The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 153 - Storm

The Astronomical Bureau set the date for the spring hunt as April 20th, with forecasts suggesting good weather and the end of the spring rains by then.

Noble Consort Song specifically issued a message beforehand, asking Old Lady Song and the First Lady to bring Song Chuyi with them when they came to the palace. The First Lady, having already heard from the Elder Master Song about the potential marriage alliance, knew that the task of marrying abroad might fall on the Eleventh Princess. She had been so anxious that she hadn't been able to eat or sleep for days, and not even little Renyi could lift her spirits. Japan was no ordinary place, and no princess had ever been sent there for marriage. But considering the fate of the princesses sent to the Tatars, one could imagine what awaited those sent to Japan. Just the thought of her precious granddaughter being exiled brought a blank, helpless look to her face.

The head palace maid of Fengzao Palace, Zhuying, personally escorted them. Unlike her usual calm demeanor, she wore a solemn expression, bowing formally and leading them into Fengzao Palace in complete silence. Only when they arrived did she finally exhale a long breath. "Old Lady, First Lady, please follow me."

Noble Consort Song had clearly been waiting for a while, and as soon as she saw Old Lady Song and the First Lady, she rushed over, grabbing each of them by the arm, looking distressed and vulnerable. "Grandmother... Aunt..."

The First Lady felt her heart breaking, helping Noble Consort Song to sit on the couch, her words dissolving into a sigh as she patted her hand. "Nothing is decided yet, Your Highness. Please, try to put your mind at ease."

Though the Emperor had graciously permitted consorts of rank to see family members on the first and fifteenth of each month, few could actually do so without fail. Most visits were only allowed once every month or two, and Noble Consort Song was no exception. This time, however, she had insisted on seeing her family just before the spring hunt, a sign of her genuine anxiety.

Song Chuyi remained at the back, her gaze lowered and serene.

It was Noble Consort Song who noticed her first, dabbing her tears and beckoning her forward. "Xiao Yi, come here."

In her heart, she was certain that Song Chuyi would help. Song Chuyi was a smart girl and would have easily guessed that while Noble Consort Xian and Prince Duan intended to undermine the Song family, they also sought to remove Song Chuyi herself, seeing her as a thorn in their side. The Eleventh Princess had also said that Song Chuyi had assured her that even if a marriage alliance were necessary, it wouldn't be her who was sent.

However, yesterday, the Japanese envoy had once again approached the Prime Minister to reiterate the request. At the palace banquet, she had sensed something was amiss. Noble Consort Xian seemed quite confident that the matter wouldn't involve her daughter, and the Empress's attitude toward the Eleventh Princess had grown ambiguous.

All signs left Noble Consort Song on edge. She was indeed ambitious, but her ambitions were modest: she wanted her son to be granted a prosperous fiefdom and her daughter to marry a suitable husband, securing their family's wealth and happiness. But Prince Duan and Noble Consort Xian seemed determined to make her life difficult. Having endured the machinations of Empress Dowager Rongxian, she was now furious that they dared target her daughter.

Old Lady Song gave a firm yet reassuring cough, her voice steady and calming. "Your Highness, please don't worry. The matter hasn't reached an irreversible point yet. The more uncertain things seem, the more we must keep our composure."

Noble Consort Song pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. "I was just... overcome with worry... Xiao Yi, I heard from the Eleventh Princess that you promised her there was a way out. What was it? Grandmother likely knows that the Japanese envoy again raised the marriage request with Prime Minister Chang yesterday..."

Before she could finish, the voice of the Eleventh Princess suddenly sounded from outside the hall. Moments later, the Eleventh Princess, dressed in a lake-green palace dress and wiping away tears, hurried into the room.

Noble Consort Song paused, glancing in surprise at Zhuyi, who stood behind the princess. "What's the matter? Weren't you supposed to be at the Qionghua Pavilion for lessons today? It's far from the end of class."

The Eleventh Princess had no time for explanations, clinging to Noble Consort Song's sleeve, sobbing. "Ninth Sister... she said that the Japanese envoy specified they wanted a princess born in the Year of the Pig to match with their king. I'm the only one in the palace born in the Year of the Pig, so they must mean me!"

The Ninth Princess truly had little restraint. The Emperor hadn't even decided on the marriage alliance, yet she was already using her assumption of the outcome to scare others.

Seeing Song Chuyi, the Eleventh Princess turned to her as well, clutching her as though she were a lifeline. "Aunt, didn't you say there would be a way? But is there really any solution now... even Mother's maid, Mu Dan, came personally to Qionghua Pavilion with an order from the Empress, saying I don't need to attend classes for now..."

Noble Consort Song hadn't expected the Empress's hint to come so quickly. In shock, she held the Eleventh Princess close. "Don't say such things! His Majesty hasn't even decided on the marriage alliance, so why would there be rumors like this..."

But deep down, she believed it. Although the Ninth Princess was arrogant, she wasn't one to fabricate baseless rumors.

The First Lady, equally shocked, looked to Old Lady Song in alarm, her lips trembling as she struggled for words.

The Eleventh Princess clung to Song Chuyi, unable to stop crying, as if holding on to her last hope.

Song Chuyi took the handkerchief Zhuyi handed her and gently wiped the princess's tears, her tone calm and unhurried. "Your Highness, don't worry. With the spring hunt just days away, it's unlikely they'll finalize the marriage decision in such a short time. After the spring hunt... well, it may not be you who ends up crying then."

Perhaps it was the confidence in Song Chuyi's tone, but the Eleventh Princess miraculously stopped crying, only sniffing a few times before catching her breath. "Aunt, have you already thought of a plan?"

Seeing that the Eleventh Princess had calmed down, Old Lady Song felt more at ease, holding her hand and reassuring her, "No matter what, our family will do everything we can. Don't frighten yourself, Your Highness. Think of it this way—perhaps the Empress halted your studies to give you peace of mind for the upcoming spring hunt."

"A storm is brewing," Noble Consort Song said with a bitter smile, resting a hand on the Eleventh Princess's shoulder as she looked toward Old Lady Song and Song Chuyi. "This truly is an unexpected disaster. The Ninth Princess is as arrogant as ever and keeps stirring her up. It's hard to blame her for being shaken; after all, she's still so young..."