The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 74 - Caught in a Trap

Song Jue was the Song family's carefully groomed successor, excelling in every aspect. Once he had a lead on the situation, he could quickly devise the most logical solution.

The First Lady deeply trusted her son's arrangements and immediately set to work mobilizing all the available personnel. She sent two of her most trusted nannies to oversee Song Chubin and Song Chumi, and dispatched Jinling to Li Shi's quarters.

Even after taking these measures, she still felt uneasy. She asked Song Chuyi whether it would be better to gather everyone in one place for easier protection.

Song Chuyi shook her head. The situation was still unclear, and gathering everyone together without resting might arouse suspicion from Lady Fang and the others. It was better to remain as they were but with heightened awareness.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Song Jue returned, reporting that he had sent people back in multiple directions. Some monks from the temple had come to inquire about the use of horses, and Song Jue casually made up an excuse to brush them off.

"It seems this temple really has their informants inside," Song Jue said, feeling a growing sense of unease. "Their audacity is truly terrifying—to even scheme within Huangjue Temple."

"Brother, I think we should send someone to keep an eye on Lady Fang and Lady Xiao's people to prevent any further trouble," Song Chuyi suggested, glancing at the bound and gagged palace maid lying nearby. "How many more of your men can we rely on?"

Knowing your enemy is key to victory, and it was indeed necessary to assess the situation. Song Jue agreed immediately. "I still have about thirteen or fourteen men left. I'll send a few to monitor their people, so we won't be left in the dark when something happens."

As noon approached, the monk in charge of hospitality at the temple came to announce that the meal was ready, asking whether they preferred to eat outside or have the food sent to their individual rooms.

The First Lady naturally wanted to have all the meals sent to their rooms so they could eat in peace, avoiding any potential gossip. However, someone unwisely interrupted her plans. Just as the monk had arrived, news came that Lady Fang and Lady Xiao had come.

They couldn't even enjoy their meal in peace! The First Lady was nearly at her wit's end but ultimately followed the suggestions of Song Jue and Song Chuyi, agreeing to go outside to eat with Lady Fang and the others, which would be better than alarming anyone.

Lady Fang and Lady Xiao still wore bright smiles, and the First Lady felt it inappropriate to maintain a stern demeanor. She gently asked them why they had come back so soon and proposed they all go together for a vegetarian meal.

Lady Fang and Lady Xiao were more than eager to accept this invitation. Lady Xiao even laughed and shared a few light-hearted remarks: "Speaking of which, Chuxuan is quite fond of the vegetarian meals here; she insists on having lunch or snacks before she's willing to go back every time."

Hearing her mention her daughter, the First Lady felt a pang of bitterness. With Lady Xiao behaving this way, she was left uncertain about Song Chuxuan's future.

She resented Lady Xiao even more but managed to keep her composure. For her daughter's sake, she needed to handle this matter properly so that her daughter might gain some favor from the couple, Song Chengru and his wife, in the future.

During the meal, Lady Fang seemingly asked a few casual questions about Song Chuyi. The First Lady, unable to contain herself, poured out her grievances like a bamboo tube pouring out beans: "Don't mention it! Just around noon, a female official from the palace came to inquire about our little Sixth on behalf of the Crown Prince. Our little Sixth is too tongue-tied to explain things clearly, and we couldn't be rude to that official. We planned to bring her back with us when we descended the mountain, so we could discuss things with her parents first."

Lady Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Lady Fang with a somewhat unsightly expression. Lady Fang had initially disagreed with sending someone to gather information. It was her own stubbornness that led her to think it would be best to avoid using force and to see if she could coax some words out of Song Chuyi, even trying to trick her into coming out... She never expected that now they had ended up in such a predicament.

Fortunately, that person was a trusted confidant, so she didn't worry about them betraying her; otherwise, it would have jeopardized everything.

Lady Fang glanced back at her with a half-smile, seemingly indifferent, and steered the conversation elsewhere. She managed to engage the First Lady in a pleasant chat until it was time to part for the afternoon rest.

Lady Xiao, realizing she had made a mistake, didn't dare suggest anything else and followed closely behind Lady Fang.

Lady Fang walked for quite a distance before suddenly turning around and, seemingly unable to control herself, slapped Lady Xiao hard across the face.

Lady Xiao was stunned. After all, she was a marquise! And Lady Fang was merely the wife of her husband's subordinate! How could someone without even a title dare to strike her, a woman of high rank?!

It took her a moment to process what had just happened. She forcefully shook off Lady Fang's hand and shouted angrily, "Are you crazy?!"

"You're just unbelievably foolish!" Lady Fang glared at Lady Xiao, her eyes wide, as if she wanted to devour her. "How many times have I told you not to act on your own? You just wouldn't listen! Now you've alarmed everyone; if they discover something is off, I want to see how many lives you have to answer to the prince!"

Her tone was harsh and aggressive, instantly extinguishing the anger Lady Xiao had built up inside, making her step back repeatedly, losing all the confidence of a marquise.

Lady Fang, not wanting to waste any more time with someone as useless as her, turned around to order people to keep a close watch on the movements of the Song family. She also instructed Lady Xiao to quickly contact Marquis Pingyang, Xiao Ding, to ensure he would bring people to assist when the time came.

With no other options left, if they couldn't seize Song Chuyi today, everything would be ruined. If they failed today, they would die trying!

Lady Xiao left with a mournful expression; she no longer had the courage to act against Lady Fang's wishes.

Lady Fang gazed toward the guesthouse where the Song family was staying, fire blazing in her eyes.

At the same time, Song Jue and the First Lady finally received a letter from Song Chengru.

After reading the letter, the First Lady let out a long sigh before asking worriedly, "Didn't the temple say they had their people? Won't we be discovered doing this?"

Song Jue took a moment to ponder, then asked for Song Chuyi's opinion. Both of them felt that the plan was feasible.

After all, Huangjue Temple was a royal temple, and since Song Chengru arranged things this way, there had to be a reason for it. As long as they were careful and cautious, it wouldn't be difficult to deceive others.

Moreover, since Song Chengru had specified someone, that person must be trustworthy.

Song Jue made a decisive move, instructing people to keep a close eye on the actions of Lady Fang and Lady Xiao while he went to meet the abbot, Master Yuanjue.

At this moment, Lady Fang and Lady Xiao were still unaware that while they were waiting for a chance to catch their prey, the trap had already been set behind them like a yellow bird spreading its wings and revealing its sharp teeth, just waiting for the right moment to strike.