The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 179 - Surrender

Xiang Mingzi immediately straightened up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Song Chuyi, filled with joy. "Is there news from Aunt and Cousin?" she asked eagerly. Recently, Old Lady Song had been nearly driven mad with worry after learning about Song Chuyi's "ill-fated" destiny from Master Yuanhui. For the first time, she was truly angry with Song Chuyi when she heard from Song Jue that her granddaughter had intentionally stirred up the rumors, blaming her for risking her future and entire life. Soon after, she began considering asking another renowned monk to read Song Chuyi's fortune again.

When Master Yuanhui told Song Chuyi's fortune, and she subsequently ended up injured and bleeding, the rumor about her being an "ill-fated star" only spread further. Desperate, Old Lady Song personally took Song Chuyi to Huanjue Temple to see Master Yuanhui's elder brother, Master Yuankong, hoping he could clarify things. But Master Yuankong's words mirrored those of his junior, saying that Song Chuyi indeed had two fates—one incredibly dire and one remarkably noble—yet both marked by a "fatal star" that foretold misfortune and bloodshed.

Even Old Lady Song had no solution, often sighing heavily about it with First Lady Cui and Lady Yu, unable to find peace over the matter.

Upon hearing Song Chuyi say there had been a turning point, Xiang Mingzi's first thought was that there was a breakthrough regarding the fortune issue.

If Xiang Mingzi hadn't mentioned it, Song Chuyi would have nearly forgotten about this matter herself. At the time, she suspected Yuanhui's "revelations" were either fed by something Song Chuning had let slip to Prince Duan, or they were indeed true. She'd mentally prepared for either outcome. But when Master Yuankong confirmed the reading, she felt oddly relieved. After all, due to this reputation, even the Shen family hadn't come to visit recently—it was a blessing in disguise.

Disappointed and worried, Xiang Mingzi held Song Chuyi's hand for a while, unable to find words that felt helpful or comforting.

Knowing she couldn't explain how this very fate was now helping her avoid many nuisances—at least for the time being, it held off Han Zhi and Shen Qingrang—Song Chuyi could only reassure her with a gentle smile and a change of topic. "I heard my maternal grandmother wrote that a wandering Taoist visited Qingxin Temple in Jinzhong three months ago and was known to be remarkably accurate. They've already sent someone to look for him. Don't worry; a solution will come. If you worry, won't Grandmother become even more distressed?"

Though still somewhat anxious, Xiang Mingzi exchanged a few words with her before heading to Ningde Courtyard. With Old Lady Song already worn down by the strain of Song Chuyi's situation, if Third Lady came over to make her usual petty requests, a real storm was likely to ensue.

Song Chuyi, however, knew that the Third Lady would hardly make a scene at this time. Lately, everyone in the Song family had been walking on eggshells, fearing they might accidentally draw the Emperor's ire or displease the Crown Prince or Prince Gong. Third Lady had probably been repeatedly warned by Third Master himself, and after hearing Song Chumi's comments, was likely too terrified to even think about troubling Old Lady Song—probably half-scared to death already. Some things could be pleaded for, but certain mistakes were far from easily forgiven.

Qingying, having waited until Xiang Mingzi left, softly approached, holding the letter in her hand with a look of confusion. "Miss, what's written in this letter?"

The letter had been handed to her by a kitchen maid at the hunting grounds, who slipped it to her while she was fetching water, insisting it be given to Song Chuyi. Qingying had initially feared it was a trap, planted to incriminate her mistress. After all, it was a delicate time with Song Chuyi recently offending Ninth Princess and still at the hunting grounds. If someone fabricated evidence that she was secretly exchanging letters, it could be a disaster. So, her suspicions weren't entirely unwarranted.

When everything had remained quiet, Qingying had nearly dismissed it. Yet just before they departed, that same maid had somehow reappeared, begging her once more to deliver the letter, so she'd finally taken it seriously.

Now, seeing the pleased look on Song Chuyi's face as she read it, Qingying couldn't help but wonder. Could it be a message from the Crown Prince's Heir or Young Master Ye? But those two wouldn't need to employ a maid for such a task; they'd have easier ways to send a letter...

Song Chuyi took the letter and, after another quick glance, tore it into tiny pieces, tossing them into the copper ladle used for ironing. "The letter itself isn't important," she said softly, "but the person who wrote it is."

It was a pleasant surprise, and even with her foreknowledge from her previous life, Song Chuyi hadn't expected there'd be a living member of the Zhang family. And it wasn't just anyone—it was none other than Zhang Yuan's own son.

The Yangzhou case might be at a standstill, with the Emperor already losing one son and unwilling to risk losing another. Even the northern trade network had been temporarily sealed, so it was no wonder so many people were now eyeing the vacancies in Yangzhou's lucrative positions.

But that didn't mean Zhang Run was useless.

In fact, if what he said in his letter was true—that he'd been saved by Han Zhi, with forged documents by Han Zhi as well—then things just got interesting. Zhang Yuan could be said to have met his end due to Han Zhi and Zhou Weiqi, the very ones who led Zhang Run's family to ruin, yet here Han Zhi was saving Zhang Run...

Recalling Han Zhi's rumored attraction to men, Song Chuyi's lips curled into a mocking smile. No wonder Han Zhi had been unresponsive to the death of the Zhang family's young lady—his interests were focused on her brother.

If not out of affection, Han Zhi's actions made no sense at all. Who in their right mind would go so far as to kill a family and then turn around to rescue the sole survivor? Unless Zhang Run was utterly without any sense of vengeance, he would undoubtedly harbor thoughts of avenging his family—especially now, with Zhang Yuan dead. And Han Zhi, as he likely had in the end, had squeezed the last bit of value out of Zhang Yuan, forcing him to confess every one of Prince Duan's allies. Knowing Han Zhi, he must have used Zhang Run as leverage to pressure Zhang Yuan, squeezing him dry before the end.

Song Chuyi sensed that this situation held potential. Han Zhi, by committing such irrational acts, had surely kept this a secret from Zhou Weiqi and Consort Fan. In time, this might be a thread she could use to pit them against one another.

Even more importantly, it was a lasting weakness she could exploit. Harboring a fugitive and falsifying documents—either of these would be enough to land Han Zhi in serious trouble.

"This letter is a gesture of allegiance," Song Chuyi said as the ashes of the letter scattered. She looked at Qingying and instructed, "Get ready. Tomorrow, we're going out."

It was time to meet with this young Master Zhang, who should have long since been exiled.