The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 32 - Entering the Palace

This was Song Chuyi's second time entering the palace in this life. Compared to her deep resentment towards the Changning Palace of Empress Dowager Rongxian during her first visit, she was much calmer this time.

With her thoughts eased, she naturally had the leisure to appreciate the scenery of Fengzao Palace. Compared to the Fengzao Palace where Prince Duan's side consort resided in her previous life, Noble Consort Song had arranged this place in a much simpler and more charming manner. At first glance, it didn't seem remarkable, but the deeper one went, the more breathtaking it became. Everything was placed just right.

Girls from prestigious families pay great attention to such details, but managing a large palace in a way that doesn't flaunt wealth while still exuding elegance is no easy task. In this regard, Noble Consort Song was indeed well taught by Old Lady Song; at least in terms of taste, she was a very refined person.

The twelve-panel mud-gilded screen depicting noble ladies was wide open in the main hall, and six palace maids welcomed Old Lady Song and her party inside. Old Lady Song led the First Lady and Song Chuyi in a deep bow.

Noble Consort Song hurriedly stopped them, personally descending from her seat to support Old Lady Song with one hand and the First Lady with the other, tears brimming in her eyes as she called out, "Grandmother!" before breaking down in sobs.

Since the last time when people from the Empress's palace took several individuals from her palace and after Old Lady Song had given her some stern advice, her heart had been in her throat without a moment's peace. Just the thought that Empress Dowager Rongxian had planted spies and so-called evidence in her palace made her feel cold with fear.

If it hadn't been for the swift notification from the Song family and the Empress's protection, it wouldn't have been the late Princess Shijia who died but rather her, Song Chuchen, and everyone in the Song family...

At the same time, she also keenly sensed the mistakes she had made in the past. Perhaps the Emperor's attitude had given her a false sense of security; she always thought that after all, Rongxian was the Empress Dowager. But in reality... in reality, the Empress and Empress Dowager Rongxian had long been at the brink of a confrontation, and the Emperor's lingering feelings for the Empress Dowager were indeed insufficient to protect her from running amok.

Ironically, she had even pushed her younger sister out to ease her own troubles...

Recalling this, her face turned a mix of blue and white, and it took her a while to regain her composure as she stared at Song Chuyi and asked, "Is this the Sixth Sister?"

She carefully examined Song Chuyi for a moment and couldn't help but praise her—she had inherited the best traits of Song Yi and Cui Zhanmei, looking truly charming, with sparkling eyes that seemed to speak, making her instantly likable.

"Indeed." The First Lady wiped her tears and looked at Noble Consort Song, who was breaking into a smile. "Come to think of it, you have never met her before."

Noble Consort Song gestured for Old Lady Song and the First Lady to sit down, pressed her lips together, and smiled. "Speaking of which, among these sisters, only the Second and Third Sisters still have some resemblance in my memory... It's been too long since I entered the palace. In a few more years, I'm afraid I won't even remember the Second and Third Sisters..."

In the past, when Song Chuxuan was still in the Pingyang Marquis's residence, they might have seen each other during the festivals, but now that she was divorced, it would indeed be difficult to meet again. As for Song Chuwan, she was only married to a mere seventh-rank Hanlin compiler. Although her future seemed bright, who knew how many years it would take for her to gain enough seniority to enter the palace for an audience or participate in a palace banquet?

Thinking of this made the First Lady even more melancholic. She covered her eyes with a handkerchief for a while before moving it away, forcing a smile to comfort her daughter. "Don't say such discouraging things... This time, your Second Sister might indeed be turning misfortune into a blessing. If she lives well in the future, it's her fortune. Isn't it better than her life in the Pingyang Marquis's residence?"

Noble Consort Song looked at Old Lady Song in surprise, then at the First Lady, frowning slightly in confusion. "Are Grandmother and Mother trying to find a new family for Xuan'er? But it hasn't even been a year since her divorce... Besides, in a place like the capital, rumors are always to be feared... In my opinion, it would be better to wait a few more years until the gossip dies down before arranging this matter, so that it seems we've acted with kindness and righteousness."

First Lady Song quickly shook her head, realizing that Song Chuxuan was, after all, her own flesh and blood, so whether she was doing well or not was extremely important. This time, since Lady Yu took the initiative to propose a match for Song Chuxuan, and the family she mentioned was a prominent one from Jiangyin, with an excellent reputation, such an opportunity was truly rare. Once it was missed, it would be difficult to find another like it.

"No, no, no." She quickly waved her hand and smiled at Noble Consort Song. "This is not in the capital. To be honest, I haven't mentioned this to Your Highness yet. It was First Lady Cui who personally arranged it. Though her guarantee is undoubtedly reliable, Old Lady Song was very cautious this time, specifically instructing First Lady Cui to have them come to the capital to meet us in person. We also sent people to Jiangyin to investigate..."

If that's the case, it's indeed a good thing. After all, she's her younger sister, and Noble Consort Song naturally hoped for her well-being, not her misfortune. Hearing this, she nodded and then asked about Li Qingzi, "I've heard that preparations to mobilize were made a while ago. How come it's been over ten days, and there's still no news?"

At that time, she had even prepared rewards, but in the end, it turned out to be a false alarm, leaving her quite startled, thinking that something unexpected had happened again.

First Lady Song sighed deeply this time, looking quite worried. "The commotion was so loud at first, and the midwife was called, the delivery room was prepared, and even the water was boiled, but then there was no news from her... Do you think this is frustrating? We invited three or four imperial physicians to check on her, and they all said it would be any day now. In this situation, even if we are anxious, there's nothing we can do but wait."

Seeing Old Lady Song looking over, Noble Consort Song thought for a moment and quickly smiled, "Isn't my brother coming back soon? I believe this child is sensitive and must be waiting for his father to return before making an appearance."

First Lady Song let out a soft laugh, feeling a bit more relaxed in her heart. "If Your Highness says so, then it must be so."

Before long, the tea was brought in, and Noble Consort Song specifically asked Song Chuyi, "How do you find this tea? We're used to drinking Longjing in our household, but I prefer using scented tea here."

Song Chuyi felt somewhat perplexed—how could Noble Consort Song, at a glance, seem like someone who would impulsively push her younger sister out to take the blame? She appeared to be meticulous and clever, considerate in every aspect. The words she had just spoken were clearly meant for Old Lady Song, intended to please her while also displaying the demeanor and warmth of the eldest daughter of the Song family in front of her, aiming to bridge relationships or perhaps ease any existing tensions...

Could such a person really act thoughtlessly, fearing Empress Dowager Rongxian, and sacrifice the family's interests just to make her own situation a little better?

As she was contemplating this, she suddenly saw Noble Consort Song frown slightly, placing a hand on her chest and handing the tea to Zhuying beside her.