The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 136 - Betrayal

Old Lady Song meant well. She always feared that Song Chuyi and Song Yan might harbor resentment due to Cui Shi's affairs. Back then, they indeed had their faults, and now, with Song Yi's behavior, it was hard not to feel disheartened. In her opinion, it was best to clean up the main courtyard of the second branch, letting Song Chuyi and Song Yan each live in one of the side courtyards.

After some thought, Song Chuyi declined. Song Yi was not even forty yet and would eventually remarry, requiring the main courtyard to be vacated again. Besides, according to the rules of the Marquis's Residence, boys had to live in separate courtyards by the age of nine, so it was better to start early.

"Grandmother, it wouldn't be proper for us to live there, especially without an adult. It's better to clean up two courtyards in the garden." Song Chuyi shook her head. "Besides, if Father hears about it, he won't be pleased."

At this moment, Song Yi was a mix of anger and disappointment. If he learned that she and Song Yan were moving to the second branch's main courtyard, given his impressionable nature, he might suspect a conspiracy behind Li Shi's death.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself. Both were his daughters, yet in Song Yi's heart, Song Chuning was the one who truly needed his protection and care.

As soon as Old Lady Song thought of Song Yi, her right eyelid twitched violently. She picked up a handkerchief from the side to press against her eyelid, trying to quell the unsettling feeling in her heart, and sighed silently.

"Well then," she thought for a moment and selected two places: "I see that there's a quiet Chu Zhou Pavilion in Taohua Garden, so let Yan'er stay there. There's also a Guanju Courtyard across the arch bridge in Taohua Garden, which is also nice, but there are many flowers and plants around, and in summer, the mosquitoes can be quite bothersome. We'll need to have someone clean it thoroughly first."

Since both are in the garden and just across a bridge from each other, Song Chuyi was very satisfied and smiled in agreement.

Old Lady Song then called for Yushu to fetch the almanac, intending to pick a good date for them to move in.

Old Lady Song, ever practical, asked if Song Chuyi had suitable attendants for Song Yan. Most of those brought back from the Cui family had been dismissed by Li Shi, leaving only unsuitable servants behind. Even without the recent events, Old Lady Song wouldn't tolerate such attendants.

Song Chuyi nodded, outlining her plan. "I have some third-class maids under Ziyun's supervision who are quite suitable. I'll have them serve Yan'er for now. As for the young male servants and study companions, we'll select them from the estate..."

Old Lady Song trusted Song Chuyi's judgment, agreeing readily and assigning Nanny Jiang from her own staff to oversee Song Yan's attendants.

After talking all morning, Old Lady Song grew tired. Seizing the opportunity, Song Chuyi excused herself. As she rounded a corner, she ran into Song Yi, who looked more startled than if he had seen a ghost, backing away with wide eyes.

Song Chuyi momentarily found herself at a loss, but seeing Song Yi's expression, she couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. Quickly regaining her composure, she respectfully greeted him.

The girl before him was no different from the daughter he once loved and cherished. Yet, for some reason, looking into her seemingly expressive eyes, Song Yi felt an inexplicable fear. He coughed into his hand, awkwardly telling her to rise, finding himself at a loss for words.

After a long pause, he finally managed to ask, "How has your health been? I heard you coughed up blood at such a young age..." Realizing this could bring up Li Shi's situation, he grew even more uneasy and stopped. Instead, he asked, "Why isn't Yan'er with you?"

Song Chuyi understood exactly what was going through Song Yi's mind. Oddly enough, she didn't feel sad anymore. Instead, her heart was as calm as the still waters of an old well in the courtyard. "Yan'er had breakfast earlier and went to school with Third Brother," she replied calmly. "Father, are you going to pay respects to Grandmother?"

Song Yi coughed into his hand again, answering somewhat dismissively, "Yes."

He hurried past her but, feeling it was too conspicuous, stopped and turned back, awkwardly making conversation. "By the way, I'm glad to hear you still care about your sister. It's reassuring... you are different from your aunt..."

Care about Song Chuning?! Song Chuyi immediately sensed something was off. She temporarily didn't bother to argue with Song Yi about what was wrong with her aunt, First Lady Cui, so she composed herself and replied with a smile, "After all, I am father's daughter just like her... It's just that my grandmother has a lot of things to do here, so I can't go there in person..."

"This is nothing," Song Yi said, relieved, stroking his well-maintained beard with a smile. "It's already rare enough that you can send your headmaid."

Luyi loathed Song Chuning, and Qingtao and Ziyun had always served close by. The only one who had gone to Song Chuning's was Hongyu. Since Hongyu secretly visited Song Chuning last night when it was already late, it was impossible she met Song Yi then, leaving the only possibility that she went there again today.

Song Chuyi couldn't tell whether she felt more disappointed or angry. She had tried to tolerate Hongyu out of consideration for their past life together, even hoping Hongyu might mend her soft-hearted ways... but now it all seemed laughable. She suppressed all her emotions, respectfully waiting until Song Yi rounded the corner out of sight before turning sharply towards the inner courtyard.

Qingtao, aware of Song Chuyi's plans, felt it unfair for her—seeing Song Chuyi's difficult position, how could Hongyu repeatedly sympathize with others? They returned to the inner courtyard to find Luyi watering plants with a spray bottle. Song Chuyi called out, and Luyi tossed the bottle aside to come over.

"Where's Hongyu?" Song Chuyi glanced around, not seeing any sign of Hongyu, finally feeling a sense of heaviness.

Luyi sensed something amiss, exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Qingtao and Ziyun, and saw them both avert their gazes, leaving her confused.

"She left a while ago and hasn't returned yet," Luyi said, looking at Song Chuyi with some trepidation, scratching her head in puzzlement. "Miss, are you looking for her? I'll go find her."