The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 55 - Borrowing a Knife

The last bit of snow in the capital had melted away. The warm spring sun shone through the tall flowers and trees of the Marquis of Changning's residence, casting dappled shadows on the ground, bringing a warmth completely different from the snowy days before.

In the west garden, the trellis of Chinese roses was in full bloom. With a gentle breeze, large swathes of white petals floated down. In previous years, Song Jue would have invited a few classmates and friends to enjoy the scenery and drink wine here.

This year, Song Jue definitely wouldn't make it, but it was a boon for Second Master Song.

His appointment had already been made, and after the new year, he would be sent to Changsha as the prefect. Although Changsha was far away, it was easy to achieve political success there, and he was very satisfied with this position.

Eldest Master Song was also happy for him and arranged a gathering with Third Master and Fifth Master in the west garden, where the brothers drank and chatted as they did in their youth.

They were all legitimate brothers, with feelings cultivated since childhood. By the end, Second Master Song's eyes were red, saying it had been hard on the Eldest Master, who had to serve their parents and take care of his brothers.

Seeing that Second Master Song had drunk quite a bit, Eldest Master Song called for someone to send him back to his room.

Second Master Song, however, waved it off. He stood up, a bit unsteady but still clear-headed, and smiled, "I'm not drunk. I still have something to discuss with Mother..."

Second Master Song had once been very close to Old Lady Song, even closer than the youngest Fifth Master. But for some reason, their relationship had become awkward six or seven years ago.

Hearing that Second Master Song was going to Old Lady Song's room, Eldest Master Song didn't stop him, patting his shoulder and advising, "Speak nicely. Although Mother doesn't say it, she thinks of you. You're not young anymore, don't always make her angry... This time you're being sent away, who knows how many years it will be before you see her again. How many more chances do you have to fulfill your filial duties?"

Second Master Song nodded with red eyes and indeed went to Ningde Courtyard.

Old Lady Song had only recently recovered a bit. Hearing that the Second Master Song was coming, she thought he was coming to talk before being sent to Changsha and happily asked Nanny Huang to bring him in.

"Why have you drunk so much?" Old Lady Song frowned at the smell of alcohol on him and quickly asked Nanny Xu to bring some sobering soup.

Second Master Song smiled awkwardly, "I was admiring the flowers in the west garden with Eldest Brother and Third Brother... It's rare for the brothers to gather, so we got a bit carried away."

Their brotherly closeness was a good thing, and Old Lady Song felt comforted, nodding with a smile.

After drinking the sobering soup, Second Master Song felt much clearer and started talking to Old Lady Song, "Nanny Xu, who serves Xiaoyi... I don't think she's suitable. It's better to replace her with someone more experienced."

Nanny Xu had been Song Chuyi's wet nurse, staying by her side since the day she was born. Over the years, she had worked hard, if not meritoriously.

Second Master Song's sudden suggestion to replace Nanny Xu puzzled Old Lady Song, bringing back memories of events from seven years ago, and she couldn't help but frown.

"She has served Xiaoyi for many years without any issues." Old Lady Song looked at Second Master Song patiently, "Besides, Xiaoyi is a girl with her own mind. Replacing such an important personal maid suddenly might make her suspicious..."

Old Lady Song's mention of suspicion only strengthened Second Master Song's resolve. He shook his head and, meeting Old Lady Song's gaze, said, "Xiaoyi is growing up day by day. Nanny Xu is, after all, an old servant of the Cui family. It's not appropriate for her to stay by Xiaoyi's side... For peace of mind, it's better to send her away, perhaps to a manor to live out her days in comfort."

It was indeed because of the old incident from seven years ago.

Old Lady Song looked at her son with a heavy gaze and sighed.

No one knows a child better than their mother. She knew too well what kind of person her son was—still as fickle as a child, always avoiding responsibility when he did something wrong.

The death of Cui Shi was like a thorn in his heart. He felt guilty and uneasy, always avoiding the anniversary of her death by leaving a few days early. Last year, he delayed over a month before going to the Cui family to fetch Song Yan...

Seeing Nanny Xu must have made him uneasy, and now he wanted to use the same old trick to send Nanny Xu away to a manor, far from Song Chuyi.

"Although she is an old servant from Tingting's side, she has been with Xiaoyi since she was born. The later events were so secretive; what could she possibly know?" Old Lady Song tried to dissuade her son. "Moreover, the few senior maids and nannies from Tingting's side have already been sent away. If Nanny Xu is also sent away from Xiaoyi's side, it will arouse suspicion. The Cui family will have to be dealt with sooner or later. How will we explain it when they ask?"

Hearing Cui Shi's maiden name, Song Yi's eyes filled with a faint mist. After much contemplation, he finally spoke decisively, "Precisely because we will have to deal with the Cui family sooner or later, we cannot take this risk. Who knows what Nanny Xu might remember when she sees the Cui family in the future? Xiaoyi is my biological daughter. If she hears something she shouldn't and becomes estranged from the Song family... I would regret it deeply. It might be unfair to Nanny Xu, but there's no other way..."

Old Lady Song listened in silence for a long time before finally nodding heavily.

Li Shi waited anxiously in her bedroom for news, so nervous that she twisted her handkerchief into a knot.

Nanny Yu tried to comfort Li Shi while being secretly amazed at how calm and composed Song Chuning was.

"Why hasn't he come back yet?" Li Shi impatiently brushed aside the tea Nanny Yu offered and stood up, "Maybe I should go over myself..."

Only then did Song Chuning speak to stop her, "Mother, Father has a legitimate reason to go. If you go, it will only add to the suspicion... Old Lady already has reservations about you because of this matter. Going over now would only make things worse for yourself."

Li Shi stopped in her tracks and looked back at her daughter, "But Old Lady has quarreled with your father over this matter for many years. It's not something she would agree to easily. Isn't this move too risky and hasty?"

"Just right," Song Chuning said leisurely, her eyes fixed on the book in her hand, revealing a cunning smile. "Father is different from you; he is Old Lady's biological son. If you say it, it would seem like a guilty stepmother unable to tolerate her stepdaughter. But if he says it, it's a legitimate concern for the Song family's children. The meaning is entirely different. Father is about to be sent to Changsha, worrying that his growing daughter might hear rumors and affect their relationship is only natural."

Nanny Yu, listening, couldn't help but brighten up and quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, it's the master who said it, so it has nothing to do with you."