The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 124 - Behind the Scenes

Shen Huiyi stood by the pavilion, listening to every word, biting her lip as she gave Song Chuyi a final glare. She couldn't shake the feeling of inferiority—her brother, who never bowed to anyone, had lowered himself to this extent and still hadn't won a smile.

Shen Qingrang didn't fare much better, crumpling the kite in his hands, his face tight with frustration. After a long silence, he finally exhaled, wishing he could somehow regain the pride he'd just lost. Yet, he was no longer the naive boy from before, and though resentment lingered, he forced himself to swallow it, his eyes glinting with resolve.

This incident was quickly reported to Old Lady Song by a maid. Old Lady Song didn't comment immediately, but later that evening, after the guests had left, she took Song Chuyi aside, gently smoothing her face as she asked, "Do you truly dislike him so much?"

She paused, feeling her question was unnecessary. Ever since that ominous dream, Song Chuyi's feelings toward Shen Qingrang had shifted drastically. Not only did she no longer seek him out as she once had, but she barely glanced his way these past few years.

Sighing softly, Song Chuyi held her grandmother's arm and replied, "I just wish he would stop bothering me. If we could live separate lives, I'd be fine with it. But if he won't leave me in peace, I know how to make him."

Hearing this, Old Lady Song shuddered slightly but couldn't bring herself to reprimand her granddaughter. She playfully tapped Chuyi's nose and said, "Things aren't that serious. As long as your grandfather and I are here, no one will meddle in your marriage."

Just then, Old Master Song entered, having caught the last part of the conversation. Surprised, he raised his brows and glanced at Chuyi, then turned to his wife with a grin. "Who would dare bypass us to make decisions about Xiao Yi's future?"

Old Lady Song changed the subject with a smile, asking why he was so late. "Was it that business in Yangzhou again?"

"Yes, indeed," he replied with a sigh. "They've brought back Zhang Yuan, but this case has implicated over a dozen officials in Yangzhou, not to mention others here in the capital. It will take some time to get to the bottom of it." He took a sip of tea before adding, "I don't plan to be involved in it anymore. If I expose too many people, my career could be over."

Old Lady Song understood her husband's displeasure. Half-lidded eyes downcast, she quietly murmured, "Maybe it's better not to get involved; things rarely go as one would wish."

He had decided to side with the Crown Prince, though not without reservations and even a bit of desire to remain neutral. Yet, the Crown Prince was now pushing him, urging him to side openly. This forced trip to Jiangnan with Fang Xiaoru to levy disaster relief and the order to expose Zhang Yuan felt as though he were being used as a weapon. Not only was Prince Duan already hostile to him, but this would pit him against Prince Gong as well. It was as if he were being left with no options.

But Song Chuyi knew this was likely not the Crown Prince's doing. If he had such influence over the Song family, the incident with Prince Duan wouldn't have occurred three years ago. No, this reeked of the influence of the Jinxiang Marquis's residence.

Though the Marquis of Jinxiang had an informal marriage agreement with the Zhang family, others might not know, but Song Chuyi knew that in her previous life, Han Zhi hadn't married the Zhang family girl. The Zhang family had fallen just the same. Clearly, an internal dispute had occurred between the two families. Lady Fan of the Marquis's household had always been in step with her sister, and Han Zhengqing had known the scandal surrounding Lady Fan even after her sister became the Crown Prince's consort, yet he had insisted on marrying her anyway, a clear sign of loyalty to the Crown Prince.

The Zhang family, however, had aligned themselves with Lord Du, firmly part of Prince Gong's faction. Although Prince Gong and the Crown Prince were blood brothers, they had been at odds from a young age. The Crown Prince might tolerate his brother, but with Consort Fan fanning the flames, their conflict deepened. After years of laying low, the Marquis of Jinxiang was likely growing impatient, envious of the revival of figures like Cui Shaoting and Cui Yingshu, and desiring more than just the position of Datong's General. With the Yangzhou Weaving Bureau involved, Old Master Song also mentioned the crackdown, hinting at a major purge ahead.

Song Chuyi delved deeper into her thoughts, each layer revealing connections that grew more alarming the further she thought about it. Given this line of thinking, even the scheme to send Old Master Song to Jiangnan to raise disaster relief funds might have been premeditated by Lady Fan for a long time.

But there was no knowing where Lord Chen, who had orchestrated much of this and stood with the Crown Prince's faction, ultimately placed his allegiance: was it with the Crown Prince, or someone else?

Old Master Song chuckled, yet his eyes held no trace of amusement. "I'm afraid even this selection of a study companion for the princess might stir up trouble."

Old Lady Song immediately thought of the friction between the Eleventh and Ninth Princesses, frowning with irritation. "They were raised in the imperial family, yet they behave no better than the daughters of common households. Such behavior... if it were an official of the previous dynasty, wouldn't the censors file several reprimands?

"Reprimand her for what? To claim she lacks proper manners would be like accusing the Emperor himself," Old Master Song tapped the table. "Even those stubborn censors gauge the tone when submitting memorials. But the Emperor is aware of all this; by the spring hunt at the latest, the selection of the princess's study companion will be settled."

Noble Consort Xian had always been small-minded, harboring grudges from her youth until now; her daughter would be no different. It seemed likely she would have nothing to do with the Eleventh Princess. Yet the Eleventh Princess still had connections with the Song family, so they were bound to bear her resentment.

After a moment's silence, Old Lady Song discussed with Old Master Song, "Is there any way to send in an excuse of illness to avoid the selection altogether?"

Otherwise, there was no telling how the Ninth Princess might torment them.

Old Master Song glanced at Song Chuyi and slowly shook his head. "Someone is intentionally stirring up trouble between Noble Consort Xian and us; they won't let our family off so easily. If we send in a hasty excuse of illness, Noble Consort Xian might spread a few ambiguous rumors, which would only cause more trouble."

Old Lady Song couldn't help but grow irritated. "These noble children are all so shrewd, each more than the next. Even after joining their ranks, they insist on isolating you, fearing you might get close to someone else's side. Truly laughable."