The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 88 - Becoming Enemies

Back at the Marquis's mansion,

Yulan took scissors to trim the candle flowers, and the flickering flames crackled softly, startling her back to her senses.

"The Tatar people are so bold, charging straight into Zijing Pass and into Tongzhou City!" Old Lady Song's voice was low, filled with worry and unease. "And now this has fallen on Xiao Yi. I don't know how this will end."

What she meant by "falling on" was not encountering the Tatar people but running into Ye Jingchuan, who was leading the troops.

Song Chengru remained much calmer than her. Stroking his beard, he thought for a moment and even managed a smile. "No matter how it ends, it definitely won't implicate our family."

He was somewhat curious about how this matter would ultimately resolve.

Especially after receiving news that Song Chuyi had found the time to rescue Old Minister Chen's grandchildren while also managing to deal with the Tatar raiders plaguing Douge Village and Dingfu village.

Now, Old Minister Chen not only owed the Song family a favor, but even Prince Zhen Nan owed them a debt of gratitude.

As they spoke, the First Lady and Second Lady entered to greet Old Lady Song and discuss the banquet arrangements.

Old Lady Song furrowed her brows, glanced at Old Master Song, and sighed. "It's better not to hold the banquet for now."

With the situation in Tongzhou escalating, there was a chance that some officials would take the opportunity to criticize the banquet, so it was best to avoid it. Moreover, Song Chuyi was still in Tongzhou. Although she knew her granddaughter was clever and had Ye Jingchuan by her side, she couldn't help but worry.

The First Lady had anticipated this, so upon hearing the Old Lady Song's words, she put away the gift list and guest registry, nodding, "Since that's the case, it's fortunate the invitations haven't been sent out yet. I'll go ahead and put everything away."

Li Shi, however, appeared visibly unsettled. The banquet had been planned for some time, so how could it be canceled just like that?

But she knew this wasn't a matter she could question openly, so she swallowed her doubts and instead brought up another topic. "Old Master, Old Lady, there's something I'd like to seek your advice on."

Li Shi seemed to care deeply for Song Yan, personally overseeing even the smallest matters concerning him, which had slightly improved Old Lady Song's opinion of her. Hearing this, the Old Lady asked, "What is it?"

"Yan'er has reached the age to begin his formal education, and with the Second Master absent, I've been thinking about finding a tutor for him..." Li Shi, seeing that both Song Chengru and the Old Lady Song were listening intently, spoke even more cautiously, "It just so happens that my father has a colleague who recently retired from office. I was thinking it might be good to invite him to tutor Yan'er."

Li Rusu was the Director of the Imperial Academy, so anyone he recommended would naturally be of good caliber. The Old Lady Song hesitated for a moment, about to nod, but then Song Chengru interjected, "There's no need. I already have plans for Yan'er's education."

Li Shi hadn't expected such a response after all her careful groundwork. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Old Master..." Li Shi struggled to explain, "Even my father said the tutor's knowledge is exceptional..."

"I already have plans for the boys' education," Song Chengru interrupted her with a wave of his hand, frowning, "You don't need to worry about it."

Li Shi returned to her room with a heart full of anxiety and deep humiliation, holding back tears. She had prepared for this day for so long, even having her mother ask her father to personally select the tutor. Yet, all of it was dismissed by just a few words from Song Chengru.

She was unwilling to accept it. The frustration she had been holding in for so long finally exploded once again. With a furious sweep, she knocked the crystal dish off the table, sending the longans scattering across the floor.

Nanny Yu sighed and tried to comfort her, holding her back until she finally calmed down.

Just as she quieted, Su Zhi entered the room with a troubled expression, lifting the curtain as she said, "Miss is here."

Upon hearing that Song Chuning had come, Li Shi hurriedly wiped away the tears from her eyes and, with a tearful voice, instructed a servant girl, "Quickly clean up this mess on the floor!"

Her feelings toward her own daughter were now more fear than love, as she was terrified of being seen as a childish, unreasonable person by her own child.

Song Chuning had already entered the room and took in the mess at a glance.

Not knowing what had upset Li Shi this time, Song Chuning felt a cold sneer inside but showed no sign of it on her face. Instead, she remained perfectly composed, looking at Li Shi calmly as she asked, "Does the Lady know where Sixth Sister has gone?"

Li Shi was taken aback. She had only learned the day before that Song Chuyi had left, but she hadn't paid attention to where. To her, an uncontrollable Song Chuyi was far less important than a controllable Song Yan.

Hearing Song Chuning's question, she instinctively responded, "Where did she go?"

She didn't notice the change in Song Chuning's tone. She hadn't realized that at some point, Song Chuning had stopped calling her "mother" and had started addressing her as "lady."

Song Chuning leisurely sat down in a chair and stared at her for a long time before finally speaking, "Before, when I asked you to do something, you didn't believe me. But I hope this time, no matter what, you'll listen to me. Otherwise, like today when you were embarrassed in front of the Old Master and Old Lady Song, such things will be unavoidable in the future."

Li Shi's face flushed red, then turned pale.

Song Chuning ignored Li Shi's expression, staring at her own toes as she said, "She went to Tongzhou. And something just happened in Tongzhou."

"Something happened?" Li Shi's voice suddenly rose. "What happened?"

Song Chuning, growing impatient, disliked how Li Shi always questioned her in such a tone. "Do you not remember who sold off the people around the Cui family back then? Song Chuyi is clever now. Aren't you worried that she's found out something and went to Tongzhou specifically to look for clues? Why else would she go there?"

Li Shi was struck with sudden fear, feeling as if every pore on her body had opened up. Her voice became sharp and distorted, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

The shame of having her past disgrace known by her own daughter, and being confronted with it so bluntly, made anger surge uncontrollably within Li Shi. She couldn't help but stand up and take a few steps forward, grabbing Song Chuning harshly, shouting, "Where did you hear such nonsense?! Do you want me dead before you're satisfied?!"

Song Chuning was violently thrown to the ground, the skin on her neck scraped, while Nanny Yu rushed over to pull Li Shi away, saving her.

There were also scratches on Song Chuning's fair face, leaving two bright red marks. Nanny Yu, filled with heartache, hurried to wipe her face with a handkerchief while glancing back at Li Shi with disapproval, saying, "My Lady, please speak calmly. The young lady is still so young..."

These two mother and daughter were becoming less and less like family, resembling enemies instead.

The matters they discussed were clearly important, and they were supposed to be working together against Song Chuyi and her brother. Yet, somehow, every conversation between them ended in a fight.