The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 164 - Thunderous Reaction

As soon as the First Lady left, Ziyun quickly closed the door and, with a pale face, looked at Song Chuyi, "Miss, you must not agree to this!" The first lady clearly intended to send Song Chuyi to her death, and it was extremely selfish of her to also expect Song Chuyi to help appease the Cui family and the old lady of the Song family.

How could there be such good fortune in the world? When the Fifth Lady was dominating the manor, how much did the first lady endure? If it weren't for Song Chuyi, she would probably still be angered by the Fifth Lady, frequently needing the imperial physician to prescribe calming pills. Now, treating Song Chuyi this way is truly disheartening.

Song Chuyi liked these clever maids, who, unlike Hongyu, had soft hearts but knew how to judge people and discern right from wrong. She no longer needed to worry that they would be easily deceived by a few sweet words. She looked at Ziyun with satisfaction, pleased that she could see through the First Lady's intentions and that she cared for her, bravely offering advice.

Qingtao was also worried, seeing that Song Chuyi didn't react, she glanced at Ziyun and hesitated, "Miss, perhaps we should report this to the Princess's residence..." This was not a matter to be taken lightly. If she really entered the palace, she might lose her life.

Earlier, First Lady Cui mentioned entering the palace, but her tone didn't seem nervous or resentful. If First Lady Cui knew that Empress Dowager Rongxian had summoned her, she would probably be jumping with anxiety. It seemed that the person her aunt mentioned meeting in the palace was someone else, at least not someone who would harm her.

Song Chuyi pondered for a moment before waving her hand dismissively, "Let's wait a bit longer." She knew well what kind of person the Old Master was. Since he had decided to support the Crown Prince, he would never be indecisive or risk offending him by engaging in such duplicitous actions. She wasn't worried at all.

The First Lady naively believed that by persuading Song Chuyi, she could avoid the old lady's wrath. But that was too simplistic. She didn't understand that Song Chuyi was no longer an ignorant little girl confined to the boudoir, unable to do anything. She underestimated Song Chuyi's importance and overestimated her own.

Previously, the old lady might have considered giving the First Lady, who had been the mistress of the Song family for so many years, some face. But now, the First Lady coming to her room to say these things was truly asking for trouble.

Ningde Courtyard was eerily quiet. Zihui, walking as lightly as a cat, closed the door and came out, signaling urgently to the young mistress in the courtyard. Li Qingzi, anxious and holding back her urge to call out, waited until Zihui pulled her into the courtyard and then asked worriedly, "Mother has been in there for half an hour without a sound. Is the old lady really that angry?"

Zihui sighed and nodded, advising Li Qingzi gravely, "The old lady knows you're here. She wants you to go back and rest, and avoid coming out unnecessarily. Be careful not to disturb the young master in your belly."

Li Qingzi's face turned pale, and she asked in confusion, "What's going on... Mother has always had a good relationship with the old lady. How did it come to this?" Especially now that she was pregnant, the old lady had always treated her with great care and never shut her out like this.

Zihui quickly waved her hand, "It's a long story, and it's no good for you to hear it now that you're with a child. It's best to listen to the old lady and go back to your room. This matter is beyond your control, and the eldest young master will be back soon."

Tears welled up in Li Qingzi's eyes. She bit her lip and, with no other choice, walked away, looking back every few steps.

"You've been married into this family for so many years, and I've never treated you badly." The sudden words from the old lady startled the First Lady. The old lady, without even looking at her, coldly continued, "You've been the matron of the Song family for so many years, and I've never embarrassed you in front of others."

 The First Lady felt increasingly uneasy as if she already knew what the old lady was about to say.

"But you've truly let me down," the old lady indeed delivered words that crushed her, and continued, "Does no one in this family care about the noble consort's life except you? Her father doesn't care, her grandfather doesn't care, I, as her grandmother, don't care, her brother doesn't care. Only you, the kind and benevolent mother, are concerned for her. Is that what you think?"

The First Lady clutched her handkerchief, her lips trembling, unable to refute. "You have no conscience. Ask yourself if you feel guilty," the old lady sneered. "Since she entered the palace at the age of eight, money has flowed like water for her well-being, and you still found it insufficient. Have I ever spoken against you? The eunuchs asking for famine relief took from the public accounts, has anyone in the manor complained? If this is still not enough for you, if this is still not good enough for the noble consort, then you tell me, how should we treat you to make you happy?"

The First Lady's head bowed so low it almost touched the ground, and she finally couldn't hold back her tears, "Mother, I was wrong..."

"The Marquis Mansion will be yours in the future, I know." The old lady's tone remained calm as if discussing the pleasant weather today, but it was so cold and distant that it made people uneasy. "But since it isn't yours yet, don't overstep your bounds! The eldest daughter represents the family's values. Is this how you set an example for the girls of your maternal family? Is this what your parents-in-law taught you?! Ying'er, reflect on your conscience. How did your sister-in-law treat you in the past? Also, consider if, by pushing a nine-year-old child out, Cui Shi might be crying tears of blood by your bedside every night!"

The First Lady shivered violently, feeling all her hairs stand on end. The old lady's words chilled her to the core.  As expected, the old lady indeed questioned the family values of her maternal family. Even when her maternal family was in decline, she never made things difficult for her. But now, her character was being called into question...