The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 192 - Complicated

First Lady Cui had recently often sent things to the siblings, but she had never come in person. Why had she suddenly shown up uninvited now?

Old Lady Song felt something was amiss. Even if they were sending Song Yan off, it seemed too early. As she pondered, the First Lady entered with First Lady Cui, both wearing warm smiles, indicating a pleasant conversation.

First Lady Cui quickly approached, urging the Old Lady to stay seated, "We're family; there's no need for formalities. Don't exhaust yourself."

The Old Lady remained seated, welcoming her, "I was surprised to hear you were coming. If the lunch isn't up to par, don't blame me."

"Not at all," First Lady Cui laughed, dimples showing, "We came unannounced, so we couldn't possibly fault your hospitality."

As the maids served tea, the First Lady excused herself to arrange the lunch. Just then, Luyi rushed in, seemingly alarmed. The First Lady's first thought was of Song Chuyi, and she instinctively asked, "Is it Sixth Miss...?"

Luyi, breathless, shook her head, "It's not our Miss. It's Fourth Miss... She's threatening to kill herself in the small courtyard..."

First Lady Song felt her forehead twitch and quickly instructed Jinling, "Tell the kitchen staff we have guests and prepare the banquet as we did for Princess Zhennan."

With Jinling rushing off, the First Lady couldn't delay further and led Luyi and Nanny Jin to the small courtyard. Even Nanny Xu looked worried, mentioning Fourth Miss was threatening suicide.

Pushing the door open, the First Lady found Song Chumi crying at the table's base. With a complex expression, she knelt to help her up. "The floor is cold; let's get up."

Clinging to the First Lady's hand, even when helped into a chair, Song Chumi begged, "Aunt, please help me... I can't live otherwise..."

"Have you considered what this would do to your mother?" the First Lady asked, withdrawing her hand and sitting beside Song Chumi. She gestured for Jinhuan to fetch some water, then turned to Chumi, her tone gentle yet stern, "You're thinking only of your own happiness. Have you thought about the family's reputation or your mother's? And what about your brother?"

Chumi, ready to argue, was halted by her tears. "Little Fourth, life isn't just about yourself; think of those around you," the First Lady said, patting her shoulder. "Stop doing foolish things and stay calm these next few days. Your mother must be beside herself with worry."

Third Lady Yun, already fearful of her mother-in-law and husband, would be devastated if Chumi truly took her life for such a dishonorable reason. 

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Just a few words had barely passed when First Lady Cui stood up. "Old Lady, I'd like to speak with Xiao Yi."

The Old Lady, expecting First Lady Cui's visit to be more than just a social call, wasn't surprised. "I've already sent for Xiao Yi and Yan'er. They should be here soon. First Lady Cui, feel free to check Xiao Yi's new quarters too."

As soon as she finished speaking, Song Chuyi and Song Yan had already entered, both smiling as they came forward to greet First Lady Cui.

First Lady Cui patted Song Yan's head, marveling at how much he had grown, and then took Song Chuyi's hand, saying she wanted to take a look at her Guanju Courtyard.

Song Chuyi glanced at Old Lady Song in surprise, and after a moment, she realized she should respond, taking First Lady Cui's hand and heading outside. First Lady Cui rarely lost her composure like this; she hadn't even exchanged many words with Song Yan before hurriedly wanting to pull her away, so something must be troubling her.

Sure enough, after walking for a short distance, when First Lady Cui saw there was no one around, she pulled Song Chuyi's hand, seeming a bit anxious: "Xiao Yi, I remember when we were in Tongzhou, you told me that you had a dream, right?"

Her hand gripped Song Chuyi's tightly, eager for an answer.

Song Chuyi placed her other hand over First Lady Cui's and slowly nodded.

"In that dream, did you see the Crown Prince...?" She paused, looking around again, and then asked, her voice trembling with a hint of tears, "Did you dream that the Crown Prince was poisoned?"

Poisoned?! This time, the Crown Prince is seriously ill, and it's not because his condition has worsened, but because he's been poisoned?! Song Chuyi widened her eyes in shock. Who had the audacity to poison the Crown Prince? And how was the poison administered? What kind of poison was it?

She stared at First Lady Cui, slowly shaking her head, her brows furrowing with difficulty as she spoke, "No... In my dream, His Highness the Crown Prince had already... at the end of last year..."

First Lady Cui took a few steps back, looking a bit dejected. She lowered her head to calm her emotions for a moment before reluctantly nodding, "I see..." A gentle breeze lifted her loose hair and garments. After a pause, she looked up at Song Chuyi again, swallowing down other worries, and said softly, "The Empress Dowager wants to see you this time; it's definitely to put you in a difficult position. After all, Wang Jinsi was raised by her..."

But before Song Chuyi could respond, First Lady Cui held her hand again: "But don't be afraid when you go to the palace this time. Just do as you should. With the Empress there, the Empress Dowager won't make things too hard for you..."

"The Empress?" Song Chuyi couldn't help but feel confused. She remembered that the relationship between the Empress and the Empress Dowager wasn't very good. The Emperor had used the excuse of the Empress's poor health to cut down on the morning and evening court sessions, so why would she go to see the Empress Dowager this time?

"Yes," First Lady Cui replied. Although the smile on her face was still somewhat forced, it was much better than before. She held Song Chuyi's hand and said, "The Empress wants to see you. That day, the Crown Prince's son will also be there."

Song Chuyi realized that it was probably Zhou Weizhao who wanted to meet her to learn more about what she had referred to as her dream, especially regarding the Crown Prince's poisoning this time.