The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 70 - The Deadly Place

Lady Li held Song Chuyi's hand, a wistful expression crossing her face. "It's such a pity we only met that once, and soon after, I accompanied my husband to his new post. That separation turned out to be our final farewell..."

As she spoke, she raised a hand to wipe her eyes, then instructed her daughter, who had been quietly standing by, to step forward and greet Song Chuyi.

When Song Chuyi caught her gaze, she couldn't help but pause in surprise—Lady Li wasn't simply putting on a show; she was genuinely crying, as though she had truly shared a deep bond with Cui Zhanmei.

The two young ladies of the Li family had already stepped forward to greet Song Chuyi. After introducing each other according to seniority, Song Chuyi addressed the two Li young ladies as "big sisters," and when it came to the youngest girl, who seemed slightly younger, she gently called her "sister."

At this, Lady Li and the two Li young ladies couldn't help but laugh. Lady Li, seeing Song Chuyi's confusion, explained with a smile as she pulled the young girl closer. "This is your elder brother's daughter, her nickname is Yan'er. She should be calling you 'Aunt.' You've taken quite the loss here!"

Old Lady Song laughed and instructed Yulan to bring out meeting gifts. She presented Li Xintong with a set of emerald hair ornaments, Li Xinwu with a set of nine intricately carved sandalwood combs of varying sizes, and the youngest, Li Yan, received a set of fine Hangzhou silk clothing.

With Old Lady Song being so generous, Lady Li naturally wasn't one to hold back. Smiling, she instructed her maid to bring out a large, black, gold-trimmed box.

Song Chuyi was startled by the size of the gift, looking at Lady Li with a bit of shock.

Lady Li chuckled at her reaction. "Don't be alarmed; the box is just large and intimidating, but there isn't that much inside."

With that, she instructed the maid to remove the lock from the box. She then personally lifted the lid, revealing eleven or twelve small, exquisite boxes inside. She smiled and said, "These are little trinkets that girls love. They were part of my dowry, gifted by my elders. I heard you were here, so I brought them especially for you."

Old Lady Song glanced at the box and, slightly surprised, furrowed her brow. "This was part of the wedding gifts given by Princess Zhou. It's far too precious."

Lady Li sighed, closing the box and motioning for Song Chuyi to accept it. Turning to Old Lady Song, she said, "No matter how precious, these things are meant to be used by people. If a person is gone, no treasure holds any value. Back when Linlang wanted these, I couldn't bear to part with them... Now, I regret it so much it aches."

Old Lady Song squinted her eyes thoughtfully, then let out a deep sigh. "You have a kind heart," she said, urging Song Chuyi to accept it.

Lady Li glanced at Old Lady Song and quietly asked, "Is it today...?"

Old Lady Song nodded. "Today the body will be burned. I'll take her back to the capital afterward."

Lady Li lowered her eyes, remaining silent for a long time before finally standing up and bowing slightly toward Old Lady Song. "Aunt, I'd like to go see her off." By the time she spoke, her eyes were already glistening with tears.

Before she was married, she had been the closest to Song Linlang. To this day, her display cabinet still holds a small wood carving that Song Linlang had personally made for her.

Old Lady Song, touched by her sincerity, also rose, supporting Song Chuyi as she nodded. "I'll take you over as well. Now that you've come, I believe she'll find some comfort in the afterlife."

As the fierce flames rose, the air became filled with the scent of burning oil mixed with wheat straw.

Old Lady Song and Lady Li stood a short distance away, watching as Song Linlang's remains gradually turned to ashes.

Old Lady Song felt as though her sorrow had already run dry; over the past half month, she had exhausted her tears and emotions. Now, as she truly said farewell to her most beloved daughter, she realized she felt nothing left to give.

Lady Li, however, wept bitterly. She had never had many close friends, and over the years, following her husband on his postings, she'd lost contact with most of her old companions. Finally, her husband, Li Yu, had been reassigned as governor of Shandong, yet her closest friend had passed away.

And to die in such an unclear and stifling way—it was truly unjust.

"She was truly treated like nothing!" Lady Li spat harshly on the ground, her face darkening.

Li Xintong and Li Xinwu leaned in to whisper to Song Chuyi, "Wasn't it said that Aunt Song was poisoned...burning her body like this only benefits that mother and son pair, doesn't it?"

Indeed, initially, Xiang Yunzhang and Lady Xiang had adamantly refused to release Song Linlang's body. The physicians at Hechun Hall had confirmed it was arsenic poisoning, and if the Song family had requested an autopsy, wouldn't everything have come to light?

But Third Master Song, simmering with anger, had no patience for their nonsense. Already frustrated by the lack of news about Xiang Mingzi, he was further infuriated by the Xiang family's refusal to hand over Song Linlang's body despite their claim of being unafraid of separation. Without hesitation, he stormed into the back hall with a retinue of over twenty guards.

Xiang Yunzhang couldn't bear the public humiliation; a large crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle, and he didn't dare to detain Third Master Song like a criminal. After all, Third Master Song had entered the back hall and was retrieving his own sister, whom the Xiang family had agreed to divorce. In the end, he had to give in and hand over Song Linlang's body.

As Song Chuyi recalled this, a pair of dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, and a playful curl formed in the loose strand of hair at her cheek.

"Don't worry. We have everything prepared."

Li Xinwu sighed, looking concerned. "But it's a pity that Aunt Song's daughter is still with the Xiang family... who knows how they'll treat her."

Li Xintong, older and more thoughtful, furrowed her brows at this. "Even if they have any such intentions, they wouldn't dare try anything right now, not with everything happening."

Old Lady Song cast a glance their way before looking toward Lady Li. "The Marquis' residence won't swallow this anger quietly. So we will be counting on you and your husband."

Lady Li, regaining her composure, stepped forward to support Old Lady Song as they walked back, speaking earnestly. "Aunt, what are you saying? Even if it were an ordinary citizen seeking justice, any wrongful death deserves a clear investigation and fair judgment. Linlang's death was so tragic... in my eyes, even if Xiang Yunzhang paid with ten lives, it wouldn't be enough."

Old Lady Song had no intention of sparing Xiang Yunzhang. Did he think he could continue holding office and amassing wealth, still dreaming of his legacy? Was he under the illusion that without Song Linlang, he could indulge in a life of freedom with his favored concubines?

Was he truly that naive, or had Song Linlang spoiled him beyond reason? Did he really believe that if he lost the Marquis of Changning's support, he could still stand on his own?

Without the shelter of the Marquis' family, who in the officialdom would know or care who he was, or spare a thought for the fate of a mere magistrate?