The weather had grown colder, and all the flowers pced in the corridor had been moved by Ziyun and the others into the greenhouse. Now, they were set beside the brazier and on the windowsill, looking fresh and vibrant. Inside, a new screen with a painting of spring narcissus had been pced, and in the corner, a little embroidered puppy chased after butterflies, full of life, adding a touch of warmth to the room.

  Xiang Mingzi rested her chin on her hand as she talked about Song Chumi's situation. "I heard she's truly settled down now. Lady Feng pns to bring her back to the capital once spring arrives. And it just so happens that Fifth Sister's husband will be coming to the capital for the imperial exams next year. With that, the house will be lively again. Recently, Sister You has been overjoyed."

  Lady Wang wasn't the best of mothers, and Song Chuyou had grown up close to Song Chubin, their bond was always deep. Now that Song Chubin was returning to the capital, she was, naturally, thrilled.

  Qingying and Ziyun quietly came forward to change the hand stoves for them. Xiang Mingzi, peering around Qingying, tilted her head and looked at Song Chuyi with a sigh. "It's a pity you were already on the road to Jinzhong by then..."

  Among the Song sisters, Xiang Mingzi had spent the most time with Song Chuyi. Back in Qingzhou, they were inseparable, and after returning to the Marquis of Changning's residence, they were just as close in the Old Lady's quarters. Now, as they grew older, Song Chuyi had returned to Jinzhong for two main reasons: both Old Lady Cui and the Song family's Old Lady sought a living deity to help her determine her fate anew, and they were also anxious about her marriage.

  The next time they'd meet, Xiang Mingzi thought, perhaps her own marriage would already be arranged, while Song Chuyi's would likely be settled as well. Like Song Chubin and Song Chuyou, they'd be separated by distance, not knowing how long until they could see each other again. This thought filled Xiang Mingzi with a sense of longing and fear.

  Before Song Chuyi could respond, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

  Qingying frowned as she listened, went out to check, and returned looking somewhat uneasy as she gnced at Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi. "The Old Lady's side sent word... a guest from Shuzhong has arrived and requests Miss Ming's presence."

  A guest from Shuzhong? Why would they need Xiang Mingzi?

  Song Chuyi was momentarily stunned, but Xiang Mingzi, looking bewildered, had already risen, set down her handiwork, and, taking her hand stove, left with Yusheng assisting her.

  Seeing Song Chuyi's gaze, Qingying sighed and whispered, "It's the maternal grandmother and younger half-brother of Miss Ming..."

  Old Lady Xiang and her eldest grandson, Song Chuyi had already forgotten his name—how did they even have the audacity to come to the Marquis of Changning's residence in the capital?

  The long journey must have been challenging. How could an elderly woman, cking funds and male protection, manage to travel such a distance with a young child? Song Chuyi frowned, about to ask Qingying to inquire further, when the door curtain lifted, and Song Yan walked in.

  "Coming from the Old Lady's pce?" Knowing that Song Yan had been following Old Master Song or Song Jue daily to learn things, Song Chuyi asked, "Do you know who these guests are?"

  Song Yan nodded as Qingying brought in steaming tea, holding the tea bowl and nodding again. "The Old Lady received people from Shuzhong, supposedly retives of Sister Ming. I didn't stay long, so I came over."

  After a pause, he hesitantly added, "It seems to be... Second Lady Xiang."

  Whether it was Second or Third Lady Xiang, Song Chuyi wasn't interested in knowing. The Xiang family had cut ties with the Song family and formally dissolved the marriage. Xiang Mingzi was now officially registered under the Song family, specifically under the name of First Master Song. Why would the Xiang family suddenly appear?

  Furthermore, the Old Lady despised the Xiang family. Why would she permit their visit and call Xiang Mingzi to see them?

  Everything felt strange. Song Chuyi frowned and instructed Qingying, "Go to Ningde Courtyard and find Sister Yun to inquire who exactly came..."

  Before she could finish, Yun had already entered, no longer wearing her usual cheerful smile but looking rather flustered and annoyed. She called out to Song Chuyi as "Sixth Miss" and said, "Both Aunts have arrived and asked for you to come over."

  Why would both First Lady Cui and Lady Yu be there as well? Song Chuyi grew even more perplexed as Ziyun helped her put on a cloak and frowned, asking Yun, "Why are my aunts here? Weren't we told that someone from the Xiang family had arrived...?"

  Yun sighed and led her outside, grumbling along the way, "It's been years since I've seen someone this shameless. Miss Mingzi has already left their family, yet they have the nerve to come to the capital... If it weren't for Third Lady Chen, how would they have even gotten through our gates?" Yun couldn't help but raise her voice again. "That Third Lady Chen, too, delivered a greeting card yesterday without revealing a single hint, only to quietly bring the Xiang family members today! Truly..."

  Coincidentally, First Lady Cui and Lady Yu were there to discuss the arrangements for Old Lady Cui's birthday celebration, leading to this awkward encounter.

  First Lady Song led First Lady Cui and Lady Yu out, her tone mixed with shame and frustration. "We never could have expected such a situation, suddenly appearing and throwing everything into chaos..."

  First Lady Cui frowned and sighed to Lady Yu, "It truly broadens one's perspective—I've never seen an old woman so willing to throw all dignity aside, causing such a scene..."

  Some people grow old doing good deeds, while others just become more of a nuisance with age.

  Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows and greeted First Lady Song and her two aunts before asking, "Is it really the Xiang family's Old Lady inside?"

  "Of course!" Even First Lady Song, with her usual composure, couldn't hold back. "She clung onto Third Lady Chen's convoy all the way to the capital and still had the audacity to boldly come to our house, saying she wanted to take Mingzi away. It's ughable!"

  Old Lady Xiang never cared about the well-being of the girls in the family. To her, no matter how precious a young dy might be, she was still just a burden. Back when the Xiang family was in dire straits, Old Lady Xiang never showed the slightest leniency toward Xiang Mingzi. And now she wants to take Mingzi away?

  First Lady Song was so furious that she felt a headache coming on, the cold air making her want to sneeze. She covered her nose with a handkerchief to stifle it and then instructed Song Chuyi, "Your cousin is in the inner room. The Old Lady would never let Mingzi see that shrew. If it weren't for that soft-hearted Third Lady Chen, who doesn't know right from wrong... Go inside and comfort her, make sure she feels at ease. I'll take your two aunts to check on your elder sister-in-w."

  First Lady Cui pced a hand on Song Chuyi's shoulder, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Your uncle caught word—the Jinyiwei have sent people out of the city. They might have found traces of Han Zhi."