The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 140 - Confidence

The chaos at the Marquis's Residence was no longer within Song Chuning's sights. Watching the scenery recede outside the carriage, she sat with her hands clasped, a smile of relief tugging at her lips. If it weren't for that foolish maid Hongyu, she wouldn't have realized that Song Chuyi had grown into a formidable adversary, far from the pushover she remembered from her dream.

Composed and strategic, Song Chuyi had managed to gain the trust of the King of Zhen Nan's second son by offering advice and bringing back Lianyi who used to serve Cui Shi. She had won over Qingtao's parents, sending Qingtao's father to Jinzhong to deliver a message, and even had connections with the Crown Prince's son. No wonder Song Chengru and Old Lady Song favored her; she had shown such insight and vision.

Glancing at Cuiguo, who was pouring tea in the corner, Song Chuning smiled silently. "Missing your friends, Luyi and Cuijiao?" Luyi had already confessed to Old Lady Song, and Cuijiao had disappeared this morning. Song Chuning guessed where Cuijiao had gone, prompting her to decisively persuade Song Yi to leave early. If Song Chuyi had heard from Cuijiao, she wouldn't have let Song Chuning leave with Song Yi.

With two of her top maids gone, Song Chuning was left with Cuiguo and Luyi, both unusually quiet. Cuiguo, nervously biting her lip, poured tea and placed it on the low table before kneeling and kowtowing three times. "Eighth Miss... my parents are still in the residence..."

The hurried departure left her with no time to inform her parents, causing anxiety about their fate and what punishment they might face. Seeing Cuiguo's lead, Luyi's eyes reddened as she joined in, choking back sobs. They knew Song Chuning to be unfeeling, so they never dared cry in her presence. But the sudden trip to far-off Changsha, the separation from their families, and the uncertain future overwhelmed them.

Surprisingly, Song Chuning didn't get angry. She stared at them for a while before laughing. "Why the rush?" she asked, watching their tear-streaked faces. "You are just maids, bound by duty. Second Master ordered you to follow; could you refuse? The Old Master and Old Lady wouldn't trouble your families over this. Don't worry."

She couldn't be without useful people on the way to Changsha. Even if she bought new maids there, they wouldn't be immediately reliable. These two, with their known backgrounds, gave her peace of mind. For once, she comforted them.

Knowing this was Song Chuning's limit, Cuiguo and Luyi exchanged bitter smiles, daring not to say more. They lowered their heads, continuing to quietly organize Song Chuning's belongings. After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally stopped. Song Yi, riding up, ordered the men to unload the luggage and lifted the curtain to help Song Chuning down, smiling kindly. "Since you wanted to experience the water route, we'll take a boat."

Song Chuning, her face partially hidden by a veil, smiled. It wasn't that she hadn't traveled by water before; she was wary of Song Chengru sending people to block their way. Once aboard the boat, they would be like fish in the sea—impossible to catch. Song Chuyi may have grown clever, but Song Chuning had outpaced her.

From behind her veil, she cast a final glance at the blurry scenery, a victorious smile on her lips.

Song Jue led a search party outside the city but found no trace of them. After a near fruitless effort, they heard about them at the docks by late afternoon and rushed over, only to find that Song Yi and Song Chuning had already been at sea for one or two hours.

He could only shake his head and force a bitter smile as he returned to the residence to honestly report everything to Song Chengru. The entire household was in turmoil; servants moved about with utmost caution, fearing to make any noise. Second Master had mysteriously returned and then left again without a word, leaving behind only the chaos of the Old Lady's sudden illness.

Song Chengru sat in his armchair, the flickering candlelight obscuring his expression. Song Jue knew he must be furious beyond words. After reporting, he stood silently, not daring to move.

"Go check on the old lady" Song Chengru finally said after a long silence, frowning. "And send for Xiao Liu."

Song Jue let out a sigh of relief and answered in a low voice, agreeing to first go to Ningde Courtyard. Hearing that the old lady was still asleep, he decided not to disturb her and instead sent Yu Shu to invite Song Chuyi.

The First Lady was quite anxious, asking her son many questions. Finally, upon learning that Song Yi had actually left by waterway, she couldn't help but sigh deeply.

This brother-in-law of hers was not young anymore, yet his actions lacked any sense of order. He came and went as he pleased, without even informing her. If it weren't for someone from the gatekeeper reporting it, she wouldn't have known he had left at all.

For a man, leaving the house was a common occurrence, and she hadn't thought much of it. But when she later heard that the old lady had fainted due to anger, she sensed something was amiss. After inquiring, she learned that Song Yi's departure was not just an ordinary outing, but rather that he had returned to his official duties.

He had returned quietly and without a sound, leaving without even bidding farewell to his parents, and had taken his daughter with him... First Lady sighed heavily, lamenting how the issues with the second branch had all come to a head at once, making it difficult to cope.

Yulan brought up the medicine and candied fruits, and the First Lady stopped asking questions. She personally took the herbal soup to serve the old lady, then turned to let Song Jue go back to his room.

Li Qingzi was currently pregnant. Although three months had passed, her health was frail, and the physician had advised her to take good care of herself. The First Lady was worried and feared that Li Qingzi might hear any rumors, so she sent her son back to accompany her.

Although Song Jue was concerned about the old lady, he was indeed worried about his wife as well. Hearing this, he obediently retreated.

However, he was deeper in thought than the First Lady realized—his second uncle had endured the hardships of studying hard to achieve his rank and had served honestly as a county magistrate for six years before finally reaching the position of prefect. How could he be such a thoughtless person? Was there some unknown reason behind this?