The injury on Song Chuyi’s face made Song Chengru’s entire demeanor dark and somber, as if he had been publicly spped hard by Yuan Hui. That monk, emboldened by his connections and relying on the influence of the Eastern Pace's Consort Fan and the Prince of Commandery, had btantly disregarded the dignity of the Changning Marquis Manor. To act so viciously against his granddaughter before even leaving the capital was a clear affront, a direct challenge to his authority, and a calcuted gamble that he wouldn’t dare to oppose the Eastern Pace for the sake of a mere young girl.

  "Too Confident in Himself""He must be overly confident in the master he has chosen," Song Chengru muttered, gncing at Zhou Weizhao. "Your Highness, forgive me, but may I inquire—I've heard the Crown Prince is unwell?"

  This was no longer a secret. The Crown Prince's illness had prompted the court physicians and imperial healers to take turns attending him at the Eastern Pace. Zhou Weizhao, recalling the cause of the Crown Prince's ailment, gave a faint, knowing smile and nodded.

  Song Chengru pressed further, "Your Highness surely knows the reason for the Crown Prince's illness. At this point, do you still pn to watch from the sidelines? Consort Fan will surely not accept her fall from favor without a fight..."

  It wasn’t just a matter of whether Consort Fan could accept it. Men’s minds often work in strange ways—once they believe something, it’s almost impossible to change. Even if the truth were id bare before them, they would only half-believe it. For a woman who depends on the Crown Prince's favor, even this shred of doubt could be fatal.

  This insight had been taught to Zhou Weizhao by Song Chuyi herself. He suddenly wondered what expression she wore at this moment and turned to meet her gaze, only to find her already watching him.

  "Grandfather," Song Chuyi cleared her throat, "the Crown Prince will wake soon. Once he does, Consort Fan and the Prince of Commandery will both be very busy. When they are busy, Yuan Hui will have to follow suit."

  That window of time would be sufficient for her to y a trap—a trap to ensure Yuan Hui’s utter disgrace and ruin.

  For someone like Yuan Hui, who cimed to have transcended life and death, death itself would not be a punishment. She would not let him die so easily. Instead, she intended for him to watch as his painstakingly accumuted reputation crumbled bit by bit under the scorn and hatred of the world. If he fancied himself a god sent to save humanity, then she would make sure he could never again lift his head before the people. Let’s see how he could still be venerated in temples and enjoy incense offerings, as in the previous life.

  Song Jue, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow. "You already have a pn, don’t you?"

  "No one is without weakness," Song Chuyi replied, her eyes reddened and the wound on her cheek gring under the light. She seemed oblivious to it as she lowered her head. "No matter how capable Yuan Hui is, he cannot guard his mother and sister at the mountain's base forever. He should know by now—things don’t always go as he wishes."

  Her voice softened. "I have already sought the Heir Apparent’s help. Tomorrow at dawn, Qingzhuo and Hanfeng will accompany my people to capture his mother and sister."

  Old Master Song hesitated. While it was usually considered dishonorable to involve one’s family, especially the women, Yuan Hui had been ruthless in his scheme against Song Chuyi, disregarding the potential harm to the Song and Cui families. Looking into Song Chuyi's cold, crystalline eyes, Song Chengru found himself unable to voice an objection.

  Yuan Hui deserved no mercy; it was time to abandon the pretenses of noble conduct. In this world, victory belongs to the one who triumphs.

  "And about today?" Song Chengru’s keen perception caught the undertone in Song Chuyi’s words. "You already have a pn for today as well?"

  Zhou Weizhao finally interjected, "The deed to that house wasn’t even signed in her name. After discussing it, we’ve decided to cim that the house belongs to my aunt..."

  The property, attributed to Princess Rongcheng, would position Song Chuyi and the Heir Apparent, along with Young Master Ye, as guests on their way to visit the princess's estate when they were ambushed. The attackers would then appear to have targeted the princess herself.

  Song Chengru and Song Jue exchanged gnces, immediately understanding Zhou Weizhao and Song Chuyi’s intent.

  Indeed, Noble Consort Xian deserved the consequences of her ignorance and relentless scheming. Losing a son and a daughter had not taught her restraint; other measures were needed to ensure she caused no more harm or became a pawn in someone else’s pns.

  "This will do, though it troubles the princess," Song Chengru remarked, somewhat surprised at Song Chuyi’s boldness in seeking Zhou Weizhao’s assistance. Given the complicated political climate, not siding with Consort Fan while seeking Zhou Weizhao’s help was almost tantamount to decring her stance.

  But now was not the time to dwell on such concerns. Song Chuyi was not one to act rashly. Song Chengru asked directly, "What do you pn to do?"

  Yuan Hui was an obstacle they could not afford to ignore. He was a threat to both the Cui cn and the Song family. With spring looming and preparations to confront Minister Chen in the works, Yuan Hui’s continued presence posed too many uncertainties. It was better to eliminate the threat now.

  "Yuan Hui won’t let his mother and sister die," Song Chuyi said, her lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile. "He may have come to terms with his own mortality, but he cannot bear to lose others. With his family in my grasp, he’ll either have to accept the disgrace thrown at him or watch his loved ones perish, one by one."

  Using hostages to manipute Yuan Hui? Song Chengru hesitated, thinking her idea too optimistic. He looked at her doubtfully. "Great men don’t dwell on sentiment. Long ago, the founding emperor abandoned his children to save his life... What makes you think Yuan Hui wouldn’t abandon his mother and sister?"

  Song Jue voiced simir concerns. "Grandfather’s right. Yuan Hui killed pirates in Fujian without so much as blinking. To expect him to abandon his ideals for his family might be wishful thinking."

  Only Zhou Weizhao remained calm, not questioning her pn in the slightest.

  The elder of the Song family turned to Zhou Weizhao, curious. "Your Highness, do you truly believe Yuan Hui would give up his goals for his family?"

  Zhou Weizhao gnced at Song Chuyi, meeting her gaze. He smiled faintly and replied, "Even if he wouldn’t willingly submit, he’s bound to trap himself in his own hubris. Yuan Hui holds himself in such high regard that he thinks there’s no problem he can’t solve."

  Clever people often overthink simple matters, turning manageable issues into insurmountable problems. It’s the straightforward traps that ensnare them most easily.