The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 1 - In Her Youth

Translator Xiaobai: Thank you for checking out my translation. If you this novel, please like and follow me for more chapters. (Note: This novel has over 1000+ Chapters so you're in for a long journey. Enjoy!)

Update: Hi guys, later you will encounter -cough- male lead - cough- Zhou Weizhao who is the Crown Prince's son, not grandson. If you see me writing it as grandson, it means I haven't fixed it yet so please ignore it for now. :)

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In the 36th year of the Jianzhang of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Song Chuyi died in the middle of a play.

It was early spring, and after a drizzling rain, the spring sun shone brightly on the Duke of Ying's residence. The garden was filled with delicate orchids, creating a sea of light blue that complemented the budding crabapple flowers, making it look like a fairyland.

The Duke of Ying's birthday was celebrated with the most popular opera troupe in the capital, making the atmosphere lively and joyful.

Song Chuyi lay curled up on the bed, motionless.

The room was sparsely furnished, with only a carved bed and a few chairs, nothing like her original preferences, nor did it reflect the dignity of the legitimate daughter of the Song family.

Luyi returned with this month's allowance and saw her listening intently to the noise outside. She felt a pang of sadness, walked to the bed, and tucked her in, coaxing, "It's only been sunny for a few days, and there's still a chill in the air. Be careful not to catch a cold, madam. Shall I close the window?"

Outside, the noise was overwhelming, with laughter ringing like wind chimes, making it impossible to stay calm.

Song Chuyi's expression was a mix of joy and sorrow, and she suddenly started coughing violently.

Luyi hurriedly patted her back, feeling her emaciated body, and couldn't help but tear up. "Madam, don't think about it. The Duke, he was just momentarily bewitched..."

How could it be a momentary lapse? He had always been clear-headed. If anyone was bewitched, it could only be Song Chuyi herself. Her face finally showed some emotion, and she pouted as if about to cry, extending her hand to Luyi like a child.

She had been coughing up blood for many days, and her condition had worsened over the past six months.

Luyi looked at the blood in her palm, feeling dizzy and weak, and knelt on the ground, crying.

By now, there was no one else in the Duke's residence who would cry for her except Luyi. Song Chuyi weakly patted her head with her other hand. "Don't cry."

Everyone dies eventually, and she feels she has lived long enough.

Outside, the sun was bright, and butterflies fluttered, reminding her of her youth. The scene was so familiar that it seemed like if she just opened her eyes, she would be back in the family school, with her teacher and sisters inside and her family's garden outside.

And she would still be the vibrant sixth young lady of the Song family, not this disgraced and nominally titled Duchess.

A gust of wind brought the laughter of the maids, pulling Song Chuyi back to reality.

"The second madam gave everyone an extra month's allowance."

"I heard the opera troupe today is from Jiangnan, famous for their Huangmei tunes. The Duke invited them especially for the second madam."

They chattered like sparrows, annoying and relentless.

Luyi's eyes were filled with anger, and she bit her lip hard, wishing she could sew their mouths shut. She turned to Song Chuyi, pleading, "Madam, don't listen. Don't listen... they're all talking nonsense."