The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 68 - Guarded

Song Chuning hadn't expected that the Marquis of Changning's residence in the capital would guard against her so intensely. On the evening she returned, neither First Master Song nor Lady Song showed up. Instead, they sent a few stern-faced nannies who escorted her all the way to the house in the garden.

Once there, she was practically guarded like a prisoner—even just wanting to take a stroll or retrieve a few books from the Second Branch was met with a firm "no" from the nannies.

She wasn't angry, though; rather, she felt delighted. To her, seeing others afraid of her was far more satisfying than feelings of sympathy or pity. The more the Song family feared her, the happier she became.

Cuiguo carefully brought in a bowl of pig heart and lotus seed soup and served her with a hint of concern. "The kitchen has been sending ginseng soup frequently. Ginseng soup is good, but drinking too much will cause you to overheat..."

Song Chuning paused mid-scoop, glancing at the bowl of soup in front of her with a faint, mocking smile. Could the Song family possibly be trying to poison her? She laughed to herself, then looked over at the nannies stationed outside, as still as statues, and reached up to pull a silver hairpin from her hair.

However, when she dipped the silver pin into the soup and pulled it out, it still gleamed brightly, with no signs of anything amiss.

Cuiguo's eyes widened in surprise. Hastily, she shut the door and turned back, looking at Song Chuning in alarm. "Miss, is there something wrong with the soup?"

Song Chuning shook her head, though she wasn't entirely reassured. She glanced out the window and instructed Cuiguo, "Go and ask Qiuniang to come over."

Qiuniang had been sent by Lady Fang, who said she was skilled in medicine and could protect her if necessary.

Returning to the Song family was like stepping into a trap she knew was waiting for her. No matter how fearless Song Chuning was, she'd made thorough preparations—if Song Jue's situation was exposed, the elder Song couple would be the first to want her dead.

And as for her, just a young girl, they could easily pass off her death as a sudden illness, lay her to rest in the family temple for a few days, and move on.

Cuiguo nodded, tiptoed to the side room, knocked lightly, and led out a woman in her forties.

"Qiuniang, please take a look." Song Chuning pushed the bowl of soup forward and glanced at the plain-looking woman. "See if there's anything unclean in it."

Compared to Lady Fang, Qiuniang suited Song Chuning's preferences much more—she never gossiped, didn't treat her like a mere child to manipulate, and fulfilled her role as a physician with complete dedication.

Upon hearing this, Qiuniang's eyes moved slightly. She responded affirmatively, crouched down, dipped her finger into the soup, tasted it on the tip of her tongue, and after a moment, shook her head at Song Chuning. "There's nothing unclean in it."

Only then did Song Chuning feel reassured. She crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and sighed in weary relief. She had once thought Changsha was terrible, but now she realized Changsha had its merits. At least there, she didn't have to be so on guard, fearing for her safety with every meal and drink.

First Lady Song was feeling anxious as well. She repeatedly confirmed that Song Chuning's courtyard was tightly surrounded, yet still felt uneasy. Hesitating, she said, "Perhaps we should send a few more people to guard it. Better safe than sorry..."

If Song Chuning suddenly came up with some harmful idea and did something to her little grandson, she wouldn't even have a place to cry.

Sitting below her, Song Jue took a sip of tea, his gaze steady as he looked at his mother. "Mother, there's no need to worry so much. Those nannies are all from the palace, sharp-eyed and vigilant. Any little movement over there will be noticed immediately."

The First Lady relaxed slightly at her son's words. Regardless, at least her son had returned safe and sound.

Feeling somewhat reassured, she sighed, "How could I not be worried? With such a venomous creature lurking nearby, anyone would feel too on edge to eat or sleep well."

Song Jue himself felt an inexplicable wariness towards his eighth sister—she had acted against the family more than once or twice. He had never encountered such a ruthless girl before. No wonder Grandmother had left a message specifically warning him to keep a close eye on her. If they didn't, she could bring disaster upon the entire Song residence.

The First Lady shook her head deeply, then suddenly heard Nanny Jin's voice from outside, "My lady, someone from Nanny Sun's side came to report that today's soup sent over there wasn't touched—it was all poured out."

As long as Song Chuning became suspicious of something, she wouldn't use it again, even if it was confirmed safe.

This matched her temperament exactly. The First Lady exchanged a glance with her son, realizing that Song Chuyi's prediction had been correct. She gave a cold laugh and said she understood.

After some thought, she instructed, "Send another one over tomorrow. She can't survive without eating or drinking, can she?"

Once Nanny Jin acknowledged the order, she turned to Song Jue with a sigh, "Do you think she's easy to deal with? She has a thousand little schemes. With one careless move, she'd have you dismantled and devoured, not even leaving the bones."

Song Jue understood why the First Lady feared Song Chuning as if she were a tiger. He gently reassured her, "Mother, there's no need to worry too much. I'm back safe and sound, aren't I? This shows she's not capable of doing whatever she pleases. Besides, Eldest Sister and Xiao Yi have thought everything through this time, so no matter how skilled she may be, she won't be able to stir up trouble."

Hoping this was indeed the case, she composed herself and began discussing the arrangements for the full-month banquet and the friends Song Jue planned to invite. "How many people will be coming? I need to make the necessary preparations so that we don't misjudge the seating arrangements."

Song Jue answered each question, and as the sun rose higher in the sky, he stood to head off to his duties at the guard station.

However, just as he lifted his foot, Nanny Qiu entered with a message, saying that someone from the Li family had arrived and wanted to see Song Chuning.

This was expected, given that Song Chuning was the Li family's granddaughter. Naturally, they would want to visit upon hearing of her return.

The First Lady saw Song Jue hesitate and gestured that she could handle it herself. She then called Nanny Qiu back in and asked, "Who has come?"

There was no need to guess—the matriarch of the Li family was currently in a temple for seclusion, so naturally, the head of the family would be First Lady Li.

As expected, Nanny Qiu replied, "First Lady Li has come in person. Third Lady is currently entertaining her in the main hall."

This Lady Li had never been on good terms with both the deceased Li Shi and Song Chuning. Her visit was likely just a formality, perhaps requested by Old Master Li and First Master Li to fulfill obligations.

The First Lady breathed a sigh of relief and, after some thought, said, "Then please have Third Sister-in-law bring her in quickly. Let's not keep our guest waiting."

Hearing that it was First Lady Li who had come, Song Jue felt reassured, bowed to his mother, and excused himself.