The eunuch, seemingly emboldened, puffed out his chest and declared with increasing smugness, "Naturally, she will be taken to the Imperial Inner Bureau."
The Imperial Inner Bureau was a place established in the capital specifically for the punishment of those of slave status who had committed grave offenses.
If挑红 (Tiao Hong) were taken there, not only would her crime be sealed, but the punishments meted out by the Imperial Inner Bureau were enough to flay挑红 alive even if she survived.
Song Chaoyu naturally objected, "The Imperial Inner Bureau? So, Eunuch, without even an inquiry, you've already decided挑红's guilt? If that is your intention, then I can only apologize, I fear I cannot hand挑红 over to you."
"Princess Chang, why must you be like this?"
The eunuch clearly seemed at a loss, "Things have reached this point, and you still insist on this? Everyone outside says you are a person of good temper and gentle disposition. How is it that when someone under your charge commits such a grave error, you still shield them to this extent?"
His words were not pleasant to hear.
But Song Chaoyu merely let out a cold laugh, "I intend to protect挑红, what can you do? You intend to send her to the Imperial Inner Bureau before her crime is even clear, naturally I will not agree. If you escalate this matter, I will say the same to my father, the Emperor!"
With that, Song Chaoyu stepped forward and pulled挑红 behind her.
Even Princess Ti Le was somewhat surprised by Song Chaoyu's actions.
She had always seen Song Chaoyu as a learned, sensible, and delicate woman.
The eunuch, being a servant, also sensed that Song Chaoyu was truly angry.
He cleared his throat, glanced at挑红, and ultimately decided to compromise, "Very well, not sending her to the Imperial Inner Bureau is acceptable. Then she will be confined to the woodshed of Prince Wen's residence. That should suffice, shouldn't it?"
The woodshed of Prince Wen's residence... was indeed far better than the Imperial Inner Bureau.
Yet, Song Chaoyu remained uneasy.
挑红, standing behind her, reached out and gently tugged Song Chaoyu's sleeve, "Your Highness, this servant is willing to go to Prince Wen's woodshed. It is much better than the Imperial Inner Bureau. Once the matter is clarified, this servant can be released, and Your Highness need not worry so much."
Even so, Song Chaoyu's heart was still unsettled.
But挑红 stepped forward towards the eunuch, adopting a demeanor of responsibility, "I am willing to go to that woodshed with you."
The eunuch then smiled, "It appears Miss挑红 has great confidence in herself! Rest assured, we at Prince Wen's residence will treat Miss挑红 well and will certainly not allow her to be wronged!"
Song Chaoyu snorted, "You had better. If挑红 emerges missing even a single strand of hair, I will hold you accountable!"
"Guards!"
The eunuch nodded at Song Chaoyu and then suddenly called out sternly to those behind him, "Why are you all standing there like fools? Hurry and escort Miss挑红 away! Our Prince Wen's woodshed has not seen anyone enter for a long time!"
His words were truly disgusting, but given the circumstances of the day, Song Chaoyu did not dwell on them.
Soon, the eunuch summoned people and had the area around Princess Ti Le cleaned up.
Song Chaoyu stared at the spotlessly clean floor, feeling a sense of disorientation, as if no one had ever died there, and as if nothing strange had ever happened in the room.
But Princess Ti Le remained unconvinced. She tugged at the eunuch, saying, "Do you not pay heed to ill omens? With someone having died today, can this wedding still proceed as scheduled?"
Princess Ti Le was displeased, yet dared not reveal her true feelings to the eunuch, so she could only express herself in such a "subtle" manner.
The eunuch, however, appeared bewildered, "The date set by the Emperor, how can it be postponed? Never mind that such a thing has happened now, even if the heavens were to fall, the guards would surely hold them up to ensure the wedding proceeds as scheduled! Therefore, Your Highness can rest assured, no matter what has happened today, the wedding will proceed as planned."
Princess Ti Le's hand, which had been holding the eunuch's, drooped.
Song Chaoyu saw unwillingness and helplessness in her eyes.
But Song Chaoyu still smiled and stepped forward, saying to Ti Le, "Your Highness, please continue with your preparations, do not delay the auspicious hour. If the good timing is missed, I fear His Majesty will be displeased."
Seeing that Song Chaoyu could still smile, Ti Le felt even more irate.
During the subsequent preparations, she never managed a smile.
If the eunuch had not been busy elsewhere, he might have truly wondered about Ti Le's intentions.
Fortunately, after the preparations were complete, the bridal veil was to be placed on Ti Le.
Song Chaoyu did not know what expression Ti Le would wear beneath the bridal veil as she faced this wedding.
But she knew that from this day forward, Prince Wen's residence and Prince Chang's residence would likely never be the same.
Mu Changxi was a man of deep loyalty. Song Chaoyu wondered what he would think. She suddenly felt a wave of weariness. Why couldn't so many people in the capital live their lives in peace?
Regardless of the "commotion" between Princess Ti Le and Song Chaoyu, they had to present a harmonious front to the outside world.
Especially on the day of the wedding, Song Chaoyu had not forgotten that she was to escort the bride as part of the "bride's family."
No matter what Ti Le's disposition, she had to show respect for Prince Wen.
Therefore, as Song Chaoyu saw Ti Le off, she quickly put on a smile.
However, the moment they exited the palace gates, she heard Ti Le's weeping from within the dragon and phoenix sedan chair.
From this day forward, Ti Le was no longer the princess of the Southern Kingdom.
She was the Consort of Prince Wen, destined to live her life as the Consort of Prince Wen in the Great Yue Dynasty.
Song Chaoyu did not know if Ti Le's tears were shed for the complete severance of ties with her homeland or for Qian Shan.
She only knew that the days to come at Prince Wen's residence would likely not be easy.
She hoped that both Ti Le and Prince Wen would one day come to understand.
In this life, there are always too many hardships and unavoidable circumstances.
If one were to make things difficult for oneself, then life would truly become unbearable, wouldn't it?
And at this very moment, Song Chaoyu, accompanying the sedan chair, suddenly realized that she was beginning to miss Mu Changxi intensely.
He had escorted her out just yesterday, yet Song Chaoyu's heart was still filled with thoughts of him.
She was grateful to heaven for giving her a chance to start anew.
She was also grateful to Mu Changxi for finding her in his own way after returning to the capital.
She was already very content with this life.
For many years to come, she was willing to stay by Mu Changxi's side, until the sun and moon ceased to be, until the end of time.