Indeed, Consort Li had always been a perceptive person. Seeing her so open-minded, Song Chaoyu understood much more.
Before leaving, Song Chaoyu bowed deeply to her, "As long as Mother Consort can find peace, my husband and I will also be at peace. No matter what happens, no matter what kind of life Mother Consort desires, my husband and I will always be behind you. Please be assured of this."
Consort Li nodded, her smile still gentle and warm, "Alright, go back. Stay by Chang'er's side; he needs you. Ayu, Mother Consort is like this for you both as well. As long as you are well, everything is well."
After bidding farewell to Consort Li, Song Chaoyu suddenly felt that the imperial palace held no interest.
How many lives had withered away within the palace walls? In truth, they could have had brighter futures. If not for the confinement of the palace, perhaps their lives would have been happier?
Understanding now, it was not too late.
As she pondered this, Song Chaoyu's path was blocked.
It was none other than Eunuch Le, the head eunuch attending the Emperor.
He approached Song Chaoyu, smiling as he bowed, "This old servant greets Princess Chang."
Normally, Eunuch Le was not particularly close to them. Especially after learning that Mu Changxi's legs were fine, Eunuch Le's attitude towards them had become lukewarm.
Seeing the forced smile on his face today, Song Chaoyu got straight to the point, "May I ask what Eunuch Le requires?"
Eunuch Le smiled and pointed in the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, "Princess Chang, please accompany this old servant to see the Emperor?"
If the Emperor wished to summon her, he could have simply issued an imperial decree.
Moreover, it seemed the Emperor only wanted to see her, not Mu Changxi.
Song Chaoyu paused, "What has Father Emperor? Is there something?"
Eunuch Le, knowing Song Chaoyu was intelligent, did not dare to be negligent, "It is indeed a family matter. His Majesty wishes to discuss it with Princess Chang alone!"
A family matter?
It must be about Consort Li.
Song Chaoyu nodded, signaling Eunuch Le to lead the way. Eunuch Le finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Eunuch Le, who served by the Emperor's side, was naturally a shrewd person.
He glanced up at Song Chaoyu, then smiled, "Princess Chang, it's not that this old servant is gossiping. His Majesty is truly heartbroken by Prince Chang's deception this time. As you know, how good he has been to Prince Chang these past two years! You should still advise His Highness to sincerely apologize to His Majesty. There are no grudges that last overnight between father and son, wouldn't you agree?"
At least Song Chaoyu felt that Mu Changxi had suffered enough.
Therefore, she did not want to bring it up and instead changed the subject, "Mu Hansu is now imprisoned in the imperial prison. How does Father Emperor intend to deal with him?"
Eunuch Le understood Song Chaoyu's meaning and sighed, "His Majesty probably hasn't decided yet. Prince Ning also knows his days are numbered and is restless in prison. He has been causing trouble these past few days, annoying His Majesty daily."
This was indeed in line with Mu Hansu's character. Song Chaoyu asked again, "Then what does Father Emperor think of Xiao Taozi?"
Although she was raised in Prince Chang's manor, she was still Mu Hansu's daughter.
While Eunuch Le could not speak of other matters, he smiled at Song Chaoyu regarding this one, "Princess, please rest assured. Little Princess has long been unrelated to Prince Ning. His Majesty has not mentioned her, likely meaning that he tacitly agrees that you and His Highness will raise the little princess from now on, making her a princess of Prince Chang's manor. As a princess of Prince Chang's manor, she is naturally not involved with the rebellious Prince Ning. You may be at ease."
That was good. It seemed the Emperor was not entirely heartless.
Song Chaoyu then answered Eunuch Le's previous question, "Eunuch Le, it's not that I won't advise His Highness. You should at least think for His Highness! His Highness has lived his life with great caution, fearing that one day a wrong step might lead to trouble. In His Highness's heart, Father Emperor had long abandoned him. When Consort Li did what she did back then, it was merely out of a mother's love for her son. As for why they didn't tell the Emperor, can't you understand, Eunuch?"
Eunuch Le was not foolish; he naturally understood.
In fact, he knew that the Emperor also understood.
It was just that the Emperor had been on the throne for so long that he could not tolerate such things from others.
Eunuch Le sighed, then gently shook his head, "Alas... This old servant will also find time to advise His Majesty. Princess, please follow this old servant!"
---
The palace where Consort Li resided was far from the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Song Chaoyu followed Eunuch Le, traversing nearly half of the imperial garden before reaching the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Perhaps due to Mu Hansu's rebellion this time, the Emperor had become fearful. The guards at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation had all been replaced with the Emperor's most trusted men.
As Song Chaoyu entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation with Eunuch Le, she smelled a distinctly strong scent of calming incense.
The Emperor was sitting in the hall, frowning as he reviewed memorials. Hearing their footsteps, he put down his vermilion brush and looked up.
In fact, Song Chaoyu knew that the Emperor had likely not had an easy time of it lately.
But she had not expected that what she would see would be such an aged face!
In just a few days, the Emperor looked as if he had aged more than ten years. White hairs had appeared at his temples, and the lines around his eyes were "filled" with the ravages of time!
When he looked up at Song Chaoyu, his eyes held an unconcealable weariness.
Although this appearance made Song Chaoyu feel an indescribable discomfort, she understood that many things were burdens the Emperor had to bear himself.
Just two days prior, when Hua told him he saw Song Chaoyu, he had appeared resentful of her and Mu Changxi for deceiving him.
But today, his gaze was much gentler, "Princess Chang has arrived? Sit down. Today, I have something to ask you."
He motioned for Eunuch Le to remove the memorials from his sight and had someone bring a chair for Song Chaoyu.
Once Song Chaoyu was seated, he began, "You went to see Consort Li, didn't you?"
It was indeed about Mother Consort!
Song Chaoyu nodded, "This concubine has seen her."
"Alas—"
The Emperor sighed, but seemed lost in nostalgic thought, "Even excluding the time that has passed this year, Consort Li has been by my side for twenty-seven years. Twenty-seven years, it seems no one else has accompanied me for so long besides Consort Li!"
Twenty-seven years was a woman's prime.
But twenty-seven years of disappointment were enough for Consort Li to leave the Emperor without regret when she gave up on him.
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, unsure how to respond to the Emperor.
However, the Emperor did not seem to expect an answer from Song Chaoyu. Instead, he continued on his own, "I still remember what Shu'er looked like when I first met her."