The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 129 - Covering Shame

In the past few days, the Princess of Zhennan and the wife of Duke Ying's heir's enthusiasm, Lady Su's sudden boldness, and Chen Xiang's inexplicable scrutiny, all turned out to be due to this issue. The current stalemate in court makes these letters from Xingfu crucial evidence. The Princess of Zhennan has a different purpose than Xingfu—without these letters, Ye Jingchuan and Yuan Hong cannot escape guilt. Yuan Hong, certainly doomed to death, and even Ye Jingchuan's life is at risk.

Chen Xiang aims to retrieve and destroy these letters to secure Xingfu's safety. But why is the wife of Duke Ying's heir involved? Song Chuyi pondered deeply and suddenly recalled the connection between Shen Xiaohai and Prince Duan from a previous life...

Sanniang bowed deeply to Song Chuyi once more, speaking earnestly, "Sixth Miss, it's not that we harbor ill intentions, but this matter is of utmost importance. Our old lady thought these items might never be needed..."

Little did she expect the Tatar soldiers to invade Tongzhou, making it known to the world and indirectly drawing everyone's attention to these once-hidden secret letters.

"At this point, the Chen family probably wouldn't dare to accept our young lady..." Sanniang choked up, paused, then continued with effort, "Since Old Lady Su entrusted our young lady to Old Lady Song, we should hand these letters to her..."

Song Chuyi couldn't help but smile a bit. Sanniang, having spent so many years by Old Lady Su's side, had clearly learned a lot. This hot potato would burn anyone who held onto it, so she figured she might as well use it to secure a future for her young lady.

Song Chuyi raised her hand to stop her, looking directly at her with frank honesty: "I'm afraid I can't decide this matter. You know how important these items are. They're likely to be a death warrant, not a life-saving charm."

Sanniang was finally completely convinced by Song Chuyi's calm wisdom. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel nervous and afraid. If Old Master Song and Old Lady Song refused these items and expelled her young lady, they would be doomed.

She became a bit anxious, trying to persuade Song Chuyi to take these secret letters: "Sixth Miss! These items aren't safe with me. Old Master and Old Lady have seen much and have better judgment. You should..."

Song Chuyi had already started walking towards the center of the courtyard. She frowned and interrupted Sanniang, "You are at the Marquis's residence now, and it won't be easy for others to take your things. Let me first report this to Grandfather and Grandmother, then I'll let you know my decision."

Seeing Sanniang's face turn pale, she sighed, "As for your young lady, Grandmother has already agreed, so there's no reason to go back on her word." She nodded at Luyi and Hongyu who came rushing out and turned to leave the courtyard.

As she approached Ningde Courtyard, she saw Yushu and Yulan sitting worriedly at the door, even Nanny Huang was sitting under the corridor, unmoving. She was surprised—wasn't Old Lady Song in need of attendants at this moment?

Remembering that Song Chuning had come to Ningde Courtyard earlier, she felt a bad premonition. In her moment of hesitation, someone suddenly grabbed her hand. She turned to see Song Yan standing on tiptoe, speaking in a not-so-pleasant tone, "Sister, Father is back."

Song Yi! No wonder even Nanny Huang had been sent out. Knowing that entering now would only make everyone more uncomfortable, she smiled and swung Song Yan's hand, "In that case, Yan'er, let's go have a meal together at the pavilion."

Compared to the siblings' cold demeanor, Song Yi was so agitated that his face turned red, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged. He leaned on the table, almost hysterically shouting at Old Lady Song, "Mother, what are you saying?! What do you mean Li Shi is inherently evil?! She can't be that kind of person! Impossible!"

If Li Shi had indeed, as Old Lady Song claimed, premeditatedly exposed her affair with Cui Shi, bribed the midwife to cause Cui Shi's difficult labor and death, and even hired assassins to kill Song Chuyi... then what did that make him? An accomplice in Cui Shi's death? A helper in harming his daughter?

He was even more agitated than Old Lady Li had been, his bloodshot eyes from days of non-stop travel fixed on Old Lady Song, repeatedly saying, "That's impossible!"

He wanted to claim it was a frame-up by the Cui family, but thinking of their upright reputation over the years, he couldn't bring himself to falsely accuse them. Facing Old Lady Song's tightly pressed lips and increasingly disappointed gaze, he finally blurted out, "It's Xiao Yi... Xiao Yi must have been dissatisfied with her mother for a long time, so she made up her mind. She must have heard some rumors and started hating us..."

The events of that year weighed on him like a giant stone, almost suffocating him at times. He was terrified that his children would learn the truth and that his image as a loving father would collapse. But no matter how carefully he tried to avoid it, this day had come, and it came so quickly.

Was it Li Shi who killed Cui Shi? Even the incident at Qingliang Temple was premeditated by Li Shi? He suddenly felt his hands lose the strength to support his body and fell back into his chair.

Old Lady Song could no longer suppress her anger, her chest heaving violently, almost spitting blood. Song Yi wasn't called back by them! Knowing his temperament, she had specifically instructed Old Master Song to send Song Jue out to explain everything to Song Yi, then wait a year or so, or until his term ended, to return to the capital. By then, Song Yi might have adjusted his mindset, and the rift in Song Chuyi and Song Yan's hearts would have lessened.

But Song Yi had found out early, and to cover his shame, he even blamed his daughter. She couldn't help but stand up and slap him hard, scolding, "What are you saying?! Do you know your daughter almost died in Tongzhou?! You push the blame onto her just to ease your conscience... Second Son, did your father and I teach you nothing?!"

Song Yi's pale face now bore a clear five-finger mark. He covered his face, looking at his mother, and suddenly felt like laughing. Then he did laugh, uncontrollably and wildly.