The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 199 - Intrigue

The thought of entering the palace made Song Yan break out in a cold sweat, especially since even during the banquet, his uncle and aunt seemed distracted, deepening his anxiety. He stood in the corridor, staring blankly at the ornate screen wall, occasionally glancing upstairs.

He didn't know how long he had waited, but finally, he saw Song Chuyi come downstairs. He hurried forward, took her hand, and asked anxiously, "Sister, what did Grandfather say to you?"

Song Chuyi thought for a moment, then asked him bluntly, "Back when Fifth Aunt's incident happened, you knew it was my doing, didn't you?"

At that time, both Song Jie and Song Chubin had tried to inquire about the situation, but Old Lady Song had deflected them with a few words. However, Song Yan was a perceptive child, and he must have noticed something with her frequent visits to Song Chengru's study during that period.

Song Yan hesitated before nodding—he had always known his sister wasn't as weak and docile as she appeared on the surface.

Song Chuyi smiled faintly, smoothing his clothes as she lowered her gaze. "Because of that matter, I'm facing a small complication. That's why the Empress Dowager has summoned me to the palace."

Song Yan, struggling with fear, gripped her hand tightly, his palms slightly damp with cold sweat. "But... Fifth Aunt... she's the Empress Dowager's niece..."

Song Chuyi was gratified to see he understood the implication. She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his palm dry, her voice as calm and reassuring as ever. "That's why I said it's a small complication. But Yan'er, I wouldn't have acted if I weren't confident. I'll make sure to protect myself for your sake too. Don't worry."

Song Yan held her hand even tighter, lifting his gaze to her radiant eyes, clear as stars, and said each word firmly, "When I grow up, I'll make sure to shield you from all these troubles."

Song Chuyi smiled, dimples forming on her cheeks as her bright eyes crinkled in delight. "Alright, I'll wait for that day."

She thought of the wish she'd made to the Buddha and was certain it would come true. Song Yan wouldn't be carelessly sidelined like in her past life, wouldn't be treated as an outcast of the Song family, and certainly wouldn't be hastily sent to a ghost marriage, buried alive in a cold coffin.

Watching Song Yan being escorted back to the Zhuzhou Pavilion, Song Chuyi crossed the arch bridge with a light heart and headed back to her Guanjiu Courtyard. However, just as she caught sight of Qingtao raising her hand to knock on the door, someone bumped into her, causing her to stumble.

"Are you blind?!" Ziyun, rarely losing her temper, shone the bright lantern in her hand directly onto the face of the person who'd collided with her. "How do you plan to make it up if you've hurt Miss?"

But the moment she saw who it was, her words cut off abruptly, and the rest of her scolding died in her throat.

"F-Fourth Miss...?" Holding up the lantern, Ziyun tilted her head slightly to look at Song Chuyi, her face full of uncertainty and surprise.

"Song Chumi?!" Supported by Luyi, Song Chuyi didn't have time to check her painfully bumped shoulder before she raised her eyes to see the figure that had collided with her, illuminated by the lantern's light.

Qingtao also hurried over with a lantern, and as the two lanterns shone on the person, her features were revealed clearly.

Song Chuyi looked at her in surprise, and before she could speak, Song Chumi rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "Help me!"

Using her height to her advantage, Song Chumi held onto Song Chuyi tightly, afraid she might escape. Her nails dug into Song Chuyi's flesh through her clothing.

It was surprising that Song Chumi, who should have been in Ningde Courtyard, had managed to come out and run directly to Guanjiu Courtyard in the garden. This definitely couldn't be a coincidence.

Song Chuyi paused for a moment, enduring the pain as she exchanged glances with Ziyun. The maids quickly helped pull Song Chuyi out of Song Chumi's grasp, half coaxing and half forcing her away.

With so many maids and attendants in Ningde Courtyard, even if most had returned to their homes at night, there should have been layers of guards. How did Song Chumi get out so easily?

Ignoring the expression on Song Chuyi's face, Song Chumi cried like a baby, gripping her hand desperately for help. "Sixth Sister, you have to help me... If my mother comes back, I'm done for!"

The Third Lady, Yun Shi, had always been small-minded, perhaps because she was raised by a stepmother, so she never knew how to interact with children properly. Since Song Chumi had been raised by her, she had inherited this flaw.

It was similar to her marriage proposal; she believed that Old Lady Song and Old Master Song were being biased and refused to compromise.

Song Chuyi couldn't quite determine her feelings toward Song Chumi at this moment—there was disdain and frustration for the girl who mirrored her past self, as well as a sense of disappointment.

That illegitimate son from the Zhang family was clearly not a good person. He already had a wife and children, yet still acted like a romantic saint. Song Chuyi couldn't understand how someone who usually appeared so shrewd like Song Chumi could fail to see something so straightforward.

She glanced behind Ziyun and subtly nodded at Qingtao. Understanding her cue, Qingtao quickly ran off into the night.

Facing Song Chuyi, Song Chumi took Song Chuyi's handkerchief to wipe her tears. "I really have no other choice, Sixth Sister. The Old Lady and Old Master will listen to you. Please help me, and I'll help you..."

Her voice floated in the night breeze, making it somewhat difficult for Song Chuyi to hear.

Then, Song Chumi took a step forward, leaning close to Song Chuyi's ear, and whispered, "Xiao Yi, you're going to the palace. You know the Empress Dowager hates you and our family because of Fifth Aunt's incident... If you help me, I'll tell you how to avoid this. What do you think?"

Suddenly, the vague thoughts that had been drifting in Song Chuyi's mind became clear. She turned her head to look at Song Chumi, locking eyes with her as she slowly spoke, "Did Young Master Zhang tell you this?"

Previously, her suspicions had no clear connection, but Song Chumi's words illuminated everything. The Zhang family's connection with Song Chumi, the crown prince's poisoning, her impending visit to the palace—everything seemed too coincidental.

She hadn't considered that the target of Empress Dowager Rongxian might not be just her. Although Noble Consort Song had taken all the blame upon herself, the Empress Dowager probably wouldn't be satisfied with just punishing a young girl from the Song family to vent her anger. What she truly wanted might be to bury the entire Song family alongside Wang Jinsi.

This speculation left her stunned, making her feel a chill run down her spine. If that were the case, things were about to get... interesting.

After hesitating several times, Song Chumi nodded. She fought to keep herself from crying out and urgently grasped Song Chuyi's hand. "You must believe me. Young Master Zhang's sister is going to the palace soon to be the ninth princess's companion. If you help me and Young Master Zhang, we will help you too."