The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 23 - Conspiracy

Song Chuyi was silent for a long time before asking, "And then what?"

"And then?" The Old Lady let out a cold laugh, "Afterward, your uncle took in several new beauties, and now he already has three illegitimate sons. As for your aunt, her health has worsened... Even so, she still refuses to return to her maiden family and remains stubbornly in Qingzhou."

Song Chuyi clenched her handkerchief tightly without speaking.

So, a heart could truly go from burning with passion to becoming cold and hard as steel. Giving up one's dignity and pride didn't win back her husband's heart, but instead pushed him further away.

"Xiaoyi, if you hadn't had that dream, if you hadn't told me those things, I would never have said any of this to you," the Old Lady looked at her, as if seeing the reflection of the vibrant and unrestrained Song Linlang of the past, her gaze gradually growing colder. "I want you to remember this forever: physical beauty may stir momentary attraction, but it is vastly different from genuine love. Rather than chasing after unrealistic fantasies, it's better to choose a steady, honest man to build a life with. No man in this world is worth abandoning everything for. If a man is truly worthy, he won't make you give up everything for him. Do you understand?"

Nanny Xu was a bit puzzled, wondering how such a young girl could understand such profound words.

"I understand." Song Chuyi lifted her face, her eyes bright. "Just like Shen Qingrang. He was never worth me hurting both you and Father over. What's meant to be mine will be mine. If it's not, there's no point in forcing it."

The Old Lady felt comforted and praised her, "You're right. Yesterday, you told me that you pressured me and your father into agreeing to the marriage with Shen Qingrang. Given how he treated you afterward, it's clear he wasn't satisfied with the match from the start. Since he wasn't satisfied from the beginning, it's only natural that you two became an unhappy couple. Though the Shen Qingrang in your dream is unforgivable, you also bear some responsibility. That's why I asked if you wished Shen Qingrang were dead."

"Fortunately, you didn't entirely place the blame on Shen Qingrang," the Old Lady said, pulling her to stand up. She spoke with deep concern, "Xiaoyi, I hope none of what happened in your dream comes to pass. But if it does, I hope you won't be as stubborn as you were in the dream. Whatever you encounter in the future, always think about what you already have, not just what you lack."

Song Chuyi understood what the Old Lady meant and respectfully nodded in agreement.

However, in her heart, she knew that things weren't as simple as that. Some matters couldn't be discussed with the Old Lady. Just like in the "dream" she shared, from beginning to end, she never mentioned what Li Shi and her daughter had done to her, nor did she bring up Song Yan.

The calm before the storm was deceiving.

Whether to hate or seek revenge was not something she could decide solely based on her own will.

When Li Shi returned to her room, Song Chuning was in the corridor, playing with a jade stick and teasing a bird. Her eyes curved in joy, her expression pure and innocent.

Li Shi's heart softened, and the coldness that had lingered from last night's shocking words dissipated significantly. She waved her over.

Unexpectedly, the first thing Song Chuning said was, "Mother, did you hear that the First Household called for a physician yesterday?"

Wasn't it normal for the First Household to call a physician? Li Shi was puzzled and casually asked, "Who's sick?"

Song Chuning curved her lips into a smile, a look of mischief and laziness in her eyes. She pulled Li Shi into the inner room, dismissed everyone, and then smiled up at her, "No one's sick, it's good news."

Li Shi frowned in thought for a moment, and then her face brightened, "Could it be that your eldest sister-in-law is expecting?" Her tone was joyful, genuinely happy for Li Qingzi.

Though she had had some disagreements with the First Lady recently, her relationship with the eldest daughter-in-law, Li Shi, was still excellent, and she couldn't help but feel pleased at the news.

Song Chuning's lips curled into a peculiar smile, "Mother, don't be too happy just yet. Even if there's good news in the First Household, it won't change your current predicament. You know, it's almost certain that Sixth Sister will be sent to the Old Lady's care. Didn't the Old Lady pressure you about having more children today?"

Li Shi's smile froze, and she stared at Song Chuning without speaking.

She felt as if she didn't recognize her daughter anymore—or perhaps, she had never truly understood her.

Seeing her mother remain silent, Song Chuning continued on her own, "In the future, it'll be much harder for you to have any say over Sixth Sister."

Li Shi, feeling somewhat exhausted, rubbed her brow and raised her hand to stop the nonsense. "What are you trying to say?"

Usually, she would hold Song Chuning in her arms, but at this moment, she found herself unable to do so. Song Chuning always reminded her of the lofty and all-seeing Song Old Lady, as if she had already seen through the complexities of the world.

A five-year-old child paired with such a description seemed entirely incongruous. Yet, Song Chuning's wisdom clearly far exceeded her years, leaving Li Shi with a headache.

Song Chuning fiddled with the agate and pearl bracelet on her wrist, and without much hesitation, she naturally stated, "The good news is probably not fully confirmed yet. The Old Lady and the First Lady haven't had time to intervene. If Brother Yan or Sixth Sister accidentally got into a conflict with Sister-in-law, causing her to miscarry... wouldn't that be the easiest solution?"

Li Shi nearly gasped, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, chilling her from head to toe.

When she finally recovered, she immediately stood up and slapped Song Chuning hard. "Do you even know what you're saying?!"

Song Chuning, small and weak, was instantly knocked back several steps by Li Shi's slap. Her elbow struck the red lacquered table, knocking over a glass bowl of grapes.

"That's your sister-in-law!" Li Shi was so furious her eyes turned red, her hand trembling as she pointed at Song Chuning. "When you had a high fever back then, she's the one who took care of you for more than half a month!"

Song Chuning's elbow throbbed with pain, and she could barely lift her arm. After a while, she managed to recover, a cold smile on her lips as she looked at Li Shi. "Since you still remember that, let me ask you—where were you at the time?"

Li Shi froze, unable to speak for a long moment.

Song Chuning calmly rolled up her sleeve, revealing the scrape on her arm without any sign of panic. She casually grabbed a handkerchief to cover it, her gaze fixed on Li Shi. "At that time, you were at Qingliang Temple praying for peace for Sixth Sister. You didn't even know I had been running a fever for three days. If it weren't for Sister-in-law realizing something was wrong, I'd be dead by now. Since you were willing to go to such lengths to get rid of the children left behind by the former mistress, why are you growing soft-hearted now?"

Li Shi couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow seeing the blood on her daughter's pale arm. She was about to rush forward to comfort her, but when she heard those words, she stood frozen in place, speechless.