As soon as the lady left, Ziyun immediately closed the door and looked at Song Chuyi with a pale face: "Miss, you must not agree to this!"

  The lady of the house is clearly trying to send Song Chuyi to her death, and it's really selfish of her. At the same time, she still expects Song Chuyi to help her calm down the anger of the Cui family and Old Lady Song. Is there such a good thing in this world? In the past, when the fifth lady was domineering in the mansion, how much suffering did the lady of the house endure? If it weren't for Song Chuyi, she would probably still be suffering from being bullied by the fifth lady and would need to take nourishing medicine every now and then. Now, she's treating Song Chuyi like this, it's really chilling.

  Song Chuyi liked these clever maids, they were different from Hongyu, not only kind-hearted but also knew how to distinguish between good and evil, and knew how to use their brains to see right from wrong. She didn't need to worry that they would be deceived by a few sweet words like Hongyu.

  She glanced at Ziyun with a smile, delighted that she had seen through the madam's intentions and relieved that she was thinking of her own interests, bravely speaking out words of persuasion.

  Qing Tao also looked worried, seeing that Song Chuyi didn't have any reaction. After glancing at Zi Yun, she hesitated: "Miss, why don't we go to the county princess's residence to report this?"

  This is no laughing matter, if you really enter the palace, you might even lose your life.

  Mrs. Choi had also mentioned to herself about entering the palace, but her tone didn't sound tense or resentful. Logically speaking, if Mrs. Choi knew it was Empress Rong who called her into the palace, she would probably jump up in a hurry.

  It's likely that what Auntie said about entering the palace is actually referring to someone else, at least it's not someone who would harm herself.

  Song Chuyi thought for a moment and then waved her hand: "Wait a little longer."

  What kind of person is the old lady? She knows it in her heart, since she has already made up her mind to side with the prince, she will never be wishy-washy, let alone take the risk of offending the prince by doing something that would not please anyone. She doesn't worry at all.

  The madam thought that by speaking out for herself, she could avoid Old Lady Song's anger, but this was a bit too naive. In the end, it was because she didn't understand that she was no longer just an ignorant little girl who couldn't do anything and was confined to her boudoir. She underestimated her own importance and overestimated herself.

  Previously, Old Lady Song might have still wanted to give some face to this woman who had been the matriarch of the Song family for so many years, and also give some face to Song Ju and his wife. But instead, the great madam personally came to her room to say these things.

  This is really just making things difficult for oneself.

  The Ningde courtyard was quiet to the point of being eerie, and Zimei stepped out of the house with a lightness that was like a cat's, raising her hand in greeting as she saw the young mistress of the house.

  Li Qingzi's anxious expression suppressed her intention to call out, and it wasn't until Ziwei pulled her out of the courtyard that she anxiously asked: "Mother has been inside for nearly half an hour, how come there's still no movement or sound? Is Old Lady really angry to this extent?"

  Zi Wei sighed and nodded, then turned to Li Qingzi with a serious expression and reminded her: "The old lady knows you're coming, let you go back and take good care of yourself, don't come out if nothing's wrong, be careful not to disturb the little young master in your belly."

  Li Qingzi's face turned pale, and she asked hesitantly: "What's going on? Mother has always had a good relationship with Old Lady, how did it end up like this?"

  Moreover, she didn't even give herself any face. Old Lady Song used to be very fond of her, especially after she got pregnant, and would take care of her with utmost care and consideration. When had she ever been so bluntly rejected?

  "Let's not talk about this, it's not good for you to hear while you're pregnant. Why don't you listen to me and go back to your room? This matter doesn't concern you, and even the young master will be back soon."

  Lei Qingzi's eyes welled up with tears, she pursed her lips, but in the end, there was no way out, and she left, looking back three times with each step.

  "You've been married into our family for so many years, I've never treated you unfairly." Old Lady Song spoke coldly, startling Madame Song who shivered. She looked at her with a chilly expression, didn't even glance at Madame Song, and took the tea from Yu Shu to take a sip: "You've been the matriarch of the Song family for so many years, I've never lost face in front of others because of you."

  Madam Song's heart was getting more and more anxious, as if she had already sensed what Old Lady Song would say next.

  "You are really the only one who has disappointed me to the extreme." Old Lady Song indeed said something that made her lose her soul, and what followed was even more piercing: "It seems that except for you, no one in the whole family cares about the life or death of the young lady? Her father doesn't care, her grandfather doesn't care, I this old woman don't care, her younger brother doesn't care. Only you, a kind and benevolent mother, would think for her. Is that what you think?"

  Madam Song clutched her handkerchief tightly and muttered to herself, unable to think of a retort.

  "You're really shameless, ask yourself if you have a guilty conscience." Old Lady Song sneered: "Since she entered the palace at eight years old, all the silver taels spent on her from top to bottom are like flowing water, and you still think it's not enough. Have I ever said anything wrong about you? The eunuchs who came to beg for food took money from the public treasury, did anyone in the mansion express dissatisfaction? If this is still considered unfair to you, unfair to Her Majesty, then come teach me, how can I do better for you."

  The lady's head hung down so low it almost touched the ground, and she finally couldn't help but burst into tears: "Mother, I was wrong"

  "The Baofu will be left to you in the future, I know." Old Lady Song's tone was still flat, as if she were saying that today's weather is fine, but it was cold and distant, making people afraid: "But for now, since it's not yet yours, don't think about taking over! As the eldest daughter, you represent the family's reputation. Is this how you set an example for the young ladies of the Li family? Is this how your parents-in-law taught you?! Ah Ying, search your conscience and think, how did your sister-in-law treat you in the past? And think about it, when you pushed a nine-year-old child out, wouldn't the Cui family be crying tears of blood every night by your bedside?"

  The lady was suddenly chilled, feeling that all the hairs on her body were standing up, and in her heart, she was even more shocked by the old lady's words, as if her heart had cooled down halfway.

  The old lady this year indeed directly questioned the family style of the Li family ----- when the Li family was in decline, she had to marry her daughter-in-law for her son without making things difficult for her mother-in-law, because this matter has already begun to question her character.