The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 132 - Provocation

The chaos in Ningde Courtyard couldn't escape the notice of Song Chuyi and Song Yan, who were also in the same courtyard. Qingtao brought them mouthwash, sighing worriedly. Song Yi's return at this time surely meant that the Li family had sent a letter, making them the villain first. Given Second Master Song's temper, who knew what trouble he might cause? The real victims, Miss and Young Master, would now likely be caught in the middle, unable to please either side.

Sure enough, Ziyun came in to report that Song Yi had already returned to the main courtyard of the second branch. She looked at Song Chuyi, then at Song Yan, and decided to tell the truth: "Second Master went to pick up Eighth Miss as soon as he arrived and is now having dinner with her..."

Even though Song Chuyi had been despised by her father in her previous life and hardly seen him, her smile still faltered for a moment—saying she wasn't sad would be a lie. After all, in both her past and present lives, she had called Song Yi her father for over forty years...

Song Yan, with his round, dumpling-like face, frowned as he pondered. Having grown up without a mother, he was fortunate not to have spent much time with Li Shi, and was closer to his maternal family. Song Yi and Li Shi's influence on him wasn't significant. Seeing his sister's momentary sadness, his resentment towards their father deepened.

"Sister..." Song Yan reached across the small table to hold Song Chuyi's hand. "Don't be sad."

Song Chuyi knew how sensitive and attentive Song Yan was, so she quickly put on a brave face and smiled, "I know. Don't worry."

After saying this, Song Chuyi asked Ziyun, "Did you and Cuijiao and Cuiguo find out anything?"

Compared to Song Yi, she was more concerned about Song Chuning. This sister seemed even more sinister than in her previous life. If she had been reborn, it would be one thing, but if this was her true nature, it was truly chilling.

Hearing this, Ziyun immediately took on a serious expression. This was the first important task Song Chuyi had given her, and its success or failure would affect her future prospects.

"Miss, Cuijiao is timid and couldn't find out anything. But Cuiguo heard some things," Ziyun reported everything she had learned. "She said that Eighth Miss has always been extremely clever. That time when the Second Lady... Li Shi was angry in her room, cursing the Old Lady because she couldn't go with Master to his post, it was Eighth Miss who stopped her. It's said that Eighth Miss even threw the cat until it was half-dead, scaring Li Shi terribly..."

Li Shi afraid of Song Chuning?

"It's also said that whenever Li Shi threw a tantrum, Nanny Yu, in desperation, would call for Eighth Miss, and it always worked," Ziyun said, finding it unbelievable herself. "And, before Nanny Yu went to Songtao Garden, Eighth Miss had someone deliver something to her..."

Being able to send a piece of clothing to someone could lead to death, and of course, it was also possible for something to be sent that would incite Nanny Yu to set fire to everything.

Speaking of this matter, Song Chuyi still felt a lingering fear. She squeezed Song Yan's hand and nodded at Ziyun, indicating her to continue.

"There's a Nanny Zou at the west corner gate who was punished for making a mistake under the Li family. Recently, several of Eighth Miss's maids, Lushan and Luyu, have been going to see her, and she seems to have suddenly become affluent," Ziyun's voice gradually lowered. "I had my mother inquire about it; Nanny Zou's husband has been running errands for the Third Master outside and has made several trips to the Li residence recently."

Song Chuning's situation in the marquisate was not good. It was indeed difficult for her to send messages to Song Yi. Now it seemed that she had relied on the Li family to deliver the message.

To be able to take advantage of someone like Old Master Li, Song Chuning was indeed not to be underestimated.

Song Chuyi tapped her fingers on the table and nodded as she instructed Ziyun, "Ziyun, I need you to do me another favor. Go to the main courtyard of the Second House and find someone to gather information. I want to know what Second Master and Eighth Miss talked about tonight."

The second branch was in disarray. Though Song Chuning was formidable, she couldn't control every mouth. With effort, one could always gather information. At the moment, the side courtyard of the second branch was brightly lit. Song Chuning leisurely swung on the swing, occasionally glancing towards the courtyard gate. It was unclear how long it took before Cuijiao timidly brought the person she wanted to see. Song Chuning jumped off the swing, smiling at the tear-streaked girl and gently called, "Hongyu."

Hongyu wiped her tears and timidly responded. Immediately, she regretted coming with Cuijiao—how could she be so foolish? Li Shi had killed Lady Cui and almost harmed her mistress too! But looking at the smiling, innocent young girl in front of her, she felt her mistress might be overreacting. After all, Song Chuning was only six years old, too young to understand much. When Li Shi was causing harm, she wasn't even born yet.

Since Li Shi's death, Eighth Miss had also had a hard time. Hongyu had seen the kitchen steward mothers give Cuijiao and Cuiguo a hard time several times... A child without a mother was the most pitiful. Even Song Chuyi had once lived cautiously, like walking on thin ice...

"Eighth Miss," Hongyu lowered her head and whispered, "What can I do for you?"

Song Chuning bit her lip, looking troubled. Her beautiful almond eyes filled with tears as she reached out and held Hongyu's hand, "I... I called you because I want to know why Sixth Sister dislikes me so much."

Hongyu hurriedly tried to pull her hand away, but seeing Song Chuning's tear-filled eyes, she softened. After hearing Song Chuning's words, she quickly shook her head, "Sixth Miss doesn't dislike you. She's just... just upset..."

Song Chuning's tears flowed even more, "She does dislike me. My mother is gone... I have no one to talk to. Only Sister and Fourth Brother, but they avoid me... I don't know what I did wrong or where I went wrong..."

The six-year-old girl cried, clutching Hongyu's hand, tears and snot streaming down her face. Thinking of her situation, Hongyu couldn't help but feel soft-hearted, while also feeling a bit resentful. Her mistress seemed to be becoming like Li Shi, relentlessly pressuring even the innocent Eighth Miss.

"Eighth Miss," Hongyu said, her heart aching, "I know you can speak up for yourself with your sister. Could you help me ask her if I've done anything wrong? I'll change... Please, help me. Grandmother and Grandfather don't want to see me recently. I only have my sister..."