The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 36 - Confiscation of property

Old Lady Song and Old Lady Su had known each other for a long time. Seeing Old Lady Su in such a withered state made Old Lady Song feel truly uncomfortable. After comforting her for a while without any effect, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow.

First Lady Su, however, was afraid that Old Lady Su might say something disgraceful, so she hurriedly sent Old Lady Song and the others out.

Just as the carriages were arranged, a few servants stumbled in, crying, "It's bad! Outside... Commander Chen Xiang has surrounded our General's Mansion, saying he wants to... confiscate the property!"

Chen Xiang!

Hearing this name, First Lady Su felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She staggered a few steps and collapsed into a chair, exclaiming, "How is this possible?!"

Even if there were major issues, they should be postponed until after the New Year. How could they surround the mansion at this time?!

Old Lady Song and the Princess of Zhennan were also shocked and couldn't react for a moment.

Who would have thought that just coming to a banquet would lead to such a disaster as having the mansion confiscated by the Jinyiwei (imperial secret guards)? 

Lady He felt her hands and feet turn cold, her face pale. After a long moment of trembling, she stomped her foot and said, "Where is my Xiao Qi? My Xiao Qi is still outside!"

But First Lady Su had no time to look for him. She knelt in front of the Princess of Zhennan, crying, "Princess, please save us, save us..."

The Princess of Zhennan herself was anxious and didn't dare to promise anything. She just kept pulling her two daughters back.

The noise outside was incessant, and in no time, more than a dozen Jinyiwei in uniforms had rushed into the main hall.

Commander Chen Xiang walked in front, cupped his hands perfunctorily to Old Lady Su, and then cupped his hands to the north, cleared his throat, and said, "By the Emperor's decree, Su Yi has colluded with foreign enemies, bullied the weak, and exploited the people. He is to be stripped of his title and imprisoned."

Su Yi was the current head of the Su family.

First Lady Su trembled all over, too scared to even cry.

"Please, ladies, move aside to facilitate my duty." Chen Xiang waved his hand, and the Jinyiwei came up to drag First Lady Su and Old Lady Su away.

Once a noble lady, now reduced to a prisoner... Even Old Lady Song, who had seen much in her life, was shocked and only now reacted.

Seeing Old Lady Su being pushed around, she couldn't bear it and raised her voice, "Commander Chen!"

Chen Xiang saw that it was Old Lady Song speaking and actually ordered his men to stop. He stepped forward to greet Old Lady Song and the Princess of Zhennan, forcing a smile, "I heard that the Su family was hosting a banquet today. I didn't expect both of you to be here. I have official duties, so I can't stay long."

Song Chuyi, hiding behind Old Lady Song, saw that First Lady Su was like a wooden figure, only knowing how to shed tears. Second Lady Su was even more distraught, supported by a maid, but only Old Lady Su still stood straight, without a trace of panic on her face.

She thought of what Old Lady Su had said when she was seeing off the guests earlier and couldn't help but find it strange. It seemed that Old Lady Su had already anticipated today's disaster...

"Both of you, the mansion is already surrounded, and it might be inconvenient to leave. Why not wait until we finish our duty, and I will personally send you back." Chen Xiang glanced at the trembling women behind him and ordered the Jinyiwei who had stopped, "Take them all to the next room and search the back courtyard thoroughly."

Halfway through being pushed, Old Lady Su suddenly turned back and knelt down in front of Old Lady Song.

Old Lady Song was startled and hurriedly helped her up, choking with emotion, "Between us, there's no need for this..."

Old Lady Su remained calm. She held Old Lady Song's hand tightly and looked at Chen Xiang, asking, "May I ask if the Emperor's decree is to confiscate only our family or also our nine clans?"

Chen Xiang did not expect Old Lady Su to ask such a question. He was stunned for a moment before replying, "The Emperor's decree is only to confiscate the Su family's property. Old Lady, you don't need to worry. The decree only mentions imprisoning the eldest master of the Su family. As for you and the other ladies of the household..."

Old Lady Su waved her hand, her withered appearance still relatively calm as she looked at Old Lady Song: "Sister, we've known each other for so many years, and I've never asked you for anything. This time, I'll thicken my face and rely on our friendship to ask you for a favor..."

First Lady Su looked at Old Lady Su, hope rekindling in her eyes.

Old Lady Song felt a bit troubled. She didn't know what Old Lady Su was going to ask and didn't dare to agree hastily.

Fortunately, Old Lady Su didn't ask her to agree before stating her request. With tears in her eyes, she looked at Old Lady Song: "My Yunxi and your Linlang got married in the same year. Linlang's fate was bad, and Yunxi's fate was even worse. She only left behind Jinxin, her only child... Now that the Su family is finished, we can't let her be dragged down with us. Old sister, for Yunxi's sake and for my sake, please take her in for a while. Once she recovers, send her back to the Chen family..."

Chen Xiang's expression became somewhat unnatural.

In theory, Chen Jinxin's father, Chen Jun'an, was still his clan's uncle.

Old Lady Song felt both relieved and a bit sad. After thinking for a moment, she couldn't bear it and nodded in agreement.

First Lady Su struggled to rush over, hysterically shouting at Old Lady Su: "We treated her a bit coldly on normal days, and you said we were all family. Now that we're in trouble, she's suddenly part of the Chen family? Mother, you can't be so biased! The others are also your granddaughters!"

Old Lady Su acted as if she hadn't heard, turning back to bow deeply to Chen Xiang.

Chen Xiang's eyes flickered, and he finally helped her up.

"Commander Chen, since the Emperor is merciful and hasn't implicated my granddaughter, could you please allow my granddaughter and the dowry my daughter left for her to be handed over to Old Lady Song?"

Chen Xiang hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Then please have the list handed over to my subordinates for verification. Once confirmed, it will be handed over to Old Lady Song."

Old Lady Su nodded, "Of course, I will send someone to get the list and hand it over to you."

First Lady Su and the others were soon taken away by the Jinyiwei. Perhaps because of Chen Xiang's courtesy towards Old Lady Su, the Jinyiwei's actions were much gentler this time.

Chen Xiang's men worked quickly, and after everything was accounted for, they carried everything to the front hall. Old Lady Song took the list and saw that there were as many as twenty-three boxes.

About an hour later, the confiscation of the Su family was almost complete. Chen Xiang came over to apologize to Old Lady Song and the Princess of Zhennan: "I apologize for frightening you both today. I will visit another day to make amends."

The Princess of Zhennan and Old Lady Song both shook their heads.

Chen Xiang then withdrew his men and took the eldest master of the Su family away.

The Princess of Zhennan and Old Lady Song exchanged glances, both unsure of what to say.