The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 190 - A Stern Warning

Seeing that Song Yi still hadn't grasped the situation, Old Lady Song lost the will to argue further. Her voice weary, she lowered her tone and cautioned him, "Xiao Yi's marriage isn't for you to decide, nor even for us. Do you even know the gifts the palace bestowed on her this time? Have you realized that Xiao Yi's reward was unique among the noble girls in the capital? Rushing to set her engagement without considering the implications for our family, have you even thought of what the nobility might think?"

She paused, watching him look up in sudden realization, and sighed. "Leave this matter alone. The token will stay here, and I'll speak with the Shen family myself. For now, keep your distance from them."

If reasoning wouldn't work, then pressure would have to suffice. Even if confused, Second Master Song knew better than to oppose the will of palace nobles, and it was unlikely he would entertain further thoughts on the matter.

Old Lady Song looked toward the inner room, suppressing a sigh, and spoke to him earnestly. "Xiao Yi grew up by my side and is no longer the naïve child she once was. You should consider her feelings before making decisions on her behalf. You say she was close to Shen Qingrang, but think carefully—how long ago was that? Have you seen her interact with anyone from the Shen family in recent years? Even the last time you asked her to lend a bow to Shen Qingrang—have you forgotten how that turned out?"

A difficult-to-explain sense of disappointment welled up in Song Yi's heart. Old Lady Song's words had extinguished all the passion he felt. What sort of father was he in Song Chuyi's life now? She greeted him respectfully when they met, calling him "Father," but beyond that, there was nothing else. How could he have known she no longer cared for Shen Qi?

The next day, after much reflection, Song Yi called Song Chuyi to the Second Branch's main courtyard.

It had been years since she'd set foot there, and the times she had done so could be counted on one hand. The honeysuckle vines spread their faint fragrance over the stones, creating a scene entirely different from when Lady Li had been alive. Song Chuyi walked through the courtyard with a steady gaze, entered the room, and lowered her head to greet Song Yi.

Her demeanor here was nothing like the relaxed attitude she showed before Old Lady Song, and Song Yi couldn't describe what he felt about it. Clearing his throat, he gestured for her to sit and, after some hesitation, began to speak about the Shen family's proposal. "I realize now I was too hasty in this matter... I initially thought of you two as childhood friends, and you once seemed so fond..."

He stopped mid-sentence, noticing a sudden frown on Song Chuyi's face. Embarrassed, he coughed a few times. "You don't like him?"

Song Chuyi raised her head and offered a brief, faint smile—a beautiful, fleeting expression. "No, I don't like him."

Song Yi was taken aback. She looked so much like both Lady Cui and himself, combining their best traits. Her smile brought a surprising warmth to the room, momentarily dazzling him. It took a few seconds for him to process her words, and then, feeling slightly embarrassed, he stammered, "Then... do you have...?" He couldn't bring himself to finish the question, wondering how he could ask his daughter if she had any favored companion whom she might consider as a husband. Although Old Lady Song had said that Chuyi's marriage would likely be arranged by palace nobles, he wanted to know her feelings first. If she truly resisted, perhaps he could still try...

But Song Chuyi did not appreciate this rare moment of sincerity from him. She looked up, observing how he had become much more worn and haggard—no longer the spirited and self-assured Second Master Song of years ago.

This thought lasted only a moment before she brushed away any sentiment. Song Yi was too muddleheaded and self-centered, always moved by his own intentions. If she showed him any kindness, he would undoubtedly take it as encouragement to act in ways he thought were beneficial for her and Song Yan. Now that Song Yan was about to return to the capital, she couldn't let Song Yi's confusion bring harm to her brother.

"Father, it seems you don't understand me at all." Her gaze was sharp as she looked at him. "I've told you many times—I'm no longer that young girl who followed others around without care, eager to win favor. But you've never listened."

Seeing Song Yi's stunned expression, she gave a mocking smile. "Why do you assume I like Shen Qingrang? Haven't you always known how much he disliked me as a child? Do you think I would degrade myself to stay close to someone who once treated me coldly? You think you're doing this for my sake, but you've never considered my feelings."

Song Yi was left speechless, her words making him feel a mix of shame and discomfort. He had assumed it was merely childish bickering that would pass, and he had dismissed her earlier refusals as nothing more than a young girl's temper.

It became painfully clear that he had never truly understood his daughter.

Before Song Yi could respond, Song Chuyi observed him sitting there, staring blankly into space, looking utterly defeated.

"In the past, you entrusted me to Lady Li's care; now, it's better to entrust me to Grandfather and Grandmother." She gave him a slight bow. "Perhaps I was simply born without the fortune to receive the kindness you believed to be best." With that, she performed a final bow and turned to leave.

Outside, sunlight spread across the ground, casting a golden glow over everything. She raised a hand to shield her eyes. Qingtang approached her, and in a low voice, informed her, "First Lady has already sent a message to Duke Ying's residence."

Both Old Lady Song and First Lady had known that the Shen family harbored intentions, but they hadn't expected them to directly propose a marriage, taking advantage of the rumors surrounding her fate.

This wasn't support; it was clearly an opportunistic move.

Meanwhile, Zhou Weizhao and Ye Jingchuan were paying a visit to Ma Wangkun, who, thanks to his remarkable luck and resilience, had survived his ordeal and could now walk unaided.

Ye Jingchuan, who rarely showed admiration, was genuinely impressed by Ma Wangkun. Han Zhi was a madman, yet Ma Wangkun had endured his interrogation without revealing anything. Ye Jingchuan respected men who stood their ground.