The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 155 - Closeness

The First Lady was accompanying Old Lady Song in the room, speaking softly, "I don't think that girl from the Chen family is easy to deal with. She can even manipulate Duke Ying's family's Shen Qingrang and the Li family's girls... Last time, during the Tongzhou incident, she actually pushed Little Sixth out to get her killed. She's only about the same age as the Fourth Miss, and even a year younger, yet her scheming is so deep that it's truly chilling."

Old Lady Song snorted but did not respond immediately. After a while, she asked lightly, "Since Xiao Yi promised not to make a fuss, that's fine. The current situation in the court is complex; if our two families fall out, others might think there's something wrong between Old Master and Old Master Chen... I know about Tang Mingzhao; he said he would only accept eight disciples in his lifetime and wouldn't take in any more. Now that he already has seven disciples under him, this last spot was likely meant for a Chen family child. Now that it's gone to our Yan Ge'er, it should be enough to make them suffer for a few years."

The First Lady paused, pressed her lips together, and changed the subject. "If that's the case, it's fine, but I'm worried that the Chen girl will hold a grudge and create trouble in the future."

Although she knew that Song Chuyi had exhausted herself to secure the spot for Song Yan, the First Lady couldn't help but think—what parent doesn't wish for the best for their children? If they could enter Tang Mingzhao's tutelage, it would greatly benefit their future. Although her eldest son, Song Jue, was doing well, she still had a younger son...

"If there's a next time, even if they spare no effort and pay for ten Tang Mingzhaos, it will be of no use," Old Lady Song sneered, lifting the corners of her lips mockingly. "Besides, even if Old Lady Chen is willing to protect her, Old Master Chen won't be indulgent. But this whole affair is truly disgusting. If the Chen family sends someone tomorrow, just say I'm sick and can't meet guests. You don't need to go out either. Just let your eldest daughter-in-law handle it."

Old Lady Song's feelings towards Shen Qingrang had only deepened her disgust. In her dreams, Shen Qingrang might still be forgivable, as one could argue that his inability to endure the long-standing entanglements with Song Chuyi caused him to lose his humanity, killing his wife and child. However, in this life, Xiao Yi was merely a nine-year-old child. Even if he wasn't close to her, he shouldn't have had such thoughts instigated by others. Moreover, in the past six months, Xiao Yi had always behaved appropriately around him, never going too far.

Seeing the fatigue on her face, the First Lady chose not to say more. She respectfully acknowledged and then said, "The girls can go to school tomorrow. Should we invite the two nannies over tonight to pay their respects?"

Old Lady Song nodded and instructed the First Lady, "Don't treat them lightly. They should each receive twelve sets of clothes throughout the year, and their monthly allowance should be the same as the girls, three taels."

The First Lady nodded with a smile. "Understood, I will make sure of it."

"Also, it's not good for the Second Miss to be cooped up in her room all day..." Old Lady Song noticed the First Lady's face darkening slightly and comforted her, "Divorce is not a disgraceful thing. Do you plan to hide her away for the rest of her life so she won't meet anyone?!"

The First Lady's face flushed slightly, and she felt a pang in her heart, her expression troubled as she said, "But after all... she's timid. If someone says something unpleasant to her, she wouldn't know how long she'd be upset."

"Well, she can't avoid meeting people!" Old Lady Song interrupted her and sighed. "I know what you're all thinking, but the reputation of the Marquis family wasn't earned through harshness. So many princesses and county princesses have divorced and found new partners; do you want the Second Miss to be ruined at such a young age? I'll go to the palace soon and ask the imperial noble consort if there are any suitable candidates. You should also keep an eye out. After a couple of years, we can find her a good match. That way, it counts as fulfilling your mother-daughter bond."

The First Lady's eyes grew warm, almost bringing her to tears as she looked at Old Lady Song, quickly nodding in agreement.

________

After getting out of the carriage, Old Lady Chen saw Chen Mingyu bowing her head to assist her and coldly said, "First, go and greet your mother. Come back tonight to have dinner with me."

Having just made a significant mistake, Old Lady Chen was in a bad mood. Chen Mingyu didn't dare to act spoiled and, withdrawing her hand, respectfully replied and lowered her head to follow Old Lady Chen, before leading her maid to the residence of the First Lady Chen.

The First Lady Chen was personally sweeping dust off her golden box with a feather duster when she saw Chen Mingyu come in. She frowned and snapped the lid shut with a thud, impatiently asking, "What brings you here?"

Chen Mingyu was also respectful toward her mother, but there was a distinct distance in her demeanor compared to how she treated Old Lady Chen. Hearing her mother's words, she maintained her expression and replied flatly, "I just returned from Duke Ying's residence and came to pay my respects to you."

First Lady Chen nodded, still looking cold, but suddenly asked, "By the way, didn't I tell you to take this opportunity to deal with that girl who has something on you? How did that go?"

Even though she was speaking to her mother, it seemed all of her patience was reserved for jewelry and treasures. At that moment, Chen Mingyu suddenly realized why her grandmother had specifically called her over to pay her respects to her mother—grandmother had taught her morals, raised her, and put in countless efforts. But her mother only taught her to do inappropriate things at inappropriate times. If her mother had accompanied her, Chen Mingyu couldn't imagine her sacrificing someone like Tang Mingzhao for her.

Gradually, resentment and disdain began to well up in her heart, and a faint mocking smile played at the corners of her mouth.

As she left, she turned to her maid, Bao Dai, and instructed, "Go tell my elder brother and his wife that mother's interest payment has arrived."

Her mother was too strict with finances, far less generous than the other aunts. Her elder brother and sister-in-law often struggled to make ends meet just on their monthly allowance, which frequently led to conflicts with their money-loving mother.

She couldn't stand her mother's cold demeanor, so she might as well have her elder brother and sister-in-law cause a ruckus with her. If it escalated, her second brother and sister-in-law might join in too.

Her elder brother had always wanted to scrape together money from wherever to spend, and her sister-in-law often complained about having contributed a considerable dowry for her brother. Meanwhile, her second brother and sister-in-law were equally resentful towards their mother... If they found out their mother had money but refused to give them a single coin after all these years, they would surely create a huge uproar.

If... it could piss my mother off to death, that would be the best. Anyway, it would be the same with or without her. Without her, there might be a lot less trouble. This somewhat terrifying and vicious thought vaguely arose in her mind, and she quickly left First Lady Chen's courtyard.