The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 140 - Clash

Han Zhi seemed to be overly confident, convinced that Song Chuyi's ruthlessness was solely due to Song Chuning's involvement. From his perspective, it was obvious that Song Chuyi couldn't trust her archenemy; ever since Song Chuning's death, she must have harbored suspicions, tracked the clues, and ultimately arranged the ambush with precision.

Song Chuyi, knowing his assumptions well, chose not to reveal that she'd had her eye on him long before. Instead, she gave a slight smile and agreed, saying exactly what he wanted to hear: "Song Chuning isn't someone who would die so easily. If she'd gone out in a blaze of glory, taking more people with her, I might have believed she was truly dead. But... she died without even putting up a fight, which is simply impossible. And with Nanny Sun by her side, I couldn't let my guard down and, of course, had to keep a close watch on her. As a matter of fact, someone who went to the temple where her body was kept reported that on the night of her vigil, there was another funeral procession there... Only in stories does such a coincidence happen, right?"

With that, Han Zhi's doubts were finally alleviated, and the weight on his heart lightened. If Song Chuyi's instincts had been sharp enough to suspect him for two whole years, that would have been truly terrifying.

He stepped back, sat in a chair, and swung his leg with a self-satisfied smile, saying, "It seems Song Chuning was right; if one must treat you as an enemy, they first have to kill you. Keeping you alive is a constant threat. Too bad she couldn't kill you and ended up being killed instead. I suppose she won't even rest in peace in the afterlife." Seeing Song Chuyi's unchanged expression, he restrained his smile and raised his voice sharply. "Now, let's get to the point. Of course, I can't and won't mess with these people in Tongzhou. If the entire estate were implicated, even Old Master Song wouldn't let me off. But the person in my hands... he is undeniably one of the killers. If I hand him over to Shuntian Prefecture, do you think you, the dignified lady of the Marquis of Changning's household, can still live in peace?"

He assumed that Song Chuyi wouldn't have consulted with the Song family when she acted this way. Even if Song Chuning was despised by the family, Song Chuyi, as a daughter of the Song family, would be viewed with suspicion for such mercilessness.

Song Chuyi's expression finally seemed to shift slightly. Sitting across from him at a distance, she asked, "Then, Young Master Han, what terms would make you release him? Or, in other words, what would it take for this matter to be forgotten?"

"It's quite simple, especially for someone as clever as you, Sixth Miss," Han Zhi glanced at her. "I hear that Young Master Ye is very interested in you. Let's be candid—Sixth Miss, at your age, no longer an ignorant girl, you should know what others most desire now, right?"

Since he openly stated that he knew she was someone reborn, Song Chuyi no longer concealed it. She let out a confident laugh, "I didn't expect Young Master Han to be so perceptive. Knowing what kind of person I am, you still dare to entertain such thoughts? Aren't you afraid that your household will be thrown into turmoil in the future?"

Han Zhi's face showed smug satisfaction. He toyed with two shiny silver balls in his hand, speaking with a casual confidence, "Would Sixth Miss do such a thing?" A smile of certainty played on his lips. "A wise person like Sixth Miss wouldn't do anything self-destructive, would she? Besides, I still have Ma Wangkun in my hands, who could bring you to ruin at any moment..."

As he spoke, he slowed his pace deliberately, his eyes fixated on Song Chuyi, whose forehead bore a decorative flower mark. "Moreover, if you could be reborn, and Song Chuning could come in dreams, don't you think it's possible that your son, who died young, might also live again?"

Song Chuyi suddenly stood up. She moved so abruptly that she accidentally knocked over a potted orchid on the nearby wooden flower stand, which crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.

"The child at the villa two years ago... no... Ran'er... he was never really your cousin, was he?!" Song Chuyi finally grew hysterical, seemingly losing all composure. "He was Ran'er all along! You and Song Chuning were hiding him, weren't you?!"

Only now did Han Zhi let out an unrestrained laugh. For two years, he had been holding back, and now, finally, the tables had turned, and he was the cat toying with Song Chuyi, the mouse, using his sharp claws. He felt an indescribable satisfaction through every part of his body.

When his laughter subsided, he extended his hand to Guanshan, who handed him an amulet. He tossed it to Song Chuyi. "Look at this—what do you see?"

Song Chuyi stared blankly at the amulet inscribed with the name "Shen Ran," clutching it tightly as a momentary daze overtook her. Han Zhi and Song Chuning really knew how to put on a show, even down to such fine details. After all, any parent faced with a scene like this would surely lose all rationality.

When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with tears, her voice carrying a faint hint of exhaustion and a suppressed sob, "What exactly do you want...?"

Han Zhi was delighted by the scene before him. He stepped closer, towering over her with a malicious glint in his eyes, showing the arrogance of a victor. "I don't want much. I've already made it clear to Sixth Miss. A smart person like you should understand what I need most right now. If you come to your senses, I might be in a good enough mood to let you reunite with him one day. At the very least, I won't take his life. But if you don't..."

He scrutinized Song Chuyi for a moment, then sneered coldly. "But if you insist on opposing me, he won't be the only one to die. Even you and your uncle, who holds the esteemed position of Commander of the Three Borders, can forget about a peaceful life. Think of what your uncle has done for you; he's even given you private soldiers to aid your reckless actions. If he were to suffer because of you, do you think the Cui family would still acknowledge you?"

Outside, Song Jie's servant Songmu knocked loudly on the door. Qingying opened it a crack, glanced at Han Zhi, then reported to Song Chuyi, "Third Young Master noticed that we've been inside for too long and asked if something has gone wrong."

Han Zhi brushed past Song Chuyi, pausing to turn back with a cold glare, "By tomorrow at the latest, I expect to hear the answer I want. You know the residence near the Huangdaxian Temple, don't you?"