The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 76 - Retribution

"So now you're demanding that I hand over her original dowry? Isn't this just pushing us to our deaths?" Old Lady Xiang sat on the ground, legs crossed in a stubborn pose, sneering with a tone of resentment. "I know your family is powerful and wealthy; we're no match for you. But if you're going to push us country folk into a corner, don't blame us for disregarding propriety..."

Old Lady Song laughed, finding Old Lady Xiang's attitude unbelievable. She asked, "Are you speaking without shame, Old Lady? The dowry list clearly states that Linlang had five shops in her name, three of which are in the capital. These three are managed by our Marquis estate, and every year's revenue is carefully recorded and sent to your Xiang family. Forgive me for being blunt, but even if we exclude her other properties, just those three shops in the capital would be enough to provide her with all the lavish delicacies you mentioned for a lifetime!"

Old Lady Xiang's lips curled almost to her nose as she snorted, glaring at Old Lady Song. "Her dowry wasn't under my management. How would I know where her money went? Those shops may exist, but every year she sends back a grand gift for the holidays, always two or three carts full. Aren't those worth silver?"

Seeing Old Lady Song's steady gaze fixed on her, Old Lady Xiang decided to throw caution to the wind—after all, as a widow who had struggled alone to raise her son, she'd never seen much use in saving face.

She was, above all, a practical woman. When her husband died, she'd never considered remarriage. She labored to raise her son and watched him gain a reputable position. Though she disliked the idea of him marrying above his station, she hadn't fought it, knowing her circumstances wouldn't secure a better marriage. Instead, she had banked on the benefits that marrying into the Song family would bring her son.

Now that her son was in prison and would be sent to the Ministry of Justice after the New Year, Old Lady Xiang was more determined than ever to cling tightly to anything she could get her hands on—especially Song Linlang's dowry. This large sum would not only be crucial for greasing palms for Xiang Yunzhang's sake, but it would also provide her grandchildren with the means to live in comfort and dignity.

Old Lady Song, unwilling to argue further with such an unruly woman, glanced back. Nanny Zheng stepped forward, exuding a proud demeanor as she pulled several red paper lists from her sleeve and tossed them to Old Lady Xiang. "Since you mentioned the dowry, let's review it clearly. All the gifts our lady sent home each year are listed here. Except for the first year, which came from her dowry, everything else came from the profits of her shops and estates. None of it touched your household's personal assets."

Seated on the steps, clutching her grandson, Old Lady Xiang cast a wary eye at the elegantly dressed Old Lady Song. Noticing the difference between this woman and Song Linlang, she instinctively scooted back a bit. "So what?!"

Song Chuyi, lacking patience, spoke coldly from behind Nanny Zheng, "Here's the deal: today, you hand over what's due, and we part ways for good."

She took two steps forward, leaned down, and pulled the child from Old Lady Xiang's grasp, giving him a meaningful look before turning her gaze back to the old woman. "This isn't your village where a bit of screaming and crying would win you any advantage. That behavior won't work here. If you refuse to resolve this properly, we have ways to handle it otherwise. Old Lady, you're no fool—you understand, don't you?"

Old Lady Xiang gave Song Chuyi a strange smile, processing the threat in her words with some disbelief. After a long silence, she finally muttered coldly, "Fine, then. I'll give you Mingzi. But you'll only get half of the dowry."

Even half of Song Linlang's dowry would be enough to sustain the Xiang family for generations.

Luyi, standing behind Song Chuyi, laughed, "You've got some nerve, demanding half. Not a single penny will be left for you!"

Song Chuyi's gaze remained fixed on Old Lady Xiang, her face expressionless, her eyes sharp and devoid of any warmth.

Finally losing patience, she released the child and crouched down in front of Old Lady Xiang, speaking in a low tone. "Did you hear that? Even my maid said not a single penny will be left for you. Old Lady, you need both money and a life to enjoy it. With Master Xiang now imprisoned, you're no longer the grand lady of a magistrate's household in Qingzhou... And you have a lot of grandchildren to look after. If something were to happen to them... well..."

Old Lady Xiang's face crumpled, and she began wailing loudly, beating her thighs as if about to start another dramatic performance. Old Lady Song interrupted with a cold laugh, her voice as chilly as winter well water. "Old Lady, this act won't work on us. I've already sent word to the head of your Xiang clan. If you insist on holding back the dowry, we can just as easily take this to court. What do you say?"

Old Lady Xiang stopped crying—she couldn't afford to cross the clan head.

In a fit of rage, she pointed accusingly at Old Lady Song and Song Chuyi, her face contorted with spite. "Do you truly wish to drive me to my death?!"

Song Chuyi frowned, and Nanny Xu stepped forward to pry Old Lady Xiang's finger away.

"No one's pushing you to death," Song Chuyi said coldly. "The court has already granted my aunt a divorce from your son. You holding onto her dowry is completely unjustified. If you're not afraid of death, go ahead and make a scene. I'll watch you bring ruin upon your own son and grandchildren." She cast a disdainful glance at the young boy cowering behind Old Lady Xiang and let out a mocking laugh. "While we're still talking civilly, prepare my cousin and aunt's dowry. Otherwise... when the officials arrive, you may find yourselves without a place to celebrate the New Year."

Old Lady Xiang's mouth twisted in anger, and she clutched her grandson's hand tightly, but in the end, she didn't argue further.

With that, Nannies Zheng and Wang led people inside to retrieve Song Linlang's belongings, while Nannies Huang and Qin went to bring Xiang Mingzi out.

The moment Xiang Mingzi emerged, Old Lady Song couldn't hold back her tears. She reached out, pulling her close, embracing her as if she were her long-lost daughter, Song Linlang.

Unable to contain herself, Old Lady Xiang raised her voice, calling out, "Mingzi! Your father... he is still your father! Are you just going to stand by and watch him..."