The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 187 - Bad News

Chen Jinxin surprisingly had such a valuable item in her hands and was willing to give it away casually. Song Chuyi looked at her in shock and happened to catch a glimpse of her pitch-black eyes, which were also looking at her, still cold and devoid of any warmth or emotion as always.

"Sixth Miss, please don't take it to heart. I truly have something to ask of you, which is why I'm trying to please you," she said, a sickly flush appearing on her sunken cheeks. After coughing for a moment, she lowered her eyes and stated matter-of-factly, "I know that Fourth Young Master is about to travel to Shuzhong to study under the esteemed Tang Mingzhao. Tang Mingzhao is a peculiar and pedantic scholar; you must be worried about what gift to send him. Sending gold, silver, and jewels might make you seem overly materialistic, while sending antiques or paintings could come off as pretentious. This Analects hand-copied by Wang Xianzhi is probably just what he would appreciate."

Song Chuyi focused on the latter part of her statement, closed the lid, and handed the item to Luyi, who was waiting behind her. She smiled leisurely and said, "If that's the case, then I will gladly oblige. I wonder what I can do to help Sister Chen? I will certainly do my best."

Song Yan indeed needed a gift that would make a fresh impression on Tang Mingzhao, and this hand-copied Analects was perfect—worth more than gold and hard to come by.

For Chen Jinxin to give away something so precious, what she asked in return was bound to be significant.

"It's nothing much," she said, her eyes brightening slightly when she saw that Song Chuyi had accepted the item, and her tone even held a rare hint of emotion. "I just wanted to ask Sixth Miss for a little help in finding a quiet manor... Since you all dared to take the secret letter, you must have foolproof plans. Still, I can't be completely at ease... Though I may no longer have a will to live, the people around me still have families; they shouldn't suffer along with me."

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Sanniang. The detachment in her eyes softened, revealing a trace of affection. This newfound warmth, paired with her excessively thin features, gave her a touch of liveliness.

Luyi's eyes started to redden, and Song Chuyi suddenly recalled her own final moments in her past life: blooming orchids outside the window, herself inside—emaciated, on the brink of death, filled with despair, and Luyi crying uncontrollably by her side...

The scene before her was all too similar to that time. She didn't know if she had once looked at Luyi with the same expression, or if she, too, had appeared as pitiable as Chen Jinxin did now. Yet, her heart softened inevitably.

"Miss Chen's concerns are entirely reasonable, and the request is perfectly appropriate. If you truly don't want to live in the Marquis Residence anymore, you could discuss it openly with Grandmother..." She cleared her tightened throat and, forcing herself to speak calmly, added, "There's really no need to send me such a valuable gift—it just benefits me in the end."

Chen Jinxin waved her hand weakly and smiled. "I already mentioned it to Old Lady, but she's not comfortable letting me go out alone. Yet, in this state... what future is there to discuss? The Marquis Residence could keep me here for my own good, but I don't want Sanniang and the others to spend their lives muddling through like this. I'd like to find a manor in Jiangnan, to live quietly for a few years with Sanniang and her family."

Old Lady Song was likely worried about the secret letter, fearing that they might be found by Chen Xiang. Logically, staying in the Marquis Residence was indeed safer than going elsewhere, providing some measure of security for Chen Jinxin. After all, as long as the Marquis Residence remained, they could live in peace.

However, Chen Jinxin's concerns were valid too, showing her long-term consideration for Sanniang and the others. Chen Jinxin probably didn't have much time left, and after she passed, even if the Marquis Residence wanted to help, they could at most keep Sanniang and the others as servants or perhaps just give them some silver to send them back to their hometown. Her arrangements for them were undoubtedly better thought out.

"I'll speak with Grandmother and Grandfather about it," Song Chuyi nodded, feeling a pang in her heart as she saw a genuine smile on Chen Jinxin's gaunt face. "Just promise me, Sister Chen, if you really do leave for somewhere else, take good care of yourself. No matter how things are, Old Lady Su always has your best interests at heart..."

Old Lady Song had never seen Song Chuyi looking so drained; it was as though visiting Tingyun Pavilion had sapped all her energy, leaving her eyes misty and devoid of her usual vivacious spirit.

"What's wrong?" She pulled Song Chuyi close and looked her over carefully before turning slightly to ask Luyi, "How did she come back from Miss Chen's place in such low spirits?"

Song Chuyi turned back and held onto Old Lady Song's hand, which was slightly aged but still warm, finally feeling herself pull out of the nightmare of her past life. "Grandmother... I have a favor to ask of you..."

Her voice, tinged with a choking sob, left Old Lady Song startled, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Please help find a suitable place for Miss Chen and arrange things for her and her servants..." Song Chuyi clasped Old Lady Song's hands, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up with a nearly reverent plea.

Old Lady Song was stunned for a moment, then gently pressed Song Chuyi's head against her chest, soothingly stroking her back.

Although Song Chuyi had never spoken of the nightmare that haunted her since the death of Lady Li, Old Lady Song knew she had never truly escaped it. Every time she knelt in the ancestral hall to pay respects to Lady Cui, the terror and despair in her eyes was heart-wrenching to witness.

Perhaps she saw a reflection of herself in Miss Chen, and that was why she wished to fulfill Miss Chen's request.

Old Lady Song sighed as she continued to pat her back. "Since you ask it, naturally I will agree. But, my dear Chuyi..." She gently held Song Chuyi's shoulders and moved her back a little, looking straight into her eyes. "The events in dreams are opposite to reality. Look, your elder brother is well, and we are all safe and sound... You are a good child, so please don't..."

She hadn't finished her sentence when Yushu's voice called from outside, announcing that Old Master Song was entering.

Old Master Song didn't have time to ask what had brought them to tears, his expression serious and with a hint of concealed worry as he sighed, "It seems something has happened at the Eastern Palace. All the palace physicians have been summoned there..."

The Crown Prince's health had always been poor; it was said that ever since his fortieth birthday, he often coughed blood and depended on medicine to survive. Realizing that the Crown Prince had already lived nearly half a year longer than in her past life, an ominous feeling suddenly washed over Song Chuyi.