Fourth Concubine whispered the secret to Song Chaoyu, "I once saw a person, he..."
Listening to Fourth Concubine's words, Song Chaoyu's brow furrowed slightly.
Only after Fourth Concubine finished speaking did Song Chaoyu nod, "Alright, I understand."
But seeing that Song Chaoyu showed no surprise, Fourth Concubine was also a little taken aback, "You... aren't surprised? You didn't know about this already, did you?"
Song Chaoyu smiled and waved her hand, "I don't have that kind of omnipotence, how could I have known? But you're right, this is a secret that could cost one's head. If you can't keep it, I can't save you either."
She stood up and looked back at Fourth Concubine one last time, "By the way, do you know why you've never been able to conceive?"
Fourth Concubine was stunned.
Song Chaoyu then sneered, "Because of that Chongming incense. My aunt told me before that you've always been using Chongming incense. I assume ever since you entered the Song manor, your eldest brother started sending you Chongming incense, right?"
Fourth Concubine's face suddenly turned ugly, "Impossible! My eldest brother wouldn't harm me! What benefit would it be to him for me to have no children?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, "Believe it or not. Doctor Fan told me that Chongming incense is extremely harmful to a woman's body. And it's not easily detected, it might be the most crucial reason why you've never had children. But as for why, I'm afraid you'll never be able to ask your eldest brother about it in this lifetime."
With that, Song Chaoyu lightly alighted from the carriage, signaling the driver to send Fourth Concubine to the manor.
"No! I want to see my eldest brother! Help me again, I want to see him!"
Only Fourth Concubine's heart-wrenching cries were left behind in the gradually receding carriage.
Song Chaoyu ignored everything else and walked towards the Song manor.
Tiaohong, by her side, cautiously asked, "Miss, why would Fourth Concubine's elder brother not want Fourth Concubine to get pregnant? Aren't they family?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, "I don't know either. Everyone has different dark sides. Moreover, her elder brother was in the Hu tribes for so many years, who knows what his thoughts are now? Since her elder brother gave her the Chongming incense, it must be his intention."
Tiaohong nodded as if she understood, "Alas... in the capital, so many families are not like families. These things happen often, we just have to get used to it."
She stepped forward, looking at Song Chaoyu's troubled expression with some concern, "Miss, don't worry about these messy things! You're about to become the Princess of Chang, we need to hurry up and prepare, there are only two months left!"
Yes, there were only two months left, but why did Song Chaoyu always feel like she hadn't adapted yet?
An unfamiliar identity, and an unfamiliar Mu Changxi—
She took a deep breath and then took Tiaohong's hand, "You must accompany me to the Prince of Chang's manor. Right now, in this manor, you are the only person I trust the most."
"Of course, this servant will not leave Miss!"
Tiaohong also nodded seriously, then followed behind Song Chaoyu back to the Huashu Academy.
—
Without Fourth Concubine, the Song manor felt even more desolate.
For the past two days, Seventh Concubine had also been very docile and well-behaved, as if afraid of provoking anyone and ending up like Fourth Concubine.
The Song manor had been quiet for many days.
Perhaps Song Chaoyu was the busiest, as she had to prepare for her wedding and couldn't be careless about anything.
Most importantly, she had to embroider her wedding dress herself.
While it was said she would embroider it herself, after all, she was marrying the Prince of Chang, and the imperial family's dignity could not tolerate any mistakes.
Therefore, the Emperor had the embroiderers from the capital's weaving workshops embroider most of the wedding dress.
Finally, the golden threads, pearls, and gold foil petals on the phoenix were for Song Chaoyu to embellish herself.
The embroiderers had been rushing their work these days, and Song Chaoyu had not yet seen what the wedding dress looked like, but she was already extremely busy.
The items newly acquired for her by the Song family alone were more than what she had in all her previous years, let alone in her previous life.
There had been several rains in the capital these past two days, and the weather had turned cold with a late spring chill.
As soon as Song Chaoyu got up one day, it started to rain heavily outside again.
The Old Madam had come to their Huashu Academy early, before the rain started, and while returning Xiao Qing'er, she also discussed with Song Chaoyu about adding a few more sets of hair ornaments and palace attire.
She said that Song Chaoyu would definitely need them when she entered the palace in the future, and she couldn't let others laugh at her.
As the grandmother and granddaughter were roasting by the charcoal fire and drinking warm milk soup, a maidservant rushed in from outside, "Old Madam, Third Miss is back."
The Old Madam did not like Song Yanrou, so she merely lifted her eyelids, "Why is she returning to her maiden home in such heavy rain?"
The maidservant lowered her head, "Third Miss... her condition is not good. It would be best if Old Madam went to see her! She is in the main hall, and the First Madam has also gone over."
Not good?
What did that mean?
Song Chaoyu glanced at her grandmother. The Old Madam frowned and stood up, "Let's go, Fourth Girl, come with me."
—
The rain outside was heavy. Even though Song Chaoyu and the Old Madam walked from the Huashu Academy to the front hall, maids had to hold large umbrellas for them.
Even so, by the time Song Chaoyu reached the front hall, she found that the hem of her skirt and the cuffs of her sleeves were already wet.
And in the main hall, Song Yanrou's condition was truly unexpected for Song Chaoyu!
It seemed Song Yanrou had rushed back directly from the heavy rain. She was completely drenched from head to toe! She was currently kneeling in the main hall, trembling. Even the usually harsh First Madam had a maid put a brazier in front of Song Yanrou.
Her hair was disheveled, and although they had only been apart for a few days, Song Chaoyu felt she had become much thinner.
Her clothes, soaked by the rain and clinging to her body, were no longer as exquisite as before.
What puzzled Song Chaoyu the most was that she seemed to be injured!
She kept her head down, so her face couldn't be seen clearly.
But there were traces of blood on her arms and legs, it was unclear if she had fallen or something else.
Even the Old Madam, seeing her like this, only frowned and gestured for her to get up, "Get up and speak, what happened? Why did you run back in such heavy rain, and what's wrong with you? Go change into clean clothes in the back first, and then come back to the front hall to report?"
"No... Grandmother!"
Unexpectedly, Song Yanrou raised her head. Her face, whether it was rain or tears mixed together, was utterly disheveled. "Your granddaughter is wrong! Your granddaughter truly knows her mistake! I beg Grandmother to save your granddaughter!"
"Hiss—"
Song Chaoyu heard someone gasp.
Her heart also skipped a beat—
Song Yanrou's face indeed had injuries!