The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 5 - Old Matters

How could there truly be a stepmother in this world who loves the children left behind by the first wife?

Li Shi massaged her face, which had stiffened from forcing a smile, and couldn't help but complain, "Having her in my face every day—she doesn't even need to anger me. I'm sick to death of her!"

Her expression turned sour, a stark contrast to the gentle and kind demeanor she had shown when facing Song Chuyi earlier.

"After all these years, how are you still like this?" A middle-aged woman with a long face, dressed in an autumn yellow robe with a dark sandalwood outer vest, approached slowly to massage her shoulders. She glanced at Su Xin and the other servants, motioning for them to leave before she continued, "You really should change your temper. If this complaint of yours gets out, won't all these years of hard work be wasted?"

"Hmph!" Li Shi snorted coldly, but she wasn't angry at the woman. Instead, she went on, "Do you think I'm wrong, Nanny Yu? She's not my own child, yet I'm supposed to greet her with smiles and treat her kindly? Just thinking about it makes my teeth ache!"

Nanny Yu gently kneaded her shoulders, coaxing her like she would a child, "But you asked for this yourself, didn't you? You waited so many years for such a good marriage with our Second Master. Are you really going to regret it now over a little girl?"

How could she regret it?! Li Shi shook her head firmly. Back when she was still an unmarried maiden, she had already fallen deeply in love with Song Yi. Later, she had exhausted all her efforts to marry him. How could there be any room for regret?

"Exactly," Nanny Yu smiled in relief. "Besides, our Second Master has always treated you with great care. Even though you haven't given him a son after all these years, he hasn't uttered a single word of complaint, has he?"

Hearing this, Li Shi felt both joy and sorrow. She was sorrowful that it had been over five years since she had married into the family, and aside from giving birth to Song Chuning in the first year, she had yet to conceive again. She hadn't been able to give Song Yi another son. However, she was happy that despite this, Song Yi had never treated her coldly. He remained considerate and respectful, always discussing matters with her as equals.

"This is exactly what worries me," Madam Li frowned, her concern evident. "After all, that foolish woman, Cui Shi, did give him a son... Even if I do give birth to a son, how would it change anything? He'd still be second to Song Yan."

If she couldn't conceive, Song Yan, Madam Cui's son, would remain Song Yi's only heir, solidifying his position. And what troubled her more was that even if she did have a son in the future, his standing would still be beneath Song Yan's.

Cui Shi had always been a thorn in her side. She had once taken her lover, and now her children were threatening her position.

Nanny Yu moved her fingers to press Li Shi's temples, lowering her voice to comfort her, "It won't come to that. Cui Shi may have had the upper hand back then, but didn't you pull her down in the end?"

As she spoke, those long-forgotten memories came flooding back to Li Shi, leaving her both irritated and smug.

The Cui family was prominent, but she was no less distinguished.

The Cui family had produced many talents, but the Li family was also a respected lineage of scholars.

She was the second legitimate daughter of Li Ruoxu, the head of the Imperial Academy. She had grown up in wealth and status, yet her heart had been set on Song Yi, who had studied under her father at the Imperial Academy.

The Song family was also one of great loyalty and honor. Over a hundred years ago, Song Yi's ancestor had followed the founding emperor into countless battles, earning a noble title.

 However, the second-generation Marquis of Changning, who had inherited the title, had been caught in a family dispute over inheritance during a period of mourning, resulting in a demotion. 

By the time Song Yi's father, Song Chengru, inherited the family title, the Song family had become cautious and reserved. Fortunately, he was diligent, and despite the family being weakened by past disputes, he passed the imperial examination, managed to retain the status, and eventually rose to the position of Minister of Revenue.

Due to the past struggles over inheritance and the loss of the Marquis title, Song Chengru was strict with his four sons, ensuring they all achieved academic honors, with none turning out to be wastrels.

The eldest son, Song Ren, even saw his daughter chosen as a Noble Consort, further elevating the Song family's status.

Such power and wealth attracted the attention of many noble daughters in the capital.

Li Shi had been no exception, but she hadn't pursued the Song family for its riches. Her heart had been set on Song Yi. He frequently came to her house to study under her father, and she had known him for years—they were almost like childhood sweethearts.

Everything seemed to be falling into place, but then Cui Shi had come into the picture.

The Cui family of Boling had produced officials for four generations, and it was almost a given that they would continue to rise in the government. At the time, it had been Song Chengru who personally arranged for the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to broker the marriage.

Recalling the past left Li Shi with a headache. Frustrated, she swept the teacup on the table to the floor, shattering it.

It had been a piece of fine white porcelain from an official kiln, and now the whole set was useless. Back when she lived in her maiden family's home, such valuable items were never to be broken, yet now, she didn't feel the slightest regret over it.

Nanny Yu was startled and quickly motioned to Su Xin, who had come to check, to leave. She turned back to clean up the shards, saying softly, "If you truly can't bear it, why not just ignore her? Although it may not sound good if word spreads, look around the capital—there aren't many stepmothers who treat the first wife's children kindly."

Feeling difficult to endure? Of course, it's hard to endure. The word "endure" carries a blade, and it's like she's being cut open daily. But even though it's hard, it's not unbearable.

Back when Song Yi married Cui Shi, she truly felt miserable. That night, she stood in the falling snow for a whole night, almost freezing to death. But she couldn't cry, nor could she bring herself to hate. The image of that young man, dressed in simple clothes, walking with grace, and holding a book, was forever engraved in her heart, making her feel as though thousands of ants were crawling inside her.

Later, she once saw Cui Shi while offering incense at Qingliang Temple. Cui Shi was exquisitely delicate, with finely painted brows like distant mountains and eyes shimmering like water. Just looking at her, one couldn't help but praise her beauty. Song Yi, too, went from initial reluctance to becoming enamored with Cui Shi, leaving her behind to enjoy his harmonious life with Cui Shi...

Was it unbearable? Did it hurt? Of course, it hurt. It hurt so much she couldn't sit still. Now, though she had to deal with the children Cui Shi left behind, she could at least be by Song Yi's side, seeing him every day. Their relationship, harmonious and joyful, was far better than it had been back then.