The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 133 - Stirring Things Up

Lady He sat below Old Lady Song, watching as she used her reading glasses to examine the list of betrothal gifts. Feeling a bit uneasy, Lady He spoke up, "Although they have some ancestral property, it can't compare with what your family has... These items may seem insignificant to you, but for their family, it's no exaggeration to say they've given everything they have."

The groom's family, though financially comfortable for a scholar's household, was modest compared to the nobility. Even most of these gifts came from the groom's elderly mother's dowry. Lady He herself had felt they were a bit meager and had added a few items to make up for it.

Old Lady Song set her glasses aside, chuckling at Lady He's words. "What's there to feel slighted about? They were transparent about their family's circumstances from the beginning, so we knew what to expect. Looking over this list, it's actually better than I thought. From what I see, our new in-law is as sincere as can be. With such an honest mother, how could the son be any different? We're not marrying off our daughter for status alone; if she can get along with her mother-in-law and husband and live a safe and content life, that's all we wish for."

These words resonated deeply with Third Lady Song. When she noticed Old Lady Song looking at her, she quickly nodded in agreement. "That's precisely what Old Lady says. If we were only focused on the dowry, we wouldn't have agreed to this marriage in the first place. As a mother, I have little else to wish for, except that they live in harmony as husband and wife and grow old together in peace."

Indeed, the betrothal gifts exceeded her expectations, and, remarkably, they even included a pair of live geese—a rare adherence to tradition. The Feng family's efforts to follow such old customs showed their sincerity in marrying Song Chumi. With this level of earnestness, the rest didn't matter.

With a bit of relief, Lady He let go of the handkerchief she had been twisting anxiously in her hands, and she smiled. "Every parent wishes the best for their children. My distant relatives assured me that, though Lady Feng has been widowed since a young age, she's not one of those sharp-tongued, difficult widows. She's a gentle and educated woman from a modest family with a history of officials, well-mannered and easygoing. That's the only reason I felt confident suggesting her for your precious Fourth Miss."

The third Lady was about to respond when she noticed Yushu signaling her. Smiling, she excused herself to check the day's menu in the kitchen.

Waiting for her in the hallway was Mi Fenyi, who hurriedly approached with a troubled look, reporting that Song Chumi was throwing a fit and even threatening to cut up the two boxes of silks and fabrics Lady Feng had sent over.

Third Lady muttered a prayer under her breath, quickly looking around to see if anyone had overheard. Taking Mi Fenyi's arm, she rushed toward the third branch's quarters. As soon as she entered the main courtyard, she heard her husband's scolding voice. Her legs nearly gave way, and she quickened her pace, entering the room to find Song Chumi kneeling on the floor in tears, while Third Master Song was pale with anger.

"What's going on here?" Third Lady forced a smile as she walked past Song Chumi to support Third Master Song. "Why get so angry with a child?"

Third Master Song ignored her, striding forward to pull Song Chumi to her feet. "Do you truly not want to marry? If that's the case, no one's forcing you. Go with me now and tell Old Lady Song. Stop letting your grandmother and your aunt slave away for an ungrateful brat like you! Go back to the villa and don't ever come out again!"

Song Chumi, trembling with fear, collapsed to the floor, covering her face with a handkerchief and sobbing miserably.

Mi Fenyi, sensing the tension, quickly shut the door and went outside to warn the maids.

Stepping forward, Third Lady struck Song Chumi a few times in frustration, though she herself began to cry as well. "How many times must we talk for you to listen? Must I die before you finally agree to what we're saying? Your father and I have already lost face because of you. If you continue like this, you're driving us to our graves!"

Feeling choked, Song Chumi could barely breathe and began to retch as though she'd swallowed something foul, though she hadn't. Leaning against her mother, she sobbed until she finally made up her mind. "Fine, I'll marry!"

The lively events in the third branch didn't reach the second branch. Song Yi, somewhat surprised, looked at Shen Qingrang, who used to be constantly around, and stroked his well-maintained goatee with a few laughs. "Only a few years, yet you've matured a great deal. Quite impressive."

Shen Qingrang sat respectfully across from him, tidying the chess pieces, and humbly replied, "My father says only someone of your talent can truly master chess. I have much to learn from you."

He was never one to accept fate passively, nor someone to retreat after a setback. When Song Chuyi used to follow him around, he paid her no mind. But now that she was cool and indifferent, it only spurred him on.

Song Yi recalled how Shen Qingrang had once been close to both Song Chuyi and Song Chuning, and he fell silent, lost in thought, eventually letting out a deep sigh. Those days of childhood friendships, where everything felt warm and simple, were gone. Song Chuning was dead, and Song Chuyi, now distant, would never be as close to him again as before. This saddened him deeply.

It suddenly occurred to him that now that Song Chuyi was out of mourning and already thirteen, it was time to consider potential marriage prospects. Since Song Chuning's betrayal and Song Chuyi's intervention to help him, he had carried a lingering guilt and a desire to make it up to her.

Over the past few years, he'd tried in various ways—sending seasonal clothing, jewelry, pastries, and trinkets that girls typically enjoyed. But nothing seemed to break through; Song Chuyi remained distant and was closer even to his eldest brother, Song Ren, than to him.

Now, it seemed that what he truly needed to focus on was her future—her marriage. Without her mother, it was his duty as her father to worry about these matters. Besides, in all other affairs, Old Lady Song had long made all the arrangements, leaving him no place to intervene.

And as he considered it, Shen Qingrang appeared to be the perfect match—an ideal family background, a childhood friendship with Song Chuyi, a mutual understanding, and shared values. This could deepen their family bonds and was truly a fitting match.