In her previous life, when she was sent here, most of the books in the main hall had already been moved out, leaving only some in the side chambers. If not for those books, Song Chaoyu might not have known how to get through those three years.
The familiar room before her caused a suffocating discomfort in Song Chaoyu's chest.
Hu Xiaoye, however, did not notice and continued to look around the courtyard. "Sister Song, you say there are so many books in this courtyard, has Prince Ning read them all?"
"No."
Song Chaoyu's tone was certain. "With so many books, there must be some he doesn't like, right?"
Actually, it was only in her previous life that Song Chaoyu learned this. Mu Hansu did like to read, but not as much as he appeared to.
Most of what he did was to please the Emperor, making the Emperor think he was studious.
In fact, every time he could "discuss ancient and modern matters" with the Emperor, it was all thanks to the ideas of the retainers he kept.
He was not like the Crown Prince, who was upright and noble. He only used despicable means to achieve his goals.
"Shall we go, Xiaoye?"
Song Chaoyu felt too unhappy to stay in this place. Hu Xiaoye did not insist. "Let's go, Sister Song. I'm a bit hungry, are you hungry too? I'll take you to your family's banquet!"
"Tch—"
Song Chaoyu was amused by Hu Xiaoye's demeanor. "You little girl who doesn't know the way, and you want to take me?"
Hu Xiaoye patted her chest. "Of course! Sister Song, don't look at my young age, I'm very capable!"
The two of them turned around together, but also stopped together.
Song Chaoyu did not expect to see Mu Changxi here!
He was sitting in a wheelchair, smiling at them by the entrance of Ziyun Garden.
"Greetings, Prince Chang. Your Highness, peace be upon you!"
Upon seeing Mu Changxi, Hu Xiaoye quickly pulled Song Chaoyu to bow together.
However, as soon as Song Chaoyu bent down, Mu Changxi waved his hand. "No need for formalities, you may both rise. I was merely taking a stroll and did not expect to encounter two young ladies. I heard that Prince Ning's Ziyun Garden houses many books. Have the two young ladies seen them?"
"We have!"
Hu Xiaoye was friendly with everyone. Even when facing Mu Changxi, she answered with a smile. "There are so many books! But I, this young girl, dislike reading the most. Prince Chang can go and take a look. There are many books inside that I don't recognize."
Mu Changxi nodded, then looked at Song Chaoyu. "Fourth Miss Song, have you read those books?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "No."
Mu Changxi was a little disappointed. Every time he finally managed to see Song Chaoyu, she would always be avoiding him, or she would appear unwilling to speak to him. Must their relationship truly be one of silent glances now?
Ultimately, Mu Changxi said no more.
Hu Xiaoye then took Song Chaoyu's hand and said to Mu Changxi, "Prince Chang, we young ladies will take our leave now!"
Mu Changxi nodded, and only then did Hu Xiaoye pull Song Chaoyu and run into the courtyard.
After running past the peach grove and no longer seeing Mu Changxi behind them, Hu Xiaoye breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me to death! Sister Song, don't you feel a sense of fear every time you see Prince Chang? My mother also said that he is an unfathomable person. In the future, it's better for us to stay away from him!"
Mu Changxi... would make people afraid?
How could Hanxi, who was so bright and passionate, inspire fear?
Hu Xiaoye still did not notice Song Chaoyu's expression and only said, "Sister Song, have you heard? That Princess Tiya from the Southern Kingdom is arriving in a few days. The Emperor will then hold a grand wedding for her and Prince Chang!"
She was solely focused on the banquet. "Will there be good food at the banquet again then? Sister Song, you must come and sit with me, so we can eat delicious food together!"
Princess Tiya...
What kind of woman was she?
It was said that in the Southern Kingdom, she and Mu Changxi were "childhood sweethearts."
Song Chaoyu suddenly felt a sense of daze.
Mu Changxi... Hanxi...
How did he manage to do this?
When they returned to the banquet, Madam Nie was already waiting for Song Chaoyu. "Rain girl, come and eat something. Later, we still have to go to the bridal chamber!"
She was not interested in the commotion at Song Yanjiao's bridal chamber. However, Madam Nie pulled Song Chaoyu aside and whispered in her ear, "Second sister means for us to go there first. She said there seems to be some issue with the bridal chamber, and it would be good if we could handle it for her first."
An issue?
Song Chaoyu became curious. The issue that could be handled by Madam Nie and herself must be a woman's matter, right?
Who could it be?
In her previous life, Mu Hansu had two side consorts and three concubines, none of whom were easy to deal with.
In this life, among the three concubines, Xun Lü had already been dealt with by Song Chaoyu. As for the remaining four, Song Chaoyu wondered what the scene would be when she saw them again.
So, after a hurried meal, Song Chaoyu got up and followed Madam Nie to the bridal chamber.
To give Song Yanjiao the grandest wedding, Prince Ning's bridal chamber had also been renovated to be luxuriously opulent.
Layer upon layer of red silk and satin almost enveloped the entire bridal chamber.
However, as they approached the bridal chamber, Song Chaoyu saw a woman standing outside.
This person... wasn't it Wu Lingru?
In her previous life, she was Prince Ning's side consort, a formidable figure! Not long after Song Chaoyu entered Prince Ning's mansion, she was taken as a side consort by Prince Ning, who then handed over all the authority in the mansion to her.
Before Song Yanjiao married in, she almost managed everything in Prince Ning's mansion, and even the other side consort dared not offend her.
She was fiery and flamboyant, yet she pleased Mu Hansu immensely.
Thinking back now, perhaps she and Mu Hansu had a prior "situation," right?
Wu Lingru's elder brother was the Great General of the current dynasty, so the maids and servants in Prince Ning's mansion dared not stop Wu Lingru when she stood outside the bridal chamber.
Madam Nie walked over and kindly persuaded her, "What are you doing, Miss Wu? Today is the auspicious day for Prince Ning and our second young lady. The banquet is in the front. Miss Wu, perhaps you have come to the wrong place?"
Even though Wu Lingru knew Madam Nie's identity, she was not afraid. "What, can't I come and see the bridal chamber? Let me also see what kind of presence the future Princess Ning has, that Prince Ning dotes on her so dearly!"
These sour words made Song Chaoyu unable to help but chuckle softly.
"What are you laughing at?"
Wu Lingru looked Song Chaoyu up and down. "Are you mocking me too?"