The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 72 - Testing the Waters

Lady Xiao continuously tried to engage in conversation with the First Lady, but the latter showed little interest in playing along. She repeatedly turned around to have someone check if Master Yuankong was available. It was clear she was trying to send her guests away, but how could Lady Fang and Lady Xiao not pick up on that? Yet, since their main purpose for coming was to seek favor with the Song family, they couldn't give up so easily and pretended not to notice the hints.

Lady Fang even smiled and said, "You may not know this, but Master Yuankong's junior disciple recently arrived. I've heard he's also a wise and enlightened monk. I've visited several times, but he was always unavailable, which is why I've come again today. I was hoping that, by visiting your residence, I might have a chance to meet the master."

The First Lady had no idea which master she wanted to meet, but irritation welled up inside her. She was also worried that this Lady Xiao might be involved in the affairs of the Song family, and feared that her daughter Song Chuxuan could be implicated. Regret gnawed at her heart. If she had known earlier that Lady Xiao from the Pingyang Marquis Residence was so clueless, she would never have agreed to marry her daughter into that family, not even in death.

But it was too late for regrets. The First Lady gave Lady Xiao a deep, meaningful look and called Song Chuyi to her side, holding her hand as she nodded politely to the guests. "Since that's the case, I'll send someone to check if the master is available. Have you ladies had the chance to offer incense yet? We wouldn't want to delay your visit any longer."

Regardless of how things were at home, when out in public, they represented the face of the Song family. The Second Lady sensed something was amiss and, with a smile, dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. "Since eldest sister-in-law has said so, I'll take a few maids to freshen up. The weather is getting warmer, and after riding in the carriage for so long, I wouldn't want to offend the master when we meet."

The First Lady nodded in satisfaction.

At this point, no matter how thick-skinned Lady Xiao and Lady Fang were, they couldn't stay any longer. Reluctantly, they stood up to leave.

As she was departing, Lady Fang cast a glance at the demure and quiet Song Chuyi standing beside the First Lady and maintained her warm smile. "Just from this brief meeting, I feel a special connection with Sixth Miss Song. It must be fate. I wonder if, in the future, we could spend more time together?"

Song Chuyi kept her head lowered, not responding but smiling gently.

The First Lady's voice rose slightly. "She's just a child. How often do you think she has opportunities to go out? You probably won't get to see her more than a few times a year. Lady Fang, your words are a bit misplaced."

Fearing that things would escalate, Lady Xiao half-pulled and half-dragged Lady Fang out the door.

"What were you saying just now?" Lady Xiao was a bit angry. "I already told you the Song family is not easy to deal with. The things you said will only make them more suspicious!"

Lady Fang's earlier smile had completely vanished, and her face had turned ominously dark. She looked back at Lady Xiao and retorted irritably, "What else could I do?! If it weren't for you pointing it out, I wouldn't even have known who their Sixth Miss was. The Song family is far too cautious!"

Lady Xiao sighed in agreement. "Who could disagree? All the women in that family are cunning. They're all gentle, courteous, and poised in public, but behind closed doors, they're fierce and sharp-tongued. It's nearly impossible to find fault with them."

Lady Fang's face grew even more sullen. "No matter how difficult it is, we have to act. If there's no other opportunity, we'll take her by force. That Song Chuyi must be ours. The Song family clearly went to Zhiyuan Escort Agency first, but only Song Chuyi came back. No one would believe that she had nothing to do with the Prince's affairs. Even if she wasn't involved, since she returned from there, she must know some details."

By force?!

Lady Xiao shook her head in disapproval. "That won't work. After all, the eldest young master of their household is there..."

"Then we kill him." A fierce look flashed in Lady Fang's eyes. "They've finally left the house. If we miss this chance, we won't get another. Besides, things have come this far. If that item is truly lost, none of us will survive!"

Lady Xiao stared at her in shock, her face showing both surprise and disapproval. "Are you mad?!"

Lady Fang shot her a glance, coldly laughing. "Mad? Do you have another solution? Do you know what kind of disaster will happen if the item in Qi Shengyuan's hands falls into the Song family's possession?"

Lady Xiao suddenly realized that the situation was far more serious than she had imagined. She took two steps back, drenched in cold sweat. 

"But..." Lady Xiao was flustered, feeling even more uncertain. "But they've brought at least twenty guards from their household... This isn't as simple as it seems. If something goes wrong and we leave traces..."

Lady Fang thought for a moment, then glanced at the side room. She turned and instructed her maidservant, "Go back at once and deliver a message to the master for me."

As she spoke, she led Lady Xiao and the others into her private room, dismissing everyone except the maidservant she had just spoken to. "Make sure you deliver my message word for word to the master. Now hurry."

Lady Xiao was so frightened she could barely stand, deeply regretting her involvement in the matter. 

But there was no turning back now. Lady Fang was right. The runaway horse incident had already left a mark on the Song family, and the Five City Military Command had certainly raised suspicions. With the deputy commander daring to treat the Song family this way, how could they not be suspicious of everyone around them? Even without all of this, Prince Duan wouldn't give them a way out.

After giving her instructions, Lady Fang turned to Lady Xiao. "Be careful with your words in front of them later. Don't raise any suspicions. On the way down the mountain, there's a stretch of rough road. Our men will be waiting there to strike."

No matter what, they needed to capture her first. At least that would give them an explanation to offer Prince Duan. 

That little girl was clearly not simple. What young lady her age goes out alone? And coincidentally to Prince Duan's estate, where they even caught someone...

Only a fool would believe the First Lady's story about being saved by the heir of the Crown Prince. Besides, why was the Heir Apparent there, and why did he speak up to protect Song Chuyi? Was he trying to pull the Song family to his side?

Determined, Lady Fang looked at Lady Xiao and emphasized once again, "No, I'm still uneasy. His resources are limited, so you should also send a message home."

Lady Xiao instinctively wanted to refuse, not wanting to drag her husband into the matter. But she also knew they had no choice now, so after hesitating for a long moment, she finally nodded. "I'll send someone back right away. But what if they return to the estate early? If our people aren't ready and they leave, it'll all be for nothing."

"That's why you need to keep them busy chatting after they finish freshening up," Lady Fang said without hesitation. "And send a message to Master Yuanhui, asking him to keep discussing scripture with Master Yuankong for as long as possible to buy us more time."