The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 127 - Entering the Palace

Song Chuyi was unaware of the affairs at home; even upon entering the palace, she remained in a daze. Despite her foresight, she couldn't fathom why the Empress had summoned them to the palace this time.

If Princess Rongcheng's influence had worked, then during the Spring Banquet, a simple signal would have been enough. Noble Consort Xian certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to openly clash with the Empress over her daughter's study companion at such a time. There was no need to bring them into the palace for this trivial matter.

The one sent to escort the Song family girls was Nanny Qi. Song Chuyi had met her on a previous visit to the palace and found her to be very cautious and proper. Nanny Qi led them to the side hall of Qingning Palace. With a sweep of her eyes, a young palace maid immediately approached and served tea.

"Please wait a moment, everyone. Once Her Majesty calls, I'll escort you all over." Nanny Qi glanced at Song Chuyi, noticing that she still held the same calm demeanor, with her eyes lowered and her emotions concealed, just like the first time she entered the palace. With a slight smile, Nanny Qi pressed her lips together. The Empress had been right—this young girl truly had a different presence from others at first glance.

After nearly half an hour, a palace maid arrived with a message. Nanny Qi lifted the curtain, revealing the incense burner in the courtyard and a pear tree full of blossoms, leading them toward the main hall.

In her past life, Song Chuyi had never seen the Empress. As a girl of poor reputation from her family, she had no chance of entering the palace. After marriage, the Empress had already passed away, unable to withstand the deaths of both the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent. Even when she had entered the palace to pay respects to Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian, she hadn't dared to look at the Empress directly for fear of revealing her intentions. Now, finally seeing her, she found the Empress just as she had imagined—bearing a striking resemblance to Princess Rongcheng.

"Which one is it that you insisted on keeping as a companion?" The Empress, smiling, motioned for them to rise and sit, then turned her head slightly to look at the Ninth Princess seated on her right.

The Ninth Princess didn't even glance in their direction, but her words were resolute. "I want Sixth Miss Song. I don't care if you deny me anyone else. Please, Imperial Mother, grant me this."

As she spoke, the way she pronounced "Sixth Miss Song" sounded almost like she was gritting her teeth, causing Song Chubin and Xiang Mingzi to tremble slightly.

"Unfortunately, she's the one I can't give you," the Empress said with a lingering smile, leaning back elegantly on the couch. Seeing the Ninth Princess's face darken as she prepared to argue, the Empress changed her tone with a slight laugh. "But, I also won't give her to the Eleventh Princess."

The Ninth Princess bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You two have already caused enough trouble over this; I can't assign Sixth Miss Song to you as a companion, for I wouldn't want to embarrass the Noble Consort," the Empress explained with a hint of amusement. "The Eleventh Princess also came to plead with me, and I turned her down as well. You two are sisters; if you keep fighting over a companion, what will it look like?"

The recent quarrel over a Pekingese had already angered Emperor Jianzhang. If they caused a commotion over a study companion now, the Emperor might indeed grow weary of them.

Only now did Song Chuyi understand why the Empress had summoned her into the palace. By addressing the matter directly in front of the Ninth Princess, she intended to put an end to the dispute once and for all.

Relieved, Song Chuyi thought that while she wasn't afraid of the Ninth Princess's temper, becoming her companion would inevitably entangle the Song family with Prince Duan's faction.

The Empress and Princess Rongcheng were likely helping her for that very reason.

The Ninth Princess, left with no argument, felt humiliated, her request denied so publicly by the Empress. After sitting awkwardly for a moment, she bit her lip, glanced at Song Chuyi, and then left.

The Empress relaxed, motioning for Song Chuyi to approach. Studying her closely, she turned to Nanny Qi with a smile. "She looks more and more like Tingting. I used to think it was just flattery, but now I see it's true."

Cui Tingting was around the same age as Princess Duanhui. In previous years, Princess Duanhui often brought friends to visit the palace. Nanny Qi smiled and nodded in agreement, "The Empress is right. At first glance, she truly does bear a resemblance. Sixth Miss has the same blessed look as Miss Cui did back then."

However, Lady Cui had ultimately been ill-fated, passing away young. Realizing her slip, Nanny Qi fell silent, glancing briefly at Song Chuyi before saying no more.

The Empress then shifted her gaze to Xiang Mingzi and Song Chubin. Sensing her cue, Nanny Qi cheerfully offered to escort them outside, mentioning that a few pots of Jinan's newly sent "Eighteen Scholars" flowers were on display.

Song Chubin and Xiang Mingzi didn't dare refuse, knowing the Empress likely wanted to speak privately with Song Chuyi, so they promptly rose and followed Nanny Qi out.

The Empress gestured toward the seat the Ninth Princess had occupied earlier, motioning for Song Chuyi to sit, and asked with a smile, "Did this sudden summons frighten you?"

Song Chuyi shook her head slightly, hearing the Empress chuckle.

"When your mother first came to the capital, she was about your age. In a blink, her daughter is now all grown up." After a moment, she added, "There's nothing to worry about. I called you here for two reasons: first, to settle a request from Yan'er, and second, to ask—how did you come to be connected with the Han family?"

Song Chuyi's heart skipped, and she looked up at the Empress, unsure what kind of "connection" she was referring to. Her mind, which had been drifting in confusion, quickly snapped back, and she pondered the deeper meaning of this question.

What did "connected with the Han family" imply? Was the Empress referring to a connection between the Song and Han families, or herself and the Han family? However, neither her family nor she had any real association with the Han family since that one trip back to the capital from Qingzhou. Why would the Empress ask this out of the blue?

Seeing her wide-eyed, puzzled expression, the Empress's tone softened. "No need to be nervous; I was merely curious."

Yet, Song Chuyi knew the Empress wouldn't casually bring up a question about the Han family.

Consort Fan held a special place in the Crown Prince's favor and, apart from the Crown Princess, was the only one among his consorts to bear a child. Her son, Zhou Weiqi, was also quite beloved by the Empress. If anyone in the Han family had influence with the Empress, it would be Consort Fan, no one else.

But why would the Han family go to the trouble of having Consort Fan bring her up in front of the Empress? Song Chuyi's heart sank, but her face remained calm. She answered the Empress honestly, "Aside from a few meetings with Marquis Jinxiang's heir two years ago on my return trip from Qingzhou with Grandmother, I have had no other contact."