Yuan Hui was convinced she was a camity, a demon defying fate, destined to block his path, so he was ruthless in his attempts to end her life. Yet, she too was not someone who would meekly surrender and await death. Since Yuan Hui had acted so viciously, she would not show mercy either.

  No one in this world was truly innocent, just like Old Lady Huang and Lady Huang. On the surface, they appeared to live peacefully, untouched by the world, but this peace had been built on the sacrifices of the entire Baihe vilge. If she had done wrong, she would willingly accept punishment and fall into the eighteen levels of hell when she became a ghost, but she wouldn’t worry about those consequences now.

  Everyone must pay the price for their actions—Yuan Hui, and herself as well. If retribution came in the future, she would accept it willingly.

  "Xiao Yi..." Cui Yingshu took a step forward, looking at her with faint worry. "Don't take things too far... I know you’re smart, but you must also understand that there are many clever people in this world." He paused and gnced at Song Chengru before continuing to warn Song Chuyi, "Take Noble Consort Xian, for example. This time, you completely defeated her, but you’ve also provoked the deadly hatred of Prince Duan's remaining loyalists. As long as even one of them escapes, you will remain in danger. Your uncle doesn’t want you to constantly live in such peril."

  In her past life, Song Chuyi had little interaction with Cui Yingshu and didn’t know what kind of person her uncle was. Even after being reborn, she felt that her uncle wasn’t as indulgent and doting as her cousin. However, she knew Cui Yingshu had always been good to her. His strictness in many matters, keeping her away from the shadows of conspiracy, was because he wanted her to live without worries, like any girl her age.

  To speak no evil, to hear no evil—his own daughter, Cui Hualuan, had grown up like this, and he hoped Song Chuyi could live the same sunny and healthy life.

  Song Jue was moved. He also didn’t want his sister to be pushed into the eye of the storm, much less see her return covered in wounds and blood like she had a few days ago.

  He remained silent for a long while but ultimately didn’t speak. He knew his sister’s temperament well; while not overly petty, she was resolute in her grudges and always repaid her enemies.

  Song Chuyi hadn’t held the hunting ground incident against Yuan Hui initially, but after Yuan Hui came for her again, almost taking her life, there was no way she could let it slide. He knew she would never back down in such matters.

  Sure enough, Song Chuyi shook her head and said, "I understand what you mean, Uncle, but if I put down the butcher's knife, the next moment, it will fall on my neck. I can't let that happen. I understand your reasoning—you can’t eliminate all enemies, nor can you deal with everyone who harbors ill intentions toward you. But at the very least, when someone raises a knife and pces it on my neck, I cannot pretend it didn’t happen.

  “This is what Yuan Hui owes me. If he sees himself as a benevolent savior above all, then he should truly embody the compassion of a Bodhisattva. But he treats my life like an ant’s... so he can’t bme me for dragging him down from his pedestal."

  Cui Yingshu could only sigh helplessly. He had always been powerless against this niece of his. Once, he had asked Princess Duanhui if she thought Song Chuyi’s personality was too extreme—her love and hatred were too distinct, making her life far too exhausting. But Princess Duanhui had replied that it was because Song Chuyi had lost her mother at a young age. She had to protect her younger brother, and her heart couldn’t afford to be soft...

  He steadied himself and looked at Song Chuyi, sighing deeply before resigning himself to asking, "So, what do you pn to do? You intentionally left traces for Yuan Hui. If he comes knocking and demands the person..."

  "Naturally, I’ll negotiate terms." Song Chuyi coldly cut him off with a smirk. "Yuan Hui has stayed on his pedestal for too long. He’s probably forgotten how the world works. When the time comes, I’ll make sure to properly entertain him."

  Song Chengru had invited Cui Yingshu not just for this matter. He nodded at Song Chuyi and said, "If you need anything, just let us know."

  Song Chuyi nodded in acknowledgment. Noticing that they seemed to have other matters to discuss, she excused herself and left the room. She guessed that the reason Song Chengru had summoned Cui Yingshu at this moment likely had to do with the upcoming project to repair the Jiujiang Dam alongside officials from the riverway bureau.

  Qingying was already waiting for her at the corridor, leading her through the hanging flower gate and across the courtyard before pulling her aside to report in a hushed tone, "Miss, I’ve delivered your message to Miss Tong about Young Master Shen’s injury. It seems that things between Miss Tong and Young Master Shen have softened recently. As soon as she heard the news, she rushed over with her people to see him."

  This is why some marriages are nothing but a joke. Shen Qingrang clearly despises Tong Shao, but for the sake of Shen Xiaohai, the Marquis of Wuning’s influence, and his future prospects, he still has to curry favor with this arrogant eldest daughter.

  Talk of mutual affection? Utter nonsense. It’s merely a union of two families and nothing more.

  Qingtao caught up to them and helped support Song Chuyi, tilting her head in confusion. "Miss, why did you send Miss Tong to visit Young Master Shen? If you ask me, it’d be best if their family fell into complete chaos."

  Because the goal is to throw the Shen family into chaos, it’s even more important for Tong Shao, the votile spark, to visit Shen Qingrang. How would Shen Qingrang, already guilty and uneasy, expin his injuries to the suspicious and temperamental Tong Shao? Shen Xiaohai, that shameless opportunist, is useless in most matters but excels at sniffing out benefits like a fly drawn to rotten food. He doesn’t even bother to consider his own worth before tching onto opportunities.

  Currently, both the Shuntian Prefecture and the Jinyiwei are hunting down Prince Duan’s remaining loyalists due to the attempted assassination of Princess Rongcheng. At such a sensitive time, Tong Shao btantly showing up with a rge entourage and a stockpile of medicine to visit Shen Qingrang will surely unsettle the already guilty Shen Xiaohai and Shen Qingrang. These two cowards, full of scheming but cking courage, are prone to pushing the bme onto others whenever they make a mistake.

  Tong Shao is no Song Chuning. Without Shen Qingrang’s gentlemanly charm to soothe her, her fiery temper will likely cause another argument with him.

  Once they start arguing, Shen Qingrang will have to come up with an excuse for his injuries. For someone like him—a pyboy skilled in all manner of petty amusements—what excuse would be the most convincing? Of course, it would be some tale of a galnt hero saving a beauty during a quarrel over women... It’s an excuse so convenient and believable that it practically writes itself.

  Back at Huangjue Temple, Song Chuyi had already noticed subtle changes in Tong Shao. She still liked Shen Qingrang, but it wasn’t just liking anymore. When she looked at him, the light that once filled her eyes was gone, repced by grievances and resentment.

  Sometimes, a woman’s resentment is a terrifying force, especially when her family background is strong, and she has resources at her disposal.