He was so earnest that Song Chaoyu also straightened her back. "Just say it."
Mu Changxi took Song Chaoyu's hand and had her sit down.
He looked at Song Chaoyu seriously. "Ayu, you must have guessed it already. I support the Crown Prince and will definitely help him in the future. Now, Father Emperor is being misled by Prince Ning, and Prince Ning has been secretly cultivating his own forces for many years. In the future court, the Crown Prince and Prince Ning will inevitably be in a confrontation."
Song Chaoyu understood Mu Changxi's thoughts. "Actually, I've known for a long time that you couldn't stay out of the court's struggles."
"Yes—"
Mu Changxi's tone became a little melancholic. "But this is very dangerous for me. Father Emperor thinks that because I came from the Southern Kingdom and lived there for many years, I must have feelings for the Southern Kingdom. Therefore, he doesn't want me involved in these political affairs. If it weren't for Crown Prince Imperial Brother's strong support, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to come to Haizhou City to manage the disaster relief. And I see Father Emperor's current intention... he seems to favor Prince Ning and is instead constantly finding fault with Crown Prince Imperial Brother."
In fact, in her previous life, Song Chaoyu never understood why the Emperor was like this.
After all, in the past few years, the Emperor had always doted on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince could even be said to be a child raised by the Emperor himself. He had been the Crown Prince since childhood, so why would the Emperor suddenly change his mind?
As if sensing Song Chaoyu's confusion, Mu Changxi also said, "It seems... it has something to do with Imperial Grandmother. I only know that one day Imperial Grandmother summoned Father Emperor, and I don't know what she said to him. After that day, Father Emperor became very difficult towards Crown Prince Imperial Brother."
However, it was well known among the court officials and citizens that the Empress Dowager disliked the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's situation was still alright, but Mu Changxi was in a bit of an awkward position.
The Emperor would probably slowly realize that Mu Changxi supported the Crown Prince.
But what Song Chaoyu didn't understand was what Mu Changxi meant by telling her this now?
She looked at Mu Changxi doubtfully. "Yes, I've known your thoughts for a long time. But... why are you telling me this?"
Sometimes, Mu Changxi really didn't know whether to call Song Chaoyu smart or foolish.
He rubbed his forehead. "It's precisely to let you know that you need to take care of yourself in the future. Being by my side might involve a lot of danger. Especially since Father Emperor might eventually dislike me, Prince Chang, then our lives won't be so easy. Are you afraid?"
She hadn't expected that, at this point, Mu Changxi would still ask such a question.
Song Chaoyu smiled helplessly. "In your heart, am I that kind of person?"
Mu Changxi, however, looked at Song Chaoyu earnestly. "Ayu, I once thought I knew you very well. We spent so many years together on the estate. I thought that besides Aunt Liu, no one in this world would understand you better than I do. But later I realized, I couldn't see through you."
His gaze suddenly became hazy and distant. "Ayu, we were only separated for less than a year. What exactly happened to you? Can you tell me? We are the closest people now. I really want to know what happened to you."
Yes, for Mu Changxi, they had only been separated for a year.
But for Song Chaoyu, it had been a full three years of loneliness and hatred.
How could she tell Mu Changxi?
She held Mu Changxi's hand. "Actually... it's not that I don't say things, but that I don't know how to say them. Just like the dream you once had, I also had a dream. In the dream, I spent three years alone in solitude and pain. So, after waking up from the dream, I cherish everything even more."
"Dream?"
Mu Changxi seemed to understand something, and also realized something.
His brows furrowed deeply. "I never expected things to be like this. If that's the case, then I have even more reason to deal with him. Ayu, for you, and for Crown Prince Imperial Brother, I will never back down!"
The anger in her eyes seemed as if it wanted to burn everything.
On this day, Song Chaoyu felt that she and Mu Changxi seemed to understand each other a little better.
—
The fact that Mu Hansu had visited Haizhou City was eventually suppressed.
Perhaps it was because Mu Changxi knew about Song Chaoyu's "dream," that he had originally intended to let Song Chaoyu do nothing, but now he had changed his mind.
Song Chaoyu said she wanted to deal with Gu Rui personally, and Mu Changxi agreed.
It could also be said that Mu Changxi was considerate. Gu Rui was currently locked up in the cellar of the Gu family.
After the people from the cellar were taken out, no one had come here since.
When Song Chaoyu went down to the cellar, Gu Rui was curled up in a corner of the cellar, hugging her knees, thinking about something.
Even when she heard Song Chaoyu's footsteps, she didn't look up.
It was only when Song Chaoyu walked up to her that she spoke. "How is it? Have you seen the situation here?"
Gu Rui looked up. In the dim candlelight, her eyes were filled with confusion. "Are these... really done by my father? But he's a good father. He never did these things in front of us. He always taught us how to be upright people!"
Song Chaoyu squatted down, so she could look at Gu Rui at eye level. "Many things have two sides. That's why where there is light in this world, there is also shadow. Many people are like this. In your heart, your father is like that, but in the eyes of others, Gu Xuezhuo is different. He should pay with his life, and those who died here cannot come back to life just because he died."
Song Chaoyu stood up and looked down at Gu Rui. "Today you will blame us for your father's death. But have you ever thought about who can speak for those who died here? Gu Rui, I don't care how your father treated you. He did such heinous things, he deserves to die! It is already the Prince's leniency that his family was not implicated. If you continue to make trouble, I will not be lenient with you."
At this, Gu Rui covered her face with her hands, and tears seemed to flow from between her fingers.
Song Chaoyu could only sigh, then before leaving the cellar, she turned to Gu Rui and said, "If you still have any conscience, think about how to help those who were harmed by your father. Or go back and be your young madam, live your good life. But if you dare to do anything unfavorable to me or the Prince again, I will never let you off!"
After saying that, Song Chaoyu turned and left.
Tiaohong, standing beside her, muttered, "Consort, isn't this too lenient for her? She sent you to Prince Ning. She really deserves to die!"
Song Chaoyu sneered, "Letting her live in torment is not leniency for her."