The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 94 - Invitation

On January 5th, Song Jue made a special trip to the capital to welcome Old Lady Song and her entourage back into the city.

Due to the long journey, the Marquis's household had sent a considerable number of carriages—there were seven or eight in total, big and small. Even after adjusting their baggage at the villa, the bustling streets were crowded, causing the carriages to move exceptionally slowly.

The restaurants and taverns along Chonghou Road were already packed, and window-side private rooms needed to be booked well in advance to secure a table.

At that moment, Chen Mingyu and several noble young ladies of similar age surrounded a beautifully dressed woman in palace attire, giggling as they pointed her out. "Just look at the display from the Marquis of Changning's household; it's hard to believe they aren't an old family of a hundred years."

Seeing everyone's attention drawn to the line of carriages, she covered her mouth with a laugh. "With such great news about the Noble Consort from the palace and the presence of Lord Song in the Marquis's household, isn't the Song family flourishing? I used to feel inadequate just meeting the Song sisters, but now I feel even more ashamed."

The news of Noble Consort Song's nearly four-month pregnancy had spread just before the New Year. Though Emperor Jianzhang treated her with indifference, the fact that there had been no joyful events in the harem for many years made her pregnancy particularly delightful, confirming that he was still youthful and vigorous. Generous rewards flowed into Fengzao Palace like a stream.

Even the status of the Eleventh Princess rose with this news, as she frequently visited the Empress in Qingning Palace, assisting her in picking lotus seeds.

"Sister Chen, you're being overly modest," chimed in a girl sitting by the window, dressed in a pale yellow top with blunt bangs. She frowned and countered, "If things were truly as good as you say, why haven't we seen them at the various flower fairs and gatherings? Even at the palace banquets, I haven't noticed any outstanding young ladies from the Song family..."

She let out a cold laugh, placing her brightly embroidered Suzhou silk handkerchief on the table. Smiling at the woman in palace attire, she continued, "No matter how high her status is, can it surpass that of the Emperor's daughter? In the end, it all comes down to whether the Ninth Princess favors her."

Any young girl of similar age and status despised being overshadowed. The more Chen Mingyu elevated Song Chuyi, the more dissatisfaction grew among the others.

Despite the jibe, Chen Mingyu didn't seem offended at all. The flowers on her forehead swayed in the breeze, accentuating her delicate complexion, fair skin, and that bright red lipstick that painted her cherry-like lips, resembling the vibrant blossoms of a begonia, mesmerizing everyone.

She glanced at the silent Ninth Princess before turning to the noble girl who had just spoken. "At first, she was too young, and the Marquis's household didn't let her out. It was only after I met her in Tongzhou that I realized there are indeed such outstanding young ladies in the world. If you don't believe me, think back to the grace of the Cui family's daughter; you can imagine how remarkable she must be. Sister Han, don't be upset; I heard your elder brother returned with the Song family. If you want to know if what I said is true, just ask him when you get home."

Suddenly, Shen Huiyi, who had been quiet, let out a cold laugh from the side. "Whether it's as good as you say will soon become clear, so why the rush?"

The Ninth Princess, who had been silent, casually swept her gaze over them, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Huiyi is right; aren't you hosting the Begonia Festival on the eighth? Just save her an invitation."

Having spent time with the Dowager Concubine Zhuang recently, Shen Huiyi had built some connections with the Ninth Princess. She chuckled maliciously, "Besides, her father is currently a convicted traitor. No matter how prominent her family is, with her father in such a situation, how can she have any honor? Sister Chen, you really think highly of her."

Chen Mingyu smiled without replying.

That evening, the invitation arrived in Song Chuyi's hands.

Ziyun looked at the invitation in surprise. "Our family has never had much connection with the Marquis of Jinxiang's household. We've only traveled with their young marquis for a short while, and yet the invitation comes immediately. The Marquis of Jinxiang certainly is thorough in his dealings."

But after Han Yu's incident, Song Chuyi instinctively felt that the invitation was not so simple. The Han family had always operated discreetly, almost wishing that the noble families in the capital would forget about them. They had never held such a public gathering.

Moreover, the Begonia Festival was planned for the eighth, and preparations would have started long before she returned to the capital. For them to send an invitation in such haste made Song Chuyi suspect Han Yu's involvement.

After thinking it over, she instructed Ziyun, "Go to Cousin's place later and see if she received the same invitation."

She wasn't referring to Xiang Mingzi; since Han Yu had traveled with them, it was unlikely that he'd exclude her. Instead, she wanted Nanny Xu to make a visit to the Cui family.

Sure enough, Ziyun seemed to understand. She put down the clothes she was scenting and looked at Song Chuyi. "But it's already late; going out now might draw too much attention."

Song Chuyi's tightly clenched hands relaxed a bit. How could she forget? They were no longer in Qingzhou, and moving around was not as convenient.

After some silence, she tossed the invitation aside, wrapped herself in her cloak, and headed to Old Lady Song's room.

Although the First Lady had spent decades in the capital, her background still limited her knowledge of certain intricate family connections. Song Chuyi realized she needed to consult Old Lady Song, a veteran who knew the circles well.

Old Lady Song was pleased to see her. She pulled Song Chuyi to sit beside her with a smile and asked, "I heard you received several invitations right after returning?"

The Song family's girls typically didn't go out much, but in recent years, Old Lady Song had recognized the downsides of keeping them confined—Song Chumi, for instance, had been easily deceived, while Song Chubin and Song Chuxuan were also lacking in certain areas. Going out and gaining experience had its benefits.

Song Chuyi took out the invitation and handed it to Old Lady Song. "This is an invitation sent by Second Miss Han from the Marquis of Jinxiang's household. But as Grandmother knows, the Marquis of Jinxiang is different from other noble families... I fear I might make a fool of myself if I attend."

Old Lady Song had little interest in the delicate and beautifully crafted invitations sent among the young women. She casually flipped through it and put it aside, then spoke in detail to Song Chuyi about the Han family. "Originally, they were a family that rose through military merits, but they never married into the royal family. Their wives were mostly from ordinary families, valued for their virtuous qualities. After five generations, they were downgraded in their nobility, and now they've fallen to the marquis rank. However, this generation's Marquis of Jinxiang is different; the wife he took was not from an ordinary family. In fact, back then, it was a story everyone in the capital wanted to hear. The Marquis's wife is from the Fan family. Years ago, two daughters of the Fan family came to the capital for marriage. One fell in love with the Crown Prince at first sight, while the other ended up with the Marquis of Jinxiang..."