Human hearts are cold and indifferent!
This was the only thought in Song Chaoyu's mind.
It was for the peace between the Southern Kingdom and Da Yue that she had sent the young Mu Changxi, who was too young to even remember, to the Southern Kingdom.
Now that he had finally returned, these people not only did not show gratitude but were filled with more anger and fear.
Seeing Song Chaoyu's head bowed in silence, the Crown Princess thought she was still dwelling on that matter.
As they were about to reach a crowded area, the Crown Princess stopped: "I know that no woman in this world is willing to be a concubine. Your grandmother also said that she wanted to find a respectable family for you, even if it was of lower status, so that you could be the main wife. But I can also see that Prince Chang cares about you. Otherwise, why would he have asked me to send you something the first time we met at the palace banquet?"
The Crown Princess was perceptive and saw everything clearly: "He said it was to thank you for saving me, but he sent you such a valuable gift. He has feelings for you, and if you enter his Prince Chang's mansion in the future, he will not treat you poorly."
Song Chaoyu no longer knew how to answer the Crown Princess.
If it were Han Xi, she would be willing and believe that Han Xi would not let her suffer any grievances, nor would he offer her the position of a concubine.
But the current Mu Changxi... was he not Han Xi after all?
"Never mind."
Seeing Song Chaoyu's continued silence, the Crown Princess understood her meaning: "Your grandmother is right. You were raised as an illegitimate daughter on the Song family's estate. If you were to go to Prince Chang's mansion, you would likely have no peaceful days. If you are unwilling, no one will force you. Let's go, have some good tea ahead. Although mine is not as meticulously prepared as what Prince Chang prepared for you, its taste is recognized as excellent in the capital!"
What?
Mu Changxi prepared tea and snacks for her?
Song Chaoyu realized that it must have been in the room in the small courtyard just now.
Her heart felt even more distressed.
However, when she looked back, Mu Changxi was no longer behind her.
Song Chaoyu walked ahead, her mood completely gone, unable to deal with others.
Song Yanjiao also saw Song Chaoyu walking over with bags of things from the Crown Princess. She had intended to inquire about something but saw Song Chaoyu's displeased expression: "Fourth sister, what's wrong? Why is your face so bad after going to get something with the Crown Princess?"
Normally, Song Chaoyu would have responded to Song Yanjiao a few times.
But today, she was truly in a bad mood.
She walked directly to the First Madam and whispered to her: "Mother, I don't feel well. Can I wait for you in the carriage?"
The First Madam frowned: "What's wrong? Your face looks bad."
Song Chaoyu could only find an excuse: "I just felt like my period has started. My stomach hurts a lot, and I didn't bring any sanitary napkins. I'm afraid I'll embarrass you and Big Sister."
The First Madam's expression changed. She signaled a nearby maid to stand behind Song Chaoyu and then frowned: "Alright, don't go back to the carriage to wait for us. Just have the driver take you back. This banquet won't end so soon anyway, so you go back to the mansion first. Don't get anything on yourself and cause people to laugh. Our Song family cannot afford such disgrace."
Although her relationship with Song Yuan was not harmonious, they shared the same view.
The reputation of the Song family was more important than anything else.
Song Chaoyu nodded, then turned to leave.
Even after returning to the Song mansion, her mind was still in a turmoil.
So many things in this life seemed to have changed because she saved the Crown Princess on the day of the palace banquet.
What uncertainties lay in the future?
She carefully considered what she might encounter in the days to come.
However, she also did not know what storms Song Yanjiao would stir up after marrying Mu Hansu.
From that day on, Mu Changxi's people had not mentioned the matter again.
Meanwhile, a major event occurred in the Song family: Song Yuan and the First Madam finally decided to let Song Yanjiao marry Mu Hansu, the Prince of Ning, as his Princess Consort.
At the same time, the marriage between Lin Muyang and Song Xiuxiu was also put on the agenda.
Prince Ning, Mu Hansu, personally requested an imperial decree for the marriage from the Emperor, which was considered giving Song Yanjiao considerable face.
On the day the imperial decree was delivered to the Song family, the First Madam had everyone in the Song family dress impeccably and go to the main hall to receive it.
Even if the Emperor did not consider Prince Ning's feelings, he had to consider the Song family's status as a family of ministers in the imperial court.
Therefore, the imperial decree and gifts for this marriage were very dignified.
Just preparing for this wedding would take a full half-year.
This time, it brought great honor to the First Madam and Song Yanjiao. The First Madam praised Prince Ning, the "future son-in-law," every day.
In contrast, Lin family's wedding to Song Xiuxiu did not have such grandeur.
In the First Madam's words, she did not know what "love potion" Song Xiuxiu had given Lin Muyang. After deliberation, the Lin family decided to marry Song Xiuxiu into the family as Lin Muyang's "main wife"! However, the Lin family also had a condition: Song Xiuxiu was to be reclassified in the Song family's genealogy as a maid under the First Madam of the First Branch in Jiangzhou City, thus holding the status of a legitimate daughter.
Jiangzhou was even more surprised that Song Xiuxiu was truly flying up the branches to become a phoenix. How could they refuse?
Song Xiuxiu even took the opportunity to send a letter to the Song family in Jiangzhou, requesting a not-insignificant dowry.
However, the Song family in Jiangzhou was already in decline, and no matter how many items there were, they were still somewhat unpresentable.
It was the Old Madam who added some items, and she also forced the First Madam to add some. Song Jiayang and Nie Shi also contributed a small amount of personal belongings, which made Song Xiuxiu's dowry barely presentable.
Her dowry was like this, so the Lin family's betrothal gifts would naturally not be too much.
Their wedding was said to be simple and unceremonious, scheduled for a month later, so that they could marry her before Song Xiuxiu's pregnancy became apparent.
In fact, there were many speculations in the capital about the hurried and simple wedding of the eldest son of the prestigious Prime Minister's mansion. However, the Lin family was the Prime Minister's family, and the Song family was the Minister's family. It was a matter of "mutual consent," and no matter how much others gossiped, as long as the two families appeared harmonious, it would not be overly discussed.
Besides their two weddings, since Song Yanjiao and Prince Ning were settled, Song Yanrou's marriage also had to be arranged.
Suddenly, the three "daughter-marrying" joyous events in the Song mansion kept everyone extremely busy.
Even the First Madam said that Song Chaoyu should wait at home for another year or two. Otherwise, people might gossip that the Song family was marrying off daughters in a hurry.
Song Chaoyu, however, remembered something and someone.
How could she let Song Yanjiao marry so smoothly?
She recalled that in her previous life, less than half a year after she took the place of the bride, Mu Hansu had married a concubine.