The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 159 - Selfishness

After the Dog Days, the fragrance of osmanthus began to waft through the residence, the ubiquitous scent mingling with the wind and drifting into people's noses, as if even the air had taken on a sweetness.

The little maids had already gathered in twos and threes in the Qingyi Garden to pick osmanthus flowers, either making osmanthus cake or saving them for making hair oil, their laughter and chatter ringing out continuously.

The First Lady hurried through the osmanthus grove, leading people into the room, and unusually scolded the maids: "It must be my good nature that has allowed you all to become so unruly! Those who left their posts to pick osmanthus flowers today will all be fined half a month's salary!"

She had always treated her servants with kindness and had never been this angry. The people in the room exchanged glances, confused, each one lowering their heads, not daring to lift them.

Jin Ling quietly glanced at Nanny Jin, only to see Nanny Jin and Nanny Zou both busy shaking their heads.

Once the First Lady sat down, Jin Huan quickly brought over tea, carefully smiling: "My Lady, you've had a tiring journey. Although autumn has arrived, it's still hot. Shall I ask the little maid to bring over an ice bowl?"

The First Lady pushed it away with slight impatience and instructed Mama Jin: "You go to Old Lady Song's Ningde Courtyard and ask Yushu to see if the old lady's anger has subsided a bit."

Nanny Jin responded and hurried out to find Yushu in Ningde Courtyard.

Seeing the First Lady was willing to speak, Nanny Zou breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to motion to Jin Huan, then gently massaged the First Lady's temples: "What happened? Why did the old lady get so angry? This has never happened before."

Old Lady Song was not a tyrannical person, nor was she a difficult mother-in-law to get along with. The First Lady came from a family that couldn't be considered good; marrying into the Changning Marquis's residence was indeed a significant social climb. However, since marrying in, Old Lady Song had never held this against her nor had she ever tried to trip her up because of it. Even when the second wife, Cui Shi, with a more illustrious background, entered the family, Old Lady Song had never favored one over the other between her two daughters-in-law.

Over the years, it was probably the first time Old Lady Song had shown the First Lady a cold face.

Thinking about this made the First Lady even more anxious. She sighed, feeling a heaviness in her heart, and closed her eyes in frustration, unsure of what to do.

Today, Old Lady Song had been extremely angry. She had only given a few words of advice and was even scolded by the old lady a few times—this was the first time in nearly thirty years since she married into the Song family. She truly felt as if she had lost all face.

Someone called from outside. Jin Ling went out and came back in, speaking softly to the First Lady: "The eldest young mistress has sent someone to ask if we're having a meal yet."

Although the First Lady felt irritated, she was also concerned about her grandson. Hearing this, she quickly softened her expression and instructed, "Go tell her not to come for dinner today. It's hot, and don't wander about. Be careful not to get heatstroke."

Seeing the First Lady's mood had lightened, Jin Ling nodded, as if granted a reprieve, and quickly turned to leave.

Nanny Zou immediately advised, "Don't be too anxious or upset. The old lady is probably just temporarily angry. After all, some things children don't understand; we must know the stakes. If we really go by what our eldest young lady wants, then Sixth Miss's situation could become concerning... The old lady indeed values Sixth Miss, treating her like the apple of her eye... It's normal for her to be a bit overwhelmed at this moment."

"I also know that Little Sixth is lovable and that she's become quite capable recently. Both the Old Master and Old Lady are protecting her and favoring her." The First Lady's tone was downcast. "But so what? After all, she's just a little girl... Noble Consort is struggling in the palace, and in the end, isn't it because the Empress Dowager dislikes our family for treating Wang Shi...?"

After saying this, the First Lady fell silent, pausing for a moment before sighing again. "Although Wang Shi was wrong first, the one who caused the stir is still Little Sixth. If it weren't for Little Sixth making a fuss, the Old Master and Old Lady wouldn't have gone so hard on Wang Shi. Look at how the Noble Consort is in the palace now; can't she even speak a word of truth to the Empress Dowager?!"

There was something the First Lady held back from saying—what if it wasn't Song Chuyi's fault? A noble consort in the palace and a little girl who is only nine years old; anyone would know how to choose. In the past, they felt that Song Chuyi's deeper schemes and cleverness wouldn't hinder their main house's affairs or interests, but it seems that this is no longer the case.

Old Master Song and Old Lady Song's favoritism towards Song Chuyi has gone too far; they could actually get so angry with the noble consort and take it out on the first branch. Their selfishness prevents them from seeing the current situation, from recognizing the noble consort's difficulties, and from understanding the predicament faced by the noble consort and the Song family. They actually want the noble consort to continue bearing the Empress Dowager's wrath, hoping she can swallow this grievance herself.

But this isn't merely about a few small rewards or some jewelry and ornaments, or even some usual indulgence and pampering; this concerns their daughter's interests! Lady Song cannot allow such a thing to happen.

Putting down the ice bowl in her hand, the First Lady quietly instructed Nanny Zou, "Go find the familiar Eunuch Xia and have him send a message into the palace. Tell him to inform the noble consort to do things as she wishes. I will help persuade the Old Lady here, so she doesn't have to worry."

Nanny Zou didn't dare to delay. She agreed and then asked, "His appetite is quite large. The last time he came to ask for money, he wanted two thousand taels. This time we have something to ask of him..."

"Prepare two thousand taels of silver, along with the previous message, and give it to him," the First Lady scoffed. "Isn't it true that people like him only care about money? Just give it to him."

The Old Master and Old Lady have their selfish motives, and so does she.

No matter how good Song Chuyi is, she is still the daughter of the second house. What relationship does she have with their main house? If the family were to split in the future, it would only be a matter of Song Chuyi calling her 'Aunt.'

They want to protect Song Chuyi, but she cannot let her daughter suffer for her sake.

Nanny Jin cautiously entered. Seeing the First Lady with her eyes closed, and realizing Nanny Zou was no longer in the room, she thought for a moment and walked up to her, speaking softly, "Yushu said she was quite angry today, barely eating anything at lunch. She also asked the young servant in the outer courtyard to wait. As soon as the Old Master and the Eldest Master return, he is to tell them to go to Ningde Courtyard."

The First Lady remained with her eyes closed, not moving. After a long while, she raised her hand slightly to signal she understood.

She probably wants to discuss this with the Old Master. Even though she didn't open her eyes, her heart was not at ease.

After all, the Old Master is the head of the family; he shouldn't let emotions get in the way like the Old Lady. As for the Eldest Master, he wouldn't need to think twice; he would know how to choose between his biological daughter and his niece.

That said, she had still made up her mind to not be deaf and blind later and decided to go over after all.