The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 44 - The Heart to Kill

Translator Xiaobai: I update because I love the story and genuinely enjoy sharing it with you. But remember, translators are people too, with their own lives. So, let's not be too pushy, okay? Thanks! <3

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Old Lady Song's thoughts drifted far away, recalling the scene years ago when Xiang Yunzhang came to the Marquis's residence to propose. Back then, the Marquis's estate was filled with blooming crabapple trees. She had stood with Song Linlang in the old pavilion, watching from above as the young man, dashing and full of youthful spirit, moved gracefully among the sea of flowers.

She also remembered Linlang kneeling before her, eyes sparkling with conviction as she declared she would marry none but him. Xiang Yunzhang, at the time, seemed earnest and sincere.

But how many years had it been? All those promises had now turned to dust. The young man who had once knelt before her and Song Chengru, vowing never to wrong their precious daughter from the Earl's family, had now become a heartless man who abandoned his wife and child.

Perhaps Xiao Yi was right. Xiang Yunzhang may have been genuine in his promises, but promises paled in comparison to his desire for heirs and the endless flow of beauties he kept by his side. People always believed they could keep their promises, but very few truly could.

"Whose idea was it to have you return for help?" Old Lady Song looked at Yunshang, her brows shadowed with a hint of darkness. "Before, both her elder and younger brothers visited, and even her nephew came, yet she always gritted her teeth and sent them back. I don't believe she suddenly came around."

Still, deep down, she dearly wished it were true—that Song Linlang had finally come to her senses, that she had given up on Xiang Yunzhang and sought refuge in her family, her safe haven.

Following Old Lady Song's gaze, Song Chuyi looked at Yunshang, feeling an inexplicable hope that Song Linlang had decided to break away from Xiang Yunzhang. Not everyone gets a second chance at life for revenge like she did. How she wished people could recognize the moment to cut their losses, without waiting for another life to mend regrets.

Yunshang managed a bitter smile, her emotions more composed now, though occasionally a soft sob would slip out. "Old Lady, it was Mistress's own decision. She wrote the letter herself and personally instructed me to ensure it reached her parents and brothers."

Old Lady Song slowly narrowed her eyes, and a look of relief crossed her face. She patted Song Chuyi's head gently, smiling with a hint of approval. "It seems she's not beyond saving after all; she's finally come to her senses."

Yunshang, understanding Old Lady Song's meaning, softly defended Song Linlang. "Mistress isn't one to lack backbone, letting herself be led by Master's words in all things. In the beginning, Master treated her well..."

But the Xiang family, a modest family of scholars and farmers, suddenly found itself marrying a noble lady from a prestigious family in the capital. That difference always sat uneasily with them.

Lady Xiang had wanted to act like an imposing mother-in-law in front of Song Linlang, but Xiang Yunzhang had firmly supported Linlang, and when Linlang became pregnant a few months into her marriage, he refused to let her endure any further hardships.

Though Lady Xiang made snide remarks, saying that other daughters-in-law served their mothers-in-law even while pregnant, she didn't dare insist that Song Linlang attend to her daily. After all, Linlang's upbringing and demeanor as a noble lady differed starkly from the Xiang family's ways. Although Lady Xiang wanted to assert herself as a mother-in-law, in the face of Linlang's fine clothing and innate grace, she couldn't help but feel inferior. Over time, this created a rift between them.

When Linlang gave birth to Xiang Mingzi, Lady Xiang was no longer content with just verbal criticism. She'd often cry in front of the Xiang family's ancestral shrine, accusing Xiang Yunzhang and Linlang of being unfilial for failing to produce a male heir. Her words became more cutting, and during family gatherings, she would make remarks about how Linlang was monopolizing her husband yet couldn't even produce a son.

Love eroded little by little, worsened by the fact that, since giving birth to Mingzi, Linlang hadn't conceived again.

Lady Xiang's taunts grew more frequent, and Linlang, who had endured quietly at first, finally started to show some temper. Xiang Yunzhang, caught between two women, found it increasingly difficult to maintain peace and gradually grew reluctant to return home.

Finally, when Xiang Yunzhao was assigned a post away from home, Linlang thought she could enjoy a few peaceful years. However, Lady Xiang began sending beautiful women to his side...

At first, Xiang Yunzhao was reluctant, recalling his earlier promise that he would not take concubines until he had children after forty. But over time, under relentless pressure from Lady Xiang, he eventually gave in. After the first concubine came the second, then the third—one after another, almost naturally...

In the beginning, Song Linlang gave him the cold shoulder, refusing to speak to him for six months and not letting him enter her chambers. Xiang Yunzhao, who had initially felt guilty, gradually became indifferent. Over time, their feelings for each other were worn away, little by little, until there was barely anything left.

When the first illegitimate son was born, things deteriorated even further.

Lady Xiang traveled to Qingzhou herself to see her grandson, flaunting gold bracelets and longevity locks in public. In front of the elders, she demanded that Song Linlang acknowledge the child as her own.

Song Linlang refused. But soon came a second illegitimate son, then a third. With each new birth, the issue was brought up again. In recent years, even Xiang Yunzhao himself began pressuring her to raise one of the sons under her name as the legitimate heir...

As Yunshang recounted all of this, she couldn't hold back her sobs. "Mistress is proud. She'd rather bear it all alone than let her family see her mistake in choosing him... To keep her dignity, she refuses to give in to Lady Xiang's demands. She insists on maintaining her position as principal wife and her daughter's legitimate status, even if it disgusts Lady Xiang..."

Old Lady Song's face darkened with each word. She had realized the difficulties with the Xiang family matron by the second year of the marriage. Her third son had returned from Shuzhong, troubled and anxious, saying that Lady Xiang often showed a lack of respect for Song Linlang even in his presence. And when the Song family visited with generous gifts, they received decent gifts in return, but upon inspection, most of it turned out to be Linlang's dowry...

Deeply regretting her earlier lack of caution in evaluating the Xiang family, Old Lady Song was also filled with anger at the harsh treatment her daughter endured. For the first time, her usually calm face showed fierce determination as she gritted out, "Good."

"Listen carefully, Chuyi," she instructed her granddaughter sternly, quickly masking her anger with calmness. "Reflect on these lessons well, so you'll know how to truly judge people in the future. We've had enough of these mistakes with your aunt and your second sister. This won't happen again in our family!"

Song Chuyi felt her heart sink as if into an icy abyss. People change, and they often hide their true intentions. Sometimes, even childhood friends can be unpredictable. Shen Qingrang was a perfect example of that.