The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 166 - Visitors

For three consecutive days, the First Lady had not seen Eldest Master Song. Whenever she sent someone to call for him, they said he hadn't returned or had gone to the concubine's room. She had never had such a cold war with her husband and felt every moment was unbearable torture, losing weight noticeably in just a few days.

Nanny Jin entered silently, with a look of regret on her face. Upon seeing the First Lady, she sighed, "The Master is resting in another room..."

Again! the First Lady exhaled heavily, feeling dizzy and disoriented. She thought, "I made just one mistake, and the Song family punishes me like this!" With the day to enter the palace approaching, she was both nervous and anxious, uncertain of the old lady and old master's intentions. She couldn't help but stand up, supporting herself, and said faintly, "Go to Sixth Miss's place."

In difficult situations, one must lower their head. The reason for Eldest Master Song and the elders' anger was, after all, Song Chuyi. Thinking this, her eyes dimmed, feeling both sour and bitter, she straightened her clothes and led the way out. Jin Ling and Jin Huan exchanged glances, hurriedly packing up and following, feeling anxious.

Previously, they had never cared about the other girls outside the main house, thinking they would eventually be separated. But now, seeing the current situation, they had different thoughts. However, upon arriving at Ningde Courtyard, they found it empty. Luyi, doing needlework in the corridor, stood up quickly, "First Lady, our Miss is not at home, she just went to the old lady's place."

The First Lady didn't dare to face the situation at Ningde Courtyard, as the old lady had explicitly instructed her to stay in her room and reflect on her actions. She nodded to indicate she understood and turned to leave, only to run into Nanny Jin, who looked anxious and hurried. Fearing another problem, she asked, "What's the matter? Why are you in such a rush?"

Nanny Jin, not daring to delay, quickly reported, "Someone from the gate reported that Commander Chen of the Jinyiwei is here..."

Chen Xiang?! the First Lady instinctively thought of the ill-fated day for the Su family and asked, unsure and bewildered, "Why is he here so late?"

"He says he has some matters to discuss with our old lady," Nanny Jin's voice trembled, likely scared by Chen Xiang's reputation. "He's still waiting outside."

The First Lady steadied herself and immediately instructed Nanny Jin, "Go find the master and tell him Commander Chen is here. Tonight, our old master is on duty..."

Faced with such a significant matter, surely her husband wouldn't ignore his own family?

The First Lady thought for a moment and then took Jin Ling and Jin Huan to Ningde Courtyard. Since Chen Xiang had come late at night and only sought to see the old lady, it indicated he wasn't here for official business. Given that it wasn't official business, he was just a special guest, nothing worth panicking over. She decided it was proper to inform the old lady.

The old lady was talking to Song Chuyi. When she heard the First Lady was here, she snorted and smiled slightly. "Ask her what she wants," the old lady directed Yushu. "If it's about changing the window screens and curtains, tell her no, and to go rest."

Song Chuyi tugged at the old lady's sleeve, and the old lady coughed, holding back harsher words.

"And you!" she turned to scold Song Chuyi. "Why do you still care about her face at this point? She's over forty, deceiving a nine-year-old to die, acting like a scorpion. She deserves a harsh lesson to remember her place."

Being the matron of a noble family, if she kept acting this way, who knew how many mistakes and jokes she'd make in the future. The old lady felt that curing the First Lady's selfishness required strong measures.

"I know you care for me, grandmother," Song Chuyi peeled a grape for the old lady, using a jade pin to offer it. "But she's still my elder. If you scold her in front of me, she'll feel humiliated, and others might think you're biased. It would lead to misunderstandings and more trouble."

The Song family didn't intend to replace the matron; they simply wanted the First Lady to acknowledge her mistakes. Appropriate cold treatment and lessons were necessary, but going too far might cause misunderstandings and unnecessary trouble. Song Chuyi's plan to involve Luyi was to make the First Lady realize that such behavior could lead to isolation. Seeing her goal was nearly achieved, she knew it was time to stop, to avoid further issues.

The old lady sighed. "Xiaoyi, this matter was indeed poorly thought out by her, and the Noble Consort is too selfish." She gently touched Song Chuyi's head, her gaze distant. "The Noble Consort wasn't always like this. Perhaps she's been in the palace too long, losing trust in family. We need to have a talk, she can't keep acting on her assumptions."

Misunderstandings between them could be catastrophic. Song Chuyi nodded and signaled Yushu, who, relieved, smiled and left. The First Lady, waiting outside anxiously, relaxed a bit seeing Yushu. "Is the old lady available?"

"Sixth Miss is with her, just about to call you," Yushu's comforting words eased the First Lady, who was ushered in with care.

The First Lady entered, seeing the old lady and Song Chuyi looking at her. Nervously gripping her handkerchief, she softly said, "Old lady, the gatekeeper reported that Commander Chen seeks an audience with you."