In the Changning Marquis Residence, Old Lady Song had just seen off the Eleventh Princess, the two Cui family aunts, and Lady Shen, then specially asked Song Chuyi to stay back to speak privately. "I think I overheard the Eleventh Princess mention something about the Eastern Pace to you. So, has the Prince of Commandery actually had a falling-out with Consort Fan?"

  This was indeed rare news. Consort Fan was famous for her skill in raising her son. In the seven or eight years that Zhou Weizhao had been away from the capital, Consort Fan had garnered a great deal of favor from both the Emperor and the Crown Prince by relying on her clever, charming, and lively son. Zhou Weiqi was known for his filial obedience and had always been devoted and respectful to Consort Fan, so hearing of a conflict between them made Old Lady Song recall the recent incident involving Han Zhi—Consort Fan's longstanding grudges had driven her to oppose Lady Fan so fiercely that even Han Zhi was forced to his death. The Prince of Commandery must be brimming with resentment. Men tend to be more rational than women; grudges and resentment can often be set aside when faced with interests. No matter what reasons Consort Fan had, the Prince of Commandery would likely see it as one thing: she had severed one of his limbs.

  As she spoke, Old Lady Song gestured to Nanny Huang, who handed her a small bck cquered box decorated with gold designs. Old Lady Song passed it to Song Chuyi. "Take this with you when you go to watch the divine procession at Huangjue Temple. It will protect you from offending the gods."

  When Song Chuyi opened it, she saw a lifelike white jade qilin that looked as though it might leap out of the box, startling her before she broke into a smile. "No wonder Grandmother asked me to stay behind—you wanted to spoil me with something as precious as this."

  Old Lady Song scoffed. "If you weren't always attracting trouble, I wouldn't be giving you such a good item now. I would have waited until your wedding, letting it be part of your dowry."

  Song Chuyi's fate was always a source of worry for Old Lady Song. Mentioning it brought her mind back to Master Yuankong and Master Yuanhui's words at Huangjue Temple, and she frowned with concern. "Tomorrow, if your First Aunt is going to hear Master Yuan Kong's sermons, you should avoid going along."

  Better to avoid drawing Master Yuankong's attention again and stirring up the rumors that had only just started to die down.

  Song Chuyi agreed, then told Old Lady Song what she knew of the argument between Zhou Weiqi and Consort Fan. "Apparently, Consort Fan went too far in oppressing her younger sister at the Jinxiang Marquis Residence, and the Prince of Commandery was concerned that she might offend the marquis, which led to their disagreement. It's a curious family—especially with the delicate retionship between Consort Fan and the Marchioness of Jinxiang. Now that the marchioness's son has practically died at Consort Fan's hands, she must be pnning something out of loyalty to her children..."

  Old Lady Song held little regard for either of the two sisters. And if Consort Fan was indeed at odds with the Jinxiang Marquis Residence, she would be too distracted to interfere with the Chen family's affairs or focus on pulling the Song family into her schemes. Pleased at the thought, she smiled faintly. "If that's the case, we may be in for quite a show."

  She noticed Ziwei entering with a basin of hot water, then urged Song Chuyi to leave, reminding her, "With Third Lady Chen's recent commotion, some people with designs on Mingzi may try to take advantage of the situation. Though we're eager to find a good match for her, we can't let these people have their way. Keep an eye on Mingzi tomorrow and watch out for trouble."

  If even Song Chumi had nearly been used by the Zhang family, how much more vulnerable would Xiang Mingzi be? With her te mother's substantial dowry and her formal adoption into the household, many were bound to set their sights on her after this incident with Third Lady Chen and Old Lady Xiang. And with the divine procession at Huangjue Temple happening soon... Old Lady Song's reminder made Song Chuyi focus, and after she thanked her and bid farewell, she left as Ziwei lifted the curtain.

  The next day brought rare good weather. Though the morning breeze was brisk enough to make people cover their faces and ears, a bright sun hung above the treetops, casting golden, dappled shadows on the windows and filling everything with a golden glow, lifting everyone's spirits.

  Song Chuyi dressed in a blue embroidered robe trimmed in gold, with a pleated frost-white skirt and a white jade qilin pendant given to her by Old Lady Song. Over this, she wore a cloak made of soft, cream-colored wild duck feathers, her entire appearance vibrant and strikingly beautiful.

  First Lady Song led her and Xiang Mingzi into the leading compartment of an eight-treasure carriage with scarlet tassels. Once seated, she instructed them, "At mid-morning, the Princess and two county princesses will depart from the city, so we must first go to Babao Mountain to see them off. You two don't need to step forward; just follow my lead and pay your respects from afar."

  The Imperial Astrologer had determined that the princess's wedding procession should depart from Babao Mountain. The princess would spend the previous night at the temple on Babao Mountain, after paying respects at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and would depart the next day at mid-morning, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Rites. All noblewomen were expected to offer their congratutions.

  Song Chuyi nodded. By now, the Ninth Princess, who had little patience to begin with, was surely filled with reluctance over the marriage, especially since she likely knew about the match between the Eleventh Princess and the Shen family's second young master. She wanted to avoid provoking the Ninth Princess, as this unpredictable princess might indeed do something extreme.

  Following First Lady Song's lead, she and Xiang Mingzi knelt in the back with other noblewomen, watching as the expressionless Ninth Princess, dressed in a red wedding robe, entered her grand sedan chair carried by sixteen men, before they stood up.

  Then she noticed Lady Fan—her face gaunt and thin, yet strangely smiling with an air of satisfaction. Lady Fan was a stunning beauty; Song Chuyi had been struck by her elegance when she st saw her at the Jinxiang Marquis Residence. However, at that time, she had looked stiff, like a wooden doll. Now, though thin and weary, she was utterly captivating.

  To Song Chuyi, Lady Fan appeared like a candle, burning at its brightest just before it was about to extinguish.

  Lady Fan saw her as well, nodding slowly and offering a small smile.

  Just yesterday, she had been crying hysterically, yet now she smiled with such ease. Xiang Mingzi felt uneasy under her gaze, clinging to Song Chuyi and edging closer to First Lady Song with a wary expression.