The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 84 - Closing the Door

As night turned to day, Qingtao opened the window, letting the fresh air unique to the countryside rush into the room, dispersing the scent of sandalwood. Song Chuyi, already dressed with Hongyu's help, glanced at the green leaves outside and turned to ask Nanny Xu, "Nanny, hasn't Uncle Qin returned yet?"

Given Qin Chuan's character and Song Chengru's current regard for her, he should have called Qin Chuan back immediately.

Nanny Xu, holding toothpaste, shook her head worriedly, looking at Song Chuyi with hesitation.

Last night, Song Chuyi had sent her and Hongyu away to pack up bedding and luggage. Something seemed to have happened afterward, but Song Chuyi hadn't disclosed anything to her, making her anxious.

Seeing Song Chuyi about to leave again, she hurriedly caught up, hesitating, "Miss, there's something I'm not sure if I should ask..."

Nanny Xu had been with her for nearly two months, working diligently and wholeheartedly.

"I also have a question for you, Nanny." Song Chuyi stopped and turned around, her expression unchanged but speaking quickly, "Nanny, who is your master, me or Grandmother?"

Nanny Xu, surprised, held the toothpaste, not knowing what to do, staring at Song Chuyi, speechless.

Song Chuyi sighed lightly, turned her back, and continued walking out, but didn't stop talking, "You don't have to answer me now, Nanny. Think it over and tell me later. Once you answer my question, I will naturally clear up your doubts."

Qingtao followed Song Chuyi out, glancing worriedly behind her, "Miss, Nanny Xu has been with the Old Lady for decades..."

Song Chuyi kept walking, tears glistening in her eyes.

Yes, Nanny Xu had been with the Old Lady for decades and had feelings for her. That's why the Old Lady valued her so much, placing her by Song Chuyi's side to serve her, so she could take care of her in her old age.

But what about the people who served Cui Shi?

What about Lian Yi? What about Lian Rong? These loyal servants who followed Cui Shi from Jinzhong to the capital, who would save them?

Who could compensate for their ruined lives?!

Her grandmother had always been good to her. Even when she was arrogant and annoying, her grandmother still had some genuine affection for her, ultimately arranging her marriage to Shen Qingrang.

But as long as she thought about this kindness being bought with Cui Shi's life, the wound in her heart grew bit by bit.

Uncle Zhang and Nanny Xu were already waiting in the hall. When they saw her, they hurriedly came forward to greet her.

"How did you sleep last night, Miss?" Nanny Xu's face looked a bit pale, but she forced a smile. "We just sent someone out to gather information, and nothing has happened here for now."

Song Chuyi keenly sensed another meaning in her words and frowned, "So something happened elsewhere?"

Uncle Zhang, with trembling hands, nodded quickly, "In a hot spring villa not far from us, more than a dozen people were killed... I heard that villa belongs to Lord Chen's family."

Not far away?

Does that mean there are still Tartar people hiding in the town? Ye Jingchuan has been gone all night, why hasn't there been any movement? Didn't his retainers say they would ask the county magistrate to mobilize people?

While she was in a daze, Uncle Zhang, looking troubled, rubbed his hands and approached, "There's one more thing to report to you, Miss. There is currently a young lady and a young master staying at Lord Chen's villa. Last night, more than a dozen of their guards were killed, and the remaining people are insufficient. They want to come here..."

Nanny Xu also handed over a note, sighing, "Now that we have soldiers guarding here, I'm afraid more people will come seeking refuge. Miss, you should make plans early."

Song Chuyi nodded slightly, took the note, and looked at Nanny Xu, "Nanny, you and Uncle Zhang take ten guards and bring Miss Chen and Young Master Chen here."

Qingtao hesitated, "If we take in the first, there might be a second and a third. With more people, it's hard to know their backgrounds. What if something happens?"

People's hearts are unpredictable. Who knows if someone might take advantage of the disaster to mix in and plot something?

Song Chuyi waved her hand to stop Qingtao and said softly, "Qingtao, go tell the soldiers outside to assign fifty men to guard the ancestral hall not far away. If more people come seeking refuge, they should all go to the ancestral hall."

Ye Jingchuan only left them with a hundred men, and now fifty of them had to be sent out. Qingtao felt a bit distressed but knew this was the best course of action, so she nodded and went out to make arrangements.

The guards left by Qin Chuan were worried and, after discussing it, called Qingtao in to advise Song Chuyi, "Miss, you are kind-hearted, but the Tartar soldiers are inhumane. With so many people here, we might have already caught their attention. If we send out so many people, something unexpected might happen."

"Don't worry," Song Chuyi said, waving the letter in her hand and handing it to Qingtao. "Go find the centurion from before and tell him to deliver this letter to Ye Jingchuan within two hours."

Song Chuyi always had a plan and rarely made mistakes. Seeing her calm demeanor, Qingtao felt half of her anxiety dissipate. She took a deep breath, nodded, and went to find the soldier.

Nanny Xu came in just in time, her face showing relief after surviving a disaster. "It was terrifying. Those soldiers are utterly inhumane. If it weren't for the Chen family's servants fighting to protect their masters, Miss Chen and Young Master Chen would have been in trouble."

"Are they settled in?" Song Chuyi asked, then beckoned Nanny Xu closer. "Nanny, I have a task for you. This must be done without any mistakes."

Hearing Song Chuyi's serious tone, Nanny Xu dared not relax and listened intently.

"It's broad daylight now. Those soldiers, no matter how bold, wouldn't dare attack openly. You and Uncle Zhang take more people, bring seventeen guards, and twenty to thirty laborers. Go to the Chen family and the nearby larger estates and bring back all their valuable items using large carts."

Nanny Xu was a bit stunned, scratching her head in confusion. "Using large carts? Wouldn't that be too conspicuous? Wouldn't everyone know we're helping them move their valuables?"

Moreover, people might not be willing to hand over the gold, silver, and jewels they've accumulated in their estates. And what about the harvest, the wheat, the grains, the sweet potatoes, the chickens, and ducks? How would we transport those?

Nanny Xu couldn't help but shake her head. In such a critical situation, it would be enough to use our manpower to save people. Why bother with their property?