The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 134 - Division

The next morning, Yushu came in with a bright smile, holding a jewelry box. She handed it to Ziyun, who was beside Song Chuyi, and then said to Song Chuyi, "This is from the Old Lady. In three days, it's the wedding of the eldest daughter of Duke Ying's family. You're to bring this as a gift."

The wife of Duke Ying's heir, Lady He, had last visited the Marquis's Residence with the Princess of Zhennan, using the pretext of her eldest daughter's wedding, claiming that Song Chuyi's zodiac was suitable for the bed-pressing tradition suggested by a Feng Shui master. Old Lady Song had flatly refused then. However, in the past few days, the wife of Duke Ying's heir had frequently sent over household servants, and with the help of the First Lady mediating, Old Lady Song reluctantly agreed.

Of course, this was just the official story.

Song Chuyi was puzzled—she had intended to tell Old Lady Song about Third Lady last night but was interrupted by Song Yi's sudden return. If there was no mention of Third Lady, why did Old Lady Song accept Lady He's invitation?

She lowered her head in silence, but the perceptive Yushu couldn't help but think elsewhere and softly consoled, "Sixth Miss, don't be sad. All parents care for their children equally. Second Master loves you too...". Clearly, Yushu must have overheard something in Old Lady Song's presence to offer such consolation.

Song Chuyi smiled and gently acknowledged her, then watched as Yushu stood up to leave. "The Old Lady wants you to go over after you're done with your morning preparations. They've cooked some of your favorite porridge—spicy, eight-treasure, and red rice with barley. Even the side dishes are to your liking."

After Yushu left, Hongyu quietly slipped in to comb Song Chuyi's hair. Her attention to detail and diligence made her the best at this task. However, Song Chuyi noticed the dark circles under her swollen eyes in the glass mirror. As Hongyu appeared distracted while helping her put on a vest, Song Chuyi frowned and called her name, "Hongyu?"

At the mere mention, Hongyu's sandalwood-carved comb fell to the ground with a clatter.

It was unusual for the typically composed Hongyu to act this way. Song Chuyi watched as she hurriedly picked up the comb and turned to look at her, "Where did you go last night? You look like you didn't sleep at all."

Since the incident with Nanny Wang and Huang Yao, the servants had been performing their duties diligently. Hongyu, feeling guilty, suddenly worried that her mistress had sent someone to follow her. Was she about to be interrogated? Panicking, she knelt with a thud, recalling Huang Yao's fate, and nervously admitted, "Miss, last night... last night I went to see Eighth Miss..."

Song Chuyi's eyes widened, her emotions mixed and unclear, as she looked at Hongyu kneeling before her. She sighed, "And what did she say to you?"

She couldn't quite remember why Hongyu had been driven away by Li Shi in the previous life. But if Li Shi had driven her away, it meant she was loyal. However, now, Song Chuyi couldn't be sure of Hongyu's loyalty. She felt like she was walking on a tightrope, and any misstep could lead to a disastrous fall. She couldn't afford any surprises.

Hongyu kowtowed a few more times, with tears in her voice, nervously glancing at Song Chuyi, "It was nothing... just that Eighth Miss was crying a lot, saying she didn't understand why her mother suddenly died, or why she had offended Old Master, Old Lady, and you..."

Feigning innocence and playing the victim—Song Chuning certainly inherited these traits from Li Shi, even surpassing her mentor. Her acting skills could probably rival those of professional actresses. Song Chuyi remained expressionless and unmoved, tilting her chin to signal Hongyu to continue.

"The rest... there's nothing else," Hongyu stammered, clearly unnerved by Song Chuyi's stern demeanor. "Eighth Miss asked me to speak on her behalf... she's all alone in the residence, with no one to talk to. She wants to visit you more often to chat..."

As if someone like Song Chuning needs anyone to plead for her or talk to her?

Ziyun and Qingtao exchanged worried and hesitant glances. Song Chuyi found it laughable, looking at Hongyu before asking calmly, "And what do you think?"

Qingtao, smart as she was, had already figured out that Nanny Yu's incident was connected to Song Chuning. Ziyun, equally perceptive, had deduced the same from bits and pieces of information. Even Luyi, despite not knowing the specifics, harbored a natural animosity and wariness towards Li Shi and Song Chuning. Hongyu, once loyal...

Hongyu shook her head, trembling on her knees. The silence in the room became unbearable, and she finally broke down, "Miss, Li Shi was despicable, but she's dead now... Eighth Miss is just a child, even younger than Fourth Young Master by ten months... I... I think Miss shouldn't be too harsh on her..."

Disappointment filled Song Chuyi's eyes. Without another glance at Hongyu, she turned away, her tone indifferent, "I understand. Ziyun, take her out."

"Since you didn't sleep well last night, take the day to rest. Qingtao, come and do my hair." Hongyu bit her lip, uneasy, but didn't dare say more for fear of angering Song Chuyi. She followed Ziyun out.

"Miss," Qingtao said as she applied rose oil to the sandalwood comb and started to untangle Song Chuyi's hair, "I think Nanny Xu should take her to the estate in Tongzhou."

Song Chuyi closed her eyes, feeling immensely tired. "Nanny Xu will take good care of her there."

Hongyu wasn't blind. That day, Nanny Yu's death in Taoran Residence had been due to her receiving clothes from the head maid by Song Chuning's side. Even if she hadn't figured out the connection, Luyi should have mentioned it to her. But her compassionate nature couldn't believe a six-year-old could be so malevolent.

Song Chuyi didn't blame her for being soft-hearted, but she felt a chill knowing that Hongyu could still forgive the mastermind behind Song Yan's near-death. She couldn't risk having someone so easily swayed by a few words close to her. Given her previous dedication and the fact she hadn't made any major mistakes, sending her to the estate seemed best. Nanny Xu would look after her well.