The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 189 - Choosing One's Own Path

Old Lady Song cast a glance at Song Chuyi, who was standing quietly, and frowned with increasing disapproval. Despite both being granddaughters, Song Chuyi knew how to be gentle and considerate, endearing herself to others, while Song Chumi remained ungrateful and even had the audacity to say she would marry no one else but her chosen one.

Back when Song Linlang had insisted on choosing her own husband, she at least kept her intentions discreet, never causing a scene as blatantly as Song Chumi did now, broadcasting it to everyone.

The First Lady's gaze grew heavier. She prided herself on her attention to detail, particularly with the girls' marriages in the household. Every suitor was thoroughly vetted, with investigations conducted to ensure there was no carelessness. Yet here her niece was, constantly finding fault with each choice. And now, to declare that she already had someone in mind—this simply threw all the First Lady's careful efforts to the wayside, leaving her utterly embarrassed.

"Where have all the rules you've learned over the years gone?" Old Lady Song scoffed coldly, waiting until Song Chumi had stopped crying. "When elders are speaking, there's no place for you to interrupt, let alone make such incoherent claims. You've been learning from those palace-trained nannies for quite some time now—have you learned nothing at all?"

Tears fell silently as Song Chumi looked up at Old Master Song's impassive face and Old Lady Song's grim expression. She dared not make another outburst. She knew that her grandfather held family values and reputation in high regard. If she kept crying and disregarded decorum, he might actually take action she would regret.

"Grandmother..." she began, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. "I heard that Aunt herself chose her husband... Grandfather, Grandmother, I just wish to marry someone I truly care about..."

The mere mention left Old Lady Song looking stricken. Letting her daughter choose her own husband and giving her free rein to decide had turned into a longstanding regret in her heart. Now that Song Chumi used Song Linlang as an example, Old Lady Song could no longer contain her anger, bursting out, "Enough! Be quiet!"

Song Chumi shrank back in fright, her words were swallowed back, but her tears fell even harder. After all, she hadn't said anything untrue. Her aunt had indeed chosen her own husband, who now served as a prefect in Qingzhou, and her aunt even held a title of nobility. What was wrong with that?

The First Lady sighed, cautiously observing Old Lady Song and Old Master Song's expressions before she turned to her troublesome niece. "You're still young and don't understand the intricacies of marriage... Grandmother and I would never harm you. Even if you don't trust our judgment, surely you believe in your mother's? She personally reviewed all the candidates for you..."

"I may not understand marriage, but I know that true feelings are what matter..." Song Chumi retorted without thinking, raising her voice. "What's the point of spending a lifetime with someone I've barely met? I'd rather die!"

Old Lady Song clenched her jaw, exchanging a look with Old Master Song, who was equally displeased.

"Then tell us," Old Master Song said, holding Old Lady Song's hand as he calmly but firmly demanded, "who is this person you claim to be so deeply in love with?"

By propriety, such a conversation shouldn't be heard by a young girl like Song Chuyi, but everyone knew she was not like most girls her age, so her presence was overlooked.

Old Lady Song beckoned Song Chuyi over to sit by her side, her expression still grim.

Song Chumi bit her lip, hesitating, before finally whispering, "It's... it's the young master from the Zhang family..."

The Zhang Family?!

Everyone in the room furrowed their brows, momentarily stunned. While there were indeed several Zhang families with whom they associated, there was only one that came to mind who had been frequently present recently...

The First Lady's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Song Chumi, her voice trembling with hesitation. "Surely... you're not referring to the one from Lord Zhang's household..." When she saw that Song Chumi didn't deny it, she was so shocked her eyes nearly bulged. "But he's already married!"

The Zhang family had a distant kinship with the Third Lady's maternal family, and given that both resided in the capital, the elders had reconnected, resulting in a rather close relationship. But every one of the Zhang family's younger generation was already married!

At this, Song Chuyi turned to Song Chumi, shock evident in her gaze, her palms growing clammy with a layer of cold sweat. Song Chumi was an inexperienced young girl, but the men in the Zhang family certainly weren't. Especially those young gentlemen—they were all married and could hardly be ignorant of what pursuing a Marquis's daughter would entail. Unless they had ulterior motives from the start.

Old Lady Song's face broke into a thin, bitter smile as she raised her hand, unable to control her frustration, and hurled her teacup at Song Chumi. "Do you have any sense at all?! Do you realize that if word of this gets out, your reputation will be ruined for life?!"

Old Master Song had not expected his granddaughter to be so brazen, and his mind buzzed, reeling with thoughts similar to Song Chuyi's. The Zhang family men were no ignorant country bumpkins. Why would they approach the daughter of the Marquis of Changning's household without a clear motive?

Clutching her handkerchief, Song Chumi finally appeared somewhat ashamed. Still, gritting her teeth, she forced herself to endure the pain as she cried out, "He refused to make me a mere concubine! He said he'd take me as a secondary wife..."

But in respectable families, was there really such a thing as taking on a secondary wife?

To Song Chuyi, her cousin suddenly seemed both pitiable and pathetic, as if she were looking at her past self—just as unreasonable, heedless of face and dignity, and as insufferable. Song Chumi thought she had found someone who truly loved her, but to everyone else, she appeared ensnared by delusion, casting away all sense of decorum and respect.

Everyone stood in shocked silence at her words, and the First Lady opened her mouth several times but couldn't find words to respond.

Old Lady Song no longer wished to speak to Song Chumi. Turning to the First Lady, she forced down her simmering rage. "Send a letter and tell her mother to come back."