The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 84 - The List

Old Lady Song's face was dark as water, her rare display of emotion was intense, and her writing forceful, as if each stroke were meant to devour.

Even Nanny Huang, who knew her well, felt a chill run down her spine and subtly shook her head at Song Chuyi.

Ziyun, noticing Nanny Huang's small gesture, couldn't help but recall what Song Chuyi had said earlier—some matters were indeed best kept from Old Lady Song. Knowing about Song Chuning's arson had already angered her this much; if she found out that Song Chuyi had privately communicated with Lady Fang and coldly watched as Song Yi encountered trouble without lending a hand, Ziyun couldn't begin to imagine Old Lady Song's reaction.

Old Lady Song quickly finished writing the letter. She reviewed it once before handing it to Song Chuyi. "It's time. If we act now, by the time we return home, it'll be just about time to see off this Eighth Miss of the Song family for good."

The letter contained detailed instructions for the First Lady, including which imperial physician to contact and how to handle any inquiries or doubts from the Li family.

After a quick glance, Song Chuyi placed the letter back on the table and informed Old Lady Song, "Big Brother mentioned in his letter that the Li family has already sent people over more than once. Previously, it was First Lady Li, and now they seem to have stationed someone outside our gate, likely waiting for news. The day after she set the fire, someone from their side was already at our door."

Li Rushu is indeed quite concerned about this granddaughter, Old Lady Song remarked with a wry smile. "Too bad the fire didn't spread as planned, but keeping her away from them without letting them see their granddaughter does put us at a disadvantage."

Old Lady Song's expression grew even colder. "Soon enough, once we've sorted everything here, we'll let the First Lady take them for a visit. Without seeing her, they'll never give up."

Remembering that she'd promised Guo Yantang in the morning to delay their return to the capital, Old Lady Song frowned and instructed Nanny Qin to invite Guo Yantang over — it was only proper to inform him about the change in plans.

After Nanny Qin left, Old Lady Song turned to Song Chuyi with an unusual hint of worry in her eyes. "This early return to the capital isn't entirely due to your father's affairs. I've received word that the Ninth Princess has specifically requested you to be her companion..."

It was the Ninth Princess, Zhou Man, daughter of Noble Consort Xian, who had always been deeply cherished by Empress Dowager Rongxian. As Noble Consort Xian's youngest and only daughter, she was pampered and adored by all.

Song Chuyi raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, though her thoughts ran deeper than her expression showed. Noble Consort Xian had a reputation for being gentle and submissive, always following the Empress Dowager's and Empress's wishes. But for someone merely holding on to past affections, it would be nearly impossible to maintain such a stable position in the harem after losing her beauty with age.

If she was that shrewd, how could her daughter be any simpler?

And yet, this astute mother-daughter pair had, without reason, requested her to be Zhou Man's study companion?

It was reasonable for Noble Consort Song to suggest selecting companions for the princesses; it was normal for other princesses of appropriate age to choose someone they liked as a companion. However, by logic and propriety, whether by age or by closeness, she should have been chosen as a companion reader for the Eleventh Princess, Zhou Qi. Why, then, would the Ninth Princess, Zhou Man, suddenly request her specifically?

Could it be that Prince Duan was not entirely oblivious to her secret collaboration with Lady Fang to eliminate Song Chuning?

This thought sent a chill down Song Chuyi's spine. Ever since Song Chuning had allied herself with Prince Duan, Song Chuyi knew she couldn't entirely escape the storm. Song Chuning despised her so deeply that she would surely frame her as the person who sabotaged Prince Duan's affairs in the capital...

Seeing her remain silent for so long, Old Lady Song reached out and gently patted her head. "It may not even happen. No matter how favored she is, she's still just a princess. There's no reason why, if a young lady is ill or uncomfortable, she should still be expected to serve tirelessly. When princesses choose companions, it's always considered whether the young lady is engaged, in mourning, or unwell..."

Song Chuyi was familiar with these customs, having experienced them herself. In her past life, she was supposed to be a companion for the Eleventh Princess, but her family had reported her as "indisposed" to avoid any potential trouble, which had excused her from the duty.

"Grandmother, I remember that the princesses traditionally have more than one companion. Did the Ninth Princess specifically request only me?" Song Chuyi tilted her head, her gaze clear and unwavering.

Old Lady Song shook her head, seemingly recalling something with a faint, scoffing hum. "No, not just you. I've heard that the list also includes a young lady from the Chen family, one from the Shen family, and the daughter of the current Datong General."

It was no surprise for someone from Duke Ying's household to be selected, given that Dowager Consort Zhuang had always been held in high regard by the Empress Dowager and Empress. But Chen Mingyu...

The Chen family certainly knows how to spread their interests.

Old Lady Song then turned to instruct Nanny Huang and the others to begin packing. Though they had traveled lightly on the way here, the return trip was different. There was furniture prepared for Song Chubin, part of Song Linlang's dowry, and other items to catalog and pack. Even with plans to depart in three to five days, preparations had to start immediately.

After giving instructions to Nanny Huang, Old Lady Song turned back to remind Song Chuyi, "Once we return, have the maids prepare your things properly. I estimate that we'll be setting out in the next day or two. With so much happening in the capital, if we delay any further, the entire situation may well change."

She paused, her tone softening with a clear warmth and affection, comforting Song Chuyi, "There's no need to worry too much. If soldiers come, we'll send generals; if floods come, we'll build dams. I refuse to believe they would dare to harm you when the time comes."

Ziyun accompanied her out the door and couldn't help but pat her chest. "Just now, the Old Lady's expression truly looked like she was ready to devour Eighth Miss whole. This time, Eighth Miss..."

She hesitated, then sighed in frustration, realizing that Song Chuning likely wouldn't surrender easily, just as Song Chuyi had said. "But Eighth Miss doesn't seem like someone destined to die early. With her wits, enough to outsmart eight of me, who knows if she'll come up with some new, self-serving scheme."

Song Chuyi, snapping out of her thoughts about the Ninth Princess, saw Ziyun's worry and shook her head with a smile. "There's no need to worry about that. She no longer has the strength to stir up trouble."

After the arson incident, neither Old Lady Song, First Lady Song, nor even Noble Consort Song would tolerate her presence for even a moment longer.

Moreover, the poison in her body remained untreated. Once Song Jue had taken Nanny Sun away, she would be left frail, awaiting the day news of her passing from illness would spread.