Her gaze was firm, and even when faced with Song Yuan’s request, she didn’t show any sign of backing down.
Instead, she looked seriously at Song Chaoyu, "A'yu, your father is right. Many things actually have nothing to do with you. Your life is so good now, you don't need to care about me. If I can truly break free from the Song family, even if I have to wait another eighteen years, what does it matter?"
"Mother!"
Song Chaoyu couldn't help but step forward, reaching out to hold Consort Liu's hand, "Auntie, that's eighteen years! Not eighteen months! Besides, the courtyards in the Song manor are not as free as our estate. You don't owe Father anything, why must you be like this?!"
Song Chaoyu had made up her mind.
If necessary, what did her status as the Princess of Chang matter?
She simply wanted Consort Liu to have the life she deserved. It was just the word "freedom," why couldn't Consort Liu have it?
But Consort Liu kept shaking her head at Song Chaoyu.
Usually gentle, she now spoke to Song Chaoyu as if giving a command, "A'yu, Mother forbids you from saying that! You must listen to Mother about this matter! Mother has her own plans. You are not allowed to conflict with your father over this, nor are you allowed to have any rifts with the Song family because of it."
As she spoke, she sighed, "The Song family today is not the same as before. Whether it's your eldest brother, third sister, or little Qing'er, your relationships are all good. Mother does not allow you to create any rifts with them because of Mother's affairs, do you understand?"
Song Chaoyu understood Consort Liu's meaning, but the more it was like this, the more heartbroken she felt.
She shook her head and gave a bitter smile, "Mother, but ever since I was little, it was you who raised me. Why does he treat you like this, how can he treat you like this?"
"It doesn't matter."
Consort Liu looked at Song Yuan even more calmly, "Since Master has decided this is the only way to let me go, then let it begin today. Eighteen years from now, if I am still alive in this world, I ask Master to fulfill his promise and release me from the Song manor to live a free and unfettered life."
The more composed Consort Liu became, the more uneasy Song Yuan felt.
His hands even began to tremble slightly, "What have I done to make you hate me so much?! Must you insist on this?!"
"Yes. I must leave. Whether it's eighteen years or twenty, even thirty years, as long as there is hope, I will not give up this idea."
At this moment, Consort Liu seemed reborn.
After living in the Prince of Chang's manor these past few days and observing Song Chaoyu's life, she finally understood what she should pursue.
For her to turn back, it was absolutely impossible.
"Heh—"
Seeing her so sharp, even Song Yuan felt a sense of powerlessness.
He lowered his hands, then shook his head, sighed, and finally called out to the outside, "Someone! Take Consort Liu back to the Huashu Courtyard! From now on, without my command, she is not allowed to go out! Food will be delivered to the Huashu Courtyard for her every day!"
The servants outside rushed in, but Consort Liu, calm and not needing them to drag her, nodded, "Let's go, take me."
"Mother!"
Song Chaoyu stepped forward, grabbed Consort Liu's hand, and kept shaking her head, "Mother, please don't be like this, okay?"
Consort Liu still smiled gently, "A'yu, it doesn't matter. If you miss me, you can still come to see me. Although the gate of the Huashu Courtyard separates us physically, it cannot separate our hearts, can it? A'yu, it's alright, you should be happy for me!"
How could this make Song Chaoyu happy?!
"Yu girl."
Seeing Song Chaoyu holding onto Consort Liu, the Old Madam also stepped forward to pull Song Chaoyu, gently shaking her head at Song Chaoyu, and then whispered, "Your father is angry right now. Let your aunt return to the Huashu Courtyard first. Rest assured, I will not stand idly by in this matter."
Song Chaoyu trusted the Old Madam and could only reluctantly release Consort Liu's hand, allowing Consort Liu to be escorted back to the Huashu Courtyard by the servants and maids.
Song Yuan also heard the Old Madam's words but snorted, "This is her own choice. I know Mother will try to persuade me later, but from today onwards, no one in the entire Song family is allowed to mention Consort Liu again! Otherwise, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left, leaving Song Chaoyu no opportunity to say another word!
Thus, Song Chaoyu’s hands quickly clenched into fists at her sides—
Seeing Song Chaoyu like this, the Old Madam also sighed.
She stepped forward and gently held Song Chaoyu's fist, "Yu girl, don't rush. Your father is only saying and doing this because he is angry. It's also because he himself hasn't realized that he does care about your aunt."
The Old Madam understood Song Chaoyu's thoughts, "He is my son, I know him. He is a heartless and cold person, but he is not that cruel. He just doesn't know how to face the fact that someone wants to abandon him. A'yu, don't be too angry with him. Rest assured, Grandmother will not really let your aunt be confined in that small courtyard for eighteen years, and your father is unlikely to actually do something like that."
When people are angry, they say and do anything.
Song Chaoyu, though anxious, could only plead with the Old Madam, "Grandmother, perhaps my aunt used some means when she entered the Song manor. But it was all for me! Grandmother, her entire life has been ruined by Father. Is it too much to ask for her final freedom?"
"Yes."
The Old Madam patted Song Chaoyu's hand, "A'yu, I understand. But rest assured, I will take good care of your aunt during these days. You go back with peace of mind, and then tell the Prince about this matter. Although our Song family's affairs are embarrassing, there is nothing to hide from the Prince. With the Prince as your backing, your father will be more wary. He will not really do anything to your mother. If you trust Grandmother, let's leave it at this for today, okay?"
The Old Madam still acknowledged Consort Liu and liked her.
Song Chaoyu understood this very well.
Now, she could only nod and cast a somewhat helpless glance at her grandmother, "Then... what about Xiao Qing'er?"
The Old Madam smiled, "Xiao Qing'er is still young and cannot be without her mother. I will discuss with your father to send Xiao Qing'er to your mother every day. For other times, I will personally raise Xiao Qing'er. I will absolutely not let other consorts in the manor interfere with Xiao Qing'er's affairs, what do you think?"
The Old Madam continued, "Even without me, isn't there your eldest brother? Your sister-in-law likes Xiao Qing'er and will definitely protect her. Your brother, if he knows about this, will also reason with your father. Our whole family will help you, don't worry."
That's right, there was also Song Jiayang.
Since Song Jiayang recovered, his relationship with Song Chaoyu had been like that of siblings.
Although Song Jiayang was usually busy, Mu Changxi and Song Jiayang still had a lot of interaction.
At least Song Chaoyu could now be sure that within the Song manor, Consort Liu and Xiao Qing'er would not suffer any grievances.
Then, for the rest of the matters, they could take it slow.
Song Chaoyu's heart finally settled down a little.