The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 200 - Conspiracy

Translator Xiaobai: Book 2 is on my page :)

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The Zhang family had long been the pawns of Prince Duan, often assisting him in covering up various matters over the years. This time, wasn't it Lord Zhang who was the most lively and vocal about the affairs of Xingfu?

Song Chuyi's suspicion grew stronger in her heart, and she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Fourth Sister, you're right. Right now, the only ones who can sway Grandfather and Grandmother are probably just me."

After she finished speaking, she noticed Song Chumi's gaze suddenly fixate on her. She lowered her eyes and patted her painfully bumped shoulder, then asked with genuine concern, "But no matter how good that young man from the Zhang family is, he is still a married man. I'm really afraid you might suffer because of this... And how long have you known him? How can you dare to open your heart to him?"

Seeing how sincere Song Chuyi was being, Song Chumi finally felt a glimmer of hope. She shook Song Chuyi's hand excitedly. "He's serious! He has already promised my uncle that he will give me a proper status. His father even visited my uncle's house in person..." As she spoke, her cheeks flushed, revealing the shyness of a young girl. "He truly cares for me. But you also know how my mother is... She wrote a letter scolding my grandmother and uncle harshly, telling me to give up on this hope. Grandmother and Grandfather are eager to replace me... That's why I panicked and sought help from you."

The grandmother and uncle she mentioned were the stepmother and half-brother from the Yun family. Although Yun Shi still held some reservations about them, Song Chumi, without any qualms, seemed utterly unaware of the dangers of the world or perhaps was simply blinded by love.

However, Song Chuyi had already asked most of her questions, and it seemed unlikely that she could elicit any more information from Song Chumi. After thinking for a moment, she gently inquired again, "So, does that young master from the Zhang family have any proof to show for it? What if Grandfather and Grandmother really agree, but when we go to the Zhang family, they deny everything? What would we do then?"

Song Chumi let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, there is! It's with my grandmother. She said I shouldn't carry it with me, otherwise, if others say we are engaging in secret transactions..."

Song Chuyi patted Song Chumi's hand and offered a reassuring smile. "Since that's the case, I'll be at ease. But you can't keep sneaking out like this; those maids from Ningde Courtyard will probably be punished... By the way, Fourth Sister, how did you manage to get out? The people trained by Nanny Huang are not easy to deal with."

Feeling relieved, Song Chumi regained her previous composure and let out a proud hum. "My wet nurse helped me sort everything out..."

She looked at Song Chuyi, adopting a sisterly demeanor. "Sixth Sister, you're different from me. At least I have my own father and mother; you... you can't rely on your second uncle. If anything were to happen to you in the palace, what would Yan'er do? Listen to me, if you help me this time, I'll tell you how to avoid the Empress Dowager's traps. What do you say?"

Before long, Nanny Huang and others hurriedly came to take Song Chumi away. Song Chuyi stood in place for a moment, her expression cold and emotionless as she instructed Ziyun and Qingtao, "Come with me to see the old lady."

The Zhang family truly had a cruel and cunning approach. She wrapped her cloak tighter around her shoulders and quickened her pace.

When she arrived at Ningde Courtyard, she coincidentally met Nanny Huang as they entered the courtyard one after the other. Upon hearing it was her arrival, Yushu came out personally to greet her, looking weary. "Why has Sixth Miss come so late? How many lanterns are you holding? Be careful not to drop them!"

Song Chuyi knew that Song Chumi's situation had caused her grandmother unnecessary trouble. Gently taking her hand, she led her into the room, her voice as light as a feather. "I need to see Grandmother urgently. It seems you won't be able to sleep well tonight. Later, let Sister Yulan prepare a bowl of jelly for you, so you won't have a sore throat in the morning."

Yushu smiled and lifted the curtain to let her in, then discreetly stepped back to stand outside with Qingtao and a few others.

Old Lady Song was fuming over Song Chumi's escapade. Upon seeing Chuyi, she waved her over, her worry evident. "She went to your place? Did she disturb you?"

Song Chuyi shook her head to reassure her grandmother, her gaze bright and focused. "Grandmother, I'm afraid Fourth Sister's matter isn't as simple as it seems..."

Old Lady Song's expression turned serious as she nodded for Chuyi to continue.

"Even though it's late, we still need to summon Grandfather and Uncle." Song Chuyi lowered her voice. "I've already sent Sister Yushu and my maids to guard outside."

Her words were vague, but Old Lady Song took a deep look outside—Song Chumi had managed to evade the numerous maids and attendants in the house and slip away. It indeed made one feel wary of the people in Ningde Courtyard.

"Alright." She patted Song Chuyi's hand and instructed the just-entering Nanny Li, "Go find the old master and the eldest master in the study and bring them here."

"What's got you so anxious?" As soon as Old Master Song stepped in and saw Song Chuyi, he looked surprised. "Why is Xiao Yi here as well? It's not a short distance from the garden. You're not scared and came back to trouble your grandmother, are you?"

Eldest Master Song also looked at Song Chuyi and smiled. "It's just that there's a lake and water at Guanju Courtyard; you need to bring enough people and be careful not to slip."

Old Lady Song couldn't manage a smile. She shook her head, her expression serious, and recounted how Song Chumi had gone to find Song Chuyi: "I heard it was her wet nurse who helped her. It's quite rare to hear such a thing; I hadn't realized she had such a capable wet nurse."

They had placed Song Chumi in Ningde Courtyard to prevent any further incidents, but it was only the first night, and such a thing had already happened. If she could easily run to Song Chuyi's side, what if she wanted to leave through the west corner gate? Could she just slip away like that?

Old Master Song smirked coldly. He had already been angered by Song Chumi's earlier insistence on becoming a concubine to a married man, and this new development only made him angrier.

"If she truly can't stay put, let's send her to the ancestral temple for some discipline tonight. There's no need to wait for her mother to come back." He glanced at Old Lady Song and sneered, "Otherwise, if we wait too long, she might just sneak off to the Zhang family at night."

Eldest Master Song had intended to plead for her but decided against it.