The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 61 - The Race

Two bright white lanterns hung outside the main courtyard, casting an eerie, unsettling glow in the midst of the sobbing and wailing. Lady Xiang, accompanied by Xiang Yunzhang, stood outside, eyeing the scene coldly. With a scoff, she took a step forward and entered.

As she walked, she couldn't help but ask Xiang Yunzhang, "Didn't they say the physician found arsenic?"

Xiang Yunzhang's grief was momentarily driven away by the mention of this single word. He nodded painfully, his voice choked. "Yes, it was arsenic."

So, this sickly woman hadn't died of illness in the end but from arsenic poisoning. Who was she trying to implicate? Lady Xiang's brows knit together so tightly it seemed they could trap two flies, and she sneered, "Why would she take arsenic? Was it because of Mingzi?"

This highborn lady from a prestigious family—what kind of upbringing did she have? Unable to bear a child herself, she couldn't even accept the daughter someone else had given her to raise. Did she think that holding onto such a "burden" would somehow bring her happiness?

Didn't she realize that if Xiang Jian were to die, the cursed reputation attached to Xiang Mingzi would mean no one would dare marry her? In this world, even rumors could destroy her, let alone the thought of being tied to such bad fortune. For someone cursed to bring disaster, living was practically useless.

If she were dead, at least Xiang Jian could take her place, earning some sympathy and a better chance in his next life. It was a simple truth, even one an "uneducated village woman" like herself could understand—how could someone with Song Linlang's "education" not?

Xiang Yunzhang felt as if his head were splitting with pain. The reason for the arsenic? Nanny Zheng claimed it was Concubine Bai, saying she was the only one who had been alone with Song Linlang right before she fell ill. But Concubine Bai denied everything, and she didn't seem like someone who'd do such a thing.

But then, Song Linlang herself had no reason either—if she died, what would happen to her daughter? Her mother was due to arrive soon; her support was so close. Knowing her temperament, she would want to see him suffer rather than give up...

Lady Xiang, robust as ever, had already entered the room. The strong stench of blood made her wrinkle her nose. She observed Nanny Zheng preparing the burial garments for Song Linlang and glanced at Xiang Mingzi, who knelt nearby, seemingly stunned. Her voice was stern as she commanded, "Mingzi! Come to your grandmother!"

Xiang Mingzi raised her head slightly to look at her grandmother, her expression obscured by the flickering candlelight, but she continued to kneel by Song Linlang's bedside, motionless.

Seeing this, Lady Xiang was immediately furious—the arrogance of Song Linlang, her disdain, had even rubbed off on her servants, making them utterly disrespectful!

Xiang Yunzhang, meanwhile, stood frozen, staring at Song Linlang's pale, unmoving face. His heart felt hollowed out. The lively, graceful girl he once knew, the one who had looked back at him with bright, delighted eyes at a poetry gathering, would never open her eyes to look at him again. He instinctively clutched his jade pendant and took a few shaky steps forward, calling softly, "Linlang..."

But then he seemed to see her cold, disgusted gaze, and he stumbled back, shaken.

Lady Xiang cast a look of disdain at the lifeless figure on the bed before tugging Xiang Yunzhang's arm and speaking firmly, "Get Mingzi out of here!"

Now that Song Linlang was dead, the Song family would undoubtedly come to protect their granddaughter, shielding her as a cursed star. But what about Xiang Jian? What about Xiang Yunzhang? This cursed girl would ruin the entire Xiang family!

Lady Xiang's words jolted Xiang Yunzhang back to his senses, and he hurriedly ordered the servants to take Xiang Mingzi away. "Escort Miss to the old madam's quarters."

This was Lady Xiang's idea; though she disdained the inauspicious aura surrounding Song Linlang's death and Xiang Mingzi's curse, she was willing to bear it for the sake of her son and grandson. After all, she was already half in the grave herself.

Nanny Zheng and Nanny Wang quickly moved to protect Xiang Mingzi, standing in front of her with the fierceness of mother hens, watching the Xiang family's mother and son warily.

Annoyed by their vigilant looks, Lady Xiang scoffed. "What, do you intend to have her bang on bowls and announce the funeral already?"

The mention of Song Linlang sparked bitterness in Nanny Zheng and Nanny Wang, and they nearly lashed out, but Yunhe remained calm, knelt down, and said respectfully, "Old Lady, the young miss is too emotional right now. We worry her crying might disturb you tonight."

Concubine Bai shrank behind Xiang Yunzhang, feeling both wronged and frightened by Song Linlang's lifeless presence on the bed, saying nothing.

Lady Xiang let out a laugh, her sharp eyes fixed on Xiang Mingzi. "If that's what you're worried about, it's unnecessary. I'm already half buried in the earth; what do I have to fear?"

She raised her eyebrows at Xiang Yunzhang, snapping with a stern tone, "That's your daughter. Are you waiting for me to go help her up?"

Xiang Yunzhang felt both pained and sorrowful, struggling to breathe. Over the years of their estrangement, he had often wished for Song Linlang's death, thinking it would make no difference, given how lifeless their marriage was. But now that she truly would never open her eyes again, he realized nothing could hurt him more deeply.

Awakened by his mother's scolding, he finally mustered the courage to step forward, hardening his heart as he roughly pulled Xiang Mingzi to her feet. It was only then he noticed that she hadn't shed a tear. Unlike her gut-wrenching sobs the night before, she was eerily calm, her face devoid of expression.

Lady Xiang grabbed Xiang Mingzi and coldly eyed Nanny Zheng and the others standing nearby. "Tonight, she'll stay with me. Tomorrow, set up the mourning hall and have her body kept in the main hall."

Having spent her younger years doing farm work, Lady Xiang's hands were impressively strong. She pulled Xiang Mingzi along as if hauling a bundle of straw, walking briskly out of the room.

"It's late," she called back over her shoulder. "Tomorrow morning, you can come fetch her." Then, with a sharp glance at her son's dazed face, she added, "I suggest you put away that sentimental nonsense and think about how to handle your in-laws—dealing with them is the real matter at hand."