The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 122 - Coercion and Enticement

In late May, the scorching heat was unbearable. The glaring sun seemed to sap the life out of the grass and trees, leaving them wilted and listless. The occasional sound of cicadas only added to the irritation.

Inside Taoran Residence, large ice basins were set out, and a few sprawling banyan trees provided cool shade, keeping the oppressive heat at bay. Yet, despite the coolness around them, Nanny Yu and the others were engulfed in fear and unease.

Nanny Yu looked at Song Chuyi, seated in an imposing position above her, and felt a wave of dread wash over her like never before. This girl, raised under her and Lady Li's watchful eyes, had once obeyed their every word. But at some point, Song Chuyi had slipped from their grasp.

She recalled Lady Li's growing wariness of Song Chuyi in the past, and regret suddenly gnawed at her. If only she had noticed the shift sooner... If only she had acted earlier...

A loud crackling sound from a fire basin placed in the courtyard snapped her back to reality. She saw that Song Chuyi was looking directly at her, an almost mocking glint in her eyes.

Steeling herself, Nanny Yu stood straighter and met Song Chuyi's gaze without flinching. "Sixth Miss, there's no need to keep questioning. I was the one who set the fire. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

Though Old Lady Li had fallen from power, Nanny Yu's son, daughter-in-law, and daughter were still under the control of the Li family. Old Master Li had ordered her to obey Song Chuning's every command. If she were to betray Song Chuning... she shuddered at the thought of the Li family's ruthless methods.

"I know it was you who set the fire," Song Chuyi replied, her tone icy. There was no sign of anger; instead, a faint smile played on her lips. "A servant on patrol saw you sneaking around near Songtao Courtyard last night. The gatekeeper also mentioned you sent a young maid to the back street to buy kerosene and charcoals. The evidence is all there. Denial would be useless."

Nanny Yu bit her lip and looked at Song Chuyi's unreadable expression. She bowed her head, thinking bitterly that, at worst, it would only mean her own life... Her daughter-in-law had just conceived, and her young daughter was soon to be married... She had already risked her life for Lady Li and Song Chuning. The Li family surely wouldn't abandon her children and grandchildren. She hardened her resolve — if it came to it, she would consider herself to have followed Lady Li into the grave.

It's just a pity that this time, she still couldn't really burn Song Yan to death; otherwise, it would have been worth it.

Song Chuyi called over Qing Tao, took a handkerchief from her, and lightly tossed it in front of Nanny Yu, smirking coldly as she asked, "Nanny, you've been in charge of the affairs of your young lady for so many years. Your eyesight must be quite good. Can you recognize which embroiderer made this handkerchief?"

Nanny Yu's gaze was initially dismissive, but when she caught sight of the handkerchief, her expression suddenly changed. With a loud shove, she broke free from the grasp of the surrounding maids and, her voice now frantic, exclaimed, "Where did you get this?!"

This was clearly her daughter-in-law's handiwork!

"Of course, I got it from the owner who embroidered it," Song Chuyi replied nonchalantly, stepping on the handkerchief with her foot and looking provocatively at Nanny Yu. "You've committed countless wrongdoings in your life, yet you somehow have descendants... I can't help but feel a bit discontent. Nanny, you've already acted against my brother, so tell me, shouldn't I retaliate and collect some interest from you?"

Nanny Yu's eyes widened with fury, and her heart felt as if it were about to leap from her throat. She stumbled forward, trying to pull the handkerchief from under Song Chuyi's foot.

But Song Chuyi kicked her away, making her stumble backward.

Only then did she see the look in Song Chuyi's eyes—a look she had seen in Song Chuning's before, one that was cold and indifferent to life and death, causing her heart to plummet like it was falling into an ice cellar.

"No, no, no..." she clutched Song Chuyi's leg, finally realizing that she had underestimated this girl. Her voice trembled as she said, "All those were my wrongdoings; they have nothing to do with my son and daughter-in-law. Sixth Miss, you can kill or torture me right here, just spare them..."

"Then why didn't you spare my brother?!" Song Chuyi's voice suddenly sharpened, her gaze icy as she looked at Nanny Yu, laughing in anger. "Your relatives are precious to you, but mine are not?! On what grounds do you think I would let your son and daughter-in-law off just because of a few words from you?! To be honest, if you tell me the truth today, that's one thing, but if you still want to play tricks on me... not only will your son and daughter-in-law suffer, but even your soon-to-be-married youngest daughter won't escape!"

Nanny Yu's pupils dilated, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

Song Chuyi appeared harmless, looking no different from other girls her age, but Nanny Yu knew that every word she spoke could become a reality.

"It's... it's the eighth miss..." Nanny Yu was in a daze, feeling as if her mouth was no longer under her control, her legs trembling uncontrollably. "She... she told me to set the fire..."

Qing Tao and Hong Yu widened their eyes in unison, their mouths agape as if a chicken egg could fit in. How old is Song Chuning?! A little girl who is ten months younger than Song Yan—how could she have such a malicious heart and such decisive courage?!

The room fell silent, and Nanny Yu seemed to fear that Song Chuyi wouldn't believe her. She clung to the hem of Song Chuyi's skirt, her voice distorted with crying. "Sixth Miss, I'm really not lying. The eighth miss told me to do it, believe me! I've already told you; please spare my son and daughter-in-law... I beg you!"

So, Song Chuning had harbored such deep hatred at such a young age for herself and Song Yan. Song Chuyi smirked; who would be on guard against a five-year-old girl? It's not very unjust that she died so tragically in her past life.

Hong Yu's eyes were red with anger, both resentful and disgusted as she glanced at Nanny Yu. She softly asked Song Chuyi, "Miss, should we hand Nanny Yu over to Old Lady?"

With Song Chuning being so malicious at such a young age, she couldn't be left unchecked.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Yu's eyes widened again, and she recoiled in fear. She couldn't speak; if she said this in front of Old Lady Song, her son and daughter-in-law wouldn't survive either. Moreover, not only did she have her son and daughter-in-law; her parents and relatives were all direct descendants of the Li family. If that were to come to light, they would probably all be implicated...

Before Song Chuyi could respond, Nanny Xu rushed in with an anxious expression. She glanced at Nanny Yu before quickly approaching Song Chuyi and whispering, "Miss, the Princess of Zhennan and the wife of Duke Ying's heir have arrived. Old Lady wants me to call you over."