The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 127 - Confrontation

"Grandmother, Old Lady Su repeatedly told us that the dowry was the foundation for Miss Chen's future livelihood..." Song Chuyi remembered Old Lady Su's persistent mentions of the dowry and grew suspicious. "Later, Sanniang gave you a letter from Old Lady Su. Could it be that there was more than just that letter? Could Old Lady Su have hidden something else in Miss Chen's dowry?"

Outside, the sun hung high in the sky, but Old Lady Song felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine at Song Chuyi's words. She immediately turned to Huang Momo, "Jieyi, go to Tingyun Pavilion and bring Sanniang here!"

She prided herself on treating Chen Jinxin with utmost sincerity, never forcing her for any other interests. She even risked offending Chen Xiang and Old Lady Su for her. If Sanniang and others had indeed hidden something from them, it would be a grave injustice to the Song family!

Chen Jinxin's health had mostly recovered, but she was left with a lingering sensitivity to the cold. Even in the sweltering heat, she refused to place ice basins in her room at Tingyun Pavilion and kept herself covered with a quilt, her spirits still low. Since waking up, she hadn't spoken a word. To find out if Old Lady Su left anything else, they would have to ask Sanniang.

Song Chuyi thought for a while and stopped Nanny Huang, who was about to leave. "If there is something, Sanniang won't easily reveal it. Let me go and probe her first." Song Chengru had mentioned before that Song Chuyi was even better than the First Lady at reading people and situations. After a moment of hesitation, Old Lady Song nodded.

"It's not urgent. Today or tomorrow will do. But if you insist on going today, then go. Your grandmother and Yan'er will wait for you to come back for dinner."

Mentioning Song Yan brought a genuine smile to Song Chuyi's face, her eyes curving with the joy and carefree air of a noble young lady. She replied cheerfully and turned to leave, only to run into Song Chuning, dressed in light green and with a green ribbon in her hair, at the corridor corner.

Both stopped in their tracks. The sea of lanterns and flowers around them couldn't hide the sharp glints in their eyes.

"Where are you heading, sister?" Song Chuning asked with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Don't you know walking at night often gets your shoes wet?"

"Walking at night really means running into night roamers, doesn't it?" Song Chuyi replied coldly, "I remember your mother used to remind you of that often. It seems you didn't heed her words."

"Don't mention my mother again!" Song Chuning's voice suddenly rose, sharp and piercing beyond her years. "If it weren't for you, would she have died?!"

She could barely control her emotions as she faced Song Chuyi. If it weren't for her awareness of their current environment and her age, she would have already lunged at Song Chuyi's throat. People who commit evil always feel wronged when they face retribution, never considering the immense harm they once caused others.

Song Chuyi found it amusing and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "She didn't die because of me," she said, relishing her sister's rare loss of composure. "She died by her own hand. You're smart enough to know that if she hadn't harmed my mother, this day would never have come."

Song Chuning, who had always held a superior attitude, now felt a chill as she opened her itching palms. "All I know is that she died because of your relentless pressure and your refusal to back down!"

Luyi felt a surge of anger and couldn't help but retort, "Eighth Miss, aren't you confusing right and wrong? If your mother hadn't killed Lady Cui and hired assassins to chase our young lady to Tongzhou, would we be in this situation today? She got what she deserved. How can you blame our young lady for this?"

Seeing the young girl before her, still fresh like a flower on a branch, Song Chuning couldn't help but find it amusing. This girl was nothing like the downtrodden, subservient woman in her dream, who could be crushed with just one hand. Someday, she would make everyone follow the fate from her dream.

Cuiqiao, trying to avoid the conflict, finally gathered the courage to tug at Song Chuning's sleeve and remind her, "Miss, if we don't go now, the old lady might get anxious."

Without even glancing at her, Song Chuning coldly brushed past half of Song Chuyi's body, not looking back. "My mother and Nanny Yu both died because of you. I hope you can sleep well at night."

After saying this, she swiftly rounded the corner and headed into Ningde Courtyard. Luyi was so angry that she almost wanted to chase after her to continue the argument, her face turning red with frustration. But Hongyu held her back, casting a timid glance at Song Chuyi and muttering, "Let it go... After all, Eighth Miss just..."

Luyi was almost fuming with anger. She shook off Hongyu's hand, staring at her incredulously and asked, "What are you saying?! I wasn't there for the Tongzhou incident, but weren't you? Don't you know how cruel Li Shi has been to our young lady all these years? How can you speak for her now?! She's mocking our young lady!"

Song Chuyi glanced back at Hongyu, feeling a sigh building up inside her. She reached out to stop Luyi and led the group towards Chen Jinxin's Tingyun Pavilion. However, she knew deep down that Hongyu's overly compassionate nature needed to be dealt with firmly to prevent future troubles.

Tingyun Pavilion, located in the northeastern corner of the Western Garden, was a two-story courtyard with a stone path running through it. The entrance was covered with climbing plants intertwined with flowers, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. At that moment, servants were constantly coming and going, indicating that a meal was being prepared. Song Chuyi hesitated for a moment, just enough time for a sharp-eyed maid to spot her and call out, "Sixth Miss."

Sanniang, hearing the commotion, came out to greet her and quickly knelt. Song Chuyi helped her up and walked along the stone path, "I hope I'm not intruding on Chen Sister's meal."

"How could you say that, Sixth Miss?" Sanniang smiled as she followed behind, "Our young lady always feels lonely eating by herself. She'd be overjoyed if you could join her more often."

Song Chuyi stopped, turned to look at her, and smiled, "But I'm not here to see Chen Sister this time. I'm here to see you, Sanniang."