The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 198 - Reasoning

When the scandal broke, Song Chuyi was sitting with Xiang Mingzi, accompanying Old Lady Song. They were halfway through a book on etiquette for young ladies when Yushu entered, announcing that First Lady Song had arrived. Recently, her eldest son Song Jue's wife, Li Qingzi, had discovered she was pregnant again, the Eleventh Princess had avoided a marriage to the Eastern Kingdom, and with Prince Duan no longer around to stir up trouble, First Lady Song felt that everything was going smoothly. She walked with a spring in her step, usually beaming with joy.

However, this time, despite her brisk pace, her smile was gone. After entering the room and greeting everyone, she stood to the side, looking somewhat uneasy, as if unsure how to start.

Seeing her demeanor, Old Lady Song teased her, "What's happened to make our usually composed lady so troubled? Just the other day, you were all smiles—why the sudden change?"

The third Lady, who had also recently felt relieved after sending her troublesome daughter, Song Chumi, away, joined in the jest. "That's right! I've never seen you like this. Could it be that Qi'er's marriage match has fallen through again?"

Song Qi, having traveled with Old Master Song and returned full of ideas, had imposed a strict rule on himself: he wouldn't marry until he succeeded in the exams, much to First Lady Song's frustration.

Standing there with a forced smile, the First Lady's expression was one of mingled amusement and embarrassment. Glancing briefly at Song Chuyi, who was seated quietly, she looked back at Old Lady Song and said, "The Marchioness of Wuning has arrived and is currently waiting in the main hall. She said she wanted to see you."

Old Lady Song, releasing Xiang Mingzi's hand, gave a puzzled look. "To see me? It's been years since we've had any contact. Why suddenly come calling?"

They hadn't received any prior message or a courtesy post, and there hadn't been any recent interactions between the Song and Wuning households. For the Marchioness of Wuning, a family who had cut ties with the Songs decades ago over inheritance disputes, to visit so unexpectedly was baffling.

First Lady wrung her handkerchief, her expression complicated, and sighed. "I didn't want to bring this up in front of the girls, fearing it would be inappropriate for them to hear. But, on second thought, Chuyi isn't like ordinary girls, and Mingzi could benefit from learning to be more discerning... I beg your forgiveness, Mother, but allow me to explain the situation."

The clinking of the nine rings in Song Chuyi's hands echoed briefly. She handed the puzzle to Yushu and, side by side with Xiang Mingzi, assumed an attentive posture.

Old Lady Song nodded, and the First Lady recounted the entire incident between Shen Qingrang and Tong Shao at the inn. By the end, she couldn't suppress her anger and spat, "Such despicable conduct... if our family's girl were to end up with a man like that, it would be a lifetime of suffering!"

Xiang Mingzi's face flushed bright red. Embarrassed and shocked, she clutched Song Chuyi's hand. A man like that, frequenting pleasure houses and in a scandalous encounter with Miss Tong—what sort of match could he possibly be? If Second Uncle had truly considered this a desirable marriage, wouldn't Song Chuyi suffer her entire life if it went through?

Third Lady was equally appalled. She glanced at Song Chuyi, then at Old Lady Song's thunderous expression. After a moment, she regained her voice, saying, "But why is the Marchioness of Wuning here to see our matriarch? What do the Shen family's affairs have to do with us?"

Old Lady Song let out a short laugh, raising the corner of her mouth in a half-smile. "Good question. I'd like to ask the same thing—no matter how much uproar this affair has caused, what does it have to do with our family? Why on earth would the Marchioness of Wuning come to our home over it?"

The Marquis of Wuning's household was known for its unruly behavior. Back when they were stationed at the frontier in Xuanfu, their violent ways and abuse of soldiers had nearly caused a mutiny. The current Marquis, however, had been assigned to command the guard in Hebei. This family, notoriously indulgent with their children, had only one daughter, who, upon marriage, took half the family's wealth as her dowry and frequently returned to visit. Even her daughter, Tong Shao, was treated like a precious gem and raised in the Marquis' own household.

But what did any of this have to do with the Marquis of Changning's family? Why weren't they sorting out the mess with the Shen family instead of bringing their troubles to the Songs?

Old Lady Song quickly learned why the Marchioness had come. The moment she entered, she burst into wailing. Though around the same age as Lady Song, her hysterical crying twisted her face into a grotesque expression.

Old Lady Song, already weary of her theatrics, cast a glance downward. Third Lady put on a mocking smile and stepped forward to assist the Marchioness. "Oh my! Anyone unaware might think the Marchioness mistook the Marquis of Changning's residence for the Tong family's or Duke Ying's! My, you've quite startled our matriarch... No offense, but if there's something you need, just say it. No need to scare our Old Lady with such sobbing!"

Third Lady might have lacked tact, but in this case, it served her well. The Marchioness stifled her crying, hastily wiping her face with her handkerchief before addressing Old Lady Song with a wary look. "Yesterday's events... I don't know if you, Old Lady, have already heard about them?"

It was an odd question. What did she mean by "heard about them"? It was so vague that if Old Lady Song responded affirmatively, it would sound as though the Song household had informants everywhere.

With a stony expression, Old Lady Song shook her head. "I haven't a clue what the Marchioness is referring to. You arrived here in tears, and I'm still in the dark. Has our family somehow wronged yours?" Old Lady Song was happy to watch Wuning and Duke Ying's families make fools of themselves, but if they intended to involve the Songs, that was no laughing matter. Her face darkened, her tone cool, hoping the Marchioness would compose herself and choose her words more wisely.

The Marchioness of Wuning's face froze, but she couldn't hold back her sniffling as she choked out, "Duke Ying's family has gone too far! While they were negotiating a marriage with us, I heard they gave a betrothal token to your family's Sixth Miss as well..."