Song Chaoyu did not say anything more to the First Madam. Everything was what they deserved.
Song Yanjiao left this world with pain and regret, and the First Madam would suffer no less in the future.
They had to pay the price for their wrongdoings, didn't they?
—
When she came out of the Song family, Song Chaoyu realized how quickly time had passed.
As soon as she got into the carriage, she saw Xiao Ruizhi galloping towards her.
Song Chaoyu was stunned. Seeing Xiao Ruizhi stop in front of her, she asked in confusion, "Shouldn't you be by the Prince's side? Why are you at the Song family?"
Xiao Ruizhi dismounted and smiled at Song Chaoyu, "The Prince thought that even if you returned to your maiden home, it would be about time. He sent me to check on you for fear of any mishaps!"
Mu Changxi was now exceptionally concerned about Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu chuckled, "I'm just returning to my maiden home, what could possibly happen? Is the Prince in the manor?"
Xiao Ruizhi shook his head, "The Prince sent this servant to pick you up! A new restaurant from Jiangnan has opened in the capital. The Prince said that Prince Wen is treating guests today and is taking the Princess Consort to try it!"
Prince Wen?
Prince Wen and Mu Changxi had always had a good relationship, but he had been busy with his wedding recently, so Song Chaoyu rarely saw Prince Wen.
Naturally, she had no reason to refuse and went with Xiao Ruizhi.
The newly opened restaurant was called "Jiangyuan Tower." It was heard that the proprietor was from Jiangnan and the chefs made excellent Jiangnan cuisine.
Some time ago, Jiangyuan Tower had purchased several shops on the most prosperous street in the capital and was building extensively, attracting the attention of everyone in the capital.
Now that it was open, it was said to be doing very well, and one had to book a table in advance to dine there.
However, since Mu Changxi and Prince Wen were royalty, they did not need to book in advance and could go directly.
When the carriage arrived at the entrance of Jiangyuan Tower, Song Chaoyu found that there were indeed many people coming to Jiangyuan Tower.
However, Jiangyuan Tower managed everything in an orderly manner. Song Chaoyu did not have to squeeze through the crowd from the front but entered through a side entrance, which was a gate specifically reserved for royalty like them.
Upon entering Jiangyuan Tower, someone led the way.
Song Chaoyu looked up and was reminded of the Jiangnan scenery that Aunt Liu had mentioned.
Aunt Liu was from Jiangnan and had been to all sorts of venues when she was singing opera.
If possible, Song Chaoyu truly wished she could bring Aunt Liu here to see Jiangyuan Tower. Perhaps it would make her feel much happier.
At this moment, a troupe was singing "Spring Scenery of West Lake" on the stage of Jiangyuan Tower. Such a scene was indeed rare in Shengjing.
Prince Wen and Mu Changxi were in a quiet private room by the window on the second floor. The second floor was not as noisy as the first floor and was exceptionally quiet.
However, as Song Chaoyu went upstairs, she saw a waiter preparing two pots of wine and sending them into the private room where Prince Wen and Mu Changxi were.
When Song Chaoyu entered, she indeed smelled a strong aroma of potent liquor.
Seeing Song Chaoyu arrive, Mu Changxi naturally gestured for her to sit beside him.
Prince Wen sat opposite them, his face flushed, as if he had already drunk too much.
Even so, as soon as the waiter brought the wine, he snatched it, hastily poured himself a cup, and drank it down in one gulp. Then he stood up and bowed to Song Chaoyu, "Sister-in-law, long time no see."
Song Chaoyu quickly told him not to be so formal and then asked, "What's wrong? Are you here at Jiangyuan Tower to drown your sorrows because you're in a bad mood today?"
Prince Wen let out a big burp and sat back down.
He did not answer Song Chaoyu. Instead, Mu Changxi looked up at Song Chaoyu and said, "You don't look well. Was your mother's matter not resolved?"
Logically speaking, Aunt Liu was a concubine, and Mu Changxi was now a Prince. He did not need to call her "mother."
However, he had never shown any disrespect to Aunt Liu, which Song Chaoyu naturally appreciated.
She shook her head and, in front of Prince Wen, maintained her decorum, "You know Father's temper. He said he would confine Aunt. Aunt also agreed. But Grandmother said she would look after Aunt. We can persuade him after Father's anger subsides. If Aunt is really to be confined for so many years, I truly cannot bear it."
"Good."
Mu Changxi reached out and took Song Chaoyu's hand. "Father's temper is indeed like that, and he is used to Mother serving him. It's not an easy matter. When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. With me here, Father will not do anything to Aunt. As for the Song family, Grandmother will also treat Aunt well, so you can rest assured."
Song Chaoyu's previously agitated mood seemed to calm down slightly because of Mu Changxi's words.
Song Chaoyu glanced at Prince Wen, "What's wrong with him today? He's drunk so much?"
The two of them had ordered food, but the dishes on the table had not been touched much. It seemed that Prince Wen only wanted to drown his sorrows with wine.
Mu Changxi also glanced at Prince Wen, who sighed, poured himself another cup of wine, and drank it down.
Mu Changxi then sighed, "Heroes have always found it difficult to pass the test of beauty. Isn't he also facing such a predicament?"
Prince Wen then raised his head forlornly, looked at Song Chaoyu, and said, "Sister-in-law, many times, I don't know what she is thinking! Actually, when we first met, I didn't like her very much. It was just an imperial marriage granted by Father, and I knew my marriage was not up to me, so I agreed. But these days, I feel that she is also a lovable person."
Song Chaoyu suddenly understood, "You're talking about Princess Ti Le, aren't you?"
Prince Wen nodded and sighed again, his expression becoming increasingly unhappy.
Mu Changxi then smiled and said, "Forget it, let me say it. As for his own affairs, I'm afraid he can't even explain them himself!"
The marriage between Prince Wen and Princess Ti Le was an imperial decree, so it was naturally known to everyone.
However, it was also known to everyone that Princess Ti Le had admired Prince Chang from the beginning.
Therefore, Prince Wen felt that they could at least be respectful to each other in the future. He did not have great expectations for Princess Ti Le at first.
Moreover, there was a close confidante by Prince Wen's side.
That person was Axiu, a palace maid who had served Prince Wen for many years.
Axiu was several years older than Prince Wen and had served by his side since childhood. She was also Prince Wen's first concubine.
She was gentle and serene, always managing everything to the best of her ability, so Prince Wen had promised Axiu in his early years that after getting married, he would definitely grant Axiu the position of "noble concubine."
However, after the Emperor granted the marriage, Princess Ti Le saw Axiu several times and did not like her.
At first, when Princess Ti Le asked Prince Wen to dismiss Axiu, Prince Wen was unwilling.
However, after Mu Changxi's wedding, Princess Ti Le probably felt that she had no more chances and temporarily put aside her past grievances, becoming willing to get closer to Prince Wen.
After many interactions, Prince Wen realized that he was beginning to like Princess Ti Le.
She was from the Southern Kingdom and did not understand many of the customs here, but this made her seem even more pure and lovely.