Cui Yingshu couldn’t just turn a blind eye. He knew that Song Chuyi had always been at odds with Han Zhi and was aware of how Han Zhi’s attempt to manipute Song Yan had backfired, ultimately costing him his life.

  Now, with Lady Fan leaving the pace and the Eastern Pace immediately embroiled in trouble, Cui Yingshu couldn’t help but suspect Song Chuyi's involvement. Yet, he couldn’t figure out her exact role in the matter. While she was undoubtedly at loggerheads with Han Zhi and indirectly held a grudge against Consort Fan, it didn’t seem reasonable for her to drag the Crown Prince into this mess.

  Since the start of winter, several snowfalls had bnketed the nd. A few days ago, the sun had finally made an appearance, but now the skies had turned gloomy again, and by noon, rge snowfkes were falling steadily.

  Song Chuyi entered the room, her snow-covered hood quickly soaking through.

  Song Jue personally removed her cloak and handed her a hand warmer from the table. “Why didn’t you wear a thicker coat? You’ll catch a cold!”

  Both Mr. Shan and Mr. Cheng were unfazed by the sight. It was no secret that the eldest young master doted on the sixth young dy, treating her as though they were full-blooded siblings.

  Song Chuyi tilted her face up to fsh him a bright smile and teased, “Brother, you’re starting to sound just like Nanny Xu. Don’t worry, I’m wearing deerskin boots and a double-yered cloak. I won’t freeze.”

  As she spoke, she greeted Cui Yingshu, calling him “Uncle,” and exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Cheng and Mr. Shan before finally sitting beside Cui Yingshu. “Uncle, is it true that the Crown Prince is ill? And the Prince of Commandery as well?”

  Cui Yingshu nodded, coughing slightly before replying, “Yes, they both fell ill after the Marchioness of Jinxiang visited the pace to offer her gratitude the day before yesterday. Their conditions have worsened over the past two days.”

  The timing matched perfectly. A few days ago, when Qingzhu had returned with a report from the Huajue Monastery, she had mentioned that Lady Fan had said she would reveal Consort Fan’s true face once Han Yueheng left the capital and Han Zhi was gone. It seemed she had put her pn into action.

  Unfortunately, there had been no news of the Crown Prince’s anger from within the pace. All Cui Yingshu knew was that both the Prince of Commandery and the Crown Prince had fallen ill. However, this entire commotion instigated by Lady Fan seemed to have had no impact on Consort Fan.

  The cold wind shed against the windows, and the room fell silent save for the sound of breathing and the howling wind outside.

  “This matter has nothing to do with me,” Song Chuyi said honestly, expining the situation to Cui Yingshu. After a moment of thought, she added, “It’s a problem Consort Fan brought upon herself.”

  If she hadn’t acted like a lunatic and pushed Lady Fan into a corner, the tter wouldn’t have retaliated so viciously. Harboring a grudge for over twenty years—it was bound to be deep and bitter.

  Mr. Cheng, having listened intently, nodded and concluded, “The sixth young dy is right. This matter has nothing to do with us, and we should pretend we don’t know anything about it.”

  Knowing the Crown Prince’s family secrets was never a good thing. From now on, the Marquis of Changning’s household would be wise to keep their mouths shut and refrain from prying into such matters.

  Cui Yingshu hadn’t expected things to turn out this way and couldn’t help but feel yers of suspicion toward Consort Fan. However, he knew that both Master Cheng and Song Chuyi were correct: matters concerning the Eastern Pace’s hidden affairs were not for him to investigate. Even as the prince consort of Princess Duanhui, he was no exception.

  Song Jue, however, felt a tinge of disappointment and sighed. “I thought the Marchioness of Jinxiang would create a huge uproar. In the end, it was hardly significant.”

  This outcome had also surprised Song Chuyi. Previously, Qingzhu had clearly reported that Lady Fan had said she would stake her life on exposing Consort Fan’s true nature. She believed that only by sacrificing her life could she convince the Crown Prince and the Prince of Commandery of Consort Fan’s malicious character and ambiguous retionship with Han Zhengqing.

  Her doubts were soon resolved. Shortly after dinner, before everyone had even left the table, First Lady Cui received news from Ah Fu: the Jinxiang Marquis Manor was on fire.

  The fire was extraordinarily intense, spreading to neighboring homes and even damaging the back garden of the Guang’en Earl’s residence next door. The city’s Five City Military Command had already dispatched people to fight the fire.

  The Jinxiang Marquis Manor still housed Han Zhi’s coffin, and now it was struck by this camity. The bzing inferno armed half the city. From the tallest structure of the Changning Marquis Manor, the Zhuiyue Pavilion, one could see thick smoke rising from the fmes.

  The Jinxiang Marquis Manor and the Changning Marquis Manor were in opposite directions, separated by nearly half the city. The fact that the fmes were visible from such a distance spoke volumes about the fire’s scale.

  Old Lady Song and First Lady Cui exchanged gnces. Having heard from both First Lady Song and Song Chuyi about the grudge between Lady Fan and Consort Fan, First Lady Cui couldn’t help but sigh softly. “She truly meant it when she said she’d stake her life. And now she’s gone all in.”

  Lady Fan not only sacrificed her own life but also dragged down the entire Jinxiang Marquis Manor to make the scene as chaotic as possible. It was a testament to the depth of her hatred for Consort Fan and the entire Fan family. She had no intention of sparing Consort Fan’s dignity.

  The men outside drinking in the open pavilion, including Old Master Song and Cui Yingshu, also received the news and stepped out to assess the situation.

  It was no wonder Song Chuyi had said there was no rush to deal with Consort Fan. Clearly, she had anticipated that Lady Fan would take action against her sister.

  Lady Fan didn’t just sacrifice her life—she orchestrated an enormous spectacle, a gesture of dying to prove her innocence. Even if the Crown Prince had previously harbored only a sliver of doubt, this incident would undoubtedly amplify his suspicions tenfold.

  The Fan sisters were both formidable in their own right. While Consort Fan had previously held the younger’s weaknesses firmly in her grasp by controlling her two children, something had evidently caused her to lose her grip. Lady Fan, after years of restraint, had finally snapped. Having lost even her children, there was no way she would endure this humiliation any longer.

  After all, both women were raised under the same family and education. They were cut from the same cloth. Consort Fan, riding high on years of smooth sailing, underestimated her sister, thinking her to be a toothless snake. What she didn’t realize was that the younger sister had merely hidden her fangs.

  Song Chengru lowered his voice and called to Cui Yingshu. “Fengqin, do you know who has been appointed as the chief examiner for next spring’s Jiangnan imperial examinations?”

  Cui Yingshu followed Old Master Song back into the pavilion, the cold air swept away as warmth enveloped him. He csped his hands behind his back and thought for a moment. “Grand Secretary Chen?” Seeing Old Master Song nod, he immediately understood.

  Two tigers cannot share one mountain. The Chen family and the Song-Cui alliance were already on opposing sides. It was time to make preparations.