The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 3)

Chapter 42 - Schemes

Noble Consort Xian personally went to plead with Emperor Jianzhang, speaking with a pitiful, motherly devotion. "Little Ninth rarely shows such fear. She is, of course, willing to ease her father's burden. But for a young girl to suddenly leave her parents is naturally a frightening and difficult matter. She has insisted on this, which shows how fond she is of Sixth Miss Song..."

"Even royal daughters are willing to leave their homeland for the sake of diplomacy. The families of the Marquess of Jinxiang and Duke Ying are happily preparing to send their daughters away in marriage—surely it's not impossible for the Marquis of Changning's family to do the same?"

Emperor Jianzhang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing across the long table at her. After a long silence, he nodded. "There are set numbers for the attendants and companions accompanying a princess on her marriage journey, which cannot easily be changed. Furthermore, the grandmaster stated that Sixth Miss Song's fate is unsuitable for such a journey—she bears the 'Heaven's Solitary Star' destiny. Even Grandmaster Yuanhui said so. You were present during the hunting ground incident, and now Lady Tong is left with a lifelong injury... If Sixth Miss Song's presence brings misfortune, endangering the peace between our nations, who will bear that responsibility?"

Noble Consort Xian didn't dare shoulder such a risk, nor could she offer absolute assurance. After hesitating, she asked, "The grandmaster's skills are profound—he may know of a way to dispel such a fate... Sixth Miss Song is bold and resourceful, and, more importantly, Little Ninth is quite fond of her. With her by her side, wouldn't both Your Majesty and I feel more at ease?"

Emperor Jianzhang did not immediately respond. He waved for Noble Consort Xian to return to take care of the Ninth Princess. "First, ensure her health. The Ministry of Rites and the Department of Palace Affairs will handle the rest. Without good health, all else is pointless."

Noble Consort Xian had no choice but to leave. Once outside, she realized her back was damp with cold sweat, her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her skin. As she returned to the palace, she remembered something and turned to instruct her steward, "It's too late today, but early tomorrow, have Jinying visit the Shen family and inform them about the princess's impending marriage. Also, subtly suggest that this arrangement reflects the Song family's influence."

She pointed in the direction of Fengzao Palace, her face dark with hatred.

Although the Shen family had remained somewhat indifferent, they likely already knew about the Ninth Princess's upcoming marriage to Japan. Still, a personal message from her people would add a layer of sincerity. By subtly implying that this was the Song family's retaliation against the Ninth Princess, the Shen family would naturally be wary of the Eleventh Princess, backed by the Song family, positioning her as a threat to them.

If her daughter couldn't have something, she would ensure no one else could. If Noble Consort Song wanted to marry her daughter into the Shen family, she would make sure it wouldn't happen as long as she was alive.

Noble Consort Song, indeed, wanted to secure the Shen family marriage for her daughter, and that desire grew stronger by the day. Otherwise, this year it would be a Japanese envoy; next year, if an envoy from Korea came, Emperor Jianzhang would have few daughters left to offer, and the Eleventh Princess would be the first choice.

With the little prince fast asleep, Noble Consort Song gently handed him over to the wet nurse. Listening quietly as the palace maid relayed the latest news, she instructed Zhuying to reward her messenger with a pouch of gold leaves. Once Zhuying returned, Noble Consort Song instructed her, "Tomorrow, under the pretext of distributing seasonal gifts, go out of the palace and relay all of this to Old Lady Song so she can decide on a course of action."

The news of Noble Consort Xian's attempts to involve Song Chuyi in the Ninth Princess's marriage and her efforts to sow discord with the Shen family had to reach the Marquis of Changning's residence promptly so they could prepare. After issuing these instructions, she called in Zhuyi, who had been waiting outside. "Is the Eleventh Princess asleep?"

Zhuyi nodded quickly. "Yes, she's gone to bed. She was worried all day, but once she heard Grandmaster Zhang's statement about Sixth Miss Song, she finally relaxed. She insisted that someone be sent to deliver a message; I only agreed to calm her down."

Ever since the hunting grounds incident, the Eleventh Princess had idolized her aunt Sixth Miss Song and stuck to her like glue. Noble Consort Song chuckled, watching a nearby maid trim the candle wick. Suddenly, her left eyelid twitched.

The following day, Zhuying didn't see Song Chuyi, as she had gone out to find her brother. Disappointed, she handed a letter to Old Lady Song. "This letter is from the Eleventh Princess, who insisted I deliver it personally to Sixth Miss. But since she's not here, I'll trouble you to pass it along. Noble Consort Song also asks that you and Old Master discuss the matters within."

Old Lady Song nodded, signaling for Yushu to take the letter, but her mind was on the two messages from Noble Consort Song. Was Noble Consort Xian truly intent on ruining relations with the Marquis of Changning's residence? Even after Grandmaster Zhang's statement, she wouldn't let go, seemingly determined to ensure that Song Chuyi met the same fate as the Ninth Princess.

But the Ninth Princess had brought this fate upon herself. If she hadn't harbored such malice, Song Chuyi wouldn't have set this trap, forcing her to suffer the consequences of her own actions by marrying into Japan. Now that her own plans had backfired, she wanted to drag Song Chuyi down with her. Worse, she couldn't bear to see the Eleventh Princess find happiness and was bent on sabotaging any hope of her marriage to the Shen family.

Regaining her composure, Old Lady Song reassured Zhuying, "I understand. Tell Noble Consort Song not to worry. While she has her limitations in the palace, we'll handle things outside."

Zhuying's relief was evident as she nodded. "Thank you, Old Lady. I'll relay your exact words to Noble Consort Song. I leave everything outside the palace in your capable hands."

Old Lady Song shook her head. "No need for thanks. After all, I raised Noble Consort Song until she was eight, and I've watched her grow. There's no question of obligation between us. You may tell Noble Consort Song to rest assured. Lady Li has already hinted to Lady Shen about her intentions, and Lady Shen intends to attend the next palace banquet to see the Eleventh Princess for herself. Seeing is believing, after all, and nothing compares to one's own judgment. The Eleventh Princess is genuine and unpretentious—Lady Shen will like her."

It wasn't as though they were choosing a chief wife for the main branch. If she had a noble background but no airs, Lady Shen would be more than pleased. Whatever Noble Consort Xian said about the Eleventh Princess's supposed scheming meant nothing. Lady Shen wasn't foolish. Whether the Eleventh Princess was suitable was something she'd judge with her own eyes.