Song Chaoyu frowned.
According to Mu Changxi's account, the "Prince Chang" who went to the Southern Kingdom had a very good relationship with these two princes.
They should not have followed Mu Hansu's lead and made things difficult for her!
Unless...
They were also deceived by Mu Hansu, believing there was something "fishy" about Mu Changxi being bedridden.
It seemed that today's events were not as simple as they appeared.
As Song Chaoyu pondered, the Emperor also frowned, seemingly disagreeing with the statement: "It's not that I disagree. It's just that Chang'er's current condition is not good, and I fear that if he is jostled on the journey, his illness will only worsen. Why not postpone it until Chang'er is feeling better? Then it will be no later for everyone to meet!"
Fortunately, the Emperor still had some consideration for the common people.
But at this moment, Minister Qiu Hai stood up and cupped his fists, looking around: "Your Majesty, please allow Prince Chang to come! After all, I watched him grow up and know he has always been a strong person. There is a saying in our Southern Kingdom that a man, even if he dies, must not yield to present difficulties. Prince Chang grew up in the Southern Kingdom, and I believe he will keep this saying in his heart, not fear the present difficulties, and will certainly want to see us!"
This old fox!
Song Chaoyu lightly scoffed in her heart: He seemed to be talking about Prince Chang's arrival, but with every word, he was reminding the Emperor that Prince Chang grew up in the Southern Kingdom and had accepted its culture!
The Emperor, who was already somewhat suspicious, indeed had a flicker of darkness in his eyes after hearing his words. He then nodded: "Very well, then go and bring Chang'er over! Chang'er's condition has been relatively stable these past two days, so you must be careful when you bring him."
Song Chaoyu knew that in Mu Changxi's heart, he had always had expectations of his father, the Emperor.
He had always felt guilty about deceiving the Emperor.
Therefore, when the Emperor treated him like this today, Song Chaoyu knew that he must have been very hurt.
Song Chaoyu felt that being in this place made her detest these power struggles even more, and detest these hypocritical people even more.
Especially the couple Mu Hansu and Song Yanjiao standing beside her, which made her almost nauseous.
At this moment, countless eyes were looking in Song Chaoyu's direction.
What they saw was Song Chaoyu's composure and pride.
This made Song Yanjiao and Mu Hansu beside her appear even more aggressive.
In fact, upon seeing the anxiety and sadness in Song Chaoyu's eyes, the Emperor knew that he should not have heeded their words so quickly.
However, it was too late to take it back.
He was the Son of Heaven, and his word was law.
---
After a while, Mu Changxi finally arrived.
Since he was bedridden, he was naturally carried into the hall.
His eyes were tightly closed, and he was covered with a thick quilt. When he was carried in, he did not appear as disheveled as everyone had imagined.
His clothes were neat, and even his hair was tied up with a jade crown, just like usual.
Except for his pale complexion, he seemed no different from the usual Prince Chang.
Everyone knew that Song Chaoyu had taken good care of him, and would often push him out to bask in the sun.
Seeing him in person, some could not help but discuss: "The Prince looks well. I suppose the Princess has been taking good care of him."
"Isn't that right?"
Someone added: "The Princess of Chang is pregnant, yet she can still take such good care of the Prince and manage the entire Prince's mansion in an orderly fashion. With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? The Prince was insistent on marrying a daughter of the Song family as his Princess Consort back then, and now it seems he was not wrong at all!"
But when the Song family daughters were mentioned, naturally, someone had to mention Song Yanjiao.
Someone muttered: "I think not all daughters of the Song family are good. Look at the Princess of Ning; she is served with good food and drink, yet she causes trouble in the Ning Prince's mansion all day long. I don't know what the Song family is like, to have raised their eldest legitimate daughter in such a manner, while the illegitimate daughters are all doing quite well now!"
...
If they dared to murmur like this at the palace banquet, one could imagine how they discussed things in private.
Song Yanjiao's face had darkened considerably. She dared not lose her temper at this moment, only feeling a surge of anger and dizziness.
However, the "protagonists" of today were still the envoys from the Southern Kingdom.
Seeing Mu Changxi lying on the couch, truly being brought in, Qiu Hai was the first to sigh, his expression showing the sorrow of the Southern Kingdom for Mu Changxi: "This... Is this Prince Chang? How pitiful! When Prince Chang was in our Southern Kingdom, how happy he was! How is it that upon his return, his old illness has relapsed? Alas... it is heartbreaking to see!"
Song Chaoyu was somewhat impressed by his acting skills.
How could the Emperor let him have his way?
The Emperor merely snorted: "Minister Qiu, your words are amiss. Since Chang'er's old illness has relapsed, it proves that he was not properly cared for in the Southern Kingdom. Alas... my poor Chang'er. I am truly sorry for Chang'er!"
By saying this, he showed no regard for the envoys of the Southern Kingdom.
Minister Qiu was not offended. He followed the Emperor's sigh and then suddenly took out a set of needles from his person!
He smiled and took out the silver needles: "Your Majesty may not know, but I have also studied medicine in the Southern Kingdom. It was I who prescribed the medicine for Prince Chang when he was poisoned. Since the illness has not been completely cured, I naturally must take responsibility for the Prince to the end, won't I?"
He was doing this on purpose!
Without needing to think further, Song Chaoyu saw through Minister Qiu's intentions.
"Wait!"
It was naturally most appropriate for her, as the Princess of Chang, to step forward and stop him: "What is Minister Qiu doing? Today is to celebrate the grand wedding of your country's Princess Ti Le and our Dynasty's Prince Wen. Why is Minister Qiu going to administer acupuncture to our Prince at this palace banquet? I fear this action is inappropriate!"
"What is inappropriate?"
Minister Qiu, with his thick skin, did not hesitate at this moment: "Our two countries are now one family. I am doing this for Prince Chang's own good, fearing that if it drags on, the Prince will truly never wake up."
"You jest, sir!"
Song Chaoyu spoke neither subserviently nor arrogantly, looking directly at Minister Qiu: "Our dynasty is not without renowned physicians. Why must Minister Qiu do such a thing at this banquet? Our Prince's condition is currently stable. Since it is a relapse of an old illness, we will not trouble Minister Qiu any further. In due time, when the Prince has recovered, he will surely thank Minister Qiu for his kindness today."
With these words, she defended the honor of the Great Yue Dynasty and the face of the Prince's mansion.
Minister Qiu took a deep breath and looked at Mu Hansu.
Mu Hansu immediately understood and stepped forward with a smile to say to Song Chaoyu: "Princess of Chang, Minister Qiu is also acting out of goodwill. Why don't you appreciate his kindness?"