Song Chaoyu had actually seen Madam Hu before, during the previous Song Dynasty, but Madam Hu hadn't paid her any attention.
Madam Hu looked Song Chaoyu up and down, a hint of confusion in her gaze. "And who is this...?"
"This is the fourth sister of the Song family!"
Hu Xiaoye rushed to her mother's side, taking her hand and beginning to pout. "I never knew before that the Song family had such a beautiful fourth sister!"
"The Song family?"
Before Madam Hu could speak, a lady beside her leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Song Chaoyu. "Is that the fourth daughter from Minister Song's household?"
Song Chaoyu recognized this Madam Liu. She was the wife of Liu, the Libationer of the Imperial Academy, a man of the fourth rank. She nodded to Madam Liu.
"Tsk—"
Unexpectedly, Madam Liu let out a disdainful scoff. "No wonder I've never seen her. So she's the one raised by the concubine? How is it that I'm only now learning that daughters raised by concubines can attend such an event?"
Her words were unpleasant, and even Madam Hu frowned, lowering her head and clearing her throat.
But given Song Chaoyu's status, no one stepped forward to speak on her behalf.
Song Chaoyu ignored Madam Liu and instead offered Madam Hu a modest curtsy. "Miss Hu took a wrong turn earlier and entered the bridal chamber. Seeing that she was lost, I brought her to you. If there is nothing else, I shall return to the bridal chamber to await the bride."
Madam Hu was taken aback.
She had a decent relationship with Madam Song and had met Song Yanjiao many times. She had heard them mention more than once that this fourth daughter of the Song family was not to be taken seriously. To see Song Chaoyu now, so poised and dignified, Madam Hu was naturally surprised, but also grateful. "Thank you. My Xiaoye is just playful; I hope she didn't cause you any trouble!"
Song Chaoyu smiled and shook her head. "Miss Hu is very forthright and lovely."
Madam Hu then took Hu Xiaoye a step back. "In that case, Miss Song, please hurry back to await the bride. You are part of the wedding procession and will be busy soon!"
"Go where?"
Seeing that Song Chaoyu had completely disregarded her, Madam Liu became infuriated.
At home, she was most annoyed by concubines and their children.
At this moment, she stepped forward and directly grabbed Song Chaoyu's wrist. "I was speaking to you just now, and you ignored me completely? As expected, none of you low-born brats raised by concubines know any manners! Bow to me properly, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, I won't be polite!"
How dare the wife of a Libationer of the Imperial Academy, a mere fourth-rank official with no real power, be so arrogant?
Madam Liu had always been a shrew, and the ladies around her, seeing Song Chaoyu as a concubine's daughter, did not intervene much. Only Madam Hu and a lady standing behind her tried to stop her.
Madam Liu ignored them, pulling Song Chaoyu's wrist even tighter. "No one is to stop me today! If we don't discipline these illegitimate children, will they be allowed to ascend to heaven?"
Song Chaoyu let her pull her wrist, her gaze cool and indifferent. "What does Madam wish me to do?"
Madam Liu sneered. "Kneel and apologize to me, and I'll let you leave."
Kneel and apologize?
"That is impossible."
Song Chaoyu's refusal was sharp and resolute.
In front of all the ladies, she spoke neither servilely nor arrogantly. "Today, I am here as part of the wedding procession, representing the entire Song family, not myself. This is a joyous occasion for the Song and Lin families. While it is not appropriate to spoil the mood due to a misunderstanding between Madam Liu and myself, I cannot kneel and apologize to Madam Liu because of your words. If I were to do so, how would the Song family's reputation be preserved, and how would the Lin family's reputation be preserved?"
Song Chaoyu's words were powerful and resonant, surprising all the ladies. They had never expected a mere concubine's daughter, raised by a concubine, to possess such presence!
Seizing the moment while Madam Liu was stunned, Song Chaoyu pulled her hand free. "If Madam Liu believes that I was disrespectful to her just now, I will explain myself clearly to Madam after this wedding is concluded. However, asking me to kneel and apologize to Madam now is something I truly cannot do. I ask for your understanding."
"You—"
Madam Liu's hand was empty, feeling utterly humiliated. She stepped forward, intending to grab Song Chaoyu again.
"Madam Liu, that's enough!"
Madam Hu stepped forward and pulled Madam Liu back. The other ladies, seeing that Song Chaoyu was not to be trifled with, also cautiously stepped forward. "The child's manners are not wrong, and what she said makes sense. I thought you had misunderstood, which is why you were so angry. Today is a joyous day for the Song and Lin families. Please calm down and let the children attend to their duties. Wouldn't it be better for us to sit here and enjoy our wine?"
Madam Liu was insistent. "Let go of me! I will tear this lowly creature's mouth apart!"
The other ladies, while signaling for Song Chaoyu to leave, tried to placate Madam Liu. "Your family has a concubine's son who will be taking the imperial examinations next year, doesn't it? You will still rely on Minister Song's influence then. Please do not escalate this matter. The fourth daughter is, after all, a member of the Song family. Just let her go!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Madam Liu truly ceased her harassment.
Song Chaoyu couldn't help but shake her head and smile at these words.
Madam Liu, who so detested concubines and their children, still had to pave the way for her own concubine's son.
In the capital, it seemed every household was the same, living with people they disliked day after day!
Her resolve grew stronger.
Even though she cherished the days she spent with Han Xi, she did not wish to be with Prince Chang today.
She no longer wanted to hide anything.
She did not want to be a concubine, nor did she want to face constant competition with so many women in the future.
Perhaps fate had given her this chance again, to live her life properly.
Han Xi... Han Xi!
It was time for her to bid farewell to the past.
—
Song Chaoyu returned to the bridal chamber almost at the same time as Song Xiuxiu. Song Xiuxiu had already completed the wedding ceremony with Lin Muyang. Lin Muyang had to stay outside to entertain the guests, while Song Xiuxiu had to sit here all night without lifting her veil!
As Song Chaoyu sat down to accompany Song Xiuxiu, she saw Hu Xiaoye arrive again.
This time, she was escorted by Madam Hu's personal maid. The maid was carrying several cups of peach wine from outside. "Our young lady insisted on seeing the bride, and Madam sent me to bring her. I hope we are not disturbing you."
Song Xiuxiu did not know Hu Xiaoye and naturally dared not speak.
Song Chaoyu welcomed Hu Xiaoye into the room. "They will likely be noisy during the bridal chamber games later. Stay close behind me and don't wander off."
Hu Xiaoye happily sat beside Song Chaoyu and pointed to the peach wine in the maid's hand. "My mother said that you must be tired after a day's work and thirsty. The Lin family's peach wine is quite good. If you finish it, just ask the maid to fetch more!"