Shui Yunyan unconsciously averted her gaze, not daring to meet Song Chaoyu's eyes.
No matter how displeased the Empress Dowager was, she could not say more at this moment.
She could naturally see that most of these noble ladies were on Song Chaoyu's side.
Moreover, Song Chaoyu was right. If Mu Changxi were to find out about this, let alone the Prince Chang's mansion, even the Emperor would be displeased.
The Empress Dowager could only suppress her anger and try to explain herself: "This Empress Dowager... did not mean that. I heard slander from wicked people and do not know how these subordinates are handling matters! I was heartbroken to hear that you were leaving the capital." wap.kanshu伍.net
She even patted her chest: "Fortunately, the Princess Consort of Chang is not leaving the capital, so you don't need to frighten this Empress Dowager. As long as all you juniors are well, this old woman will be fine."
She waved her hand at Song Chaoyu, as if nothing had happened just now: "Princess Consort of Chang, please be seated. Today is a grand occasion for our Great Yue Dynasty. Everyone must not let trivial matters affect their mood. We must work together to make the Great Yue Dynasty better!"
Song Chaoyu couldn't help but admire the Empress Dowager's swift change of demeanor.
Listening in the Empress Dowager's palace for a long time, it was all just cheerful talk, which was truly tedious.
Fortunately, the noble ladies in the capital now all had good relationships with Song Chaoyu.
The Empress Dowager invited them to lunch. After lunch, as Song Chaoyu walked out of the Empress Dowager's palace, she found Mu Changxi waiting for her.
Seeing Mu Changxi standing alone outside the palace, some people envied Song Chaoyu: "Prince Chang is truly good to his Princess Consort! He came to pick her up himself. A woman he personally sought to marry is indeed cherished dearly!"
"That's right!"
Some echoed: "They have been married for two years, and in their mansion, there are no concubines or even maids. It shows how much Prince Chang cherishes his Princess Consort, which is exceptionally rare! Let's not envy others; we don't have that fortune! As long as our husbands can stabilize our positions and not dote on those unruly women, we will be content. What do you say?"
At this moment, it was common knowledge that Mu Changxi's affection for Song Chaoyu was something others could only dream of!
Song Chaoyu's devotion to Mu Changxi was also heartfelt.
Seeing the clear path ahead bathed in sunshine, Song Chaoyu, disregarding the gossip, smiled and walked forward, then took Mu Changxi's hand proactively: "My Lord, have you spoken with the Emperor about what needs to be said?"
Mu Changxi nodded: "We have spoken. The Emperor naturally did not wish for it, but my mind is made up. The Emperor's decree... it is not impossible for him to let us go."
Song Chaoyu's eyes lit up: "He really agreed?!"
Mu Changxi nodded and reached out his other hand, tapping Song Chaoyu's head: "Of course, he agreed. However, the Emperor also said that although we have gone through the matter of Mu Hanxu, the current court situation is relatively stable. But if many matters cannot be handled by other ministers, he will still summon me back at any time."
"Ah?"
Song Chaoyu pouted in dissatisfaction: "Doesn't that mean we have to return whenever he wants us to?"
However, Mu Changxi did not seem to mind and instead smiled even more: "The sky is high and the birds can fly freely. As long as the Emperor lets us leave the capital, it won't be so easy for him to make us return. Moreover, I also told the Emperor that although I did not intend to deceive anyone in the first place, after all these years, I have deceived my father and the court officials. I fear the officials already have other thoughts about me. It would be better for me to go out and avoid the limelight, lest others accuse me of having too much power and overshadowing the Emperor."
This excuse was at least somewhat plausible.
Song Chaoyu, pulling Mu Changxi's hand, couldn't help but swing it: "Then... when do we depart?"
"Tomorrow morning!"
Mu Changxi loved to see Song Chaoyu happy like this, reminding him of the "little shadow" who followed him every day on the estate in the past: "Tomorrow morning, we will depart! Our family of four, traveling through this magnificent landscape, wandering the world!"
—
And so, on the following morning, before dawn broke in the capital, while everyone was still fast asleep, the grand Prince Chang's mansion was already bustling with activity.
No one in the court, except the Emperor, knew that Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu were leaving, so naturally, no one came to see them off.
Song Chaoyu simply left a letter for her grandmother, instructing it to be delivered after they had left.
In the dim morning light, the couple, along with their two children, boarded an inconspicuous carriage.
The carriage slowly moved towards the outskirts of the capital, as if moving towards Song Chaoyu's hopes.
After so long, having even lived through two lifetimes, she could finally leave the capital and roam the martial world freely!
If possible, she even wished never to return to the capital in this lifetime.
This feeling of freedom was what Song Chaoyu loved the most.
And what she loved even more was having the people she loved and cared about by her side!
The two little ones were still asleep. The family of four crammed into the not-so-spacious carriage, appearing a bit crowded.
But Song Chaoyu savored this feeling, as did Mu Changxi.
Mu Changxi put one arm around Song Chaoyu and gently patted the swaddling clothes of the two children: "From now on, I am Han Xi, and you are Madam Han. We are going to wander the world. Madam, are you ready?"
"Mr. Han, let's depart like this! With the sky as our blanket and the earth as our bed, as long as our family is together, everything is enough, don't you think?"
Song Chaoyu's eyes curved, and in the morning sunlight, her face appeared even more gentle and beautiful.
Mu Changxi couldn't help but lower his head and gently kiss Song Chaoyu's forehead.
He finally couldn't resist pulling Song Chaoyu into his arms, as if he had obtained the most precious treasure in the world: "A'yu, as long as you are here, and the children are here, all of this is enough! My life is complete!"
"No!"
This time, it was Song Chaoyu who gently shook her head: "Our life in this world still has so much more beauty to experience, how can it be enough just like this? Mu Changxi, I want to be with you for a lifetime!"
"Yes, together for a lifetime!"
Reflecting the morning glow, their vows were the most sincere promises to each other.
After enduring countless hardships, they had finally achieved this and reached this point!
No matter how much wind and rain lay ahead, they had no fear in their hearts.
Song Chaoyu only hoped that their future lives would be like the morning sun above their heads. kanδん
Even if it wasn't scorching hot, it would be full of hope and love.
This time, their hardships were not in vain; she believed that light would be with them.
—(End of Main Text) See Extras.