The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 96 - Violent Death

Song Jue waited outside Ningde Courtyard for Song Chuyi. Counting the months she had spent away, it had been almost half a year since he had last seen her. Seeing her after such a long time, the smile in his eyes grew even deeper.

The young lady had grown significantly taller, and her entire demeanor had changed. Previously, no matter how steady she tried to appear, she still seemed like a child pretending to be an adult. But now, there was an undeniable sense that her calmness was deeply ingrained in her very bones—she was far more composed and inscrutable than she had been six months prior.

Yet, Song Jue didn't find anything intimidating about her. Naturally, he waited for her to approach, then walked beside her. "You, little girl, are as clever as can be; it seems there's nothing you can't foresee."

Song Chuyi understood he was referring to the matter of Song Chuning and turned her head to look at him. "But I heard that Eldest Brother is too soft-hearted, almost causing a huge problem, isn't that right?"

This little girl had been back for only half a day, yet she already had a clear grasp of everything. Song Jue sighed slightly, "You're still so young, yet you have so many things weighing on your mind. I can't imagine how you manage it."

For someone who had seen her own son and younger brother die, and had also experienced death herself, there was nothing she couldn't endure. Nothing was strictly black or white anymore.

Song Chuyi didn't feel tired, nor did she find any of this particularly unbearable. Having something to do was always better than having nothing to do, and people with value always lived longer than those without. She understood this well.

However, when facing Song Jue, Song Chuyi's heart was always somewhat softer than usual—both in this life and her previous one, her uncle and older brother had never wronged her.

"If Eldest Brother hadn't been soft-hearted and let that girl go, I wouldn't have so much to worry about now." Tilting her head, she frowned at Song Jue, her expressive eyes like a sky full of stars, impossible to look away from. "You see, it's just one girl, and she can't even move anymore, yet she still managed to attract people from the Li family."

She wasn't too concerned about the Li family, but what worried her most was the possibility of Song Chuning spiraling into a madness that would drag everyone down with her—if she used the opportunity to speak with Prince Duan, it might force her to go through considerable trouble once again.

Song Jue felt a bit guilty. He lowered his head to look at Song Chuyi, then shook it, saying, "It's my fault. This Eighth Sister's capabilities really exceeded my expectations... The Li family sent someone again yesterday. Judging from their tone, they likely won't stop until they see Song Chuning."

Of course, anyone who had knowledge of both the past and the future would be treated like a treasure.

As long as Song Chuning revealed even a hint of value to the Li family, it would be enough to keep them completely captivated. Furthermore, Song Chuning had previously conspired with Prince Duan, which, for the Li family who couldn't rise any higher, probably felt like an invaluable lifeline in desperate times.

Anyone would find it hard to let go of such a tempting opportunity.

Song Chuyi flashed him a fox-like grin, sly and triumphant, as if she'd stolen a chicken. "Eldest Brother doesn't need to worry about that. Now that Grandmother is back, do you really think we can't handle the Li family?"

Song Jue chuckled and escorted her to the entrance of Guanjiu Courtyard, where he stopped. He handed her a thick stack of letters. "These are all from Brother Yan, sent just for you. I've been holding onto them. Wait until daylight tomorrow to read them; don't strain your eyes reading them all tonight."

The light in Song Chuyi's eyes brightened further, and this time a smile genuinely spread across her face, softening her brows. She took the letters with a sweet acknowledgment, then asked, "How's my little nephew doing?"

The winter wind whipped her clothing, making it rustle loudly. Song Jue feigned sternness, urging her inside. "Won't you see him tomorrow? Asking won't paint you a picture, now hurry inside. If the wind sweeps you away, who will go to the Cui family for New Year's greetings?"

Song Chuyi stuck out her tongue and made a face at him as Nanny Xu came out, holding a lantern to greet her.

The chill she felt outside vanished completely as soon as she stepped indoors. Luyi and Qingtao helped her remove the thick cloak she was wrapped in, and she leaned over the table to read Song Yan's letters.

However, just as she opened the first letter under the lamp and glanced at the signature, the door creaked open, and a gust of cold wind blew in, making the letters on the table tremble.

Ziyun entered with a chill clinging to her and even beads of sweat on her forehead. "Miss, there's news from outside—Eighth Miss from Tingxiang Pavilion passed away tonight."

Song Chuyi's hand, which was arranging the letters, froze mid-motion. Although she believed she had accounted for everything and knew that even wings couldn't save Song Chuning this time, hearing of her death still made her feel a moment of disbelief.

Song Chuning's death seemed almost too easy and too silent.

Song Chuyi had expected a bit more commotion, but who would have thought she'd die just like that.

Luyi and Qingtao exchanged glances, also feeling the suddenness of it. "When we went to gather information this afternoon, there was no news about her condition worsening. How could she suddenly die?"

Ziyun wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, a bitter smile on her face. "Dead is dead—does it matter if it's sudden or not? Now Tingxiang Pavilion is brightly lit, and the First Lady has already gone over with the maids."

Song Chuyi caught sight of the exquisitely crafted invitation card, with the four glaring characters of the Marquis of Jinxiang's mansion prominently displayed.

Ziyun looked at Song Chuyi and sighed, her tone full of worry. "Miss, Old Lady Song and the First Lady wish for you to go over."

Song Chuyi didn't ask any questions. She knew that if Song Chuning had simply died, Old Lady Song and the First Lady wouldn't go to the trouble of specifically asking her to view a dead person.

But when her gaze finally landed on Song Chuning's room, even her usual composure couldn't prevent her from momentarily losing her poise.

The dead weren't limited to just Song Chuning—her maidservant, Nanny Sun, along with Cuiguo and Lushan, had all perished in the room, their deaths exceedingly gruesome.

Yet, this wasn't the most terrifying part. Given Song Chuning's nature, if she were going to die, she would surely take others down with her; she would never die quietly.

The most frightening thing was the letter Song Chuning had left for her.

In vivid red, written boldly in what seemed to be either cinnabar or fresh blood, was Song Chuyi's name. Under the flickering candlelight, the red glowed with an eerie brightness.

Old Lady Song and First Lady Song looked grim, their lips pressed tightly as they gazed at the four corpses in the room, waves of turmoil surging within them.

Song Chuyi unfolded the letter for a quick glance, then looked once more at Song Chuning, who lay still on the bed, eyes closed. She raised her hand and set the letter ablaze.