The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 134 - A Startling Encounter

Song Chuyi arrived late, just in time to see the eldest daughter-in-law, Li Qingzi, coming out with Ren Yi in her arms. The child was bundled in a thick blanket, with only his head, covered in a tiger-head hat, peeking out. His large, clear eyes sparkled as he smiled at Song Chuyi.

"Why is Sister-in-law out here at this hour?" Song Chuyi reached out to poke Ren Yi's little dimples, and when his eyes twinkled and he opened his mouth to laugh, she couldn't help but laugh as well.

Li Qingzi adjusted the baby, finding him heavy, and finally passed him to the nanny. She rubbed her shoulder and tucked the blanket snugly around Ren Yi. "He couldn't sit still inside, so I'm taking him back to settle him down for a nap."

She then gave Song Chuyi a knowing look, leaning in to whisper, "The Heir of Duke Ying's wife is asking about you inside; it's perfect timing for your arrival."

Lady He's frequent visits to the Changning Marquis Estate, often accompanied by Shen Qingrang, were clearly with an obvious purpose that everyone understood. As the matchmaker, she used any excuse to draw closer to Song Chuyi. Though Old Lady Song and the First Lady were somewhat irritated by her persistent attempts at familiarity, they couldn't openly object.

Noting Song Chuyi's expected look of impatience, Li Qingzi smiled and continued, "Originally, Grandmother planned to excuse you, saying you were unwell. But then Second Uncle insisted, saying it was only a minor chill and nothing serious, so here you are."

Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows, watching as Li Qingzi walked away with Ren Yi, before stepping into the courtyard herself.

Old Lady Song saw her enter and called her over before she could even greet them. Glancing briefly at Song Yi, then at the smiling Lady He, she said to Song Chuyi, "The other girls are playing in the back warming room; go join them. Your elder sister from the Shen family is here too."

Song Yi was still entertaining the far-fetched idea of forming a marriage alliance with Duke Ying's family, and Old Lady Song sighed inwardly. She had observed his efforts over the years; though he genuinely wanted to make up for the past, he still failed to understand his daughter's personality. Ever since the incident with the Cui family and Song Yan, a barrier had formed between Song Chuyi and Song Yi, leaving her reluctant to confide in him.

Now, Song Yi's desire to pair her with Shen Qingrang was not bridging that gap; it was, to Song Chuyi, as if he were pushing her toward ruin.

The matter with the Han family had stagnated after the Empress had stirred things up, leaving Old Lady Song feeling uneasy, a tension shared by Old Master Song as well. And just when the family needed calm, Song Yi was here complicating matters further. Old Lady Song looked at Song Chuyi and couldn't help a shiver, dreading that this would deepen her daughter's resentment toward him.

Song Yi, oblivious to all this, seized the moment when Old Lady Song mentioned the warming room to speak up. "What's the point of being cooped up in the warming room in this weather? It'd be better to stretch their legs. The swings by the lake have been unused for ages; they ought to get some fresh air. Today's perfect, with Xiao Qi here too. They grew up playing together, so why grow distant now that they're older? Let Yue'er and Xiao Qi join them in the garden for a stroll."

Lady He glanced at Song Chuyi with a cheerful expression, but when she saw Chuyi's silent, lowered gaze, an inexplicable heaviness settled in her heart. However, she quickly recovered, smiling as she joined the conversation. "I remember Xiao Qi used to talk about flying kites with his younger sisters, and Chuyi always loved the 'Chang'e Flying to the Moon' design, didn't she? Since there's a little free time, a walk outdoors would be nice."

Old Lady Song shot Second Master Song a reproachful look, her expression a mix of amusement and chiding. "You certainly know how to put people to work. Are guests here to entertain our children, or to relax and enjoy themselves? You're an adult now; shouldn't you show a bit more decorum?"

Despite her words, a sense of unease settled within her. When Song Chuyi was younger, there had been far fewer worries. But since the Han family issue arose, she was becoming increasingly aware that Song Chuyi was now at an age where her marriage could be used as a bargaining chip.

The attention from families like Duke Ying and the Marquis of Jinxiang was far from trivial, and this was only the beginning. Looking at Song Chuyi, who had grown into a strikingly beautiful young woman, Old Lady Song couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Song Yi, meanwhile, dared not defy Old Lady Song's wishes. Though he couldn't quite understand her attitude, he refrained from further talk of kite flying and outings. Noting that Song Chuyi claimed she wasn't feeling well and was leaving, he followed her out, coughing lightly to catch her attention as they walked a few steps apart. Bringing himself alongside her with some awkwardness, he first inquired about Song Yan, and upon hearing he would depart soon, gave a brief nod before asking, "Why haven't you been spending time with your cousin from the Shen family lately? I remember how you used to love being around him."

Though there were strict proprieties between men and women in the Zhou Dynasty, childhood friends from close families were often an exception, and childhood sweethearts marrying in the end was not uncommon.

"I wonder if Father remembers that my cousin from the Shen family used to despise me when we were younger." Song Chuyi let out an unexpected laugh, her voice clear and cool. "You used to scold me often for clinging to him. 'A girl should be dignified and self-respecting'—I've kept those words close to my heart all these years."

When she was little, Song Chuyi loved following Shen Qingrang everywhere, though he didn't enjoy her company. It had caused quite a few scenes in front of the elders, and Song Yi could vaguely recall how Chuyi had seemed bothersome at the time. In the entire household, besides himself and the Old Master and Old Lady, no one else had particularly liked her. Indeed, he had once reprimanded her for being improper and lacking manners. And now, urging them to be close again seemed both sudden and forced.

Song Yi halted, feeling somewhat uneasy, his face reddening as he watched Song Chuyi respectfully take her leave. It was a long moment before he could finally exhale.

Back in her room, Bilian was already waiting. It was rare for her to be called into Song Chuyi's study, a privilege usually reserved for her closest maids. Even with her cleverness, Bilian couldn't help but feel nervous, standing with wide eyes and clasped hands, hanging onto Song Chuyi's every word.

"No one followed you?" Song Chuyi took a quick look at her before sitting down, opening the sealed letter, her expression darkening as she read. "Did my aunt mention anything else?"

Bilian quickly shook her head. "No one followed. I told them I was running an errand to buy osmanthus oil for the gardener, and I deliberately took three different alleys before hiring a carriage. Your aunt only mentioned that all is well at home, though she finds it a bit too quiet. She asked that you think of visiting her more often."