The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 154 - The Arrival

Just as Noble Consort Song finished speaking, Zhuying entered with a troubled expression, announcing the arrival of the Ninth Princess. This Ninth Princess was particularly favored by Emperor Jianzhang, likely because Princess Rongcheng had often brought her along when she was young, fostering a closer bond with the Emperor. Because of this closeness, the Emperor had always been lenient with her, which explained her audacity two years prior in demanding someone to serve as her study companion.

Noble Consort Song's face turned solemn for a moment, then quickly shifted to a welcoming expression as she instructed them to invite the princess in. She also shot a meaningful glance at the Eleventh Princess.

No matter how aggrieved or frustrated one felt, they couldn't afford to show it in front of outsiders. With the Empress recently sending Mu Dan to inform the Eleventh Princess that she was excused from lessons, it wouldn't do to let her appear tear-streaked, lest rumors of unfilial behavior spread.

The Ninth Princess had changed significantly in the past two years. Already showing hints of maturity back then, she now seemed like a fully ripened fruit, ready to be plucked.

She greeted Noble Consort Song slowly, then stood loftily, waiting for Old Lady Song, the First Lady, and Song Chuyi to bow to her. After letting them wait a good while, she feigned a start and finally told them to rise.

As Song Chuyi helped the breathless Old Lady Song to her feet, the Ninth Princess laughed lightly. "It's been two years since I last saw Sixth Miss. Who would have thought she would look like this now? Truly enviable... this look..."

She left the second half of her sentence hanging, glancing at Song Chuyi's face, taking in her lowered eyes, long lashes, and straight nose. After a pause, she finished her thought with a sly smirk. "With that appearance, once you're over there with the Eleventh Princess, I'm sure you'll be able to help her quite a bit."

The underlying implication was clear to everyone in the room. The Eleventh Princess clenched her hands tightly at her sides, fighting the urge to lunge forward and sink her teeth into the Ninth Princess's neck. She had endured the Ninth Princess's bullying for years, initially attempting to complain, but eventually becoming numb. Yet she had never been this furious. Teasing her was one thing, but to use the marriage alliance with Japan to humiliate her... Rage made her tremble, barely able to keep the forced smile on her face.

Old Lady Song's face darkened. While it was customary for noble families to kneel before royalty since the founding of the dynasty, exceptions were often made, especially for elderly ladies of high rank, who were frequently excused from the formalities. But the Ninth Princess, as if priding herself on being even more exalted than Princess Rongcheng, had forced Old Lady Song to kneel for half an hour. Noble Consort Song's frequent complaints of her arrogance now seemed well-founded.

The princess's words made her intent clear—Song Chuyi would be sent to Japan alongside the Eleventh Princess, and in an even lower capacity. As a mere secondary consort, she would be unable to offend even the local lords and might end up handed over to someone else.

Such brazen malice and flaunting of power were, indeed, a skill this princess excelled at.

Old Lady Song glanced at the First Lady, who looked ready to speak out, and subtly shook her head—Song Chuyi had never lost a verbal battle, and unlike the Eleventh Princess, she wouldn't be troubled by such barbed comments, letting them in one ear and out the other without a ripple.

Song Chuyi broke the silence first. "When it comes to beauty, who could compare to the Ninth Princess? She alone is truly magnificent. As for 'going over there,' well, forgive me, but I'm a bit confused... May I ask, Your Highness, exactly which place you mean by 'over there'?"

The Ninth Princess's gaze sharpened, a hint of a sneer on her lips. "Wherever you think it is, that's where it is."

She hadn't forgotten Noble Consort Xian and her brother's repeated warnings not to openly mention Japan in front of Noble Consort Song and Old Lady Song—the Emperor hadn't yet decided on the marriage alliance or which princess would be chosen. If she presumed to speak on behalf of the Emperor...

Song Chuyi certainly wasn't simple. The Ninth Princess stared at her, hoping to catch some hint of guilt or fear, but Song Chuyi's expression remained perfectly composed, showing neither nervousness nor any superfluous emotion.

Feeling as if her provocations were striking empty air, the Ninth Princess found the exchange uninteresting and left her with a pointed remark: "It's good to be sharp-tongued now, but let's hope you can keep this confidence for a long time. I hope you don't face a day when you can't even cry!"

After she left, the Eleventh Princess's eyes reddened with anger, and only then did she dare to let her tears flow. "She always acts so high and mighty... she had me so upset back in Qionghua Pavilion that I had to leave."

Noble Consort Song held her, gently patting her back. "Why waste your energy on her? If we avoid this now, you'll have your chance for payback someday."

There's no need to wait. If the Ninth Princess was so intent on sending someone to Japan, why not send herself?

Leaning close, Song Chuyi whispered a few words in Noble Consort Song's ear. Noble Consort Song's face brightened, the burden lifting as a cheerful light replaced her previous gloom, and she nodded with a smile.

The First Lady, watching, was curious about what Song Chuyi had said to Noble Consort Song to ease her so completely, but she bit her lip and swallowed her question. Both Old Master Song and Old Lady Song were deeply worried about this matter, and whatever Song Chuyi planned, it was clearly intended for the good of both the Eleventh Princess and Noble Consort Song, with Old Lady Song's approval.

After stepping down from the carriage, she cast a long look at Song Chuyi, refraining from asking anything as she headed to her room.

Old Lady Song, feeling somewhat relieved, took Song Chuyi's arm as she disembarked, commenting, "Your aunt has grown much more patient than before. It's a good thing."

One day, she would grow old, and the First Lady would need to learn resilience and judgment, weathering storms as needed. While it might have been too late to address earlier shortcomings, now, with careful guidance, they could see progress, which gave Old Lady Song comfort.