The last patch of snow in the capital had melted away, and the warm spring sun shone through the tall trees of the Changning Bo Mansion, casting a mottled pattern on the ground, bringing a warmth that was vastly different from the chill of the previous snowfall.

  The peach blossoms on the trellis in the Western Garden are blooming just right, and with a gentle breeze, large patches of snow-white petals float down. If it were in previous years, Song Ju would certainly invite several close friends to come here to appreciate the scenery and drink wine.

  This year Song Jue will definitely not make it in time, but it's a good thing for Old Master Song II.

  His appointment has been made and he will be appointed as the governor of Changsha after the new year. Although Changsha is a bit far away, it is also easy to achieve political performance, and he is extremely satisfied with this job.

  Mr. Song was also delighted for him, so he invited the three old gentlemen and the five old gentlemen together, and the brothers set up a banquet in the West Garden, still drinking and chatting like they did when they were young.

  They are all biological brothers, and the feelings they have cultivated since childhood. By the end, even Song Er's eyes were red, saying that it was hard for the old master, who had to serve his parents and take care of his younger brothers at the same time.

  Song Da ordered someone to send him back to his room as he saw that he had drunk a bit too much.

  Mr. Song waved his hand in refusal, stood up, although a bit shaky, but still clear-headed, and smiled: "Not drunk yet, there are some things to go and tell my mother"

  Mr. Song the Second was once very close to Old Mrs. Song, even closer than the youngest Mr. Song and Old Mrs. Song's relationship, but six or seven years ago, for some reason, their relationship suddenly became somewhat awkward.

  At this moment, it was said that Second Master Song was going to Old Lady Song's room, so Eldest Master Song didn't stop him. He went forward, patted his shoulder and reminded him: "Whatever you have to say, say it properly. Although the old lady doesn't say anything, she is thinking of you in her heart. You're not young anymore, don't always make her angry. This time you're going out, who knows when you'll see each other again? The opportunity to show filial piety won't last for many more years."

  Song Er Lao Ye nodded with red eyes and indeed turned into Ning De Yuan.

  Old Mrs. Song's body had just recovered a little in the past few days, and when she heard that Second Master Song had arrived, she thought he was going to be transferred to Changsha and came over to chat with him happily, calling out to Yellow Granny to welcome him in.

  "How did you drink so much wine?" Old Lady Song wrinkled her brow, smelling the wine on his body, and hastily called for Xu to bring up the sobering soup.

  Song Er laughed somewhat awkwardly: "With Da Ge and San Di together in the West Garden admiring flowers, brothers rarely gather together, can't help but be a bit unrestrained."

  It's a good thing that they are close brothers, and Old Lady Song also felt relieved in her heart, smiling and nodding.

  Mr. Song II, after taking the sobering soup, felt much clearer in his head and spoke to Old Madam: "I think Xu Niang is not quite right for serving by Xiao Yi's side, it would be better to replace her with someone more mature."

  Xu Nainai is Song Chuyi's wet nurse, and has been by her side since the day she was born. All these years, not to mention merit, but hard work is also present.

  Mr. Song II came and said he wanted to replace Xu Ayi, Mrs. Song was puzzled in her heart and thought of the things that happened seven years ago, and couldn't help but frown.

  "She has been serving by Xiao Yi's side for many years, and there has never been anything improper about it." Old Lady Song looked at Second Master Song with a patient expression: "Besides, Xiao Yi is a decisive person. If she wants to change her personal maid, who is so important to her daily life, there must be a good reason for it."

  Mrs. Song's words made Mr. Song even more determined, he shook his head and met Mrs. Song's gaze saying: "Xiao Yi is growing up day by day, Xu Ayi is after all an old servant of the Cui family, it's not suitable for her to follow Xiao Yi around, in order to be at ease, it's better to send her away, no matter which estate she goes to, just let her live out her days in comfort."

  It's still because of what happened seven years ago.

  Mrs. Song gazed at her son with a deep sigh.

  No one knows a child better than his mother. She is well aware of what kind of person her son is, and that he still has an unpredictable temperament like a child, and when he does something wrong, he only knows how to shirk responsibility.

  Chui's death was like a thorn stuck in his heart, he felt guilty and uneasy, every time it came to Chui's memorial day, he would avoid going out several days in advance, last year when he went to the Chui's house to pick up Song Yan, he even delayed for over a month before setting off.

  She must have felt uneasy every time she saw Xu Niang, and this time she wanted to use her old trick again to send Xu Niang away from the villa and far away from Song Chuyi.

  "She was an old acquaintance of Tingting's, but she had been following Little Yi since birth. What could she know about the subsequent events that were so secretive?" Old Lady Song tried to dispel her son's idea: "Moreover, the several senior maids and wet nurses around Tingting have already been dismissed, if Xu's wet nurse is also dismissed, it would only arouse suspicion. The Cui family will come and go sooner or later, when they ask about it, how can we explain?"

  Song Yi heard Cui's family name, and a faint mist floated in his eyes. After thinking for a long time, he finally spoke decisively: "It's precisely because we will have to deal with the Cui family sooner or later that we can't take this risk. Who knows what Xu Ayi might think of when she sees someone from the Cui family in the future? Xiao Yi is my own daughter, and if she were to become estranged from our Song family because of something she heard, I would truly regret it. Perhaps it's unfair to Xu Ayi, but that can't be helped."

  Mrs. Song listened dazedly for a long time and finally nodded heavily.

  Li was somewhat anxiously waiting for news in her bedroom, so tense that she couldn't help but twist the handkerchief into a ball.

  On one hand, she was busy comforting Mrs. Li, while on the other hand, she couldn't help but feel shocked by Song Chuning's calm and collected demeanor.

  "How come he's still not back?" Li was getting impatient, and she waved away the tea that Yu's mother had handed her. After thinking for a moment, she stood up: "I'll go there myself then."

  Song Chunin finally spoke up to stop her: "Mother, Father's past was a famous outing. If you go now, it will only add suspicion. The old lady is already avoiding you because of this matter, and at this time, aren't you just adding trouble for yourself?"

  Mr. Li stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly and looked at his daughter: "But the old lady has been quarreling with your father for many years because of this matter, it's not that simple to agree. Is this move too risky and hasty?"

  "Just in time." Song Chuning leisurely stared at the book in her hand, revealing a cunning smile: "Father is different from you, he is the biological son of Old Lady. Some things that you say are hypocritical and can't be justified as a stepdaughter, but when he says it, it's legitimate and reasonable to protect the Song family children. The meaning between these two is vastly different. Father happens to be going to Changsha soon, worrying about his growing daughter being influenced by rumors and affecting their father-daughter relationship isn't that human nature?"

  Mom couldn't help but brighten up at the words, and hastily chimed in: "Yes, yes, this was something Old Master said, it has nothing to do with you."