The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 10

It had only just been said that Miss was becoming more sensible, and now it seemed like she had become foolish again! Hongyu, heart pounding, couldn't help but speak up after they left Ningde Courtyard: "Miss! How could you... that's the eldest son we're talking about!"

Song Jue, the pride of the Song family's younger generation, excelled in both academics and martial arts. He hadn't relied on his family's connections but had earned a position in the Yulin Guard through his own merit.

The Yulin Guard served as the emperor's eyes and ears.

In a circle full of spoiled noble sons, Song Jue, who earned his place through talent, stood out as exceptionally brilliant.

Moreover, as the Song family's eldest grandson, his status was incredibly precious.

The First Lady doted on him as if he were a precious jewel, always keeping him close, afraid that he might break or melt. Now that Song Chuyi had suggested he go to Qingzhou, the First Lady would surely be upset.

Song Chuyi's bangs fluttered in the wind, revealing her smooth, round forehead and a pair of expressive eyes.

"Don't worry. Once it's done, everything will be fine."

In her previous life, around this time, her eldest brother Song Jue had gone with several other young men of the Yulin Guard to familiarize themselves with the terrain of the hunting grounds, preparing to create an updated map. But he never returned.

He died.

All six Yulin Guards who went on that mission were killed.

Song Chuyi recalled her sister-in-law Li Qingzi's devastated face and the sight of her once neat and handsome elder brother's mutilated body. She exhaled deeply.

Hongyu, not understanding her words, was about to say more when Qingtao pulled her aside and said, "Miss, the First Lady is coming again."

The First Lady was in charge of the household, with many responsibilities and people to manage, so what could bring her here again? Following Qingtao's gaze, Song Chuyi saw the First Lady leading a group of people toward them with a warm smile.

She was momentarily stunned.

Among the group was a person Song Chuyi recognized all too well—none other than her mother-in-law from her previous life, now the wife of the heir to the Duke of Ying, Madam He.

Before she could react further, the First Lady had already approached with Lady He in tow, and Song Chuyi lowered her head respectfully to greet them.

Having been the wife of the heir to a dukedom for over ten years and later the Duchess herself, Song Chuyi's etiquette was flawless, her movements fluid and graceful, both pleasing to the eye and impressive.

"Oh my!" Lady He, hiding her surprise, smiled warmly. "Isn't this Sixth Miss? It's only been a month, but it seems you've grown so much—I hardly recognized you."

Song Chuyi kept her gaze lowered, smiling politely with dimples showing. "And you, Lady, look even younger—I almost didn't recognize you."

At just seven years old, she already knew how to hit the right note.

Lady He's favorite compliment was being told she looked young. She glanced at Song Chuyi with newfound admiration.

The smile on Lady He's face deepened, though she said, "No wonder you're so spoiled—just look at this little mouth! How can anyone not love you?" Then she added with a laugh, "Your seventh cousin is here as well. Why don't you all play together?"

As one of the last remaining families of long-established noble lineage, the Duke of Ying's family had deep ties with the Changning Marquis, a relationship that had endured for decades.

This was rare, considering many other branches of the old noble families had long since stopped interacting.

It was because of this connection that Song Chuyi had grown up with Shen Qingrang, like childhood sweethearts.

Just as Lady He finished speaking, a young boy came running from a distance. He was fast, his red robe fluttering in the wind, and he arrived in front of the group like a gust of wind.

"Play with her? She's always crying and picking on people!" He shot a glare at Song Chuyi and tugged at his mother's sleeve in frustration.

Song Chuyi kept her head bowed, showing no reaction.

She had just remembered that, as a child, Shen Qingrang really hadn't liked playing with her. He thought she was too delicate, too quick to cry, and found her crude and impolite.

The First Lady's face now truly showed an undisguised expression of surprise. In the past, upon hearing such words, Song Chuyi would have been so embarrassed and upset that she would have run off covering her face or even cried in public.

Lady He felt a bit awkward. Turning back to see Song Chuyi standing there calmly, she was both surprised and annoyed. Surprised that the usually quick-tempered Miss Song Six was now calm, poised, and natural, but annoyed because it only made her own son seem more arrogant and childish by contrast.

"Shut your mouth!" she scolded in a low voice, then turned to Song Chuyi with an apologetic smile and said kindly, "He must have woken up too early and is still in a bad mood. Don't take it to heart, Sixth Miss."

Twelve years old and still prone to moodiness upon waking up? Song Chuyi smirked internally. Her mother-in-law wasn't all that bad, but like all mothers-in-law in the world, she both resented having her son "taken away" and was pleased at the same time for having a grandchild.

"Grandmother taught me yesterday about proper manners, and one rule was 'boys and girls over seven should not sit together.' I fully agree with it." Song Chuyi spoke steadily without looking at Shen Qingrang even once as if he didn't exist. She concluded, "I'm sure Seventh Brother thinks the same."

Shen Qingrang, who had been spoiled like a little girl growing up, had always played well with his female cousins in the Song family, as the families were close. He had no concept of this "boys and girls over seven" rule.

Before anyone could react, Shen Qingrang let out a strange laugh and, in a mocking tone, glared at Song Chuyi. "Who knew you even knew the meaning of the word 'manners'?"

Song Chuyi still didn't lift her eyes to look at him. Instead, she bowed gracefully to the First Lady and Lady He, excusing herself, "I won't delay you any longer, Aunt, nor the Lady. Staying too long may interrupt Lady's plans."

Her posture and manners were impeccable.

All the words Shen Qingrang had spoken were rendered insignificant by Song Sixth Miss's disregard, making him seem like a fool. No one, except him, seemed to have even acknowledged what he said.

Lady He stared in astonishment as Song Chuyi, accompanied by her two maids, walked away. She turned to the First Lady with a doubtful expression. "She... seems a bit... different."

But no suitable word came to mind.

Something felt off, and she couldn't help but glance back. The small girl's figure quickly disappeared into the surrounding flowers and trees.

This wasn't Song Chuyi's usual behavior at all! Song Chuyi had always liked clinging to Shen Seventh Young Master. How many times had she loudly declared her desire to go back to the Duke of Ying's manor with Lady He and Shen Qingrang?

Even Hongyu, usually too shocked to know what to do, couldn't help but glance at Song Chuyi's face again and again. Clearly, Song Chuyi was still the same Song Chuyi, so why had her personality suddenly changed so much?