The bamboos planted in the Ningde Temple swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound, and the lush green color under the lanterns was particularly soothing. It's quite different from the turbulent waves of Songtao Garden tonight.

  Song Yan slightly straightened up and looked out the window, his sister whom he had always kept in mind since his time at Jinzhong Middle School, now seemed a bit tired leaning against the windowsill, her dense eyelashes covering her eyes, unable to discern her current expression.

  But Song Yan suddenly realized with a sense of foreboding that her sister was actually crying.

  His nostrils seemed to be blocked by something, feeling a bit difficult and also a bit afraid. He looked up at Song Chu-yi with a sincere and serious expression: "Sister, are you very afraid of me?"

  In the past few months, Li often intentionally or unintentionally hinted that Song Chuyi didn't like him and would often avoid him. Not liking wasn't true, and disliking was impossible, but avoiding him was indeed true.

  He often thought later, what kind of days did his sister spend in the mansion during his more than a year in Jinzhong? Was it also that Li Shi would mention her and order her around, saying that the Cui family didn't care about her, not even willing to do favors for her, leaving her alone to drift in the Bo Mansion. Was it also because of this that his sister had a knot in her heart and therefore didn't like to get close to him?

  Song Chuyi shook her head violently, but then stood there dazedly like a wooden stake.

  In her past life, she often harbored resentment for not being able to go to the Cui's house together, and the feeling of being abandoned turned into a nightmare that haunted her day and night, making her cry herself to sleep every night.

  But later on, her neglected younger brother was the only one who still remembered her and cared about her. When she was treated coldly by others, he shared his meager silver coins to take care of her and helped her with household chores.

  In this life, she often felt a sense of guilt and inadequacy whenever she saw Song Yan's clean and transparent eyes. She thought to herself that he was her only younger brother, yet throughout the long years, she had never been able to do anything for him. Even his life and death were decided by others, leaving her feeling uneasy and anxious in her heart. This sense of guilt made her feel timid and fearful whenever she faced Song Yan, who was still as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. Yet, they should have been the closest people in this world.

  Song Yan is still young, but he has a strong protective desire for Song Chuyi. Probably due to the education of the Cui family, he has always known that the same title is different from Song Chunying.

  At this moment, he had just stepped into the Ghost Gate with one foot, but he was already in a hurry to comfort Song Chuyi: "Sister, I know what you're busy with. Auntie told me yesterday when she came to see me. Don't worry, I'm just kidding." He leaned forward and grabbed Song Chuyi's hand, smiling at her with some flattery: "The little servant you chose for me is very good. This time, he also taught me to hide in the water room, covering my mouth and nose with a wet cloth. He was the one who shouted loudly and brought Uncle Qin over. I know you actually care about me deeply. Grandmother said that we are siblings born of the same mother, and there is no one closer than us in this world."

  Song Chuyi choked with sobs and couldn't speak, sitting on the edge of Song Yan's kang, nodding repeatedly.

  Yes, there is no one closer than them in this world.

  "It was sister's fault before" Song Chuyi stroked his head, as if she had done it a thousand times: "Sister won't do that again. Ayan, when your grandparents' family took you in at first, it was because you were still young and a boy, so they needed to take care of you more. Don't think you owe me an apology for this. This is what should have been done."

  Suddenly, the two children left by his deceased wife were all sent to their maternal grandparents' home for a year and a half. Whoever it was would worry about losing face, so the Song family firmly refused to let both of them go together. The Cui family had no choice but to choose the younger one, Song Yan.

  But whether it was Cui's family or Song Yan, they all felt that they owed Song Chuyi because of this.

  Song Yan's eyes lit up, and he looked even more spirited. He tightened his grip on Song Chuyi's hand, and his voice was tinged with excitement: "Then it's settled, we won't mention this again in the future, okay?"

  Song Chuyi patted his head, and finally felt the stone on her heart suddenly lighter. It was as if she had been carrying a heavy load for thousands of miles, only to discover that the burden was actually insignificant, with a relieved and happy smile, she relearned how to interact with her brother.

  Song Cheng rushed back to the Bo Mansion, but only glanced at Songtao Garden, and his eyes were already surging with huge waves. He hurriedly rushed to Ningde Hall, took a deep breath, and looked at Mrs. Song's face which was full of solemnity: "The Emperor also heard about our family's fire incident, and specially ordered me to return early."

  Mrs. Song was having breakfast, and upon hearing this, she stopped her spoon in mid-air for a long time before nodding solemnly and sighing: "Our family's internal affairs need to be properly sorted out."

  "Let the eldest daughter-in-law take advantage of this opportunity to sell everything that should be sold and put out everything that should be put out." Song Chengnu's voice was light and seemed no different from before: "The fifth daughter-in-law has been gone for three or four months now, it's time to start looking for a new one. As for the second son..." Song Chengnu sneered, seemingly with endless mockery and disdain: "After this incident, he's had two wives die within six years, let's not think about that for now. I reckon no family would be willing to marry their daughter to him."

  At that time, Cui's death was truly not heard by Song Chengnu from start to finish. Even if there were some doubts about the whereabouts of those close servants of Cui, they were covered up by Old Lady Li saying she was already pregnant.

  To this day, he can't even hold his head up in front of the Chui family.

  It was through the efforts of Bingren from Taichang Temple that he married Cui Shi, but in the end, it turned out like this.

  Thinking of this, he also had some resentment towards the old lady: "When Li married him, Cui's bones were not yet cold. Do you think that a family with some foundation in the capital would really have nothing to say? Now it's only been six years, and Li has died inexplicably. If he can't handle internal affairs properly, then just leave it empty for now."

  Those aunts are all from the government, they can't stir up any waves. The second house can't withstand any more turmoil.

  Mrs. Song and her husband had been together for so many years, how could she not know that he was extremely dissatisfied with Old Second now? Moreover, she herself had a part in this matter, so it wasn't easy to advise him on anything anymore. She nodded gloomily.

  Song Chengnu got up and walked towards the toilet, stopping at the screen door and turning back to look at Old Lady Song: "That group of people probably doesn't need to be interrogated anymore. No matter what the outcome is, they'll all be handed over to the Shun Tian government office. Arson and murder, attempting to harm their master - let them know what the law is!"