The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 74 - The Guo Family

Old Lady Xiang's already harsh features twisted into a sinister look, her words dripping with venom as though she wished Xiang Mingzi dead. This instantly fueled the gossiping spirit of the onlookers.

After a brief silence, a woman in her thirties or forties gasped in surprise, "But I just came from the front—didn't the governor arrest the shaman? The shaman said clearly that Miss Xiang isn't any sort of bringer of misfortune."

Li Xintong, more reserved, pursed her lips without speaking but sighed. "All this talk of 'misfortune'... it's just a label they forced on her, isn't it? I doubt the Xiang family is entirely innocent in all this."

Li Xinwu, less restrained, slammed her small, purple-gold hand warmer onto the table with a scoff. "Yesterday, while Mother and Father were speaking, I happened to overhear a thing or two. The Xiang family... honestly. No wonder the poem our tutor once taught us says, 'The heartless are often the scholars.' Aunt Song ended up in their hands, truly a pearl cast in the mud."

Song Chuyi tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her delicate earlobes almost translucent in the sunlight. She glanced down casually, her face carrying a trace of cold amusement as she looked at the scene below.

Someone in the crowd chimed in, "Not a disaster star? Wasn't it that very shaman who claimed Miss Xiang was a reincarnation of disaster, bringing misfortune to her father, brothers, and family?"

The woman scoffed, giving Old Lady Xiang a disdainful look and retorted with sarcasm, "Reincarnation of a disaster star, harming father and brothers? It was all that concubine's doing! I heard she paid fifty taels of gold to bribe the shaman into saying that. And the shaman confessed that Young Master Xiang wasn't even sick—the concubine got medicine to fake his illness! All just to burn Miss Xiang alive... Tsk tsk, what a grudge she must have, to want to burn the legitimate daughter and poison the first wife."

The tale of Chen Shimei, the heartless man who betrayed his family, is still a must-see on stage, and women deeply empathize with wronged and betrayed women. Hearing this, they all began to criticize the Xiang family's cruelty in a flurry of voices.

Old Lady Xiang's meticulously styled hair was soon disheveled, her clothes wrinkled and tugged by the agitated hands of those around her. Upon realizing that the story of Miss Xiang being labeled a disaster was also fabricated by Concubine Bai—and now exposed—her vision darkened as she nearly fainted.

Old Lady Xiang wailed and cried for a while, but, noticing that instead of sympathy, she was only getting pointed fingers and disdain, she felt it was pointless. Spitting repeatedly into the crowd like a peasant arguing over land, she managed to scatter them all.

Qingtao slipped quietly inside, catching sight of Old Lady Xiang's tantrum, and covered her mouth with a laugh. She leaned close to Song Chuyi, whispering a few words in her ear.

Seeing that most of the crowd had dispersed and, as they were here to accompany Song Chuyi, the Li sisters asked her if she'd like to wander around a bit more.

Song Chuyi shook her head, smiling. "I've seen enough." She and the Li sisters returned home the same way, climbing back into the carriage.

As they stepped out of the carriage, they spotted Third Master Song hurrying inside. Song Chuyi called out, "Third Uncle," and, seeing that he had just returned from outside, asked, "Was the trial resolved?"

Third Master Song nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow after his rush. "It was. That concubine of his initially refused to confess, but when the gold was placed right in front of her, along with testimony from the physician at Hechun Hall and Nannies Zheng and Wang, she had no way to deny it."

This outcome was expected. The Song family's fury ensured that everything was executed flawlessly. With the governor's help, all the documents were meticulously prepared, leaving no gaps. Even if this went to the Ministry of Justice, execution in the autumn was inevitable.

As Song Chuyi and Third Master Song entered, they overheard Old Lady Song instructing Nanny Huang, "Take the list to the Xiang family. Every piece of her dowry is to be returned to us. We'll also have the betrothal gifts ready and will ship them back to the capital shortly."

This would be the final blow to Old Lady Xiang. Out of consideration for the Xiang family's poverty, the Song family had asked little in terms of betrothal gifts. Though Old Lady Xiang had scraped together all her valuables, it barely made a dent next to Song Linlang's dowry. Furthermore, with the money Song Linlang had poured into the Xiang family over the years, they'd likely have to sell their old home to repay it all.

Since Old Lady Song never kept anything from Song Chuyi, Third Master Song was used to speaking openly about these matters. He explained the trial results plainly: "Concubine Bai was sentenced to execution after the autumn review, and the list will be sent to the Ministry of Justice soon. As for Xiang Yunzhang... they found quite a few suspicious items at his residence, including tribute goods, which likely points to embezzlement. Favoring a concubine over his wife to the point of causing death... his official seal has been confiscated, and he's being held in prison awaiting trial. The case will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice."

Once it reached the capital, Xiang Yunzhang's path would be truly closed.

Old Lady Song did not appear particularly happy. After a deep sigh, she sat silently for a long time before looking at Lady Li with gratitude. "We owe this outcome to you. Otherwise, with the Xiang family's arrogance and their local influence, it would not have been so easy for us to get justice."

"Aunt, you're being too polite!" Lady Li smiled, holding her daughters' hands a bit tighter, reflecting for a moment. "My mother always taught me that marriage is a lifetime commitment for a woman, though I never fully understood until now. At least now there's been some retribution, and I hope it brings her a bit of peace."

She paused, gently patting Li Xintong's head, then looked earnestly at Old Lady Song. "Moreover, all parents share the same love for their children. Xintong will soon marry into a family in the capital, and we as parents won't be able to be with her. Since I've extended a hand to help this time, I trust that in the future, you, Aunt, will not let my daughter suffer in silence."

Li Xintong, feeling both shy and touched by her parents' foresight, couldn't help but grow teary-eyed.

Old Lady Song playfully scolded Lady Li, "What nonsense are you spouting?! She's bound to have a harmonious marriage and a house full of children, yet here you are, her mother, with your words practically cursing her!"

Everyone shared a laugh, but suddenly, a servant came in to report that a certain young man, Young Master Guo, had sent in his card requesting an audience.

Old Lady Song took a look at the card and seemed momentarily stunned, her face filled with surprise and curiosity. "It's actually Guo Huaiying's legitimate son, Guo Yantang."