His gaze, filled with guilt, shifted from the Imperial Consort to Song Chaoyu. "Chang Wangfei must also be tired today. Take Chang Wang back to rest early. Regarding today's events... I will give you an explanation. Rest assured, let Chang Wang rest assured, and only then can I rest assured."
Had this calamity passed just like this?
Song Chaoyu's heart finally felt a slight release.
She bowed to the Emperor, her face showing fatigue, "Thank you, Father Emperor. Then this concubine will take the Prince back to the manor. Thank you, Father Emperor, for making the decision for Chang Wang Manor today."
The more Song Chaoyu said this, the more the Emperor felt a pang of sadness and guilt.
Before leaving, Song Chaoyu cast a deep glance at Song Yanjiao and Mu Hansu.
A chill inexplicably spread through Song Yanjiao's heart.
But in the eyes of others, Song Chaoyu was merely extremely disappointed in them.
—
On the way back to the manor, Song Chaoyu, sitting in the carriage, held Qi Feng close and whispered, "Little Qi Feng, from now on, you are a child of our Chang Wang Manor. Don't be afraid, no one will hit you anymore."
The little child only knew that Song Chaoyu was good to him.
But even though Hai Sha treated Qi Feng that way, at this moment, Qi Feng still thought of Hai Sha, "Then... what about my mother? Isn't she coming with us?"
The child was still in a daze about what had happened in the court earlier.
Song Chaoyu did not want to deceive Qi Feng. She gently stroked Qi Feng's little head, "Your mother, she made a mistake, a very big mistake. That's why she cannot come with us, and will never be able to come with us again. Perhaps... Qi Feng will never see his mother again in this life. Will you miss her, will you be scared?"
"Wuwuwu—"
Hearing that he would never see his mother again in this life, even though Qi Feng had been bullied by Hai Sha, he still burst into tears at this moment, "If mother made a mistake, can't she just fix it? Why can't I ever see mother again?"
Song Chaoyu stroked Qi Feng's little head, feeling that this was perhaps heaven's "first lesson" in this child's life, "Qi Feng, you must also know that if you make mistakes in the future, most mistakes can be corrected. But some mistakes should not be made. Those big mistakes, even if corrected, are useless. The harm to others has already been done, and there is no way to undo it."
Qi Feng didn't quite understand Song Chaoyu's words, but his small hand still held Song Chaoyu's hand tightly, "Qi Feng will not make mistakes in the future."
Song Chaoyu nodded, "We will all make mistakes, but we can only try to make fewer mistakes. After making mistakes, we must be brave enough to correct them, and not repeat them. Little Qi Feng, don't worry! Although you won't have a mother anymore, you still have us! You have me, and you have your father. And many people who love you, we will all be by your side, and we will always support you, okay?"
"Okay."
The little fellow nodded while sobbing, his appearance truly heartbreaking.
Song Chaoyu sighed softly and leaned her head against Qi Feng's head, "We will all be here from now on, you don't need to be afraid, and no one will hit you anymore."
Qi Feng leaned in Song Chaoyu's arms like this, feeling the warmth emanating from Song Chaoyu, and after a moment, he fell into a deep sleep.
By the time they reached the entrance of Chang Wang Manor, Tiaohong personally carried Qi Feng down and smiled at Song Chaoyu, "Our little young master sleeps so quickly! He must be tired these past few days, and truly frightened. Your Highness, shall we prepare a courtyard for the young master?"
Song Chaoyu looked back and saw a dark carriage following them, which finally put her slightly at ease. She nodded, "No need. Qi Feng is fine, he will stay with the Prince and me for now. When he is older, we will prepare a courtyard for him."
Everyone could see that Song Chaoyu truly treated little Qi Feng as her own child, which was why she was so meticulous and thoughtful.
—
After Song Chaoyu and her entourage entered the manor, the dark carriage that followed them headed towards the back courtyard of the manor.
A moment later, when Song Chaoyu returned to the courtyard, she saw Mu Changxi already sitting in the room!
It was likely that the Imperial Consort, fearing Song Chaoyu's worry, had sent Mu Changxi over so quickly.
Song Chaoyu hurried forward, took his hand, and checked him all over, "Did they hit you? You have injuries all over your body, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Shall I call the imperial physician?"
"Ayu!"
Before Song Chaoyu could leave, Mu Changxi stepped forward and embraced Song Chaoyu without hesitation.
It was still the familiar scent of Mu Changxi, but this time his body carried a strong smell of blood.
Mu Changxi rested his chin on Song Chaoyu's shoulder and then sighed with satisfaction, "Ayu, I'm fine, these are just superficial wounds. It's just that I haven't been by your side these past few days, and I missed you terribly!"
Just these words were enough to make Song Chaoyu's face blush to the roots of her neck!
Mu Changxi leaned in... he wasn't someone who always said such things!
"Oh, let go of me!"
Song Chaoyu gently pushed Mu Changxi away and then coughed lightly, "Qianshan is still here."
Not only Qianshan, but also Tiaohong and Qiuying, who had accompanied Song Chaoyu.
At this moment, Qianshan was fine, lying on the stretcher "playing dead," he knew nothing and heard nothing.
As for Tiaohong and Qiuying, they blushed along with Song Chaoyu. One looked up at the sky, the other looked down at the ground, both wishing they weren't there.
Seeing their expressions, Mu Changxi smiled, "What does it matter if people are here? They will get used to it sooner or later."
However, when he looked at Qianshan, Mu Changxi's gaze became serious, "Qianshan, how is your body? Now that it's confirmed that Qi Feng is your child, what do you think?"
In fact, Qi Feng's whereabouts had already been decided, and it wasn't Qianshan's place to think about it.
Song Chaoyu knew that this was Mu Changxi giving Qianshan an opportunity.
They all hoped that Qianshan's latter half of his life would be free.
Qianshan gave a bitter smile, "I don't know either. Before this, I didn't even know Hai Sha had given me a child. What should I do?"
His confusion and helplessness made Mu Changxi sigh even more, "Now, there are two paths. If you wish to leave with the child, I will surely ensure your lives are free from worry in the future. However, you will have to live under a false name, and the child will also have to live under a false name with you."
He glanced at Song Chaoyu and continued, "The second path is also simple. That is, from now on, this child will be Mu Qi Feng, the eldest son of Chang Wang Manor. While I cannot say he will inherit my throne, during my lifetime, I will definitely treat him as my own son and raise him with care."
This was Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu's promise to Qianshan, "We will teach him literature and martial arts, and ensure his life is peaceful and worry-free. We will let him do what he wants to do, and never restrict him in any way. As long as you trust us, you can come to see him occasionally. Perhaps one day in the future, I will tell him his true identity. But until then, I will be a good father."
Actually, Song Chaoyu felt that it would be better for Qi Feng to stay with them.
Qianshan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, his thoughts clearly aligning with theirs.
He gave a helpless bitter smile and hit his leg, "As a cripple, what kind of future can I give him? Your Highness, Your Highness, I trust you!"