The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 79 - Strange

Sometimes, disaster isn't just something inflicted by others—it's often self-made.

Song Chuyi vividly remembered a few days ago, when Xiang Mingzi had just arrived. Zimei had helped her bathe, only to return in tears, begging Old Lady Song to call a physician. Mingzi's inner thighs and arms were covered in bruises, clearly from being roughly pinched.

Old Lady Song wept and cursed Lady Xiang, her fury so deep she wished she could tear her apart.

The Song family had sent their cherished gem, carefully nurtured and held dear, into the Xiang household, only to see her treated like trash. They finally understood Song Linlang's painful resolve. If Xiang Mingzi had stayed with the Xiang family, her life would likely have been even harsher than that of the Song family's servants. Song Linlang's hatred for Xiang Yunzhang and love for her daughter had driven her to take the most ruthless, final step.

Song Chuyi didn't want to think about the Xiang family any longer. Without the support of the Song family, and in a place like the Ministry of Justice where money was everything, Xiang Yunzhang would be dealt with harshly, his fate sealed. With the Song family's influence adding to his troubles, his life was as good as over.

For someone like Xiang Yunzhang, who would never stir up trouble again, thinking about him would only bring more disgust. It was better to leave him out of mind. Unfortunately, Lady Xiang didn't seem to understand this. Just as Song Chuyi was speaking with Old Lady Song, Nanny Huang brought news: Lady Xiang was sitting in front of the main gate with nearly ten grandchildren, all crying together.

It seemed likely that she was desperate, having lost her money to swindlers, with nowhere to stay or funds remaining, and was now turning her attention toward Xiang Mingzi.

"Lady Li's carriage was stopped by her; she clung to it and wouldn't let go, even grabbing the hem of Miss Li's dress, nearly frightening her to tears..." Nanny Huang, usually steady, couldn't hold back a tone of disdain. "Lady Li had brought a few constables, and they managed to pry her off with sticks."

As they spoke, Nanny Qin led Lady Li and her daughters inside.

"I've truly seen it all now." Lady Li, holding her daughter Li Xintong's hand, had a face darkened with displeasure. "So this is the mother of Magistrate Xiang—a common street shrew! Aunt, you're too lenient, letting her come here to cause trouble. If you ask me, she should be arrested and sent straight to the magistrate!"

Old Lady Song ordered Huang Momo to call for the Third Master to send out notices and then comforted Li Xintong with a smile before turning to Lady Li. "You think I expected she'd stoop so low? These past few days have brought no shortage of surprises. I've heard that back in her village, Lady Xiang was known for her rough ways—a widow's home attracts trouble. If she hadn't been so aggressive, she likely couldn't have raised a son to become a magistrate. She probably believes herself invincible, which is why she dares act this boldly."

Lady Li quickly stopped her from sending out any notices. "I already had the constables take her straight to Magistrate Xing's office—he's overseeing things temporarily in Qingzhou. Publicly assaulting an official's family member alone will give her more than she can handle! Besides, I hear that Magistrate Xiang and Magistrate Xing have never seen eye to eye..."

Old Lady Song chuckled, "After all these years, you still haven't lost your sharp wit. But let's not have her truly detained. She has plenty of little mouths to feed. I'm keeping her around so she doesn't die too easily—I'd like to see if she can scrape together another scholar or two in the next twenty years."

After a while, Lady Li brought up Li Xintong's future plans for the next year. "I've been away from the capital for so long, and I hardly know what's changed. I'd hate to make a misstep in etiquette. Aunt, could I ask for some guidance?"

Li Xintong's face turned bright red, even to the tips of her ears. Song Chuyi, sensing it was time to leave, excused herself with a smile and stepped outside.

Qingtao took the cloak from Yulan and draped it over her shoulders. Once they reached the western wing, she dared to ask, "Why is Eighth Miss suddenly sick? Could she be up to some mischief again?"

Even Song Chuning found her own illness strangely suspicious. She had taken every precaution, ensuring everything she ate came from the Marquis Estate, and even had her people test her food beforehand. So why had she fallen ill out of nowhere?

The imperial physician's diagnosis of "excessive worry leading to a cold" made her scoff—excessive worry and a cold? It was laughable; even street children wouldn't buy such an excuse.

Cuiguo entered with a bowl of medicine, her face clouded with worry and confusion. If anything happened to Song Chuning, her family, far away in Changsha, might never return.

Song Chuning pushed the bowl away, her tone cold as she ordered Cuiguo to bring in Nanny Sun. She wouldn't drink any medicine the estate sent her; the imperial physician's approach was already dismissive, so who knew what they'd put in her medicine? Even if it were safe, she wouldn't take it lightly—she only had one life, and one slip could cost her everything.

"Take a look at this medicine." Song Chuning nudged the bowl toward Nanny Sun, her eyes flashing with an unspoken wariness. "Is there something wrong with it?"

Since returning to the Marquis Estate, a strange unease had lingered. Since this so-called skilled healer had arrived, she had fallen ill instead.

Nanny Sun glanced at the bowl, her voice calm. "I've personally prepared each day's medicine. You haven't taken any of the estate's medicine at all..."

Song Chuning reached out and smashed the medicine bowl, her eyes fierce as a wolf's, fixed on Nanny Sun for a moment before lowering her lashes and letting out a cold laugh. "Oh? I recall she introduced you as a miracle healer... yet, you can't even handle this small illness of mine?"

With a glance, Cuiguo and Lushan quickly blocked the door, and several strong servant women emerged from a side room, surrounding Nanny Sun in the center.

"I wonder if she ever told you—I utterly despise being deceived." She coughed, feeling a wave of dizziness but managed to steady herself, narrowly avoiding collapsing onto the bed. Focusing her energy, she spoke to Nanny Sun, "And when I employ people, I take every precaution. So don't think I'm overthinking things, but I like to prepare for the unexpected. Your parents, husband, and daughter are currently under my father's care in Changsha..."

She noted the sudden pallor on Nanny Sun's face and smiled, her dimple deepening with satisfaction. "This illness of mine came on far too strangely, worsening after half a month of treatment. How about you tell me why that is?"