The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 11 - Trouble

The next day, for the first time ever, the usually gentle First Lady lost her temper in the meeting room. She angrily scolded several maids for shirking their duties and gambling and drinking late at night, which disrupted the house rules of the Marquis's residence.

Among them was Li Shi's servant—Nanny Zou, who had come along as part of Li Shi's dowry, just like Nanny Yu, and was now guarding the West Corner Gate.

Li Shi was surprised and embarrassed, but since the servant was hers, she couldn't just ignore it. In the afternoon, she personally brought some snacks over to the First Lady's quarters.

To her surprise, for the first time, she didn't receive a warm welcome. Although the First Lady still smiled politely, her words were sharp and stinging.

"I know you're young, and with the New Year approaching, you're busy with holiday preparations while also worrying about others. It's understandable that the people under you might slack off," she said. "But in a family like ours, the most important thing is discipline. This time, I let the maid's violation pass lightly, but who's to say it won't happen again?"

Her words left no room for face-saving.

What did she mean by "worrying about others"? Was she truly talking about Nanny Zou gambling and drinking, or was she hinting at something else? And what did she mean by "the most important thing is discipline"? Was she implying that Li Shi wasn't usually disciplined?

Even with Li Shi's usual self-control, her face turned red with anger, and she nearly couldn't respond. However, as the First Lady was the future mistress of the household, Li Shi didn't dare offend her and skillfully changed the subject to the upcoming reception banquet for the Second Master Song.

"By the way, the master will arrive this evening. Yesterday, Lin Hai was sent to greet him, but suddenly it was said that Lin Hai wasn't available...?" Li Shi spoke cautiously, observing the First Lady's expression.

The First Lady smiled faintly at her. "Lin Hai is accompanying the eldest young master on a trip to Qingzhou. Since they'll be leaving in a day or two, of course, he's unavailable to greet the second master. He has to manage things here at home."

Li Shi swallowed her next words and instead felt a surge of irritation.

Song Yi also held an official post, and with the New Year approaching, he would soon be heading to his appointment. Even though they currently lived off the household funds, the estate was built by their ancestors, and each sibling would eventually have a share. The First Lady's overbearing attitude of acting like the mistress of the house was simply revolting.

Originally, Li Shi had quite a temper herself. Years ago, in a fit of anger, she had even cut off the hair of a government minister's daughter. Although in recent years, she had developed a considerable tolerance for patience, the temper of a noble lady with a scholarly upbringing remained. At this moment, her eyebrows furrowed as she imitated the First Lady's tone and said sarcastically, "No wonder—your darling son is going on a long trip. Naturally, it's a grand occasion."

The First Lady's brow furrowed slightly. "It's not like there aren't others who can go to greet him. It's just that Lin Hai couldn't go."

In front of her, Li Shi let out a cold laugh. "It's not like we could say anything about it. You're the one managing the inner courtyard now, Sister-in-law. Who goes and how they go is entirely up to you. The eldest young master's trip is certainly a big event, but his uncle coming home from a long journey is just as important. Of course, it's understandable that you'd prioritize your son."

Pausing, Li Shi stood up, ready to leave, and with her back to the First Lady, she added, "If it's too much trouble for you, there's no need to bother with the reception banquet tonight. We're all self-aware and wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

Since her marriage, Li Shi had never spoken to the First Lady like this.

The First Lady hadn't expected Li Shi to be so blunt, accusing her of only caring for her son and forgetting about her brother-in-law who was returning from a long journey.

Anger welled up in her heart, directed at Song Chuyi for suggesting to the matriarch that Song Jue should be sent to Qingzhou. Qingzhou was far and the roads difficult, meaning it would take at least two or three months for a round trip, leaving him unable to spend the New Year at home.

Even though Song Chuyi had been behaving differently these past few days, the First Lady believed that such a significant decision couldn't have come from a young girl. Song Chuyi had always regarded Li Shi as a mother figure, so it was easy to imagine that it was Li Shi's idea.

Li Shi had used the First Lady's people to curry favor with the matriarch, pushing Song Chuyi into the spotlight as a shield. The First Lady wasn't one to be so easily deceived.

Now, after merely voicing some complaints, Li Shi dared to mock her in public, even using the reception banquet as leverage!

Could they really cancel the banquet? Song Yi was the direct son of the old lord and lady, and he held an official post...

The First Lady exhaled heavily.

Nannu Yu, having already heard the news, was waiting at the door and approached Li Shi as soon as she saw her. 

Nanny Yu had been with Li Shi for many years, given to her by her own mother, and was always genuinely looking out for her. Though Li Shi was furious, she didn't take it out on Nanny Yu and merely huffed as she stormed back to her courtyard.

"I'll take it when she vents on me; I've put up with it for five or six years now, haven't I?!" Li Shi said bitterly, drinking the tea Nanny Yu handed her, her expression dark. "But she should never have disregarded Second Master! Who is the Second Master? He's the direct son of the old lord and lady! How could the First Lady act as if the heir's son is more important than the second master? The second Master has traveled all this way, and instead of sending someone to greet him, she intercepted them. What's the meaning of that?!"

Li Shi simply couldn't bear seeing anyone mistreat Song Yi, no matter who it was.

Nanny Yu stomped her foot and sighed, both anxious and helpless as she looked at Li Shi. "My dear lady! Is this really the time to be bothered by such things?! Why did you go over there in the first place? Wasn't it to deal with changing the servants in Sixth Miss's room? Now how are you going to handle that?"

Li Shi's hand, which had been mid-air, paused, her expression turning a bit awkward.

Indeed, her visit wasn't originally out of anger; it was to get rid of that troublesome Nanny Xu, who had been a nuisance next to the young girl!

All the maids and servants in the household were officially registered, and each one's duties and location were well-documented. Li Shi couldn't simply replace someone on her own; she needed to inform the First Lady first.

In the past, it would have been a simple matter of just mentioning it, but now it was clear that wasn't going to happen.

At least not anytime soon. The realization made Li Shi feel even more agitated. "Today, my Sister-in-law's attitude was utterly unbearable, making things so difficult for me. Yes, I may be a second wife, but I still come from a scholarly family! And she—"

She didn't dare continue.

Back then, when noble families with merits were being purged under various pretexts, the situation had become extremely precarious. Old Master Song had worried endlessly over his son's marriage, and in the end, he had chosen the once-prestigious but now-declining Li family after much deliberation.