The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 49 - Pressure

Fourth Miss Xiao detected the sarcasm and disdain in Song Chumi's words, and, already harboring resentment, she couldn't hold back her anger. She immediately raised her eyebrows and poked Song Chumi's forehead, "Who are you insulting?! Your family is just a fallen noble house that lost its title due to inheritance disputes, and you dare to put on airs in front of me? It's laughable! You call our marquis' residence a place of shrews?! I think it's your Changning Residence that has had a bad family tradition for generations, raising girls who are all no good!"

This remark offended everyone present, and the Song sisters all turned serious.

Song Chumi was trembling with anger, but she didn't know how to retort, almost biting her lip in frustration.

The servants accompanying Fourth Miss Xiao acted as if they didn't notice anything, making no attempt to intervene.

In this tense atmosphere, someone suddenly chuckled.

Everyone turned to see Song Chuyi's delicate face, which was now blushing, looking even more adorable than a New Year painting doll.

Fourth Miss Xiao, feeling uneasy, scolded, "What are you laughing at?!"

The butterfly hairpin on Song Chuyi's head fluttered as if it were about to take flight, mesmerizing everyone. With a smile that didn't match her age, she looked up and asked, "I'm laughing because it seems Fourth Miss Xiao has forgotten something: In the seventh year of Chenghua, the late emperor wanted to choose a prince consort from among the three young masters of the Pingyang Marquis Residence... which led to the extinction of the Xiao family's main branch."

Fourth Miss Xiao's face turned pale, and the servants beside her were also terrified.

To become the prince consort, the three sons of the Pingyang Marquis Residence's heir turned against each other, exposing each other's faults and even resorting to violence. The second and third sons conspired to drown the drunken eldest son. This scandal became a joke during the Chenghua era, with the Chenghua Emperor issuing four decrees condemning the Pingyang Marquis Residence's absurdity, even calling the three young masters beasts!

Eventually, the second branch of the Xiao family benefited the most, inheriting the title from the childless main branch.

Song Chuyi coldly glanced at the stunned Fourth Miss Xiao and sneered, "Fourth Miss Xiao's behavior today really reminds me of the Xiao family back then. Truly... a family tradition passed down through generations."

Song Chumi laughed loudly, looking at Fourth Miss Xiao with disdain, "No, I think Fourth Miss Xiao has surpassed her predecessors. She is even more formidable than the Xiao young masters!"

Fourth Miss Xiao, enraged, couldn't hold back and shouted, "You're talking nonsense!" Her voice cracked from the strain.

Song Chuyi glanced at Qingtao, who quickly stepped forward to shield the girls, smiling falsely, "Our young lady is still immature, please forgive her, Fourth Miss."

Looking at Fourth Miss Xiao, who seemed ready to pounce, Song Chuyi's mocking smile remained, "I advise Fourth Miss Xiao not to blame the host. In a noble family like ours, such behavior is unacceptable, don't you think?"

The servants finally realized the cold sweat on their backs and held back their young lady with all their might, feeling that this young Sixth Miss Song was scarier than any stage villain.

The second young lady was easy to handle, but her sisters were all difficult, especially this young Sixth Miss Song, who spoke with precision, hitting where it hurt. Since their young lady started it, if this matter were pursued, the Song family could easily dismiss it with a light remark, causing the Xiao family to lose face... Fourth Miss was bound to suffer this loss.

While Fourth Miss Xiao's arrogance was thwarted, the Pingyang Marquis Lady also faced difficulties.

The First Lady was easier to deal with, not coming from a high-ranking family, but with the formidable Old Lady Song present, she had no choice but to listen.

After sitting for a while, she finally couldn't hold back and brought up Song Chuxuan, "That day, I was angry... something happened in the residence, and Second Miss insisted on returning to her maternal home. I lost my temper..."

The Old Lady Song finally looked directly at the Pingyang Marquis Lady, making her feel almost ashamed, and then asked, "Are you saying we don't know how to raise our daughters?"

Implying that the girls of the Changning Residence are ill-mannered and lack discernment?

The Pingyang Marquis Lady hurriedly shook her head, repeatedly denying it.

The Old Lady Song lowered her head and gave a meaningful smile, "Then it must be that you have some dissatisfaction with our family, taking it out on our young lady. In that case, it seems our Residence is at fault, causing our young lady to suffer."

This hit the nail on the head. Pingyang Marquis Xiao Ding originally held the position of Commander of the Five Cities Military Division but was dismissed due to ineffective law enforcement. He hoped his influential in-laws would help him.

However, after a long time with no progress, the always harsh Pingyang Marquis Lady began to torment her daughter-in-law.

Being called out on her true intentions, the Pingyang Marquis Lady felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, both ashamed and embarrassed, her face turning as red as a sunset.

The First Lady was so angry that her heart ached, but she said nothing.

The Old Lady Song sighed and lowered her voice, "You are her mother-in-law, and it is your duty to discipline her. I have no objections. No matter how powerful a maiden family is, a daughter is like water thrown out; it is not right to interfere with a mother-in-law disciplining her daughter-in-law."

The Pingyang Marquis Lady, feeling a bit relieved, nodded repeatedly with a smile.

The Old Lady Song then changed her tone, "But if it is too excessive, we cannot ignore it. Our girls, especially the Noble Consort, are exemplary in every way. Although Second Miss is gentle, she excels in needlework, virtue, and speech. If you discipline her, I can accept it. But what right does your daughter have to trip her up and even beat her until she is covered in bruises? What kind of sister-in-law does that?!"

The Noble Consort is Song Chuxuan's full-blooded sister!

The Pingyang Marquis Lady turned pale, finally understanding why her husband was so furious when he heard the news... The Changning Residence is indeed not to be trifled with! This old matriarch, with her high status and seniority, even ordinary princes and princesses have to show her respect. She is also very shrewd, and with just a few words, she has put the Pingyang Marquis Lady in an impossible position...

No wonder the Pingyang Marquis scolded her as an ignorant fool!

She bit her tongue, almost biting it off, and barely managed to suppress her fear, forcing a smile and shaking her head, "I wouldn't dare... Old Lady, you flatter me..."