The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 149 - Flies

That bow was a keepsake left by Lady Cui, intended as part of her dowry. Song Yi was fully aware of this, yet he still shamelessly suggested that she lend such a precious item to Shen Qingrang. Shen Qingrang, too, knew it was an heirloom, yet he had the audacity to align himself with Song Yi, feeling entitled to ask for it.

She thought she had made her stance clear, her attitude unmistakable, yet Song Yi was clearly overconfident. Since her rebirth, Shen Qingrang had never held any place in her heart, and after all she had been through, he was even less likely to be a candidate for marriage. Initially, she believed that the failure of her previous marriage was partly her fault and partly his. But with Shen Qingrang's persistent entanglement, she was starting to think otherwise.

She recalled how, in her previous life, Shen Qingrang behaved the same way, frequently sending her various trinkets that girls liked, giving people the wrong impression.

Her reputation deteriorated by the day, until Old Lady Song even turned away suitors from the Cui family, afraid she had done something shameful to bring dishonor to the family.

The power of rumor was as deadly as a blade without blood. When her reputation was utterly destroyed, her heart blindly set on Shen Qingrang, she made a spectacle of herself until all of the capital knew about her infatuation. Torn between keeping her alive and accepting the reality, Old Lady Song and Song Yi could only harden their hearts and allow her to marry Shen Qingrang.

Just as she took a deep breath and was about to speak, there was a sudden, urgent knock on the door. Song Yi frowned and called the person in, and Qingying stepped forward, curtsied, and reported, "The Eleventh Princess has arrived to present Fourth Miss with her wedding gifts. She's currently with Old Lady, who's been searching everywhere for Sixth Miss."

Shen Qingrang's gaze toward Song Chuyi grew even more fervent. He had never forgotten his parents' words: the more beloved Song Chuyi was in the Song family, the greater her worth. Seeing how the Eleventh Princess came and Old Lady immediately sought her out proved how deeply she was cherished.

He stepped closer, smiling as he turned to Song Chuyi. "Shall I accompany you over, Sixth Sister?"

Song Yi also understood the urgency, nodding in agreement and instructing Song Chuyi, "Don't forget to give the bow to Xiao Qi. I'll head over now."

He was convinced he was securing a good match, a worthy future for his daughter, feeling entirely justified in his request.

But Song Chuyi didn't budge. She shook her head slowly yet firmly. "That bow is my mother's keepsake, not to be lent out. Call me petty if you will, but there are plenty of fine bows available in the workshops. If the heir likes, he may choose any he pleases, and I'll cover the cost."

A tense silence filled the room. Song Yi had never expected her to reject him so directly, and he couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, his entire body trembling with rage. "It's just a bow! I only asked you to lend it, not to give it up entirely... Since when did you become so... so defiant?!"

Shen Qingrang's face turned alternately red and pale. Song Chuyi's initial response had been a polite refusal, but her latter words were a clear slap in the face to Duke Ying's family. Did she think they were too poor to afford a bow?

He couldn't help but recall the recent interactions he'd had with Song Chuyi—each time ending in rejection, each time having his efforts rebuffed. It was impossible to hide the embarrassment on his face, and he suddenly found himself reminiscing fondly about the girl from years ago who, despite her bad temper, always greeted him with a sweet smile.

Song Chuyi had never feared Song Yi. In her previous life, she hadn't feared him, and now, with control over her life, she feared him even less. Calmly, she repeated her words and prepared to take her leave. "Grandmother is looking for me. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

In front of Shen Qingrang, Song Yi was left humiliated by Song Chuyi's direct rebuff, feeling thoroughly disgraced. After a long moment, he managed an awkward smile toward Shen Qingrang. "She's been spoiled by her grandmother; her temper has always been this way... I'll talk to her when I have the chance. Don't take her words to heart."

But Shen Qingrang knew it wasn't as simple as that. Song Chuyi truly despised him.

He didn't understand why Song Chuyi's disdain for him had intensified to this extent. In the past, even though he'd never shown her kindness, she still clung to him. After crying over her grievances, she'd come to him stubbornly. Now that he'd lowered his pride to approach her, she seemed to have grown arrogant.

Song Chuyi's expression was dark, and Qingying, knowing the cause of her frustration, sighed and uncharacteristically offered a comment. "Miss, you're of marriageable age, so it's inevitable these issues will trouble you. Such matters will only grow in number, not lessen."

After speaking, she handed Song Chuyi a letter from her sleeve. "This came in today, mixed in with a pile of invitation cards and flower-patterned stationery..."

As Song Chuyi opened it, her initially rosy face paled instantly.

Even though Zhou Weizhao had thoroughly investigated the child's origins, tracing his family history back several generations, she couldn't suppress the shock and heartache within her.

It was shocking that someone could look so alike... Han Zhi was even raising him in a way that deliberately mimicked Ran'er from her past life. Teaching him to read and write, to draw, and to behave—reminding her of everything she once knew, leaving her heart aching.

She held the thin letter with trembling fingers, taking a long moment to gather herself.

She had fought her way out of that nightmare, yet people like Han Zhi and Shen Qingrang were relentlessly trying to drag her back. Each had their own motives for pursuing her, never considering her wishes, treating her as something to be used and discarded at will.

Qingying was considering whether to offer her more comfort when she noticed Song Chuyi suddenly break into a smile—a fleeting expression that sent a chill down her spine.

Shortly afterward, Old Lady Song sent Yushu to fetch her personally. The moment she saw Song Chuyi, she grasped her hand and sighed with relief. "We were searching all over for you! How calmly you waited!"

She took her hand and swiftly led her toward Ningde Courtyard.

The Eleventh Princess, though young and without an official title, had paid her respects to the ladies before being led by the First Lady to the Flower Hall for refreshments, leaving only Old Lady Song, Xiang Mingzi, and the First Lady in Ningde Courtyard.