The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 185 - The Rumor

Song Chengru had just changed into his casual clothes when he overheard Old Lady Song speaking with Song Chuyi. "Since it's been decided, it's best to act sooner rather than later. Once the situation here in the capital is settled, we'll send Yan'er to Shuzhong."

They were discussing sending Song Yan to Shuzhong. Though he had anticipated that Song Chuyi would eventually agree, he hadn't expected her to make the decision so quickly. Emerging from behind the partition, he noticed faint dark circles under her eyes and called out to her.

"Grandfather, are you on break today?" Song Chuyi stood up to pay her respects, a bit puzzled. "The Cabinet should be swamped to the brim lately. How did the Prime Minister spare you to come home?"

Although the matter with Xingfu was over, the wide-reaching web of people involved meant it couldn't be resolved easily. Just the ledger of Xingfu and Xing'an's allies alone piled thickly on a table. In recent days, the Jinyiwei had surrounded several noble residences in the capital, arresting many, leaving everyone on edge.

The Cabinet was equally overwhelmed by the mess Xingfu had left behind. Of course, the prefect of Tongzhou and the guards who protected the granary deserved commendation, but there was still no consensus on how to deal with Ye Jingchuan's group—whether they should be punished or rewarded. Grand Secretary Chen insisted on rewarding them, while Grand Secretary Zhang was nearly ready to bite off his ear in protest, arguing that Ye Jingchuan, after all, was the one who led the wolf into the fold and at most deserved credit only as a sinner atoning for his crimes. But those were minor issues compared to the real headache: who should be appointed to replace the position at Zijing Pass.

The Ministry of War had provided a list of candidates, all with adequate credentials, yet each backed by complex connections. The Cabinet members were old foxes and could see through it clearly, so no decision had been made yet.

Song Chengru thought of these matters and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. "If they never get any rest, how can they withstand the chaos they deal with every day?" He made a lighthearted comment, then turned to Old Lady Song. "Since it's decided that Yan'er will go to Shuzhong, has anyone been chosen to escort him?"

Old Lady Song pondered briefly before answering, "We'd already planned for this. If he really does go, Qin Chuan will definitely need to accompany him. That young Qin boy is clever, so he can act as Yan'er's study companion. The Tang family has strict rules... They said he's only allowed to bring one study companion."

Song Chengru nodded thoughtfully and looked at Song Chuyi. "Since they have this rule, and since we're sincerely seeking a teacher for him, we should comply. Besides, their restriction is likely to prevent Yan'er from bringing any aristocratic airs with him. If he can learn well, it'll benefit him too."

Song Chuyi, of course, knew this was all for Song Yan's future. She didn't want her brother to be raised into a life of idleness like in their past life, nor did she want him to become a spoiled noble like Shen Qingrang and his peers. She nodded earnestly in response.

Song Chengru and Old Lady Song exchanged a glance and shared a smile of satisfaction.

Old Lady Song then began speaking quietly of other matters. "That day, you have no idea. I was anxious the entire day, couldn't even close my eyes..."

He, too, had been nervous, so he could only imagine what Old Lady Song had felt. Old Master Song patted her hand.

"It was truly a close call. If not for Prime Minister Chang's secret letter at the last moment, Xingfu's punishment might still be up in the air..." Old Lady Song sighed, the fear still lingering. "Thankfully, Xiao Yi and you both made preparations; otherwise, the consequences would've been unthinkable. But although Chen Xiang came out of this unscathed, he already suspected we had the letter. Now that it's been handed over—though through Prime Minister Chang—he may still trace it back to us..."

Everyone knew Chen Xiang was deeply entangled with Xingfu, but as a commander of the Jinyiwei, he was cautious, leaving no evidence. While others might suspect his close ties to Xingfu, there was no concrete proof against him.

"Killing the tiger only halfway... If it has time to recover, it'll be a real problem." Old Lady Song sighed with worry. "We should be prepared sooner rather than later."

Old Master Song didn't seem too concerned. Smiling, he glanced at Song Chuyi, signaling her to explain to Old Lady Song.

Song Chuyi linked arms with Old Lady Song, a rare playful grin on her face. "You don't need to worry about that. Grandfather anticipated that Xingfu and Chen Xiang might not be taken down in one sweep, so he made contingency plans. This letter... since Prime Minister Chang submitted it, even the Emperor will hear it's unrelated to us. When handing it over to Prime Minister Chang, we'd already told him that he'd received it from Su Yi's people, so it has nothing to do with us."

Since the letter was originally in the hands of the Su family, it was clear Lady Su's tearful pleas of innocence were a sham.

So if Chen Xiang wanted revenge, he should target the Su family. What did it have to do with the Songs?

Old Lady Song's face brightened with sudden clarity, a smile breaking through. "You two, old and young alike, are truly crafty!"

Whatever sympathy she'd had for the Su family vanished after their betrayal involving Chen Xiang and the letter. If their roles had been reversed, the Su family would've thrown the Songs under the bus without hesitation. Given that the letter originally belonged to them, saying it came from Su Yi was bound to convince someone as suspicious as Chen Xiang.

The men of the Su family were truly dark-hearted; today's outcome was merely their comeuppance.

Before long, the Eldest Master Song arrived with Song Jue, mentioning the latest Jinyiwei movements. "Today, they surrounded the residence of Marquis Jinxiang. It wasn't confiscated, but I hear he was reprimanded under an imperial decree for his unseemly behavior and illicit wealth..."

The Marquis of Jinxiang's estate was, in fact, the family of the old lady of Duke Ying's residence, now also entangled in the scandal. Old Lady Song frowned, "No wonder the lady of Duke Ying's heir has been visiting us so often. She really is involved in the Xingfu matter."

Song Jue sneered, "Although they hadn't fully allied with Xingfu, they certainly benefited from his influence. Now that Xingfu is finished, they're naturally more anxious than anyone else. Now that the Marquis of Jinxiang has been reprimanded, and given the old lady's relationship with you, she might come herself to ask you for a favor..."

"Maybe not." Song Chuyi smiled, joining in, "She's still the elder sister of Dowager Consort Zhuang and might choose to ask her instead."

Dowager Consort Zhuang was closely allied with Empress Dowager Rongxian, and with Shen Xiaohai's character, he'd definitely take advantage of that connection.