The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 191 - Rejection

As soon as the door closed, Qingtiao shared the news. Ye Jingchuan didn't react immediately, staring for a moment before he questioned, doubting his ears, "Who? Who did you just say proposed to Sixth Miss Song?"

"Young Master Shen Qingrang," Qingtiao replied, surprised that his master showed little reaction while Ye Jingchuan practically jumped. Internally sighing at his master's apparent obliviousness, Qingtiao continued, watching Zhou Weizhao's response with renewed hope. "It seems the Duke's heir gave a token to Second Master Song while they were drinking together, and they've already chosen a good day to go to the Marquis of Changning's residence to make the formal proposal."

Ye Jingchuan spat on the ground angrily. "Bah! That coward thinks he's worthy?"

During the hunting grounds incident, Shen Qingrang had suddenly abandoned his usual fawning attitude toward Song Chuyi because of the rumors about her so-called "calamitous fate" and the later assassination attempt. He'd kept his distance. Yet it had barely been any time since then, and here he was, shamelessly attaching himself again?

Ye Jingchuan recalled Shen Qingrang's earlier contemptuous tone and his entitled assumption that Song Chuyi was somehow his to claim. "If I don't cripple him, he'll never understand what it means to be a toad lusting after a swan!"

Zhou Weizhao, too, was momentarily taken aback, but he couldn't help feeling amused. He had intended to help Song Chuyi by suggesting to the Crown Princess that she reward Song Chuyi alongside Consort Fan's endorsement to the Empress, hoping that the Shen family wouldn't be so bold as to challenge the imperial favor. But it seemed the Shen family had either misunderstood the imperial gesture or had decided they were desperate enough to cling to the Song family no matter what.

Knowing just how much Song Chuyi detested Shen Qingrang and understanding what the Shen family's insistence implied, Zhou Weizhao let a faint smile play at his lips, giving a quiet sigh that, to Ye Jingchuan, seemed to carry an unreadable meaning.

Qingtiao scratched his head, confused by his master's reaction. He didn't look half as incensed as Young Master Ye, even appearing somewhat pleased. But what was the sigh for?

Ye Jingchuan glared and stormed off, declaring his intent to confront Shen Qingrang: "I'll make sure he understands that Sixth Miss Song is not someone a wimp like him can lay his hands on!"

This was the first time Young Master Ye had shown such determination over a girl. Previously, he'd seen her as a remarkable companion, but after the hunting grounds trip—and a stern lecture from his elder brother—he'd come to realize that he didn't just see her as a friend; he actually liked her. Never one to be shy, Ye Jingchuan believed that, since he liked her and his family was inclined to support him, he was undoubtedly the best match for Sixth Miss Song.

Zhou Weizhao cast him a sidelong glance. "Fight him? He's proposing to Song Chuyi, and who are you to her?" Seeing Ye Jingchuan pause, Zhou Weizhao reminded him, "The rumors about her 'unfortunate fate' have spread throughout the capital. If you rush in to defend her now, what do you think people will say about her?"

Deflated, Ye Jingchuan's anger subsided, but he couldn't calm down entirely. "So, we just let this go? Second Master Song already agreed, and if the Song family elders approve too, then Sixth Miss Song will..."

Zhou Weizhao shook his head firmly. "Don't worry; that won't happen."

Indeed, as he anticipated, matters took a different turn. Lady He sat stunned in the flower hall, feeling as though each word from Old Lady Song was a knife to her heart, leaving her paralyzed.

Before arriving, she had assumed they'd be discussing the engagement gifts and wedding date. She hadn't expected Old Lady Song to promptly ask her to take back the token, which clearly meant they were rejecting the proposal. Lady He couldn't understand it. Things had progressed so far; the engagement token had been exchanged. With Song Chuyi's unfavorable fate, how did the Song family have the confidence to be so unyielding?

She mustered her composure to listen as Old Lady Song continued, her expression growing more strained with each word.

"Not to hide anything, Sixth Miss is still young, and we'd like to keep her with us for a few more years," Old Lady Song said, her tone turning slightly sarcastic as she glanced at Lady He. "Moreover, marriage is supposed to unite two families. But your noble household's heir acted disgracefully with the Chen family's young lady, and that's not even half of it. This time, Miss Shen and Miss Chen conspired against our Sixth Miss. Tell me, where exactly is this 'sincerity' you speak of?"

Lady He hadn't expected these issues to be revealed so quickly. Her nails dug into her palms, leaving red marks, and she instinctively averted her gaze from Old Lady Song.

Her hesitation made her vulnerability evident, so there was no point in pressing further. She lacked the courage to bring it up again. After the incident at the hunting grounds, Shen Qingrang, who previously dismissed fate as nonsense, had begun to believe in it. Although he hadn't openly mentioned it, he was undoubtedly wary of Sixth Miss Song. Shen Huiyi, in an attempt to please her brother and mother, had foolishly involved herself in this scheme...

Old Lady Song's words were measured yet made Lady He feel increasingly tense. Noticing her discomfort, Old Lady Song remarked, "You should take this token back with you. We haven't exchanged birth certificates, no matchmaker was involved, and our Second Master hasn't given your family any token in return. Verbal agreements hold no weight. Let's maintain cordial relations, but let's consider this matter closed."

Though Lady He didn't want to let it go, she knew her husband's views. If Shen Xiaohai learned of this, Shen Huiyi would have no future left. Tears welled up in her eyes from fear. "No, no... I understand, Old Lady, you're worried that Xiao Yi will face hardship in our household, but I'll discipline those who have wronged her..."

Old Lady Song had no patience for further discussion. She wanted to end the matter swiftly, understanding what Lady He feared most. She narrowed her eyes, smiling faintly. "I'm afraid this is beyond what I, an old woman, can decide. You may want to think carefully about what the palace's recent rewards imply. Consider how Sixth Miss Song's rewards differed from the others?"

Lady He felt as though she'd been struck by lightning. Her face turned pale, and she could no longer find any words.

She staggered out of the Marquis of Changning's residence and collapsed onto the seat in her carriage, drenched in cold sweat, leaning back against the cushions in a state of shock.

Judging by Old Lady Song's words, it was clear the Song family had never intended to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family. If they pursued this any further, they wouldn't just be seeking a marriage—they'd be risking a conflict with the Marquis of Changning's household.