The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 45 - Delusion

Shen Qingrang sneezed several times, his ears itching unbearably. As he scratched them, he half-heartedly listened to his mother's incessant lecturing.

"You're getting older; it's time you settled down, focused on your studies, and learned some useful skills. If nothing else, accompany your father and observe. Men should pursue knowledge and skill. How can you spend every day thinking only of food and fun?" Lady He spoke sternly, tilting his head to check for any signs of frostbite on his ears. With a sigh, she continued earnestly, "I know you don't like hearing this, but I have no choice; it's for your own good. If it were up to me, I'd let you do as you please, but do you understand what kind of man your father is? He detests good-for-nothing with empty minds. If you keep being careless, be prepared for him to give you a thrashing!"

These days, the eldest young master, Shen Qingyun, had been handling the family's estate matters—personally collecting rents and keeping the records meticulously. Even the ever-exacting Shen Xiaohai had praised his work.

Originally, Shen Qingyun had benefited from being the eldest son, which earned him much favor from the elders in their family. Now that he had settled down and started working diligently, he appeared even more respectable... Although Lady He understood the difference between legitimate and illegitimate sons, she couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Shen Qingrang shook his head, unwilling to listen further. He climbed off Lady He's lap, took a sip of hot tea, and said impatiently, "It's not like I haven't listened to you. Didn't you just tell me to apologize? Next time I see Sixth Miss Song, I'll do as you asked!"

He wasn't entirely useless and wasn't as indifferent to Shen Qingyun as he seemed. The angry words Shen Xiaohai had once thrown at him in a fit of rage still echoed in his mind, filling him with unease.

If he were truly hopeless, Shen Xiaohai was definitely the type who would replace him as heir without hesitation. But he didn't want to be replaced, nor did he want to endure his brother and sister-in-law's scorn every mealtime.

Although he was reluctant to bow to Sixth Miss Song, the very person who had driven away Little Eighth, logic told him he had no choice.

Lady He lightly slapped the back of his head, finally showing a smile. "As long as you understand. With all the turmoil in the capital because of the Grand Princess Shijia, most families are now on edge. Although we've been lucky so far, we should still keep a low profile. Otherwise, we'd have already paid a visit to the Marquis residence. Next month, they're hosting a banquet for their great-grandson's one-month celebration, which is a perfect chance to get closer. Don't embarrass me then."

Then, unable to restrain her worry, Lady He continued, "But still, you did offend Sixth Miss badly last time. Who knows if she'll even acknowledge you? Your father repeatedly reminded you to treat her as you used to... If she decides to ignore you from now on..."

Shen Qingrang scoffed, clearly dismissive of his mother's concerns. "Mother, what are you thinking? That girl is like a clingy little tail, no different from the family dog. Just wave her over, and she'll come running."

He seemed to have forgotten that Song Chuyi hadn't followed him around for nearly a year now.

Lady He, however, remembered this fact well, as well as the way Song Chuyi used to look at Shen Qingrang—with utter hatred, as though wishing he were dead.

A shiver ran down her spine, but she chuckled at her own overthinking. It was merely a childish grudge; why was she getting so paranoid?

"Let's hope that waving her over will still work this time." She patted Shen Qingrang's head, now more relaxed. "Speaking of which, it would be a blessing if you were to marry her in the future. Her uncles have just been promoted, one to the position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, and another to that of the Assistant Minister of War with control over the Three Border Garrisons—real power positions! She's also deeply cherished by her uncles and aunts, and she's the apple of her grandparents' eyes at Marquis Residence. Plenty of people are waiting for the chance to marry her. If she weren't so young, their doorstep would've been worn down by suitors by now. Yet you still find fault here and there. Let me tell you, aside from princesses and county ladies, where else would you find such a good match?"

"But Sixth girl isn't as considerate as Song Chuning. She's bratty, arrogant, and downright unpleasant. She thinks too highly of herself..." Shen Qingrang huffed, "She only has her status to flaunt. Without that, who'd pay her any mind?"

Lady He frowned and gave him another firm slap. "Talking to you is like talking to a wall! So what if she only has her status? Plenty of people have all sorts of advantages but lack that one thing! Take your sister-in-law, who's cultured and kind. Yet even she is stuck bowing low to your brother because her family background isn't prominent enough! You're too young to understand the intricacies of marriage."

After a pause, she let out a bitter laugh. "Besides, who are you to look down on her? When your father inherits his title, we'll be a marquis household, and at best, you'll inherit an earl's title. Unlike their family, we don't have a non-decreasing hereditary title. When the time comes, without power and with a lower title, who do you think will want you? She might not even give you a second glance!"

In terms of lineage and status, Song Chuyi had the prestigious Cui family, with a hundred-year legacy, and the Changning Marquis Residence as her backing. She lacked nothing in these respects. However, when it came to affection and their childhood bond...

Shen Qingrang stiffened his neck in defiance, his nose pointed arrogantly skyward as he snorted loudly, "I don't know if others would care for me or not, but Sixth girl is just like a dog I've raised in my courtyard. No matter when she throws a tantrum, I just need to treat her a little better, and she'll come crawling back. Since you think she's so wonderful, I'll just coax her back, won't I?"

Lady He was waiting for exactly this response and immediately shifted from anger to joy. "If you'd said this earlier, I wouldn't have had to say all those harsh words! Why do you always make me nag at you like that? I know you don't like Sixth Miss, but marriage isn't about whether you like someone or not. Didn't your father and I manage just fine? And if you feel like it, you can always have more people around to serve you."

Shen Qingrang sensed something wasn't quite right in his mother's words. He knew that while marriage wasn't solely about personal preference, it wasn't entirely as she suggested, either. However, he did agree on one point: if he didn't like her, he could simply marry her and set her aside. As for someone he truly liked, they shouldn't just be around to serve him. They deserved to be cherished, to have everything that was best.