The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 73 - Preparation

The First Lady let out a sigh of relief, feeling exhausted as she went to change her clothes and freshen up. After hearing that Master Yuankong wouldn't be available until the afternoon, she instructed the girls to go and rest for a while.

To her surprise, Lady Xiao and Lady Fang had come to find her at the temple, and the matter seemed far from simple. She felt overwhelmed but knew she could only seek advice from Old Lady Song after they returned.

She thought for a moment, then specifically instructed Jinhuan, "Go to Sixth Miss and tell her to rest well, not to worry about anything else."

Lately, Song Chuyi's status in the household had risen considerably, so Jinhuan no longer dared to underestimate her. She quickly acknowledged the order and went on her way.

Song Chuyi had just changed her clothes when she heard that someone was looking for her. She furrowed her brows, feeling a bit puzzled.

Originally, Qingtao's parents had been arranged to wait at the temple for questioning, but given the current situation, it was no longer appropriate to continue. She had already instructed Qingtao to have the bribed novice monk release her parents from the temple. Since the visitor was neither someone from the First Lady nor Qingtao's parents, who could it be?

Hongyu was equally perplexed. "She says she's here on orders, but when asked what for, she refused to say. She's just standing outside without moving. It seems a bit odd."

"Go ask her what the matter is. If she doesn't tell you..." Song Chuyi smiled faintly, "If she doesn't say, tell her we're going to find someone of authority."

Hongyu went as instructed, returning with a strange expression on her face. Confused, she said, "Miss, she says she's here on orders from His Highness the Heir to the Crown Prince to ask you something."

His Highness the Heir to the Crown Prince, with whom she'd only had a brief encounter?

The smile on Song Chuyi's face gradually faded. The Heir Apparent didn't seem like a foolish person. Since yesterday's incident, there have been no further developments. Why would he suddenly follow her to this temple? Moreover, with his status, if he truly had something to ask, he could openly summon anyone, even Song Chengru couldn't refuse. Why send a maidservant in such a secretive manner to approach a young girl like her?

"Invite her in," Song Chuyi finally decided after a moment of thought.

Soon, Hongyu led in a woman dressed in palace attire. Her hairstyle was indeed the latest trend in the palace, complete with the official cap worn by female attendants.

She seemed eager to ensure that no one doubted her identity as a palace servant.

Song Chuyi glanced at her briefly, then gazed off into the distance as if casually asking, "May I ask whose orders you're acting on?"

"By His Highness the Heir to the Crown Prince's command," the woman replied haughtily, barely nodding to acknowledge Song Chuyi. Growing impatient, she added, "His Highness wishes to know where you went yesterday, why you went there, and what connection your household has with the Zhiyuan Escort Agency."

Song Chuyi signaled Qingtao with a glance, then slowly stood up and walked over to the woman. After taking a close look at her, she said, "How could His Highness the Heir to the Crown Prince's servants be so discourteous? Where is the sense in entering without paying respects to one's elders before questioning a junior like me? If His Highness wants to know these things, wouldn't it be more proper to ask my elders directly?"

She clapped her hands, and suddenly a group of sturdy servants rushed in from outside, pinning the female official to the ground.

"How dare you!" The female official was firmly restrained by the women, yet her tone remained defiant. "You know who I am, and yet you still dare lay hands on me?!"

"If you truly are a palace official, I will go with my grandmother to face punishment before the emperor," Song Chuyi said, casting a glance at her. She motioned for the servants to take her away to the First Lady's room.

Jinhuan entered just in time to witness the scene, standing frozen in shock, unsure of what to do.

It was Song Chuyi who noticed her and smiled first, saying, "Well, isn't this a coincidence? I was just about to go over. Elder Sister, why don't you inform Auntie about this first?"

The First Lady hadn't expected someone to sneak into the temple disguised as a palace official. Her fury was so intense that she felt overwhelmed with a sense of dread. What if it hadn't been a woman pretending to be an official, but a man instead? Or worse, what if the target wasn't Song Chuyi but one of the other girls?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Without a second word, she ordered Jinling and the others to give the woman a severe beating, and then sent someone to report the matter to Song Jue.

Song Jue, however, thought even further than the First Lady. He had several strong women tie up the female official, wrap her in a blanket, and beat her thoroughly. Then he called in experienced matronly servants to interrogate her.

At first, the woman resisted and refused to confess, but eventually, she couldn't endure it anymore and spilled everything she knew.

It turned out that she had been acting under the orders of Lady Fang and Lady Xiao, sent to probe Song Chuyi.

What shocked the First Lady and Song Jue even more was that Lady Fang and Lady Xiao had a backup plan—if Song Chuyi didn't take the bait and follow the female official to meet the so-called "Heir to the Crown Prince," there would be an ambush waiting for her on the mountain path in the evening...

Song Chuyi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat—this Lady Fang was truly ruthless.

"Outrageous!" The First Lady angrily stood up, sweeping her sleeve and delivering a harsh kick to the woman. "You are incredibly brazen!"

However, anger wouldn't solve anything at this point. Song Chuyi frowned and turned to Song Jue. "Brother, we must start preparing now. If they realize their target is in our hands, they may act recklessly out of desperation."

Song Jue only brought about twenty men with him, which made it difficult to protect so many young women, especially since their opponent included members of the Five City Military Command. In such a case, their chances of winning were slim.

"We need to send people back to the household to report this," Song Chuyi thought for a moment and made a swift decision. "Send a few trustworthy people to deliver the news. Grandfather must be informed of the situation; he will know what to do."

She noticed that Song Jue was considering sending her back and quickly grabbed his arm to dissuade him. "We don't know what's happening outside. If their target isn't just me but also you, going back would play right into their hands. No matter what, Huangjue Temple is a well-known temple, and there are many martial monks here. As long as we stay here, they're responsible for our safety. Right now, our top priority is ensuring everyone's safety."

The First Lady, pale from Song Chuyi's words, hurried over to pull at Song Jue as well. "Yes, yes, Little Yi is right. You must not take such a risk."

Song Jue looked at Song Chuyi in surprise. He hadn't expected someone so young to think things through so thoroughly. His mind made up, he nodded slightly. "I understand. But since someone has already infiltrated the temple more than once, there may be an insider. Be cautious of the vegetarian meals and snacks they serve, and carefully inspect any incense and candles before using them. In these critical times, it's better to be overly cautious."