The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 85 - Beating the Dog

"It's good that everyone knows and sees it," Song Chuyi said with a smile that resembled the little fox Uncle Zhang had just hunted a few days ago. She looked at Nanny Xu with her eyes curved in a smile, "Anyway, bring enough people, make a big scene, and bring back as much as you can."

At some point, Song Chuyi's words had become almost infallible. Although Nanny Xu still didn't quite understand, she didn't have any objections. She pursed her lips and went to discuss with Uncle Zhang.

Nanny Xu was reliable in her tasks. Song Chuyi temporarily set aside this matter and focused on writing a letter with great care.

What was the Li family in the capital doing now?

Had they already received news of the Tartar soldiers and were they coldly waiting for her to die, or were they planning to send someone to fish in troubled waters and see if they could have her killed by the 'soldiers'?

Old Master Li had been in the court for many years, with many connections. It would be easy for him to get some insider information. Would he reveal anything to his daughter?

She thought of the malicious provocations of Old Madam Li, the deliberate neglect and suppression during holidays, and the hurt and embarrassed look in Song Yan's eyes. Her lips tightened.

After carefully checking the letter several times, she sealed it with wax.

Qingtao had finished her task and returned, nervously telling Song Chuyi that the centurion had already set off to find Ye Jingchuan. Then she noticed another letter in Song Chuyi's hand and asked in surprise, "Miss, are you sending another letter home?"

No, of course not.

She was sending a letter home, but not to the Song family, to the Cui family.

Thinking of her grandmother and uncles, Song Chuyi's tense expression relaxed a bit, and she even smiled slightly. "No, this letter needs to be delivered by your father."

Qingtao was slightly stunned and unconsciously repeated, "My father?"

Song Chuyi took a few steps forward and grasped Qingtao's hand, speaking earnestly and solemnly, "Qingtao, the only people I can trust now are Uncle Zhang and your father. But Uncle Zhang is the steward and can't leave, so this task can only be done by your father..."

But now, with the chaos of war, they might encounter Tartar soldiers as soon as they step out.

Qingtao's face turned pale with fright, and she shook her head frantically, looking at Song Chuyi, "Miss, I still have my grandmother, younger siblings. If something happens to my father... our family will fall apart."

"Don't worry," Song Chuyi said, looking into her eyes. "Since I'm asking your father to go, I won't let him go alone. I will borrow ten soldiers from Ye Jingchuan to accompany him and provide him with enough travel expenses."

With soldiers accompanying him, it would be safer. Qingtao's face looked a bit better, but she was still hesitant, "But the situation is bad now. It's not that I don't want to help you..."

"Leave after tonight," Song Chuyi patted her shoulder. "After tonight, when the Tartar soldiers west of Tongzhou are killed, then leave."

Song Chuyi had already said this much, and Qingtao knew it was impossible to refuse any longer. She gritted her teeth and nodded, then asked Song Chuyi, "Do you want to send the letter to Jinzhong?"

"Yes," Song Chuyi nodded, her expression serious. "This letter is extremely important, so it must not be lost. As long as your father completes this task, the Cui family will not treat him poorly, and neither will I."

Qingtao had roughly guessed the content of the letter and knew how important it was to Song Chuyi. She solemnly agreed, "Miss, rest assured, I will make sure my father protects this letter with his life."

Song Chuyi breathed a sigh of relief. After all, she couldn't force someone to do something they didn't want to do. With Qingtao persuading her parents, they would likely agree.

In the afternoon, Nanny Xu led a large group of people through the streets, bringing the last cartload of boxes filled with gold and silver jewelry into the estate.

With half the manpower suddenly gone and a lot more gold and silver, it was like a piece of meat on the chopping block waiting to be cut. The guards of the manor were very worried.

As the last bit of sunset disappeared and the fiery clouds were gradually covered by dark clouds, night began to fall. Not only were the guards patrolling the manor uneasy, but even the soldiers outside were also anxious.

Nanny Xu sat with Song Chuyi in the hall, her nerves tightly wound.

"Extinguish the lights," Song Chuyi ordered. All the lanterns in the manor were extinguished, leaving only a single candle in the hall. In the dim candlelight, her expression was unclear.

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), unusual noises finally emerged outside.

"Miss!" Nanny Xu immediately jumped up and grabbed Song Chuyi's hand. "You should go to your room and hide..."

Song Chuyi, however, remained completely calm and even let out a low chuckle, a laugh that carried both composure and a hint of pride.

"Impressive, impressive," Ye Jingchuan said as he led a few people out from the side hall, bringing long-awaited light with them—his men were holding bright torches.

"Light the lamps," Song Chuyi said leisurely. Once the lamps were lit, she walked briskly to the window and pushed it open.

The dozens of Tartar soldiers who had sneaked in from the back mountain were now rampaging in the middle of the granary where the treasures were stored, trying to break out.

Unfortunately, Ye Jingchuan had brought enough men to surround them, and they were trapped in the center like cornered dogs.

Ye Jingchuan, who had somehow come to her side to watch the scene, looked at the little girl with a complex expression and suddenly sighed, "If only you were a man..."

The Tartar soldiers were physically stronger than the soldiers of the Great Zhou, and their willpower was extremely strong. They formed a circle back-to-back, defending themselves left and right, making it difficult for the Great Zhou soldiers to deal with them.

"These people didn't come here on a whim to burn, kill, and loot," Song Chuyi said, not turning her head as she watched the scene. "They are clearly well-trained cavalry."

Ye Jingchuan's body trembled, and he looked at Song Chuyi with even more shock.

Realizing what she meant, he asked with a bit of guilt and confusion, "Is there a difference?"

"The commander of Zijing Pass will at least be accused of dereliction of duty, and if it's serious..." Song Chuyi glanced at him thoughtfully, "If it's serious, he might even be accused of colluding with the Tartars and having ulterior motives..."

This was why he had been trying not to alert the higher-ups. Ye Jingchuan was now completely convinced and coughed awkwardly, "So, in your opinion, is there a way to escape this accusation?"

He wasn't stupid. Although he might not be as smart as the little girl in front of him, he could still hear the hidden meaning in her words.