Although Yuanhui had set the fire, it ended up being nothing more than a flicker. It seemed the Song family had been prepared in advance, with sand and stones at the ready. Even with oil and the northern wind fueling the fmes, the fire was quickly smothered.

  Nanny Xu stood under the corridor, holding An’an in her arms. Watching the orderly efforts of the farmers and household guards, she couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.

  Miss had anticipated that someone would try to stir up trouble in the coming days—attempting to create a catastrophe by burning them alive while ensuring the incident became widely known. Winter was the perfect season for arson. Fortunately, they had taken precautions in advance.

  An’an, eyes wide with curiosity, stood on tiptoe and pointed at the flickering firelight outside, asking with excitement, “Is my aunt here too?”

  Nanny Xu crouched down and gently patted her head, her smile warm. “Not yet, but soon. In just a few days, it’ll be your birthday, and Sixth Miss will surely come to celebrate with you.”

  An’an was a bit disappointed, but the thought of Song Chuyi bringing her new and exciting gifts quickly brightened her mood. She let out a small yawn.

  It was already impressive that the child had managed to stay awake this long. Nanny Xu, full of affection, called for the wet nurse to take An’an to rest before she herself went to find her husband.

  “Did you follow Sixth Miss’s instructions exactly?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry!” Uncle Zhang was busy commanding the household guards while ensuring that the captured men were secured. Without pausing, he turned his head and replied, “We left a few alive to return and report back. The rest—we’ve captured.”

  Nanny Xu nodded in satisfaction. Gazing in the direction of the capital, she pressed her palms together in reverence and whispered a prayer, “May all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas bless our Sixth Miss with safety and success.”

  But Song Chuyi’s situation was far from smooth.

  After Yuanhui returned from his pace visit, Song Chengru stormed into the Ningde Courtyard of the Earl of Changning’s estate in a rage.

  Old Lady Song had already received a message from Noble Consort in the pace, and her anxiety was overwhelming. “Is this about Xiaoyi?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  The incident in Tongzhou had been minor—a few sparks, barely even enough to scorch a few bdes of grass—but it had been blown out of proportion. The cim was that the fire was proof of Song Chuyi’s cursed fate as the Heavenly Lone Star, signaling the beginning of disaster.

  Yuanhui’s intentions were as malicious as they were btant.

  “The Director of the Imperial Observatory even stepped forward today to file a formal memorial, decring that a doom-bearing comet has appeared—an omen of impending chaos in the empire.” Song Chengru’s face was grim with fury. “This is nothing short of a death sentence for the entire Song family.”

  If Song Chuyi was accused of being the root cause of the empire’s misfortunes, then what did that make the Song family?

  Yuanhui wasn’t merely targeting Song Chuyi. He wanted to wipe out the entire Song cn.

  Old Lady Song was so shocked that she nearly lost her breath, clutching her chest in panic. “What?! They actually said that…?”

  Song Chengru rubbed his throbbing temples. “And to make matters worse, Jiujiang and Pingxiang were suddenly hit by heavy snow, sealing the mountains and causing countless deaths…”

  Natural disasters were now being used as excuses to frame Song Chuyi.

  Even the King of Zhennan hadn’t expected the situation to escate so quickly and so dramatically.

  Stepping into the study, he removed his cloak and found his two sons already waiting. After dismissing the attendants and having the doors shut, he asked without preamble, “What do you two make of this?”

  Ye Jingkuan’s expression was grim. Since they were among family, he spoke frankly and without reservation. “Talk of cursed stars and divine omens is nothing but superstitious nonsense.”

  His words were exactly what Ye Jingchuan had been thinking.

  His heart burned with frustration on Song Chuyi’s behalf—he had seen firsthand how she had nearly been assassinated by Yuanhui’s men. He had known then that she would never let it slide.

  And ter, when she and Princess Rongcheng ruthlessly eliminated Noble Consort Xian and the remnants of Prince Duan’s faction, she had made an even more formidable enemy in Yuanhui.

  Ye Jingchuan also knew that Song Chuyi had sought the help of Zhou Weizhao, presumably to strike back at Yuanhui.

  Perhaps that was what had provoked Yuanhui’s extreme reaction—determined to obliterate her completely, he had branded her as a harbinger of catastrophe.

  As a so-called enlightened Buddhist master, Yuanhui wielded tremendous influence. Even Emperor Jianzhang frequently sought his counsel on Buddhist teachings. If he decred Song Chuyi as a doom-bearing star, it was as good as an imperial decree of execution.

  This realization made Ye Jingchuan restless with anxiety. He pursed his lips, then spoke urgently, “That bald-headed old fraud is targeting the Song family. First, he beled Sixth Miss Song as cursed, and now he’s seizing the chance to make it official…”

  The King of Zhennan gnced at him before shifting his gaze to his eldest son. “In your opinion, does His Majesty believe it or not?”

  Would Emperor Jianzhang truly trust the Song family, or would he turn against them?

  Had Yuanhui truly grasped the Emperor’s intent this time? Imperial minds were as inscrutable as ghosts and deities. Lately, Emperor Jianzhang’s favor toward the Song family had only grown. Would he really cast them aside just because of Yuanhui’s words?

  Ye Jingkuan shook his head honestly. “A’Su heard from Mother in the pace that His Majesty seems to have taken quite an interest in Sixth Miss Song. He finds someone with such a fate… quite intriguing.”

  Intriguing? What exactly did Emperor Jianzhang mean by that?

  Regardless, the previous pn to secure the Song family’s allegiance by having the Heir Apparent marry Song Chuyi was likely no longer feasible—at least for now.

  The king of Zhennan turned to Ye Jingchuan, giving him a firm order: “Keep your distance from Sixth Miss Song for the time being.”

  Ye Jingchuan frowned, clearly dissatisfied. He had a strong feeling that Song Chuyi was not one to take an attack lying down—if she had spoken of revenge, then she would not remain defenseless.

  “Why must I distance myself from her just because this is only the beginning?” he protested. “Father, you and Brother always say that ‘the Earth’s virtue is vast, and a gentleman should carry all things with great benevolence.’ If I shrink away when someone is in trouble, what kind of gentleman would that make me?”

  Now he suddenly remembers our teachings when it suits him?

  The king of Zhennan burst into ughter, reaching out to flick his son’s forehead. “Be honest with yourself. Do you think I don’t know what’s on your mind? Unfortunately, I’ve heard that she doesn’t like you.”

  Last time, Nanny Sang had gone to the Marquis of Changning’s estate to probe for information. Even then, when Sixth Miss Song was practically feared by all, the Song family had not wavered in the slightest.

  Even Princess of Zhennan had remarked that the Song family’s resolve was rather fascinating—where exactly did they get such unshakable confidence?

  For once, Ye Jingchuan did not retort. He lowered his head, momentarily silent.

  Then, after a long pause, he lifted his gaze, his expression unwavering. Each word carried weight, spoken with absolute conviction.

  “I admire Sixth Miss Song and am willing to treat her with sincerity. Whether she is a Heavenly Lone Star or a harbinger of misfortune, none of that changes how I feel.”

  “As for whether or not she likes me—that is not for me to decide. And I certainly won’t resent her or wish for her downfall just because she doesn’t return my feelings.”

  (Transtor Xiaobai: Awww, my poor baby.)