister-in-w.”

  Zhiyin beamed. “Big Brother, you’re the best!”

  It was clear Song Huaizhang couldn’t hide his smile.

  —

  That night, after finishing court documents, Song Huaizhang returned from his study.

  Ever since Han Qi had rejected his advances, the two had silently fallen into a cold war. Using work as an excuse, he had been sleeping in the study.

  Zhiyin had known this, which is why she brought up Han Qi earlier when discussing Song Huaiyu and Dongchun.

  Now he dismissed the maids and quietly pushed open the bedroom door. In the dark, he climbed into bed.

  Han Qi was a light sleeper. As the bnket was lifted and a chill slipped in, a familiar embrace pulled her close, carrying the night’s chill and dew.

  She tensed.

  But Huaizhang held her tightly, resting his chin on her shoulder. His voice was like gravel against mother-of-pearl, soft but rough. “My dear, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have neglected you these past few days.”

  Her body slowly rexed, though tension lingered.

  He continued, “We’re a family. We should understand and respect each other. I shouldn’t have acted out of anger and hurt your feelings. Please forgive me.”

  She reached for the hand around her waist and felt the tight veins beneath his skin.

  So… he wasn’t as calm as he seemed. Tonight, crawling into bed felt as nerve-wracking as their wedding night.

  “I didn’t bme you,” she whispered. “It’s my fault. I know you have needs, but I… my body’s not well.”

  “It’s still my fault for not thinking of that.” He kissed her ear lightly. “I’ll wait.”

  Then, chuckling, he added, “Just remember—whenever you want, I’ll be at your service.”

  “You—” she blushed deeply, “Stop saying such embarrassing things.”

  “Mm.” He hugged her tighter. “Let’s sleep now. It’s been days, and I’ve really missed you. Did you miss me?”

  She turned to face him, curled into his chest, and hugged his lean waist. “Mm. I missed you too.”

  They fell asleep in each other’s arms under the hazy moonlight.

  —

  The next morning, Song Huaizhang rose refreshed, kissed her eyelid, and told her to sleep in. Then he left for court.

  After morning court, he returned and stopped his younger brother, Song Huaiyu, who was home on rotation.

  Since he was off duty, Song Huaiyu had traded his standard uniform for a casual green robe that flowed gently around him. As the spring breeze danced through the air and petals from blooming peach trees drifted gracefully to the ground, he appeared softer than his usual stern demeanor. The warmth of the season seemed to soften his sharp features, and the sweet melodies of birdsong wrapped around him like a gentle embrace, enhancing the peaceful aura he radiated amidst the vibrant blossoms.

  Song Huaizhang was elegant and refined, embodying the qualities of a virtuous gentleman. In contrast, Song Huaiyu, an Investigator for the Kaifeng Prefecture, exuded a cooler demeanor, reminiscent of a pine tree growing on a cliff, always accompanied by a subtle scent of cedar.