The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 162 - Incitement

Eldest Master Song immediately knelt down on the ground, and First Lady's face turned pale as she followed suit and also knelt. However, she still felt a bit unconvinced and somewhat wronged—after all, no matter how important Song Chuyi was, could she surpass the noble consort?

It was one thing for the old lady to be confused, but why was even the old master so biased?!

Old Lady Song felt a tightness in her chest and, seeing that the First Lady was pale with fear yet still wore an expression of defiance, she found it increasingly irritating. She waved her hand, signaling them to withdraw: "Alright! Words once spoken cannot be taken back. Since you've already sent for the noble consort, you think I won't blame you? Isn't that what you intended?"

"Mother..." the First Lady's urgency finally surfaced as she spoke with a crying tone, continuously pleading, "I realize my mistake... I won't dare to act on my own next time..."

Not daring next time, but this time, it almost cost a life! What if there was a next time?

Old Lady Song irritably waved her hand, pressing her chest as she felt suffocated: "Enough, enough! Haven't I said enough? It's a pity you can't listen. Now go out; let me have some peace for a while."

This was the first time the First Lady had been treated like this by Old Lady Song, making her even more anxious and uneasy. After leaving Ningde Courtyard, her face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Nanny Zou and Nanny Jin were waiting nearby, and when they saw her come out, they hurriedly approached her. Upon seeing her appearance, they were both taken aback and exchanged a knowing glance.

"I asked you to go speak to Sixth Miss; how did it go?" The First Lady regained her composure, took the handkerchief Jin Mama offered to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and asked, "Did she get angry?"

Nanny Jin glanced at the First Lady's complexion and guessed that she must have been scolded by the old lady regarding this matter. She quickly spoke up, smiling as she said, "Speaking of which, our Sixth Miss is very reasonable... I revealed a few hints in front of her and lightly persuaded her a bit, and she responded with a smile."

The First Lady chuckled; she knew that Song Chuyi was a smart girl—despite the affection showered upon her by Old Master Song and Old Lady Song, ultimately, the marquis's residence would still be run by her. How long could the old lady and old master be relied upon?

"You mustn't deceive her." the First Lady tilted her head to look at her: "It's better to speak clearly about what needs to be said."

"It's clear, it's clear." Nanny Jin felt a chill in her heart and quickly replied, "I'll explain the pros and cons to her one by one, and she will understand. After all, she's still young and has a younger brother... which sister wouldn't think of her brother?"

A smile finally appeared on the First Lady's face: "If that's the case, then I should also go see her."

Old Lady Song was merely upset with her for acting on her own, which could endanger Song Chuyi. But if this matter was something Song Chuyi willingly agreed to, then neither Old Master Song nor Old Lady Song could blame her.

Qing Tao and Zi Yun were anxiously surrounding Song Chuyi, their faces filled with worry as they spoke about the news they had heard: "I never expected that an edict would come from the palace... I heard that Empress Rongxian rarely summons noble ladies; since the Wang family's daughter, she hasn't seen any young ladies. This sudden summons for our family's girls might not be so simple."

Ziyun was also worried: "I just went to the old lady's room to ask, and grandma was too busy to see me... She said that the old lady was very angry. If it was really a good thing, why would the old lady be angry? Miss, you should make some plans."

Song Chuyi remained silent for a moment before asking them, "What about the Fourth Young Master? He didn't hear this news, did he?"

If even Song Yan could see that something was off, how could she not notice it?

However, since Old Master Song had just decided to temporarily support the Crown Prince, why would he embarrass himself by trying to curry favor with Empress Rongxian?

This matter was definitely something the First Lady concealed from Old Madam Song, no wonder she had previously sent Nanny Jin to act as a mediator; it seemed there were plans made on both sides.

Zi Yun shook her head: "The Fourth Young Master is with the Third Young Master, so he probably won't find out so quickly. But this matter can't be hidden... The fourth and fifth young ladies have all started to make moves. I heard that they have already started to go to the sewing room to ask for new clothes."

Before Qing Tao could say more, they heard a report from outside that the First Lady had arrived.

The First Lady saw Song Chuyi come out to greet her and quickly grabbed her hand, returning to the room to sit down. She first looked at Song Chuyi's expression before bringing up this afternoon's edict: "The palace sent an edict today; I believe you must have heard the news, right?"

"Yes," Song Chuyi nodded with a smile: "I just mentioned this matter; I heard that Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister have already started discussing making new clothes."

What the First Lady liked most about Song Chuyi was this: even if she had suffered some grievances, she was clear in her heart and wouldn't show it on her face to embarrass others.

However, whether Song Chuyi truly understood her meaning was something she wasn't sure about. Thus, she grasped her hand and sighed: "You are a clever child. This afternoon I called Nanny Jin over; I wonder if she conveyed my meaning clearly?"

Seeing Song Chuyi bowing her head in silence, she knew that Nanny Jin had certainly conveyed the message. Song Chuyi didn't have any extreme reactions, which pleased the First Lady, though a touch of sadness appeared on her face: "I know this is a bit difficult for you. Just now in front of the old lady, she also blamed me for this... But alas, the hearts of parents are pitiful; the noble consort indeed has it hard in the palace, and as her mother, I can only think more about her matters... You are a good child who understands your aunt's difficulties; your aunt appreciates your feelings..."

She was still speaking in vague terms, unwilling to make it clear that she actually wanted Song Chuyi to go to her death.

Zi Yun and Qing Tao couldn't help but feel a bit angry—though the First Lady wanted someone to die, she wouldn't say it plainly and instead used these flowery words to deceive people, as if she were afraid of taking responsibility...

Yet Song Chuyi remained calm and unruffled, seemingly unbothered. After a moment of thought, she smiled and said, "Auntie, you speak nonsense. The Dowager Empress can summon us into the palace thus giving face to the Song family. As a daughter of the Song family, I naturally should also consider the Song family's interests."

"However, I wonder if First Lady Cui will worry when she finds out?" First Lady Song grew even more pleased: "When she was young, she once had a dispute with your Fifth Aunt. You know these complicated relationships; First Lady Cui will surely be concerned."

To even ask her to plead with First Lady Cui was a bit too much—hoping for her to bear the Dowager Empress's anger while being afraid that the Cui family would hold her accountable later, wanting to tidy things up neatly.

Qing Tao and Zi Yun exchanged worried glances, both frowning, wishing they could step forward and urge Song Chuyi not to agree.