The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 34 - Jumping into the Lake

Just as she lifted her head, Song Chuyi saw a few people emerge from behind the rockery where she had just passed by. Judging by their direction, they seemed to be the ones who had been speaking in the cave earlier. She tried hard to recall their faces but couldn't remember ever seeing them, nor could she deduce whether they had any connection to the General's residence.

This was the consequence of not using her brain in her previous life. She lowered her head, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

The group didn't glance in her direction, appearing to head straight across the arched bridge, likely on their way to the second gate—where the men's banquet was likely being held in the main hall.

Anyone who could move so freely in the inner courtyard, even if they weren't the hosts, must have had a close relationship with the household.

Song Chuyi found this gathering rather suspicious, as no such banquet had taken place in her previous life. Her expression grew more complicated.

Huang Yao, unable to hold back, began to speak: "Miss, just now you—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Song Chuyi had already turned and harshly scolded her in a low voice: "Shut up!"

Surprised by Song Chuyi's sudden sternness, Huang Yao froze for a moment, then her eyes reddened with grievance as she bit her lip, looking defiant.

What a foolish girl. Even without malicious intent, keeping such a servant around would eventually lead to disaster. Song Chuyi glanced at them, her gaze filled with meaning.

The group of men was about to cross the arched bridge, but just then, a few boisterous young boys suddenly rushed up from the other side, surrounding them with chatter.

Among those boys, Shen Qingrang was unmistakably present.

She actually recognized him...

Just as she was about to inquire about something, she heard the cheerful voice of County Princess Yunxi behind her calling out, "Seventh Brother!" and waved at Shen Qingrang.

Shen Qingrang seemed pleased to see her as well, leaving the group of boys to run over.

As children from well-connected families, they didn't attach much importance to the gender distinctions among kids, so these young boys often came to play with them.

However, Shen Qingrang's smile vanished completely upon seeing Song Chuyi. He shot her a disdainful glance, spat on the ground, and said, "What a nuisance! Why do I keep running into you, you annoying brat?"

Song Chuyi recalled how, just a few days ago, Lady He had personally visited the Marquis of Changning's residence to persuade Old Lady Song to come to the Loyal and Righteous General's estate. Now it seemed that Shen Qingrang was quite familiar with those men who had been discussing something about military supplies from the northwest...

She lowered her head, pondering the role the Duke of Ying's estate played in all this, while Ye Yunxi felt that Shen Qingrang's words had put Song Chuyi in an awkward position.

"Seventh Brother, where did you come from?" Ye Yunxi smiled to change the subject, asking curiously, "Why didn't I see you earlier?"

Shen Qingrang didn't dare to throw a tantrum in front of Ye Yunxi, so he ignored Song Chuyi and said, "Su Zhen and the others are making rice cakes. I found it interesting and played with them for a while before coming over."

Song Chuyi naturally didn't want to pay him any attention. After thinking for a moment, she turned to ask Song Chumi, "Fourth Sister, I'm going to find Grandmother and Aunt. Are you and Fifth Sister coming with me?"

Song Chumi was having a great time playing with the girls from the Su family and didn't pay her much mind: "We'll stay a bit longer. You can head back by yourself."

Not wanting to press the issue, Song Chuyi took Qingtao and Huang Yao toward the flower hall.

Before they had taken a few steps, a sharp scream erupted from the garden, startling all the girls who had been enjoying themselves and bringing an abrupt silence.

Ye Yunxi, who was talking to Shen Qingrang, looked in surprise at the girls from the Su family.

The group of men still chatting on the arched bridge seemed to have heard the commotion as well, hastily making their way over.

"What's going on?" The young man leading the group, dressed in a white tunic with arrow sleeves, looked toward Su Chenxiang with a somewhat unfriendly expression.

Su Chenxiang instinctively flinched under his gaze, murmuring "Elder Brother" with a troubled look on her face.

When Su Chenxiang called him "Elder Brother," was she referring to the eldest son of the Su family? Song Chuyi glanced at the quiet figures accompanying the Su family's eldest son, feeling utterly confused.

Su Chenxiang appeared to have something difficult to say, and the onlookers realized it probably involved family secrets. They hurriedly expressed their intentions to find an elder.

Su Chenxiang dared not stop them, unable to muster even a polite remark to ask for a little more time to play. She could only bitterly smile and arrange for the girls to head outside.

Just then, the previously quiet garden erupted again with screams, followed by the sound of a clay basin shattering on the ground.

The eldest son of the Su family's expression turned increasingly dark. Ignoring niceties, he hurried toward the source of the commotion.

He had barely taken a dozen steps when the door of the tent burst open, and a disheveled woman rushed out, sprinting toward the girls at an astonishing speed, followed closely by a line of maids and servants.

The Su family's eldest son reached out to grab her, but she wriggled free, quickly running to the lakeshore directly in front of the tent, shouting at him, "Don't come over! Don't anyone come near!"

Her long hair covered half her face, and the side that was visible bore many scars.

"Miss Chen!?" Ye Yunyi, who had been too shocked to speak, blurted out, turning to Su Chenxiang in disbelief. "Isn't that your cousin? What happened to her?"

Ye Yunxi also stood there dazed for a while, seemingly torn between wanting to help and freezing in place.

The eldest son of the Su family was out of patience, and with all the prominent young ladies in the garden, this scene created by Miss Chen made it impossible for him to handle the situation. He yelled angrily, "Are you done making a scene?! Get back now!"

The maids and servants surged forward, attempting to grab Miss Chen.

She dodged their grasp like they were venomous snakes, retreating a few steps, almost slipping into the lake. Looking at the maids approaching her, she cried out, "Su Shu, you heartless wretch! None of you from the Su family are good people!"

"What are you talking about?!" The eldest son of the Su family glared at the maids with gritted teeth, shouting, "Why aren't you taking her away? Is this enough of an embarrassment?!"

The Su family's maids and servants didn't dare delay, rushing forward to pull Miss Chen away.

Miss Chen struggled fiercely, and in a desperate move, she leaped backward, plunging into the lake with a splash. Huge waves erupted, and since she likely couldn't swim, she struggled a few times before disappearing from sight.

Song Chubin, frightened by the sight, fainted, collapsing against Nanny Qiu.

The others were not much better off, with some of the more timid girls already crying in fear.

The eldest son of the Su family was also taken aback by Miss Chen's leap and took a couple of steps back. Once he regained his senses, he quickly instructed the maids who could swim to jump into the water to rescue her.