The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 53 - Changes

Li Shi took Song Chuyi and the others back to the mansion and personally led her to Old Lady Song. After chatting with Old Lady Song for a while, she then stepped out.

Old Lady Song looked at the piles of gifts held by Nanny Huang and smiled, pulling Song Chuyi into her arms, asking her if she had fun on this trip.

Song Chuyi shared what she could and then inquired about Song Chuxuan.

"She's gone back." Old Lady Song patted her head, seemingly both nostalgic and resentful, "Women are like this; no matter how much grievance they bear, as long as a man comforts them, it seems that grievance is no longer a grievance."

Thinking about Song Chuxuan's injuries and Xiao Yan's attitude, she didn't want her to return. However, the Madam of Marquis Pingyang had spent a lot of money and promised to arrange a marriage for Xiao Si Niang soon. Unable to resist Xiao Yan's pleading, Song Chuxuan came to beg for mercy herself.

Song Chuyi accompanied Old Lady Song in silence for a while, trying hard to cheer her up: "Don't worry, Grandma; Second Sister is a blessed person; she will have a good life." After a moment of thought, she wrapped her arm around Old Lady Song's arm as if to assure her, resolutely declaring, "No matter what, Xiao Yi will always be with you."

Old Lady Song was amused by her serious demeanor and teased, "What nonsense are you talking about? You will get married one day."

Song Chuyi shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum, and said, "I won't marry! I won't go anywhere. I'll stay at home forever to take care of you and Grandfather."

She thought she had seen through the nature of men. The painful twenty-plus years of married life in her previous life had made her lose interest in men.

Even though not all men in the world were as heartless as Shen Qingrang, they weren't much better.

No man was without a few concubines, and no matter how deep the affection, it would be worn away by the daily loneliness and various problems.

She had learned a lesson from her failed life: if you don't seek, you won't lose.

Old Lady Song saw the resignation and despair on her face that was beyond her years, and her heart ached. She patted her back gently, "You can't just stay in one place because you failed once. Just like your aunt, she thinks all men in the world are like your uncle, so she willingly stays by his side. There are countless people who fail in this world, but there are also many who make a comeback. Xiaoyi, Grandmother hates people who resign themselves to fate the most..."

Song Chengru entered the room and saw Grandmother Song comforting Song Chuyi, thinking she had been wronged.

Old Lady Song, both amused and exasperated, recounted what Song Chuyi had just said, and couldn't help but laugh, "Isn't this just childish behavior... It's not to the point of giving up because of one setback, is it?"

Song Chengru couldn't help but smile as well, and after laughing with Old Lady Song for a while, he asked about Song Chuxuan. After learning the result, he was silent for a moment and sighed, "Well, I hope they live a good life."

Old Lady Song nodded and asked about Eldest Master Xiao's matter, "Although I managed to make the Marchioness bow her head this time, it's not a long-term solution. Is Eldest Master Xiao's offense serious? If it's not that serious... then let's help where we can... I've advised our eldest the same way—don't be foolish or deaf, and don't act like a patriarch."

"I don't have time to deal with such matters." Song Chengru rubbed his temples wearily, "I went to the Prince of Zhennan's mansion to pay New Year's greetings today and met Prince Duan..."

Old Lady Song tensed up and listened attentively.

"He told me he had already submitted a request to the Ministry of Revenue. This year, the garrison in Zhangzhou has expanded by nearly four thousand people, requiring thirty thousand taels of silver... and they need to purchase weapons..." Song Chengru had a headache, "He is so brazen and does it so righteously, it's really troubling."

Prince Duan had become so lawless? Old Lady Song was shocked and asked after a while, "Doesn't His Majesty care? The Crown Prince won't sit idly by, will he?"

Song Chuyi knew the reason.

Prince Duan claimed that Zhangzhou was not peaceful, with frequent pirate incursions, and his mansion had been attacked by pirates, so he requested to double the garrison compared to other princes.

There were indeed frequent pirate activities in Fujian, and the emperor couldn't just watch his son being harassed by pirates, so he would naturally agree.

"Grandfather, Prince Duan has been very active since returning to the capital..." Song Chuyi looked up at Song Chengru and thought carefully before saying, "Things are probably not simple. His target is likely not just you. I think something big is going to happen soon..."

Both Song Chengru and Old Lady Song were startled by her words.

Old Master Song, having been in the officialdom for a long time, quickly understood the meaning behind Song Chuyi's words.

Prince Duan was cunning. Since he couldn't win him over before, he would definitely find another way. It might be the same as in the previous life, starting with the Song family members and eventually framing him...

Song Chengru thought even deeper. What Song Chuyi mentioned, the letters with his seal provided by the assassins in the dream was still a worry for him.

It had to be someone from the Song family, and only a few people in the Song family could get such things.

The Song family probably had a traitor. His heart was heavy as he patted Song Chuyi's head and sighed.

Song Chuyi had the same thought and couldn't help but ask him, "Grandfather, have you hidden your seal properly?"

This time it was hidden very well, Song Chengru smiled bitterly and asked Old Lady Song about Chen Jinxin's condition.

"She is much better, but her body is still too weak. It's hard for her to even sit up in bed." Grandmother Song felt bad, "Physician Sun comes to see her every few days and says she will probably need to be on medication for the rest of her life... The Su family really did a terrible thing..."

Chen Jun'an, the deputy general, was very competent and not a second-generation official relying on family connections. He was brave in fighting pirates and was a good person.

Old Master Song always respected such people. Hearing this, he sighed and urged Old Lady Song to take good care of Chen Jinxin, "Take good care of her. The better she recovers, the better. Her future days will be hard. Who knows what it will be like when she returns to the Chen family."

If the Chen family were a good place, Su Yunxi wouldn't have risked her life to bring her daughter back to her maternal home. Unfortunately, she didn't expect her maternal home to be a wolf's den.

Old Lady Song understood Old Master Song's meaning and solemnly agreed, "Even if it weren't for that letter, I wouldn't mistreat her for Yunxi's sake."

"Remember the important thing, no matter what, keep the family members in check. We will handle the outside matters. They are all smart kids. The important thing is the inner house. If there is any slip-up, it will be a disaster." Song Chengru's face still didn't look good, and he gazed out the window with a heavy expression.