They would, of course, have to return to Jinzhong first to seek Old Lady Cui’s opinion. The Princess of Zhennan felt a little more at ease. Though the Cui family boasted many accomplished members and promising talents, she still believed that her son, Ye Jingchuan, was second to none—after all, even Shen Yang had inquired about him on behalf of the young dies of the Shen family. The Shen family might not stand as tall as the Cui, but they were still a well-established noble house.

  With a smile, the Princess of Zhennan affectionately took Old Lady Song’s arm, her demeanor natural and intimate. "You’re right. The two children are still young—there’s no need to rush. I merely came today to test the waters… After all, it’s said that a fine daughter draws countless suitors, and your Xiao Yi is especially outstanding."

  Truthfully, if someone asked the Princess whether she thought highly of Song Chuyi, she wouldn’t know how to answer—she couldn’t quite see it herself. But since her son thought the girl fwless, naturally, she too followed suit and saw her in a favorable light.

  The group took refreshments in the side hall, then moved to the covered pavilion for the main meal. As for the men, the Marquis of Guang’en and the others were being entertained separately by Old Master Song and Song Jue in the outer hall.

  They had only eaten halfway when Nanny Huang hurried in, bending down to whisper something into Old Lady Song’s ear. Her brows lifted slightly in surprise before a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She made an excuse about needing to change clothes and quietly led a few maids out of the room.

  First Lady Song and Third Lady Song, however, remained behind. They exchanged a gnce and cheerfully led the other women in pying a drinking game—no matter what had happened, propriety could not be neglected. Someone had to stay and entertain the guests.

  The moment they stepped outside, the cold air swept toward them. Snow fluttered thickly across the sky. Old Lady Song furrowed her brows, as if suspecting she had misheard, and asked again, "What did you just say? The daughter-in-w of Duke Ying seeks an audience?"

  The Duke of Ying’s household had fallen on hard times. Though they had used the excuse of Old Lady’s injury, supposedly caused when Miss Tong pushed her down, to break off the engagement with the Marquis of Wuning’s family—and though the Empress herself had issued a decree rebuking the Marchioness of Wuning for failing in her duty to raise their miss—Miss Tong had ultimately taken her own life by poison.

  The Marquis of Wuning’s family, chastened by the Empress, no longer dared to confront Duke Ying’s family openly. Gone were the days when they would storm over to the Duke’s manor, hurling abuse and smming doors.

  But there were other ways to retaliate. It was said that the Marchioness of Wuning now spent her nights weeping into her granddaughter’s clothes. Whenever she went visiting, she would gnash her teeth and curse the Duke’s household, menting that Shen Qingrang had seduced and abandoned her granddaughter, destroying her innocence and ruining her reputation. She would compin that he still couldn’t change his phindering ways, which had driven her granddaughter to such despair.

  As people often say, once the dead are gone, everything else fades away. Though Miss Tong’s name had been tarnished beyond repair while she was alive, in death, all anyone could remember was how pitiful she’d been. Duke Ying’s family, in contrast, began to suffer the weight of public opinion.

  Worse still, Shen Qingrang had indeed not changed his ways. Rumors flew that he was often seen frequenting brothels, squandering away the family’s dignity. Duke Ying’s household had now become something of an outcast among the noble circles.

  In such dire straits, Old Lady Song couldn’t imagine why Lady He would come to the Changning Marquisate seeking an audience. Ever since Song Chuyi had attended that ill-fated banquet at Duke Ying’s manor, when she’d been provoked by Miss Tong, the two households had cut off all contact. Even now, with Song Yi preparing to take a second wife, Old Lady Song had never considered sending an invitation to Duke Ying’s family.

  Nanny Huang gave a small nod and said quietly, "She specifically requested to see you… and our Sixth Miss."

  Had it not been for her mention of Song Chuyi, Lady He would never have set foot inside the Changning Marquisate today. She was only granted an audience because the household had guests—no one wanted to make a scene and lose face on such a day. Otherwise, she would’ve been turned away at the gates.

  As expected, Old Lady Song’s expression darkened, and she let out a cold ugh. "She wants to see Xiao Yi? Her own family’s in chaos, and she thinks to come and trouble my granddaughter? Has she lost her senses?"

  Though she said as much, Old Lady Song still chose to meet with Lady He. She took Nanny Huang’s arm and ascended the sedan chair, returning first to Ningde Courtyard.

  Inside the outer room of Ningde Courtyard, Lady He was already waiting, wringing her hands anxiously, gncing toward the entrance from time to time, as though terrified she would soon be informed she was being shown the door.

  Fortunately, she wasn’t left to stew in fear for long. Before long, the sound of footsteps and the rustle of lifting curtains announced Old Lady Song’s return. Lady He let out a heavy breath, her stifled chest loosening a little. She immediately rose to her feet.

  In the past, she had often visited the Changning Marquisate—but never like this, humbled and desperate. In those days, at least, her family’s title outranked the Songs by two degrees. They may have cked true power, but appearances were maintained. Now, with Duke Ying’s household thoroughly disgraced, their name foul in the streets of the capital, Lady He no longer had the luxury to care about appearances.

  Old Lady Song entered the room, and Yun promptly stepped forward with hot water and a warm cloth for her to wash her face and hands. Only when the lingering cold had fully left her bones did she finally look at Lady He and smile, calm and unhurried. "Lady He arrived in such haste—may I ask what brings you here?"

  By rights, Duke Ying’s household had nothing to do with the Changning Marquisate anymore. Why would Lady He want to see Song Chuyi? Old Lady Song studied her carefully, her expression gentle yet without a trace of warmth in her eyes.

  Lady He lowered her head, seemingly ashamed. She had come without an invitation, without a formal note—indeed, she had come begging. She had offered multiple bribes at the gate, yet none had been accepted. Had the Changning Marquisate’s people not relented, concerned about the spectacle of her lingering outside, she would never have been allowed through the door.

  For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, all at once, her entire body trembled. She took a few uncertain steps forward and fell to her knees with a heavy thud.

  Old Lady Song was startled at the sight. Strictly speaking, Duke Ying’s family still outranked the Songs by two degrees. Lady He was of the younger generation; for her to kneel like this was utterly improper. Frowning, Old Lady Song hurriedly motioned for her attendants to lift her up.

  "What’s the need for this? If there’s something to be said, say it properly. What is the meaning of this dispy?" She frowned in clear displeasure. "Please, don’t kneel again. I am no Bodhisattva seated upon a lotus throne."

  Tears welled in Lady He’s eyes, threatening to spill over. She trembled violently as she was helped to her feet, but upon hearing Old Lady Song’s words, she nearly dropped to her knees once more. She stumbled forward a few steps, no longer daring to kneel, but unable to stop her tears from falling in torrents. Her lips quivered as she stammered out a plea: "Old Lady… I beg you…"

  She had well and truly run out of options. The only path she could think of was to come here and plead. If Old Lady Song chose to harden her heart and refuse her, Lady He truly had no idea where else to turn.