Chapter 61 Is Someone Really Playing Tricks?

Concubine Chun lowered her voice. "Didn't the Second Young Master just say that Song Shilan has lost her mind a bit?"

Song Mingting nodded slightly. "It's just uncertain whether Song Shilan is genuinely insane or merely feigning it."

Concubine Chun said meaningfully, "Regardless of whether Song Shilan is faking it or truly mad, a madwoman can accomplish a great deal."

"For instance, she could be exploited by others to harm our family."

"If it were you, Second Young Master and Third Young Lady, upon discovering that a pawn has gone mad, would you utilize her?"

Upon hearing this, Song Shiyue and Song Mingting immediately grasped Concubine Chun's intent.

"Indeed, a madman is the easiest person to exploit and the least likely to draw suspicion back to oneself."

"Especially in the case of someone like Song Shilan, a pawn who wishes nothing more than for our entire family to perish. Even if she commits acts harmful to us, generally no one would suspect anyone else."

Concubine Chun gave a thumbs-up, a look of disgust crossing her face. "We shall spread the word that Song Shilan has gone mad and see who attempts to contact her."

"We will keep a close eye on everyone who approaches Song Shilan, and surely we will be able to uncover a trail of clues leading to the traitor."

The more Song Shiyue and Song Mingting listened, the more brilliant they found this idea—far superior to their own initial notion of using Song Shilan to stir up trouble.

Song Mingting exchanged expressive glances with Concubine Chun and Song Shiyue, then raised his voice. "I truly never expected that Song Shilan would go mad."

"Even after becoming a madwoman, she still remembers to curse Shiwei, which shows just how deeply she hates her."

Song Shiyue let out two snorts of deep displeasure. "In my opinion, Song Shilan simply got what was coming to her."

"However, her madness is most likely an act intended to plot against us, so we must remain vigilant."

Song Mingting expressed his full agreement. "I also believe Song Shilan's madness is feigned. With her malicious nature, how could she possibly snap so easily?"

Song Shiyue nudged him with her elbow, cautioning, "Second Brother, you must be extremely careful."

"You have given Song Shilan a hard time on several occasions before, so there is no guarantee she won't use this pretense of insanity to plot against you."

Song Mingting replied coldly, "If she dares to try, I will make sure she regrets it."

Upon overhearing this, Lady Liu and the others could not help but feel somewhat astonished.

"Song Shilan has gone mad? I find that terribly hard to believe."

"Neither do I believe it. Given Song Shilan's character, she is most likely playing the fool to seize an opportunity to stir up trouble. I know her too well."

"Whether Song Shilan is truly insane or just pretending, we must all remain extremely cautious to avoid falling into her traps."

Hearing these words, Bai Bohan cast a cold, detached glance at Song Shilan, who was muttering incoherently to herself.

Perhaps he could utilize Song Shilan to handle the fallout of his presence here, ensuring no trouble or danger would be brought upon the Song family.

"Lord Song, my appearance here today will undoubtedly reach the ears of certain individuals."

He offered a reminder, "Although I have taken precautions against leaving trails, there is no guarantee that no one will come to investigate."

"For you all, this presents an opportunity."

Far from blaming him, Lord Song felt a profound sense of gratitude. "I am deeply grateful that the Prince of Ding could brave such risks to come and save our family."

"As for the matter the Prince mentioned, not everyone will necessarily believe it."

"Sometimes, when a man has spent over twenty years acting as a wastrel, his sudden adoption of serious conduct is something ordinary people simply will not believe."

Should anyone truly come to investigate this matter, he had ways to handle it.

Well aware of the former chancellor's capability and resourcefulness, Bai Bohan pursued the subject no further.

"Lord Song, I have already made arrangements at the next town; you may safely lodge at the post station."

Lord Song replied, "The Prince of Ding is most thoughtful."

After a brief pause, he added, "Upon your return, the Prince might do well to remain within your manor, indulging in merrymaking and going nowhere at all."

"At a juncture like this, anyone who frequently goes out will inevitably arouse the Emperor's suspicion."

Being a man of keen intellect, Bai Bohan grasped the underlying implication instantly. "My thanks to Lord Song."

It was sheer good fortune on his part that coming to find Song Shiyue had yielded such valuable counsel from Lord Song.

"Your Highness, the interrogation is complete," announced an accompanying retainer, dragging in the thoroughly broken Lady Li.

With a look of disgust, he dumped Lady Li onto the ground and bowed to Bai Bohan. "According to Lady Li's confession, it was merely that one day the thought suddenly struck her that her daughter ought to be married off, and realizing that the eldest Miss Song remained unmarried would reflect poorly on her own reputation and face, which drove her to compel the eldest Miss Song into marriage."

Lord Song found Lady Li so repulsive that he refused to spare her even a glance.

Bai Bohan uttered a cold word of acknowledgment.

The retainer continued, "However, there is one rather peculiar detail."

"Lady Li claims the thought came to her quite abruptly, yet she cannot recall why such an idea should suddenly occur to her."

"It would appear there is a certain defect in her memory."

Hearing this, Bai Bohan formed a hypothesis. "Are you certain?"

The retainer shook his head. "I cannot be sure."

"Perhaps Lady Li's mind simply snapped, or perhaps she was manipulated by someone."

"Such methods are entirely unheard of to this subordinate."

Bai Bohan calmly observed, "Unheard of does not mean nonexistent."

"For a person to undergo such a drastic transformation, there must undoubtedly be a problem behind it."

Lord Song, however, remarked, "Even so, I refuse to believe she harbored no such inclination beforehand."

"If a person did not possess such tendencies inherently, they would not behave with such frantic obsession."

Bai Bohan understood. "Since that is the case, we need investigate this matter no further."

"Nevertheless, Lord Song, you must all exercise caution; it appears the opponent's methods are far from simple."

Lord Song felt a rising sense of unease. This felt very much like a tactic of picking them off one by one.

Such a scheme was difficult to guard against, and the slightest carelessness would lead to falling into a trap.

"Shiwei has regained consciousness!" Lady Liu cried out joyfully.

Lord Song and Bai Bohan hurried over in quick strides.

The members of the Song family gathered closely around Song Shiyue, showering her with anxious expressions of concern.

"Elder Sister, is there anywhere you feel discomfort? A physician is right here, let him examine you."

"Eldest Miss, you have suffered greatly during this time. From here on, please focus on your recovery; we will handle everything else."

"Make way, make way, let the physician examine Elder Sister."

Song Mingyu shielded the physician, forcing his way through the crowd.

The physician: "..."

He had the bizarre illusion of being caught in a New Year street crowd.

Clearing his throat behind his hand, he asked Song Shiyue to extend her wrists. "Everyone, please do not crowd around here; give the eldest Miss some space."

Lord Song waved his hand, driving the family members back to the sides, and said helplessly, "Wait over there first, let the physician examine Shiwei."

Having just regained consciousness, Song Shiyue remained weak and powerless, her complexion exceptionally pale and her entire demeanor languid.

She obediently extended both wrists, her voice faint. "Sorry to trouble the physician."

Murmuring that it was no trouble at all, the physician reached out to take her pulse.

After checking her pulse, he elaborated, "The eldest Miss requires careful recuperation and must avoid overexertion for some time to come."

"Furthermore, her diet should be as nourishing as possible..."