The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 150 - Humiliation

In the main hall of Duke Ying's mansion, a tense silence fell over the room. Other than the Li sisters, who'd mustered enough courage to speak briefly before falling silent, everyone else was looking at Old Lady Chen, the wife of Minister Chen.

Chen Mingyu, eyes glistening with unshed tears, shook her head sorrowfully, glancing at her grandmother and even sobbing softly now and then. Old Lady Chen, though well over fifty, appeared youthful and well-kept, like a woman in her forties. Hearing what First Lady Li and her daughters said, she didn't even raise an eyebrow. Instead, she gently patted her granddaughter's hand and let out a cold, dismissive laugh. "Just a few words, and suddenly they say it's my Yu'er who did it? That's a bit ridiculous, isn't it? Apart from going to Miss Shen's room to present her bridal gifts, my granddaughter hasn't left my side all day. I'm curious when she found the time to plot with these two young ladies, let alone how she arranged the execution."

The Li sisters, who'd visited the Chen residence often in the past, feared no one as much as this sharp and aloof old lady. Hearing her words, they lost their nerve and shrank behind their mother.

"Is it not a bit excessive to treat our family this way?" Old Lady Chen continued, now addressing Shen Xiaohai and Lady He. "As if the Marquis of Changning's family were high nobles, and we Chen family folks were lowly commoners. Why treat guests like criminals?"

Old Lady Chen's words were sharp and biting, but she certainly had the power to back them up—Minister Chen was second in power only to the Emperor himself. In the Cabinet, where rank and seniority were everything, even someone like Song Chengru had to keep his head down and follow orders behind him.

Moreover, those who prided themselves on humble roots and scholarly achievements tended to look down on the nobility who basked in inherited glory and wealth, and Old Lady Chen was particularly disdainful. She rarely deigned to visit anyone.

Shen Xiaohai was brimming with anger, wishing he could tear this old woman apart. Lady He was even more infuriated—her son had nearly lost his life due to the instigation of Old Lady Chen's granddaughter, and now the old lady was making veiled, sarcastic remarks, further adding to her disgust.

"My, what authority the Old Lady Chen commands," Song Chuyi remarked lightly. Giving a subtle tug on First Lady Cui's sleeve, First Lady Cui caught the cue, clapped her hands with a smug smile, and said, "Anyone who didn't know better might assume that Minister Chen himself had arrived. But even if he had, there'd still be no reason to brush things off with a quick denial!"

Although Old Lady Chen wouldn't dare treat the highly-favored Princess Duanhui with the same cold demeanor she had shown the others, she still held herself with the haughtiness of a minister's wife, scoffing. "Your Highness, you truly have me at a loss for words. Who's brushing things off? Now, if anyone's been quick to judge, it's the two girls from the Li family—one word from them, and they've all but accused my granddaughter. I know her character, and she would never do such a thing! No one should even think about blaming her."

"But whether that's true can't simply be determined by your assertions, Old Lady Chen," Song Chuyi replied, unflinchingly meeting Old Lady Chen's suddenly sharp gaze. "If you don't believe what the Li sisters said, my Aunt has a note in her hand—it'll make it clear whether it's in Miss Chen's handwriting, won't it?"

"Sister!" Chen Mingyu suddenly cried out, her voice breaking, and then choked back a sob. "I know I offended you back in Tongzhou, but surely you're not trying to take revenge over that, are you...?"

"Since you say you offended me in Tongzhou," Song Chuyi said coldly, watching her performance with indifference, "why not explain to everyone here exactly how you did so? If you think one person isn't enough to clarify, I could invite Young Master Ye to speak on your behalf. What do you say?"

Chen Mingyu was truly audacious; Song Chuyi didn't expect Chen Mingyu to remember her kindness, as she had her own motives for helping her. However, she could no longer tolerate Chen Mingyu's repeated schemes to harm her.

Chen Mingyu widened her eyes in shock, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as tears streamed down her face.

"Is this the family education of the Changning Marquis's household? Is this the rule that the Cui family of Boling has passed down for hundreds of years?" Old Lady Chen finally cast a disdainful glance at her, letting out a scornful laugh. "I'm truly learning something new."

First Lady Cui was about to retort when she saw Song Chuyi take a few steps toward Chen Mingyu, then suddenly raised her voice, "Compared to the education of Miss Chen, I believe our family has already fulfilled our duty."

"How dare you!" Old Lady Chen angrily pointed at Song Chuyi. "Our Chen family's morals have even received the Emperor's personal praise. Who do you think you are, daring to criticize my family's education?"

Song Chuyi showed no fear, looking at Miss Chen with a half-smile. "Then it seems that Miss Chen is probably the odd one out in your family. I wonder if the Emperor would regret praising your family's morals after learning about Miss Chen's actions. When we were attacked by the Tatar soldiers in Tongzhou, Miss Chen, as the older sister, pushed me out to take the brunt of the disaster. I don't know if your family has any historical examples for such behavior, which might explain why Miss Chen followed suit."

"You little imp! How dare you insult our Chen family like this!" Old Lady Chen finally looked directly at Song Chuyi, extending her finger to point at her. "Don't think that just because you have the support of Princess Duanhui and are a daughter of the Marquis's household, you can do as you please!"

"Perhaps it's not I who can do as I please!" Song Chuyi fought the impulse to reach out and swat away Old Lady Chen's hand, letting out a cold laugh. "It's your precious granddaughter! The incident in Tongzhou isn't just my word against hers; both His Highness the Heir Apparent and Young Master Ye can testify. If you don't believe me, feel free to ask them! I truly don't want to embarrass anyone, but you can also ask Miss Chen if I have slandered or humiliated her, and whether there's a single word of what I just said that isn't true!"

Chen Mingyu didn't expect Song Chuyi to expose her shortcomings in front of so many people. She took two fearful steps back. In families like theirs, such matters should be resolved privately, not publicly torn apart like this, potentially making future relations between the two families very difficult.

Song Chuyi actually had such confidence! Chen Mingyu widened her eyes, retreating continuously, her red mole between her brows becoming more prominent.

"I would like to ask both Old Lady Chen and Miss Chen," Song Chuyi frowned, "where have I offended Miss Chen that she wants to repeatedly put me in harm's way?!"