In April, the capital had a temperate climate, neither the scorching heat of June nor the severe cold of February. The peach trees that the Marquis's residence had pnted earlier finally began to bloom in a flurry, beautifully embellishing the estate.

  Song Chengru, having worked all night, finally returned home. His temples were grayed, adding a touch of weariness to his appearance. Although he had dealt with Xiao Ding and Fang Deng, he didn't show much excitement on his face.

  This morning, the cabinet issued an official document stating that Su Yi was sentenced to be executed by beheading, with the punishment to be carried out in the autumn. Meanwhile, due to the righteous act of denouncing her own kin, the matriarch of the Su family, along with the other female members of the Su residence, had their death sentences commuted, but they could no longer stay in the General's residence; they had to return to their hometown in Taiyuan.

  Old Lady Song sighed but didn't have much sympathy or energy left to spare for this old friend with whom she had some past ties. Regardless of whether Old Lady Su had been aware, Su Yi had genuinely attempted to drag the Marquis's residence down with him.

  "Send someone to check on her," Old Lady Song finally said after a long sigh. "At least she served as a reminder to us in the end. She's getting old..."

  Song Chengru had no intention of making things difficult for the women, so he nodded at Old Lady Song's words. After a moment of thought, he added, "If that Miss Chen is recovering well, it wouldn't hurt to have her meet with Old Lady Su."

  Chen Jinxin was likely the one Old Lady Su was most concerned about, and arranging a meeting would be a form of consotion. Old Lady Song agreed and instructed Yun to tell the Third Lady to prepare. Then, with a serious expression, she asked Song Chengru about Xiao Ding and Fang Deng: "This matter has already reached the emperor's ears, and it should be time for a thorough investigation. Why does it seem that His Majesty is reluctant to delve deeper... Xiao Yi said that Fang Deng and Xiao Ding have already become pawns; wouldn't they be too scared to turn on us to save their lives?"

  Old Lady Song shook her head, asserting that Xiao Ding and Fang Deng didn't have the courage to do so.

  Given the connections Prince Duan had cultivated over the years, if they dared to expose him, they would only meet a quicker demise. Instead, they would likely clench their teeth and take all the bme upon themselves, as that would give them a glimmer of survival rather than facing total annihition.

  "Prince Duan is so treacherous and cunning; if he ever gains the throne, it will be the day we face ruin as well," Old Lady Song sighed, turning to look at Song Chengru. "Does the Old Master have any pns in mind?"

  After several recent events, Prince Duan's attempt to win over the Song family had failed, and the conspiracies behind it had also been thwarted. Given the Prince's nature, if he ever gained a position of power, he would surely seek revenge in the future.

  Therefore, the Marquis's residence had to do everything in its power to prevent the Prince from growing stronger.

  The urgent matter at hand was to deal with Xiao Ding's situation. Xiao Ding and Fang Deng, now desperate, would undoubtedly follow the previous pn to drag the Marquis's residence into trouble. Fortunately, preparations had been made; the Marquis's residence had the Fifth Lady and Qi Shengyuan, as well as female officials sent by Lady Xiao on hand, all of whom were solid evidence. As long as these individuals were handed over, the Fifth Lady wouldn't dare implicate Prince Duan, but would certainly push all the responsibility onto Xiao Ding and Fang Deng. This time, Xiao Ding and Fang Deng were doomed.

  This would also sever the Prince's influence. Moreover, after this incident, anyone else contempting the Marquis's residence would have to reconsider their pns.

  "With Qin Bipin's methods, Xiao Ding will start to make his moves no ter than tomorrow. Aside from Wang Jinsi and the other three, deal with everyone else. Have you cleared up Wang Jinsi's dowry list from back then?"

  Old Lady Song nodded. "Everything that shouldn't be there has already been cleaned up. But if we push Wang Jinsi out like this, I wonder if the Empress Dowager will let it go so easily?"

  The Empress Dowager had a certain attachment to this adopted daughter, rgely because Wang Jinsi was the niece of the Empress Dowager's sister.

  Song Chengru scoffed dismissively.

  In the harem and the inner chambers, Empress Dowager Rongxian might still be able to stir up some trouble, but when it came to matters concerning the previous dynasty, she had no room for emotional indulgence. The current emperor remained fixated on the previous affairs and would not easily let go of the Wang family, who was again causing unrest.

  After deciding how to handle the situation, Song Chengru called Song Chuyi into the study, intending to ask for her opinion.

  "Grandfather intends to write a letter of apology." He stroked his beard as he looked at his calm and composed granddaughter, feeling both satisfied and proud. "As an official, one should cultivate oneself, manage one's family, and bring peace to the world. Yet, I have failed even to manage my family properly, so I find myself unworthy of the position of Minister of Revenue. Therefore, I have decided to submit my resignation."

  Song Chengru had taken his title through his official position and had diligently managed affairs for over forty years. After years of navigating the political ndscape, he had become smarter than a fox, with sound reasons behind every decision he made.

  Song Chuyi thought for a moment and suddenly smiled. "Grandfather, this strategy of retreating to advance is indeed clever. Once the Minister of Justice clears your name in due time, His Majesty will surely recognize your innocence."

  Wang Jinsi's collusion with outsiders against the Marquis's residence could not be bmed on the Marquis's household.

  It was the Empress Dowager who had insisted on pying matchmaker, sending this difficult character into the Changning Marquis's residence. Now, this restless descendant of a criminal was actually turning against the Changning Marquis's household, colluding with outsiders to frame her own in-ws and benefactors.

  Moreover, forcing a respected official like Song Chengru, a veteran of two dynasties, into resignation would not only make the emperor feel guilty but also draw the ire of the literati across the nd.

  Seeing that Song Chuyi understood his meaning, Song Chengru smiled with satisfaction.

  "Throughout history, many troubles have arisen from within one's own walls." Song Chengru gazed fondly at his granddaughter. "But with you in the Song family, the inner chambers should remain stable."

  He watched as this granddaughter, who had previously not been favored by him, calcuted each move with precision and demonstrated her determination to protect the Song family and its members.

  At this point, Song Chuyi had gained the complete trust and affection of her grandfather, Song Chengru, who was the actual power holder of the Song family.

  The foundation had already been id, and now she could pursue the things she wanted to do.

  She suppressed the urge to cheer with joy in her heart and calmly nodded at Song Chengru.

  One must eat a meal one bite at a time and walk a path step by step. She would tread steadily until she achieved her goals.

  "Oh, Grandfather," she suddenly remembered the Prince Duan, who had rushed back to Zhangzhou overnight. "Have you thought about how to deal with this wolf?"

  When a wild beast is wounded, it will often lick its wounds before waiting for the right moment to strike and bite its prey's neck. The Prince Duan was undoubtedly such a beast.

  Song Chengru shook his head, but there was not much heaviness on his face. Prince Duan had been significantly injured this time, and he had recently lost several key figures, including Su Yi and Xiao Ding, under his command. While these losses were not enough to bring him down completely, they had drained a considerable amount of his vitality.

  At least for the time being, there was no need to worry about him causing any further trouble. As for what would happen afterward, who could say for sure? Once this letter of apology was submitted, the current emperor would naturally weigh things fairly in his heart.

  Taking advantage of Prince Duan's weakened state, the Marquis's residence could rest and recuperate under the emperor's favor.