The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 73 - Pitiful

Just then, Qingtao came in with scented clothes and, hearing the conversation, huffed in frustration, exhaling a bit of white steam. "She has the nerve to cry! Our poor aunt passed without a tear from them, yet now these people who drove her to her death are weeping!"

Luyi, always quick-witted, blinked and suggested to Song Chuyi, "Why don't we go and watch Old Lady Xiang's performance? I heard that when the Third Master visited their family to discuss the divorce, this Old Lady Xiang pounced on him, leaving quite a few scratches on his face. They still haven't faded."

As their mistress, Song Chuyi was growing increasingly reserved, speaking only when necessary. Left to themselves, these maids kept up a lively atmosphere, hoping Song Chuyi wouldn't fall silent altogether over time.

Song Chuyi smiled and shook her head, then picked up her brush to write a letter, handing it to Ziyun. "Have Nanny Xu deliver this carefully, straight to Wang San at the docks."

For the past half-month, Ziyun had frequently been delivering letters for Song Chuyi, so this was no surprise. She could even tell this letter wasn't headed for the capital. After wiping her hands, she accepted the letter with a smile and gently suggested, "Luyi and Qingtao have a point. You've been cooped up here every day—too much isolation isn't good for anyone. Things here aren't like in the capital; I see young ladies from prominent families going out themselves, even attending lantern festivals. It might be good for you to step out and get some fresh air."

Song Chuyi glanced at the letter in Ziyun's hand, considered it, and then nodded in agreement. She was indeed curious to see Old Lady Xiang. While both Shen Qingrang and Xiang Yunzhang were unfaithful, there was a difference—Shen Qingrang's mother, Lady He, rarely meddled in their marriage, and even occasionally defended her, though she mostly approved of Shen Qingrang's cold treatment of her. Old Lady Xiang, however, was beyond what Song Chuyi had imagined; seeing her might be useful for learning how to avoid such people in the future.

Seeing her agree, Luyi clasped her hands together in mock prayer, which made Qingtao laugh as she tugged on her ear. "It's just an outing; look how excited you are!" she teased, but quickly went to instruct the servants to prepare a carriage.

Song Chuyi personally went to request permission from Old Lady Song, who agreed without hesitation but added, "Don't wander off—stay in the carriage or find a tasteful teahouse to sit in. And don't have a direct confrontation with the Xiang family. No need to break a fine vase just to deal with a rat."

Lady Li thought for a moment and turned to her daughters, Li Xintong and Li Xinwu. "Why don't you go along as well? It'll be good company for Xiao Yi."

The Li sisters, equally eager to witness the commotion, looked to Song Chuyi, who smiled warmly, showing no objection. They laughed and agreed.

Old Lady Song then assigned Nanny Qin and Nanny Xu to accompany them for added security.

Since the governor was hearing the magistrate's trial in person today, the streets were crowded with people, layer upon layer, hoping to catch a glimpse. The Song family's carriage had to carefully navigate through the bustling Luyang Street before turning toward the magistrate's back hall.

The back hall area was considerably less crowded than Luyang Street. The coachman managed to maneuver the carriage to the teahouse across the way. Seeing the packed crowd, Nanny Qin and Nanny Xu suggested from behind the curtain that Song Chuyi and the Li sisters head upstairs to the teahouse: "We'll find a private room overlooking the street. You'll have a clear view from there."

Song Chuyi and the Li sisters agreed. Wearing veiled hats, they entered the teahouse under the attendants' escort and settled into a private room on the second floor. As expected, they could see Old Lady Xiang directly across the street, sitting on the threshold with her grandchildren, crying and wailing in a loud, theatrical manner.

Old Lady Xiang's crying was almost theatrical, with lilting tones and exaggerated pauses. She would stop at each "sad" part, producing dramatic sobs that sounded just like the musical cadences actors used on stage, prompting disdainful chuckles from the Li sisters.

"This is just like the local performances at New Year's festivals..." Li Xinwu couldn't help but smirk. "She cries without any sincerity, no wonder it fails to touch anyone."

But Song Chuyi's attention was drawn to the boy of about ten sitting next to Old Lady Xiang. Unlike the others, who had their heads lowered, shoulders shaking with "sobs," he looked at Old Lady Xiang with faint disdain and irritation.

By his age, this must be Xiang Yunzhang's eldest son, Xiang Lian. Rumor had it he'd been gravely ill, but clearly, that had been an exaggeration.

Just as she was thinking this, Old Lady Xiang let out a loud sigh, momentarily pausing her melodious wailing. She grabbed Xiang Lian, whose face held a look of barely suppressed annoyance, and began her performance again, letting out a series of pitiful cries. "My poor child! Only ten years old, and already robbed of both mother and father... oh... those heartless high-ranking officials and wealthy ladies... trying to wipe out our Xiang family entirely..."

Li Xintong could no longer contain herself and nudged Song Chuyi. "This... this old lady is truly something... unique."

The Li sisters likely had never witnessed such a spectacle in their lives. Just as Song Chuyi was feeling a bit embarrassed, a commotion erupted below—Xiang Lian, either from fury or sheer humiliation, suddenly collapsed to the ground as if fainting.

Old Lady Xiang's wails grew even louder as she threw herself over him, crying dramatically, "Your father and mother have met their misfortunes, and now you too! How can this old woman go on living?!"

With the New Year approaching, while families were busy brewing rice wine, the magistrate's household was in complete disarray... it was, admittedly, a pitiful sight.

The onlookers, some of whom began to feel a pang of sympathy, included a kind-hearted woman who stepped forward to help Old Lady Xiang up.

Song Chuyi turned and whispered a few instructions to Qingtao, who nodded and quickly made her way downstairs.

Moments later, a few towering men emerged from the crowd, offering to help—suggesting they carry Xiang Lian to see a physician. But as soon as they lifted him, Xiang Lian suddenly "woke up."

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but call out, "See, he's just fine! Why all the fuss about dying?"

Another voice chimed in, "Exactly! And what about Miss Xiang—the young lady born of the main wife? Word has it that she almost got burned alive because of this young master here, and now no one's seen her. Where has she gone?"

Old Lady Xiang's wrinkled face twitched with fury as she clutched her precious grandson, cursing bitterly, "That wretched girl! The shaman said she was a disaster sent from the heavens, and now look—hasn't she brought ruin upon our household? If your family had such a bringer of misfortune, would you dare take her out in public?"