The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 98 - Undercurrent

Early the next morning, Song Jue accompanied Song Chuyi to the Cui residence to offer New Year greetings. On the way, Song Jue's face was rather grim. "I had them sent out of the city by carriage late last night. It didn't frighten you, did it?"

Although he knew that Song Chuyi rarely feared anything, after hearing First Lady Song's description, he found it hard to sleep himself and was still a bit worried.

Song Chuyi, however, didn't feel afraid at all. After all, she had already encountered Ran Ge'er, who looked identical to his past self, so what else was there to be afraid of?

First Lady Cui personally welcomed her at the second gate. Upon seeing her, she pulled her close, looking her over from every angle. Seeing that Song Chuyi didn't have the weary look of someone returning from a long journey but instead looked even more refined, First Lady Cui happily pinched her cheek and laughed, "It's clear that the land of Qingzhou is nourishing; otherwise, I'd worry about the toll of such a hurried trip."

As they spoke, First Lady Cui held her in front of the flower hall and said, "Inside, your Aunt Yu and your two cousins are waiting, along with some young ladies from the Chen family and Duke Ying's household. Now that you've returned from your journey, you'll soon need to attend their gatherings; today's a good chance to socialize."

Upon entering, Song Chuyi first paid her respects to Lady Chen and the wife of Duke Ying's heir, then turned to find her Aunt Yu. Lady Yu had already been waving her over, and seeing her at ease again, she felt reassured. Noticing a pearl in her hair was out of place, she even adjusted it herself.

With Cui Shaoting's recent appointment as Commander of the Three Borders and Assistant Minister of War, Lady Yu's status had risen, making her the center of attention. Observing how much both Princess Duanhui and Lady Yu favored Song Chuyi, the other ladies began to calculate their own intentions.

Old Lady Chen shot a heavy, meaningful look at Chen Mingyu, a subtle warning in her gaze. Meanwhile, Lady He, the wife of Duke Ying's heir, nudged her second daughter, Shen Huiyi, and gave her a look—she had already instructed her daughter before coming to make a good impression on Song Chuyi. Now, seeing the Cui family's high regard for Song Chuyi, her determination to strengthen their connection grew even stronger.

However, Shen Huiyi remained stiffly in place, unmoving. She glanced at Chen Mingyu, who was watching her with amused interest. The gaze of the Grand Secretary's eldest granddaughter carried a hint of understanding and an unclear mockery. Recalling what they had discussed at the Ju Yi Teahouse by the street yesterday, along with her mother's repeated reminders last night, Shen Huiyi felt a surge of both pride and inferiority, erupting within her and reducing her rationality to ashes.

Lady He nudged her daughter several times but received no response, growing frustrated. She was just about to pinch her daughter's waist when Song Chuyi left the room.

"Hurry and follow her!" Lady He kept a warm smile as she nodded at the newly-arrived Lady Chen but was visibly displeased as she leaned down to quietly warn her daughter, "If you don't know how to appreciate what's good for you, then don't expect me to bring you along again!"

The north wind howled along the corridor, sweeping up the snow and the red plum blossoms from the branches, sending them flying in all directions. As soon as Song Chuyi stepped outside, she staggered slightly and noticed Luyi shivering in the cold. Frowning, she asked, "Why aren't you resting over there? Why come all the way out here?"

In large households, there was always a designated place for guest maids to rest. Luyi shook her head, gave a shivering yawn, and with a hint of urgency, leaned in close to whisper, "Miss, I heard that the official who lost his daughter has made a scene at our residence. He's brought his entire family and is crying at our front gate."

Song Yi was already imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, so if these people wanted to cry, they should be doing it there, pressing for a harsher sentence. But instead, they came to cause trouble at the Marquis's residence, likely trying to imply that the Marquis's family was using its influence to suppress others.

Worse yet, it was possible that Prince Duan, unsatisfied with just targeting Song Yi, was pushing to escalate matters further so that the censors would also impeach Song Chengru for not managing his household and allowing harm to others.

Song Chuyi curled her lips in a mocking smile, her eyes glinting with understanding. Too bad—they probably thought she was consumed by hatred and not thinking clearly.

"No need to worry. Has the eldest young master already returned?" Seeing Luyi's concern, Song Chuyi couldn't help but tease her, "If the sky falls, there'll be someone taller to hold it up."

Luyi stamped her foot, frustrated, thinking her mistress might have lost her mind. "Miss, even if you dislike the Second Master, he's still your father! If he's convicted, won't you and Fourth Young Master be burdened with it for life?"

Song Chuyi tapped her forehead lightly. "You think I don't understand what you do? Relax, nothing serious will come of it. You go back and wait for me—I'll finish speaking with Aunt Yu and then we can leave."

Chen Mingyu stood a distance away by the doorway, watching her. When Song Chuyi turned her head, Chen Mingyu smiled warmly and pulled the stiff-faced Shen Huiyi a few steps closer. "It's been a while, and you've grown even more beautiful, sister. In a few years, when you've fully blossomed, I'm afraid the noble ladies of the capital will lose the motivation to hold their gatherings."

Shen Huiyi's expression stiffened even more. She sneered and looked at Song Chuyi with a critical eye. "She's just a little sprout right now; why talk about blossoming?"

Chen Mingyu always knew how to use her words and expressions to manipulate others, and Song Chuyi could see right through her. She merely glanced at them, nodded slightly, and headed inside, not intending to engage further. Their principles didn't align. Last time, she'd let Chen Mingyu go because of Tang Mingzhao, but the Chen family might not be able to pay the price for a second Tang Mingzhao.

Meanwhile, the Cui sisters were being drawn into conversation with a few recently arrived ladies. Seeing Song Chuyi return, Lady Yu smiled. "You left right in the middle of our conversation. What drew you away?"

Song Chuyi sat down beside her and replied, "My elder brother sent word that something came up at home, so he went back for now. He said he'd come to fetch me again this evening."

Lady Yu nodded thoughtfully and turned to ask, "You mentioned you had something to discuss with me earlier. I've been waiting to hear about it."

"It's nothing much," Song Chuyi lowered her voice slightly. "I heard that while Uncle was stationed in Fujian, he had a team of guards who lived alongside the soldiers, known for their toughness. Now that Uncle and Aunt have come to the capital, they must have brought them along, right?"

Lady Yu quickly understood what Song Chuyi was getting at and tapped her on the forehead with a light reprimand. "You always speak in half measures. What do you need them for? Doesn't the Marquis's household already have enough guards?"

But then, Lady Yu realized something was off. Song Chuyi likely wasn't just interested in security; it seemed she might be secretly assembling her own forces under the Marquis's nose.

Lady Yu looked at her with surprise, her brow creasing slightly.