When the chaotic gossip from the Jinxiang Marquis Residence about the two sister Fans reached Song Chuyi, she was busy memorizing the genealogical records of the Cui family one by one. A century-old noble family with a vast number of people and complicated retionships was not something that could be sorted out overnight. After several days of effort, she had only memorized about thirty or forty percent, and the sheer volume of information was dizzying.

  Cui Huaying, who was also preparing to return to Jinzhong for her wedding, had already arranged to travel with Song Chuyi and her brother. Seeing Song Chuyi's struggle, she often teased her, "For someone so quick-witted in other matters, you sure are struggling with a few genealogies..."

  Cui Huayi, on the other hand, didn't join in on the teasing. Instead, she whispered with Xiang Mingzi, talking about the next day's divine procession at Huangjue Temple: "My nanny sewed a small rice pouch for me and attached some coins, saying that it must be worn on that day. She also warned me not to stand on tiptoe to look directly at the deity, lest I offend the deity by meeting its gaze..." She sighed helplessly, shaking her head like a much older person, "What fun is it if I can't py around? I'd heard that young boys carry colored fgs at the front of the procession, and I was hoping to grab one to check it out. But my nanny said it was strictly forbidden—apparently, the Ninth Miss of the Duke of Cheng's household once offended the deity by snatching a fg, and after that..."

  Xiang Mingzi hurriedly covered her mouth, but seeing her disappointed expression, couldn't help ughing as she reassured her, "It's not that boring. Huangjue Temple's vegetarian dishes and pastries are famously exquisite. Besides, we can gather around the stove like the young men, brewing tea from melted snow gathered from the plum grove behind the temple and roasting some sweet potatoes—won't that be fun?"

  Even Cui Huaying's eyes lit up at this and she joined in, "That's a great idea. Those roasted sweet potatoes that Cousin Ye brought back st time had a unique fvor. I heard that on the night of the deity's procession, after the fireworks dispy, people gather to release sky nterns together, and it's incredibly lively. This divine procession only happens once every three years, and it coincides with the Ninth Princess's big day, so it's sure to be grander than ever."

  Qingying, who had been listening to their chatter with a smile, gave Song Chuyi a discreet look, signaling her to step outside with her. Once they were out, Song Chuyi softly asked, "Is there any news?"

  "There's quite a lot." Qingying suppressed a chuckle. "The old woman brought in from Xingyang wasn't actually from the Fan cn's main household. She was brought from Huzhou, which is still two or three hundred miles away from Xingyang. According to the people at the courier agency, she was previously a servant of Lady Fan. Judging by her age, she might be Lady Fan's wet nurse or a managing nanny."

  Song Chuyi had already sensed that the retionship between Lady Fan and the Fan cn wasn't very good, as evidenced by their sparse contact over the years. But why didn't this close servant accompany Lady Fan when she married into the capital and instead went to Huzhou?

  Almost as if reading her thoughts, Qingying continued, "They also mentioned that, years ago, the same courier agency escorted this nanny back to Huzhou on Lady Fan's behalf."

  So, what kind of serious event could have taken pce back then that Lady Fan would choose to sever ties with such a loyal servant, even sending her back to her hometown?

  "Miss, this Nanny Zhang is likely a significant figure," Qingying recalled Zhou Weizhao's words and spoke frankly, though still puzzled. "Qingtiao, who serves the Heir Apparent, told me that Consort Fan and the Prince of Commandery seem to have quarreled over this Nanny Zhang. Consort Fan even went to the Jinxiang Marquis Residence specifically because of her."

  If there wasn't something unusual going on, Consort Fan would likely be watching with cold indifference, relishing in Lady Fan's misery. Someone so selfish and cruel would certainly take pleasure in another's suffering.

  It was now clear that the two sister Fans did not get along. However, Consort Fan held all the cards, while Lady Fan seemed comparatively weak. After some thought, Song Chuyi instructed Qingying, "Have someone keep a close watch. Try to see if we can buy off someone close to Lady Fan and ask about the background. Alternatively, buying off someone around Han Yueheng would work just as well."

  With Han Zhi's situation, even though the Prince of Commandery had sent Chief Secretary Qian Ying to help, chaos was inevitable in the Jinxiang Marquis Residence without a male head to oversee matters. Gathering information at this time, as long as it was done cautiously, would avoid detection.

  If Lady Fan really was as weak as a soft persimmon that would crumble under pressure, then they would have no choice but to pce their hopes on Han Zhi.

  Qingying agreed, then continued with news about Old Lady Xiang: "Old Lady Xiang was kicked out by Third Lady Chen that very day, and she made a scene at our gate... But those gatekeepers aren't easy to bully. They chased her off for over two or three miles, and she was saying something about wanting to die at our doorstep... She didn't even get close enough to touch the stone lions at our gate."

  Nanny Xu sprinkled some lily incense into the burner and chuckled, "Old Lady Xiang, after being thrown out, went looking for the Chen family again. But Third Lady Chen didn't dare meet her. She couldn't get past the Chen family gate either. She came all the way to the capital, dreaming of a grand dowry from Miss Mingzi, but now it seems she doesn't even have the money to return home. Serves her right. I've never seen a grandmother who would team up with outsiders to scheme against her own granddaughter. The Zhao family doesn't recognize this marriage at all... If word got out, she'd ruin Miss Mingzi's reputation."

  No matter how much Old Lady Chen protects her family or dislikes the Song family, in this case, she is clearly in the wrong. Without showing an appropriate stance, they would certainly invite criticism. It seems that Third Lady Chen's days won't be easy from now on.

  This also shows that the Chen family isn't as unshakeable as it appears from the outside; there are hidden issues within. Third Lady Chen's actions were so inappropriate—whether she was truly after Mingzi's dowry or if someone else was directing her from behind, it at least proves she's willing to do anything for money.

  And that, sometimes, is enough.

  Song Chuyi handed the booklet to Qingying, instructing her as they walked back, "Tell Ma Changjiang and the others not to rex their vigince outside the city, and have someone closely watch the movements at the Jinxiang Marquis Residence in the city. Before we leave, let's give the Chen family a big parting gift."

  Consort Fan's retionship with Lady Fan of the Jinxiang Marquis Residence was already tense, and now, due to Lady Fan, there was a growing rift with her son, the Prince of Commandery. Consort Fan, caught up in the situation, couldn't see clearly, but Old Lady Chen wasn't foolish. Recently, due to Master Zhang performing a ceremonial incantation for Emperor Jianzhang, Zhou Weizhao had once again risen in influence.