The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 53

Shen Qingrang had clearly shown his disdain and disgust for Song Chuyi, and although he was angry at the time, he thought it was just Shen Qingrang's blindness. But now it seems that it is not as simple as blindness.

While loathing someone on the one hand, she goes out of her way to flatter on the other; this two-faced behavior is truly disgusting.

As he pondered this, he felt that something wasn't right. He forced himself to listen to Lady He's prattle, had two cups of tea in the adjoining room, and waited until the Princess of Zhennan had seen her off before he finally returned to her quarters, lifting the curtain as he entered.

The Princess of Zhennan was surprised, thinking he'd left long ago. "You're still here?"

"I never left; I was listening from the next room." He replied casually, then asked, puzzled, "Mother, what's the meaning behind all this? It didn't seem like she was only here to discuss the young master's full-month gift."

Although she used the baby's celebration at the Marquis of Changning's as a pretext to rebuild old ties, Lady He's questions had mostly revolved around Song Chuyi and Old Lady Song, with barely a mention of the baby. And when the Princess of Zhennan mentioned that Old Lady Song might not attend the celebration, Lady He's disappointment was almost palpable. She kept repeating comments about how cold it was for her to travel, hinting that she knew Song Chuyi was staying with Old Lady Song. Clearly, she was disappointed because she realized neither of them would be there that day.

The Princess of Zhennan sipped her tea, the purple jade hairpin in her hair highlighting her fair complexion. After hearing Ye Jingchuan's question, she chuckled bitterly. "Isn't it obvious? She's not really here for the baby; she's come for Sixth Miss Song."

Ye Jingchuan didn't quite understand, giving a curious "Hmm?" in confusion. "Could it be she's looking to cause trouble for her?"

But Lady He's tone was anything but troublesome; rather, it was filled with praise and admiration.

"Silly child." The Princess of Zhennan laughed, shaking her head and prompting him further. "Didn't you catch her hint? She kept praising Sixth Miss Song, calling her elegant and gracious, going on about how their children played together since they were young... She's obviously trying to match Sixth Miss Song with her son!"

Lady He might fool some, but trying to deceive her was laughable. She kept insisting that she wanted to avoid straining the relationship between the families, while never letting the name Song Chuyi slip from her lips.

The Princess of Zhennan found Lady He's efforts amusing—she actually hoped the Princess would play matchmaker. But considering the incident at the Shen household, it was likely Song Chuyi loathed the family by now, and Old Lady Song, with her shrewdness, would surely disapprove. Even the Princess herself would never agree to help make this connection. After all, Song Chuyi was still in her mourning period and quite young.

Ye Jingchuan couldn't help but feel disgusted by the shamelessness of Lady He and the Shen family.

They actually had the nerve to pursue Song Chuyi, and in such an open manner, as if they felt no shame at all. If Shen Qingrang truly despised Song Chuyi wholeheartedly, Ye Jingchuan might have respected him as a man of principle. But to simultaneously harbor disdain for her while pretending to be accommodating and flattering—now that was despicable.

Did he even realize how much it would hurt Song Chuyi if he deceived her into trusting and liking him, only for her to later discover it was all a facade? If he was unaware, he was heartless; if he knew, he was downright ruthless.

Ye Jingchuan felt the urge to run and tell Song Chuyi, but as soon as he stepped outside, he recalled, somewhat wistfully, that she had already left the capital.

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Changning's household, the target of the Shen family's intentions, was in a bit of a quandary. The First Lady Song took the long list of gifts from Nanny Jin, feeling a faint headache.

Ever since Shen Qingrang's scheme against Song Chuyi, the Shen family had been out of the Song family's social circle. It wasn't that they hadn't tried visiting; it was that Old Lady Song had devised countless excuses to avoid seeing them each time. Later, with Noble Consort Song's summons to the palace and various other affairs, the Song family had little time to bother with the Shens. Although it seemed that the Shen family hadn't been implicated in the affairs surrounding Princess Shijia, they had kept a low profile for a while.

Now, with this grand display of gifts for the Song family's newborn, the First Lady couldn't quite figure out the Shen family's intentions. Did they have some new plan in mind? Even if it was to make amends with Song Chuyi or restore relations with the Song family, such an extravagant gesture seemed excessive.

Handing the list back to Nanny Jin, the First Lady thought for a moment and said, "Put it away for now; we'll decide once Old Lady Song returns."

The connections among noble families are complex, and even if one wished to sever ties, a formal pretext was necessary. Since there had been no open rift yet, it would be inappropriate to refuse their gifts outright, as that would be an obvious affront to the Shen family.

However, accepting these gifts didn't mean any commitment to the Shen family—when the time came, she'd simply return a few items in response, enough to maintain appearances and convey the Song family's intentions.

Nanny Jin took the list and agreed, then went over the inventory of kitchen utensils she managed with the First Lady. After confirming that everything was in order, she brought up another matter: "A messenger has already been sent to Fengzao Palace. With the first of the month coming up, Noble Consort will surely summon you to the palace."

The First Lady felt a wave of relief and a slight smile appeared on her face.

This was ideal. With that troublemaker far away in Changsha, who knew what schemes she might concoct? For the sake of Song Jue and her young grandson, it was essential to stamp out this menace.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel some resentment toward Song Yi—he had raised such a wicked daughter yet guarded her like his treasure, probably without realizing how he might one day meet his end because of her.

But these thoughts could only remain in her mind; she dared not show any of it outwardly. The two elders of the Song family still held Song Yi in regard; otherwise, how could Song Chuning have thrived so smoothly?

She nodded, giving Nanny Jin a firm reminder. "As I previously instructed, that girl has an uncanny influence. Apart from the palace nannies, no one is permitted near her—and even those allowed near her must not leave the courtyard. Make sure you remember this well, not a single mistake can be tolerated. Not a single ant is allowed in or out of her courtyard. I'll say this in advance: if this is mishandled, I won't even recognize you."