As there were many people around, she couldn't say it directly.
Madam Hu looked at Song Chaoyu gratefully. Song Chaoyu understood her meaning and nodded, "It's alright, Madam. Hurry and take Xiao Ye back. Find a doctor to examine Xiao Ye. I see that Xiao Ye is really unwell and needs to go back and rest well."
"Alright, we'll leave now. Thank you, Princess Chang."
Madam Hu helped Hu Xiao Ye, feeling truly grateful to Song Chaoyu. "I will definitely bring Xiao Ye to thank the Princess in person in the future. You've been troubled today, Princess!"
Song Chaoyu shook her head and watched them leave before turning to instruct Qiu Qing, "Keep an eye on that Scholar Xie. Make sure he doesn't say anything foolish today!"
Qiu Qing, however, pointed to a small boat that Song Chaoyu hadn't noticed, heading towards where the boat was. "Your Highness, please rest assured. The Duke of Liang's mansion's boat has already gone over. I presume they will handle the rest."
That's right, this matter couldn't be kept from the Duke of Liang's mansion. After all, it was the Hu family who had approached the Duchess of Liang, asking her to arrange this meeting between Hu Xiao Ye and Scholar Xie.
Since the Duke of Liang's mansion would handle the aftermath, Song Chaoyu felt a little more at ease. "Alright, then let them deal with it. We have nothing more to do here anyway, let's return to the mansion."
However, just as they turned around, a maid dressed in the attire of the Duke of Liang's mansion's maidservant came towards them with a smile. "Greetings to Your Highness, Princess Chang."
Song Chaoyu asked her to rise, and she continued, "Our Madam would like to invite Your Highness to the Duke of Liang's mansion for a cup of tea. Does Your Highness have time?"
It was strange, the Duke of Liang's banquet was still halfway through, yet she was invited to the Duke's mansion?
Song Chaoyu naturally had no reason to refuse.
—
By the time Song Chaoyu arrived at the entrance of the Duke of Liang's mansion, the Duke's banquet was still ongoing.
The Duke of Liang's mansion was bustling with activity. The carriage stopped at the main entrance, which made Song Chaoyu pause.
As far as Song Chaoyu knew, normally, if women like her, born of concubines, were to enter the Duke of Liang's mansion, they were not allowed to use the main gate.
Although the Duke of Liang's mansion's practice had caused dissatisfaction among many ducal mansions in the capital, no one dared to say much.
Even the Emperor, upon learning of this matter, turned a blind eye.
Therefore, at this moment, the little maid leading Song Chaoyu through the main gate towards the Duke of Liang's mansion was somewhat surprising to Song Chaoyu.
However, the maid's expression was normal, and she was very respectful to Song Chaoyu. Song Chaoyu naturally could not refuse the Duke of Liang's mansion's face.
But the moment Song Chaoyu stepped into the Duke of Liang's mansion, many people saw her.
The first to see her was naturally Song Yanjiao, who was also invited.
She was talking with the noble ladies she usually associated with when she suddenly saw Song Chaoyu enter and couldn't help but frown. "Why is she here?"
Standing beside Song Yanjiao was Madam Wang, the wife of a third-rank commander.
Madam Wang was two years older than Song Yanjiao and always spoke in terms of "legitimate" and "concubine-born," despising daughters born of concubines the most.
Therefore, when she saw Song Chaoyu, her "fur" seemed to stand on end. "Why is she here? As the daughter of an outer chamber concubine, does she think she's honored now that she's become a Princess? She actually dares to enter through the main gate of the Duke of Liang's mansion? You all wait and see, I will definitely 'put her back in her place'!"
"Hey, don't cause trouble."
Someone tried to stop Madam Wang.
Song Yanjiao, however, held that person back. "Oh, Sister Wang is just like this. Don't provoke her. Besides, this is the Duke of Liang's banquet, what big trouble can happen? My fourth sister... alas... now that she's become Princess Chang, she's really gotten a bit arrogant. It's good to let her be tempered a bit. Isn't this all for my fourth sister's own good?"
Clearly, they were the ones looking for trouble, yet they spoke as if it were for Song Chaoyu's benefit.
Most people who saw Song Yanjiao's behavior were mostly skeptical.
But they couldn't interfere in other people's affairs, so they could only let Madam Wang go towards Song Chaoyu.
—
The maidservant from the Duke of Liang's mansion led Song Chaoyu further inside, clearly not to attend the banquet.
They passed through the front hall and were heading towards the backyard.
As soon as Song Chaoyu passed the back door of the front hall, Madam Wang blocked her path.
"Oh, isn't this Princess Chang? I've met Princess Chang!"
Madam Wang spoke sarcastically and performed a perfunctory bow to Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu could tell that she was not here with good intentions.
However, this was the Duke of Liang's mansion, and she didn't want to cause trouble. She merely nodded to Madam Wang, "Greetings, Madam Wang."
Seeing that she was about to leave, Madam Wang blocked Song Chaoyu's path. "Where is Your Highness going?"
Song Chaoyu glanced at the maidservant from the Duke of Liang's mansion. The maidservant stepped forward and smiled at Madam Wang, "Madam Wang, please let this servant lead Princess Chang further in!"
"Hmph!"
Madam Wang ignored the maidservant completely and instead pointed to the main entrance. "Your Highness truly comes from the countryside, perhaps you don't understand the rules of the Duke of Liang's mansion yet? Your Highness, don't blame me for being nosy, you are not a legitimately born daughter, you cannot use this main gate!"
Song Chaoyu frowned slightly, knowing that this Madam Wang had a good relationship with Song Yanjiao. She felt annoyed at this moment. "Madam Wang, what do you want?"
Madam Wang was not polite at all and sneered, "Of course, I want you to return the way you came. If you want to enter the Duke of Liang's mansion, you must enter through the side gate!"
These words were excessive, and people around them were already looking.
Madam Wang seemed indifferent and became even more excessive. "Oh... no. If I remember correctly, the Duchess of Liang did not invite Princess Chang today, did she? Why is Your Highness trying so hard to curry favor with the Duchess of Liang, insisting on coming to this banquet? Unfortunately, we don't have extra seats for Your Highness here. Why doesn't Your Highness save yourself the trouble and leave quickly, so as not to embarrass yourself outside!"
Embarrass herself?
These words were something Song Chaoyu could no longer tolerate.
Most of the people around were watching the show, and no one wanted to offend the Duke of Liang's mansion for Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu's gaze suddenly turned cold. "Has Madam Wang heard a saying?"
Madam Wang looked confused.
Song Chaoyu said in a low voice, "A good dog doesn't block the way!"
She sneered, "If the Duke of Liang's mansion does not welcome me, someone from the mansion will naturally drive me out. I'm afraid it's not your turn, Madam Wang, to be chattering here? When did the Duke of Liang's mansion become a place where Madam Wang makes the decisions? Madam Wang is a guest, yet she is acting wildly in this mansion. It has opened my eyes, that a wife of a third-rank official, a so-called legitimately born woman of rules, is nothing more than this!"