He couldn't help but swallow, staring at Song Chaoyu with suspicion. "How... do you seem to know everything?"
His wife pulled him aside and whispered, "That person promised us wealth and glory if we made a big fuss. Why are you listening to this young lady now?"
"Wealth and glory?"
These words also reached Song Chaoyu's ears.
She scoffed, "To the people behind you, crushing you is no different from crushing an ant. If you truly believe you can achieve any so-called wealth and glory, then I can only hope you live to see that day. However... shouldn't you also consider something else?"
"What?"
This couple were not entirely foolish. Their expressions grew increasingly tense. "What else is there to consider?"
Song Chaoyu turned and glanced at Prince Wen, who was already showing clear impatience on his horse. She said to the couple, "Do you know whose wedding you are obstructing? He is Prince Wen. Aren't you afraid that His Highness Prince Wen will cause trouble for you? You've already lost your lives, so you know in your hearts whether you are doing this for your daughter or for yourselves."
"What's the point?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head and sighed, stepping back. "If you remain stubborn, you will likely be accused of disobeying an imperial decree today. You won't get the money, and you'll lose your lives for nothing. Is it worth it?"
Song Chaoyu had spoken to this extent. If they still didn't understand, they would be truly foolish.
Indeed, a hint of fear and regret appeared in the eyes of the couple.
They had been tempted by money, but now they couldn't even save their own lives. What should they do?
Song Chaoyu stepped forward and said softly to them, "I want you to pack everything up now and leave with my people. I will naturally ensure your family's safety, at least... I will preserve all your lives."
"Why should we trust you?"
At this moment, the couple were like startled birds.
Song Chaoyu's gaze remained calm. "Because you have no other choice. If this continues, Prince Wen will surely be angered, and perhaps even the Emperor will know that someone tried to sabotage the marriage he bestowed upon Prince Wen and Princess Ti Le. Then your family's lives will not be spared."
Looking at their uncertain and suspicious expressions, Song Chaoyu continued, "If you choose to return to the person behind you, and you accomplish nothing, do you think he will let you off easily?"
"But I am different."
Song Chaoyu's demeanor was confident and powerful. "I have no enmity with you. My sole purpose today is to ensure Prince Wen's wedding proceeds smoothly. I have no reason to kill you; on the contrary, there are things I want to know from you. Therefore, if there is anyone in this world who can protect you, it can only be me. You have no choice but to trust me, don't you?"
Listening to Song Chaoyu's words, it seemed almost casual.
But the couple understood that Song Chaoyu was telling the truth.
They seemed to have no other path now.
So, when everyone's patience was almost exhausted, they finally saw the couple and their three sons stand up.
Song Chaoyu turned and signaled Qiu Qing to take the family away and settle them.
Then she walked towards Prince Wen, who was on horseback. "You may continue on your way."
Prince Wen looked down at Song Chaoyu. He hadn't been able to hear what Song Chaoyu had said to those people.
So he asked, "Did Sister-in-law just send them away like that? Did she say anything else?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "The most important thing now is your wedding. If you proceed as scheduled, it will be the best outcome. As for anything else, it's not important right now."
"Sister-in-law is right."
Seeing that the road ahead was clear, Prince Wen said nothing further. He merely signaled the procession behind him to follow his pace, and then the group headed towards Prince Wen's mansion.
Song Chaoyu continued to follow them. As Prince Wen's mansion grew closer, she thought that she might be able to see Mu Changxi.
She was determined to have a good talk with Mu Changxi about what happened today and find a way to rescue the bride's attendant as soon as possible!
—
At this moment, in Prince Wen's mansion, everyone was eagerly awaiting the wedding procession. Only Mu Changxi was eagerly awaiting Song Chaoyu.
Master Song also came to Prince Wen's mansion today. Hearing everyone praise Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu, his smile was so wide it almost reached his ears.
Mu Changxi naturally moved closer to Master Song. While waiting, he smiled at Master Song and said, "Father-in-law, may I have a word in private?"
Master Song was surprised for a moment and naturally had no reason to refuse.
The two found a secluded corner. Master Song cupped his hands towards Mu Changxi. "Prince Chang, what is it you wish to discuss with me?"
Mu Changxi smiled. Although he was in a wheelchair, his presence was in no way inferior to Master Song's. "Father-in-law, I heard about Concubine Liu."
Upon hearing this, Master Song's expression immediately fell.
He frowned slightly, guessing what Mu Changxi was about to say, but first shook his head. "Your Highness, this is a family matter of my Song household."
"A family matter?"
Mu Changxi scoffed. "You call it a family matter, but Concubine Liu is A Yu's mother, so she is also considered my mother-in-law. Since A Yu returned that day, she has been sighing constantly, grieving for Concubine Liu. And I cannot bear to see A Yu like this, so I wanted to ask Father-in-law, can you release Concubine Liu?"
If anyone else had said this, Master Song might have simply stormed off.
But he was facing Mu Changxi. Even though he felt wronged, he could only sigh helplessly. "I didn't expect Prince Chang to come and speak to me about this. Prince Chang is also a man, and he should know that Concubine Liu is merely a concubine. If she wishes to leave the Song household, she must have my consent. I have been with her for many years, and I do not understand why she is so insistent and willful."
"Father-in-law, you don't need to understand."
The smile on Mu Changxi's lips vanished completely. "I just want to tell Father-in-law that if possible, it would be best to grant Concubine Liu her freedom. This way, everyone will be happy, wouldn't that be better?"
Master Song understood Mu Changxi's meaning and, for the first time, frowned as he looked at Mu Changxi. "So now Prince Chang is using your status as a prince to pressure me?"
Mu Changxi waved his hand. "I certainly don't mean that. But if one day I have to do so, for A Yu and Concubine Liu, I will do it."