On An An's birthday, heavy snow once again bnketed the city. Coincidentally, the new mistress would be entering the household on the nineteenth, while An An’s birthday fell on the fourteenth. In previous years, Song Chuyi would stay two or three days in Tongzhou to accompany An An. This year, however, she could only manage to go on the birthday itself and return the next day. Luyi carefully tied the ribbons of her wind hat and expressed concern, "Miss hasn't rested properly these past days. Now you'll have to endure two straight days of travel by carriage. I worry if your health can hold up."

  But even as she voiced these concerns, she knew they were pointless. Regardless of whether she could handle it, Song Chuyi had never missed An An’s birthday before. Moreover, once the new mistress's wedding banquet concluded, Song Chuyi would soon depart for Jinzhong. It was indeed necessary to inform Nanny Xu and Lianyi in Tongzhou to prepare.

  Qingying handed Song Chuyi a warming stove and smiled upon hearing Luyi's worries. "Others might not understand, but surely you know our young dy's nature? Even if the sky fell, she wouldn't miss celebrating An An's birthday. Enough of this talk. Have you packed An An's new clothes and prepared all the gifts?"

  Just as Luyi was about to reply, Ziyun lifted the curtain from outside with a bright smile. "Fourth Young Master has arrived!"

  Song Yan had missed the celebration several times before, but this year he had promised to join them. He entered wearing a robe of frosty white trimmed with gold, a golden belt embroidered with cloud patterns around his waist. Smiling warmly upon seeing Song Chuyi, he said, "Sister, the carriage is ready outside. Uncle Qin said the roads are slippery with snow, so he doesn't allow me to ride horseback and asked me to ride with you instead."

  Recently, Song Yan had been occupied studying alongside Song Jue and visiting teahouses and theaters to experience life, aside from learning riding and archery with Qin Chuan. Song Chuyi smiled gently and led him to greet Old Lady Song.

  Xiang Mingzi was already waiting in Old Lady Song’s room. Seeing them arrive, she promptly began to compin, "Usually, you two aren't this slow. Yet now, when I'm prepared early, you start dawdling!"

  Old Lady Song couldn't help but point at her, addressing Song Chuyi and Song Yan with amusement. "She seldom goes out, and now she's as restless as a wild monkey from the mountains. If you’d deyed any longer, she might've sent Yun to drag you both here!"

  After sharing ughter and finishing breakfast, Old Lady Song held Song Chuyi's hand, instructing carefully, "Go today and return tomorrow. I've assigned sufficient people to accompany you. Steward Qin and Lin Hai are both going with you. These are unusual times, so please stay cautious. Your eldest brother said something important came up, so he can't escort you personally. However, just two days ago, the Princess of Zhennan mentioned that Second Young Master Ye also needs to go to Tongzhou for some business. I've entrusted him to accompany you—he commands twenty guards from the Prefecture Guard, so I can rest easier with him around."

  It was nearly the end of the year, but Song Jue hadn't originally been this busy, and he had previously promised to escort them to Tongzhou himself.

  Xiang Mingzi gnced meaningfully at Song Chuyi—clearly, Old Lady Song and the Princess of Zhennan had formed a tacit understanding, gradually creating opportunities for Song Chuyi. This young girl had her own strong opinions; she either liked someone or didn’t. To win her heart required patience, slowly and subtly, without revealing intentions too overtly.

  Song Chuyi naturally understood Old Lady Song’s intentions, feeling a bit helpless. Yet, biting her lip softly, she ultimately chose not to refuse directly.

  Outside, the snow grew heavier. Ye Jingchuan stood anxiously by the city gate in a white robe with dragon-patterned sleeves. Chang'an diligently offered him snacks. Ye Jingchuan had left home extremely early, worried that the Song family's carriage might depart first. Having skipped breakfast entirely, he'd already waited by the city gate since before dawn.

  Chang'an couldn't understand his young master's thinking. Had he lost his mind? What young dy would set out before sunrise?

  But Ye Jingchuan was too distracted to eat, mounted on his horse and peering eagerly down the road. Finally spotting Qin Chuan and Lin Hai leading the way, his eyes immediately brightened, and he swiftly rode forward to greet them warmly.

  Lin Hai and Qin Chuan were both surprised to see Ye Jingchuan arriving so early. They hurriedly greeted him with respect and asked curiously, "Does Second Young Master Ye have other matters to attend to today?"

  Since Ye Jingchuan was doing them a favor, if he had other urgent matters, they naturally didn't want to dey him.

  Ye Jingchuan quickly waved off their concern, but then suddenly widened his eyes, staring behind Qin Chuan and Lin Hai—why was Duke Ying's household also leaving the city today? Immediately growing alert, he instructed Chang'an, who had hurried over, "Go find out why they're also leaving the city."

  Chang'an, always sharp and knowing exactly why his young master disliked Young Master Shen, gnced at Song Chuyi’s carriage and swiftly trotted through the snow to inquire. Soon he returned, quickly mounting his horse and catching up to Ye Jingchuan to whisper the news, "They’re moving away. Apparently, they're sending their belongings to Tongzhou docks first, and on the twentieth, they'll officially return to their ancestral home."

  No wonder Shen Qingrang looked so dispirited—he was leaving the prosperous and bustling capital for some remote pce out in the countryside. Ye Jingchuan's mood immediately brightened. It was good that this pest was finally leaving; he felt uncomfortable every time he saw Shen Qingrang, and indeed, Duke Ying’s entire household was unpleasant. Unable to help himself, he gnced cheerfully back at Song Chuyi’s carriage, smiling broadly.

  However, they'd barely left the city gates when the oblivious Shen Qingrang boldly rode forward, blocking the Song family's carriage and demanding to see Sixth Miss Song.

  Ye Jingchuan grew impatient, itching to whip Shen Qingrang’s horse out of the way and get rid of him faster. His tone grew sharp and unfriendly. "What is there to talk about? What is there to see? You have no elders with you, and it’s not appropriate to meet privately. Everyone here is busy traveling. Hurry up and go your own way."

  But Shen Qingrang refused to budge. He stubbornly stared at the richly decorated carriage where Song Chuyi sat, his lips tightly pressed together, his eyes dark and bitter. Yet, there was nothing he could truly do. Even at their peak, before they'd been ruined by the Marquis of Wuning, he wouldn’t have dared challenge the Song family directly, let alone now, when they’d already fallen into ruin.

  Shen Qingrang continued standing obstinately outside the carriage, his eyes stinging inexplicably. He clenched his fists and called out hoarsely, "Sixth Younger Sister..."

  In the past, whenever he was in a good mood, he called Song Chuyi "Sixth Younger Sister." When his mood soured, he coldly called her "Sixth Song." Now, he hoped Song Chuyi would recall the gentler moments.

  But in the end, Song Chuyi remained silent. Throughout it all, she didn't even lift the carriage curtain a single inch.

  All that had passed before was like a death yesterday; all that was to come would be a rebirth today. In the end, she hadn't forced the Shen family to their ultimate destruction. She had left them a lifeline, allowing them to return safely to their homend—a kindness they'd never shown her in the past life, where they had ruthlessly pursued her until she had no escape.

  From this point on, their debts were cleared. Should they ever meet again, they'd be strangers.

  That was enough.