The Consort continued, "If there is, and you speak of having no knowledge of this matter despite your childhood sweetheart relationship. Then it was solely the work of Prince Chang? He would go to such lengths for you, to the point of making this Consort truly astonished."
Let alone her astonishment, wasn't Song Chaoyu herself inwardly terrified?
Yet, kneeling on the ground, she was momentarily at a loss for words to reply to the Consort.
The Consort's gaze, fixed upon Song Chaoyu, held a growing inquisitiveness. "If you truly had no knowledge of this matter, and it was solely Prince Chang's doing, then he must surely be punished! For the marriage arranged with him was decreed by his father, the Emperor. It is likely the Emperor is currently enraged. He has always doted on Prince Chang, yet Prince Chang has caused him such sorrow. Tell me, how should the Emperor punish him?"
Song Chaoyu closed her eyes, inwardly hoping that Mu Changxi would not be punished because of this.
But to admit that she knew of this matter was something she truly could not do!
If that were the case, what would she do? How would the Song family treat Concubine Liu?
She could not risk her family's lives to accompany Mu Changxi's gamble!
For some reason, at the moment these thoughts crossed her mind, Song Chaoyu felt... a pang of guilt towards Mu Changxi.
If he had done all this for her, and she, due to her indecisiveness and unwillingness to yield, was to betray his sincere intentions, would that not be a grave disappointment?
Even though he had never spoken of these sincere intentions to her.
Seeing Song Chaoyu keep her head bowed without speaking, the Consort could not quite fathom her thoughts.
She suddenly asked Song Chaoyu, "Fourth Miss Song, with matters having reached this point, this Consort shall ask you one question. Assuming you truly had no knowledge of this matter, would you be willing to marry Prince Chang?"
Before Song Chaoyu could speak, the Consort uttered a few words with deep meaning: "—as a secondary consort."
As a... secondary consort?
Song Chaoyu's brow furrowed slightly, not because of the issue of primary or secondary consort.
Rather, she was surprised that the Consort had, in effect, accepted her?
She finally raised her eyes slightly, her tone becoming much more sincere. "Your Highness, if there were any other way, this humble daughter would never dare to covet the wealth and status of Prince Chang's residence. I implore Your Highness to state clearly, is there any other solution to today's matter?"
Consort Xian had not anticipated that Song Chaoyu's few words would seemingly "shift" the direction of the matter.
She stared at Song Chaoyu, trying to discern any clue from her expression and demeanor. "Oh? So, what you mean is, you are not coveting the honor of being Prince Chang's consort? And you do not wish to use past affections to approach Prince Chang?"
"Yes."
Recalling the past, Song Chaoyu's eyes seemed to be veiled by a thin mist. "The person... whom this humble daughter knew was named Han Xi. And the current Prince Chang does not bear this name. From the day this humble daughter entered the capital, she knew that she would likely never see Han Xi again in this lifetime. This humble daughter is content to bury that beautiful memory in her heart and does not wish to stir up further turmoil."
Consort Xian finally nodded towards Song Chaoyu. "This Consort understands your meaning. In fact, when this Consort first saw you, she quite liked you. This Consort also knows what your circumstances are within the Song manor, as an illegitimate daughter from an outer chamber. You are doing this for yourself, and also to protect your concubine mother and your newborn brother, aren't you?"
Consort Xian truly knew everything.
For some reason, Song Chaoyu felt a sudden surge of grievance. "Your Highness, please see my heart!"
Consort Xian sighed softly. "You girl, you think of everyone else, but have you not thought of Xi'er? He committed such a grave offense for you today, do you know how his father will treat him?"
Song Chaoyu did not know, but felt as if she were caught in a dilemma. "I implore Consort Xian to show this humble daughter a way forward!"
Consort Xian finally smiled faintly. "I will help you protect your concubine mother and the Song family's young son. You must promise me that you will also help Xi'er resolve this predicament, how about it?"
She had no more room to retreat, did she?
How could Song Chaoyu possibly refuse?
She could only lower her eyes, hesitate for a moment, and then nod. "If Your Highness is willing to protect this humble daughter's family, then this humble daughter will not shrink from death!"
"Good."
Consort Xian nodded. "Then... when you return to the Song manor, tell the Old Madam of the Song family that you wish to be Prince Chang's secondary consort. Remember, secondary consort!"
Secondary consort, still a concubine?
Would she ultimately have to be a concubine?
Song Chaoyu closed her eyes and heard Consort Xian continue, "Also, the Emperor will surely be furious this time. If you truly care for Xi'er, you should kneel and admit your fault on his behalf, don't you agree?"
It was merely kneeling and admitting fault; she could still manage that.
Just as Song Chaoyu was about to nod, Consort Xian waved her hand. "Do not answer this Consort just yet. This Consort still offers you two paths. The first is as I have told you. You return and explain the severity of the situation to your grandmother, then kneel outside this Consort's Queque Hall to admit fault for Prince Chang. After Prince Chang's primary consort marries, you will naturally be brought into Prince Chang's residence."
She paused before continuing, "The second path is that you need not concern yourself with Prince Chang's fate, and this Consort will not trouble you. However, this Consort requires the Song family to send you back to your hometown in Jiangzhou. From then on, you may find any wealthy merchant in Jiangzhou, or marry any scholar. From this moment forth, you and Xi'er will have no further connection. Today's events, this Consort will explain to the Emperor on Xi'er's behalf."
In truth, this second path was the most suitable for Song Chaoyu.
Whether in the capital or in Jiangzhou did not matter; in this life, she only wished to exact revenge and live a peaceful life.
If she returned to Jiangzhou... how could she exact revenge?
But if she remained in the capital and married Prince Chang, how could she speak of living a peaceful life?
Life's circumstances could never be perfect. Song Chaoyu wished to ask her true heart what choice she truly wanted to make.
Consort Xian seemed to have no intention of waiting for Song Chaoyu's answer.
She stood up first and waved to Song Chaoyu. "If you have not made up your mind, you may ponder it here. When dawn breaks tomorrow morning, if you are still kneeling at this Consort's Queque Hall, this Consort will assume you wish to take the first path. You must think it through carefully! If you remain by Xi'er's side in the future, there will likely be endless troubles. Your status as an illegitimate daughter, how can you withstand it?"
She then added meaningfully, "But if you choose the second path, it will also let everyone know that you have no feelings for Xi'er in your heart. Xi'er defied his father in front of the officials of two nations for you today. If you simply leave, you completely disregard Xi'er's feelings. If you choose to leave, this Consort also hopes you can do so with absolute finality. Think it over yourself; this Consort is tired and wishes to rest."