The person who replaced Mu Changxi had also been properly settled.
However, since the Noble Consort had brought this up today, Song Chaoyu naturally said to her, "Mother Consort, I think... you need to resettle that person's position."
The Noble Consort looked confused. "What do you mean?"
Actually, before this, Song Chaoyu had been hesitant about whether to tell the Noble Consort and Mu Changxi, but she had never spoken of it.
Now, knowing the difficulties faced by Mu Changxi and the Noble Consort, she had no choice but to say, "An aunt who was banished to the estate in my family once said that she saw a lame person who looked exactly like Prince Chang."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Noble Consort's pupils suddenly constricted. "When did this happen?!"
Song Chaoyu replied, "Not long ago."
The Noble Consort also looked at Mu Changxi. "He must be moved from there as soon as possible. Since he has been seen, we must guard against it."
Mu Changxi nodded, but he did not blame Song Chaoyu for speaking of this matter only now.
Soon it was lunchtime, and the Noble Consort treated Song Chaoyu very well, preparing mostly dishes that Song Chaoyu loved.
This surprised Song Chaoyu a little. The Noble Consort said, "Chang'er told this consort everything you liked and what you loved to eat in his letters. Thinking that after you returned to the Song family, your days would likely be spent cautiously. Now that you are married to Chang'er and have become this consort's daughter-in-law, you don't need to be so careful. Being yourself is the most important thing."
Be yourself?
How long had it been since someone had said such words to her?
In the Song family, she was the fourth daughter who surprised and delighted everyone.
In the capital, she was the Princess Chang whom everyone envied for marrying into nobility.
Perhaps now, besides Aunt Liu, only Mu Changxi and the Noble Consort treated her this way.
However, Song Chaoyu probably still needed time to adapt and could not completely open her heart to them all at once.
Mu Changxi was fine; they still had the past affection of Hanxi.
The Noble Consort was different.
But her heart felt warm, thinking that one day she would be able to completely let down her guard.
The three of them had a rare peaceful lunch. The Noble Consort had a habit of napping, and Song Chaoyu did not want to disturb her too much.
Unexpectedly, as they were preparing to leave, a young palace maid ran in, her expression serious, and knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, there was an urgent report at noon stating that Haizhou City in the south has suffered a flood, and the refugees have rioted again. The situation is very serious."
In recent years, the court had been blessed with good weather, and even if there were disasters, they were not significant.
Looking at the young palace maid's demeanor, it seemed like a major incident had occurred.
The Noble Consort's expression turned stern. "Where is His Majesty? Is anyone accompanying him?"
That was right. The Noble Consort and the Emperor had always been deeply in love, so it was normal for her to worry about the Emperor at this moment.
The palace maid said that the Emperor was fine, but she looked at Mu Changxi with some difficulty.
The Noble Consort and Mu Changxi also noticed this and frowned at the palace maid. "Speak plainly!"
The palace maid then lowered her head and said, "The ministers are currently arguing with His Majesty about who should be sent to provide disaster relief. His Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, and the flood is severe, so the Crown Prince naturally cannot go. It is also said that Prince Ning has just returned from another province, and it would be inappropriate to send him again at this time. As they were speaking, they started talking about our Prince Chang..."
The palace maid dared not continue, but everyone present understood.
"Bang—"
The Noble Consort, enraged, slammed a cup to the ground. "These scoundrels! Since they know that the flood in that area is severe and unsafe, why must they send our Chang'er?! Chang'er's legs are inconvenient now; aren't they afraid Chang'er will get hurt?"
However, the Noble Consort retained some rationality and asked the palace maid, "Who initiated this matter?"
The palace maid dared not conceal it. "It was the Left Prime Minister. However, some people spoke up for Prince Chang. Minister Song disagreed with sending Prince Chang and was reprimanded by the Left Prime Minister, who said that the Minister was too focused on familial affection."
Song Chaoyu knew this Left Prime Minister.
When he was young, he had been dedicated to the Great Yue Dynasty. However, as he grew older, for some unknown reason, he seemed to have become confused.
But the Emperor relied on him, and his descendants were also capable, holding various official positions in the court, so he still commanded great respect.
In her previous life, it was precisely because of this Left Prime Minister's strong support for Prince Ning, Mu Hansu, among the civil officials, that Mu Hansu's coup d'état was able to proceed smoothly.
At this moment, his targeting of Mu Changxi meant that Prince Ning had already set his sights on Mu Changxi.
"Hmph! I understand. You may leave!"
Seeing the palace maid's frightened expression, Mu Changxi merely snorted coldly, then waved his hand at the palace maid.
After the palace maid withdrew, the Noble Consort looked at Mu Changxi with concern. "Chang'er, don't worry. You are newly married now, and this consort will certainly not let you go to Haizhou City. Besides, there is Prince Wen below, and many ministers in the court. Are there really no one who can go to Haizhou?"
Mu Changxi nodded, but he was also thinking of the Noble Consort. "Thank you, Mother Consort. But please do not conflict with Father Emperor because of this. Even if I must go to Haizhou in the end, I am willing."
The Noble Consort sighed, feeling even more distressed. "Chang'er, you have been so sensible since you were young!"
Mu Changxi shook his head, then turned and took Song Chaoyu's hand. "A'yu, let's return to the manor. There are still many matters that need to be attended to."
On the way back to the manor, the Chang King's carriage was quiet.
Song Chaoyu didn't know what to say, and Mu Changxi simply closed his eyes to rest.
Only when the carriage left the palace did Song Chaoyu finally couldn't help but ask, "What is going on between you and Prince Ning? That Left Prime Minister is his man, and now he is targeting you everywhere. It must be Prince Ning's instruction, right?"
Mu Changxi opened his eyes and looked at Song Chaoyu with some surprise. "The Left Prime Minister is outwardly a loyal minister, and he hides it very well. How did you know he was Prince Ning's man?"
Song Chaoyu hesitated. She couldn't exactly tell Mu Changxi that she was reborn.
However, Mu Changxi did not make things difficult for Song Chaoyu. He simply patted her hand. "Because he already knows in his heart that we are irreconcilable. I support the Crown Prince and have caused him quite a bit of trouble. Naturally, he will not let me go. You will have to be mentally prepared for this in the future."
"Why?"
Actually, Song Chaoyu didn't understand. Was it just because Mu Changxi and the Crown Prince had affection for each other? But from another perspective, weren't Mu Changxi and Mu Hansu also blood brothers?
Mu Changxi sighed, then gave a helpless smile. "If I say it's because of a dream, would you believe me?"