The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 82 - Secrets

The nearby village had already suffered, and there had been a murder in the manor, making defense the most urgent matter now.

Song Chuyi had the hundred men left by Ye Jingchuan surround all the entrances and exits of the manor tightly, while the seventeen guards she brought were divided into four groups to patrol inside the manor, just in case.

She had traveled all day and had not yet had a proper meal. Nanny Xu, feeling sorry for her, personally cooked a few of her specialty dishes and told her to eat first before discussing anything else.

She was indeed a bit hungry. Accompanied by Qingtao and Hongyu, she finished her dinner and then asked Uncle Zhang what plans he had for the deceased laborer.

"After all, he was hired to help us..." Song Chuyi sighed, her tone somewhat low. "He suffered such an undeserved disaster. He might still have parents alive... Send someone to find his relatives and see if they need anything. Try to fulfill their needs."

The Marquis's Mansion had always been generous to its servants. Although Uncle Zhang was newly appointed as the manor head, there were old precedents for such matters, and he decided to add an extra sum of money according to the old rules.

After discussing these matters, Qingtao whispered in her ear, "My parents are already waiting. Do you want to ask them today or after you rest?"

Qingtao's parents worked on the Li family's estate, and it was not easy for them to come out. According to the original plan, they were supposed to return tomorrow.

At this time, Nanny Xu and the other Nanny Xu had already tidied up Song Chuyi's residence and came over to invite her to rest.

Song Chuyi thought for a moment and asked Qingtao to bring her parents to the backyard.

Some things are better asked sooner rather than later to avoid changes.

Although Qingtao's parents worked on the estate, they surprisingly did not look like farmers. Both had a scholarly air about them.

No wonder they raised such a smart daughter. Song Chuyi thought as she watched them salute and rise, then gently invited them to sit.

"A few days ago, we originally planned to ask at Huangjue Temple, but then something came up, and you made a trip in vain." Song Chuyi smiled and nodded at them. "Please don't mind."

Although Qingtao had already informed them, the two still hurriedly stood up and repeatedly said they didn't dare.

"Uncle, have you studied?" Song Chuyi noticed his refined demeanor and orderly speech, and suddenly found it a bit strange. "Since you've studied, why are you still doing farm work on the estate?"

Qingtao pursed her lips and looked at her father for a long time before interjecting, "Miss, you may not know, but my father was originally a scholar who had passed the imperial exams. Later, something happened... and he was sent to the estate."

Qingtao's mother couldn't help but shed tears. "It was our own fault. When we were working for the second lady of the Li family, we messed up an important task."

Qingtao had previously mentioned that her parents were born into the Li family's household.

Song Chuyi found the situation even more peculiar and thought for a moment before asking, "If it's convenient, could you tell me what exactly went wrong with the task at the Li family?"

Although the second lady, Li Shi, always considered herself to be a refined and virtuous woman, the old master of the Li family had spent his life as a farmer, scraping a living from the land. It was only after his son became the third-place graduate in the imperial examination that he was brought to the capital to serve as an official. Compared to other well-established families, the Li family still struggled to gain a stable foothold. If they couldn't produce any talented individuals, in just ten or twenty years, once he retired, they would amount to nothing.

In contrast, household servants have to be bred for decades. Since Qingtao's parents are household servants, it means that at least the previous generation followed Old Master Li. Given the Li family's situation, there probably aren't many household servants in total. Unless they committed a grave mistake, they shouldn't have been sent to the estate to toil.

Qingtao looked anxiously at her father, her tone somewhat agitated: "I am already Miss's person. Do you still hold other illusions, Father and Mother?! Since Miss asked, just answer her!"

Qingtao's mother also kept signaling to her husband with her eyes.

Qingtao's father hesitated for a long time, finally sighed deeply, and knelt down: "To be honest with you, Sixth Miss, Old Lady Li wanted me to forge a letter in the Second Master's handwriting."

The smile on Song Chuyi's face instantly disappeared, and she nodded, signaling Qingtao's father to continue.

"The Old Lady wanted me to write a letter in the name of the Second Master, addressed to your mother..." Qingtao's father closed his eyes: "She wanted me to lure her to Qingliang Temple in the letter. I sensed something was wrong and threw the letter away while delivering it. Who knew the next day, the Old Lady scolded me, saying she waited all day at Qingliang Temple for nothing... After that, the Old Lady thought I was unreliable and sent our whole family to the estate. Later, this estate was given to our eldest Miss as part of her dowry..."

The eldest Miss of the Li family, Li Jingshu, her stepmother.

A mocking smile appeared on Song Chuyi's lips.

So, the Li family had targeted her parents from the beginning. It turns out that Li Shi marrying Song Yi as a second wife was not due to parental orders but was premeditated.

Qingtao's mother, her voice trembling, continued: "Moreover, our eldest Miss was always feeling unwell at that time. She couldn't eat much and was constantly nauseous... After the Old Lady noticed this, she sent me to the estate as well."

Everyone present was utterly shocked.

Nanny Xu hurriedly stepped forward to cover Song Chuyi's ears, fearing she would hear these unclean words.

But Song Chuyi had already heard. She glanced coldly at everyone present, sitting silently in her chair.

The truth gradually unfolded before her eyes. Many things that were previously incomprehensible now required no further thought; just a bit of association made everything clear.

Why did the Song family, which always valued rules, not even wait for the first anniversary of Lady Cui's death before hastily marrying Li Shi into the family as a second wife for Song Yi?

Why were all the maids and servants brought by the Cui family replaced?

Why was Old Madam Li so bold as to plot against the legitimate daughter of the Cui family?

Because they needed to make room for Li Shi, who was already pregnant, they had to resort to such vile actions against Lady Cui.

Nanny Xu was also indignant, her face turning red with anger before she suddenly spat on the ground: "Pah! What kind of refined lady from a scholarly family?! She dares!"

She dares to take Lady Cui's place and live for so many years, to use Lady Cui's house and husband, and even to have Lady Cui's children call her mother... How dare she!