She knew that Aunt Liu desired complete freedom.
If, one day, Aunt Liu grew old and could no longer manage on her own, Song Chaoyu would naturally not abandon her.
Upon hearing that she could actually have a small courtyard, Aunt Liu's eyes lit up. "Can I? If that were possible, it would be nothing short of perfect."
When had it started, that Aunt Liu had to be so cautious in front of Song Chaoyu?
Instead, Song Chaoyu felt a pang of sadness. "Of course, you can! But have you thought it through, Aunt Liu, about how you will do it? I fear Father will not easily let you leave."
Song Chaoyu felt that a roundabout method was still necessary.
Aunt Liu, however, shook her head, her gaze growing firmer. "Ayu, if I were to say that this time, I want to tell your father directly, would you think I was being too much?"
Song Chaoyu was taken aback. Her first feeling was one of admiration for Aunt Liu's courage.
Seeing Song Chaoyu remain silent, Aunt Liu lowered her head and explained softly, "Ayu, I don't mean anything else. I just want to leave the Song family with my head held high. From beginning to end, I have never wronged your father, nor have I done anything wrong. I gave birth to you, and then to Xiao Qing'er, simply to live a better life. I admit, it is only because you have become the Chang Princess that I have gained such courage."
Aunt Liu raised her eyes again, her gaze complex. "From the very beginning, everyone said it was my good fortune to be able to enter the Song household with my status. But I often wonder, what is wrong with my status? Was it my intention from birth to have this status as an actress? I, too, want to live for myself!"
"Mother!"
Seeing Aunt Liu like this, Song Chaoyu spoke softly.
The gentleness and resolve in her eyes gave Aunt Liu immense courage. "It's alright, Mother. People should live for themselves; there's nothing shameful about it. Why do you need to explain so much? I understand what you mean, and please rest assured. I will support your decision. Let's straightforwardly request a divorce decree and then leave the Song family. What do you say?"
"It's just..."
Song Chaoyu looked into Aunt Liu's eyes, her heart filling with more tenderness. "But you truly need to think this through. Because Mother, you must know that once this decision is made, there will be no turning back. At that time, the pressure and criticism you will have to bear may be greater than you imagine. Are you truly prepared?"
It was precisely Song Chaoyu's gentleness that made Aunt Liu's heart even firmer.
She nodded heavily. "I am already a person who has despaired. If it weren't for you and Xiao Qing'er, I probably... wouldn't have had anything to look forward to in life. So I am prepared, I have been prepared for a long time!"
She patted Song Chaoyu's hand. "I'm just afraid it will be difficult for you again. Your position as the Chang Princess has only just stabilized, and now people will say your concubine is unruly and immoral. The rumors in the capital will cause you to bear them again and again. My heart truly aches."
If she hadn't seen Song Chaoyu doing so well in the Chang Prince's mansion, perhaps Aunt Liu would have regretted bringing Song Chaoyu back to the Song mansion long ago.
But wasn't it precisely these experiences that made Song Chaoyu who she was today?
She feared nothing. "Since Mother has decided, then let's go ahead with it. If we are afraid of the so-called rumors in this capital, then we might as well not live at all. After all, people's mouths are their own to speak with. Let them say what they will, why should Mother care so much?"
"Yes, people's mouths are their own to speak with."
Aunt Liu murmured the words, and then her gaze finally grew firmer. "Now that you are a mother, you see things much more clearly than I do. You are right, why should I care so much about other things? I must also live for myself, mustn't I?"
The mother and daughter thus solidified their resolve.
When Song Chaoyu told Mu Changxi in the evening, she felt a little apprehensive.
She knew that no matter what she did, Mu Changxi would support her.
However, she hadn't expected to see a trace of emotion in Mu Changxi's eyes. "I always felt that Mother was truly wronged in that courtyard at the Song mansion. Now that you and Mother have made your decision, go ahead with it! No matter what rumors spread in the capital, I am here for you. Don't be afraid!"
The single phrase "Don't be afraid" was enough to bring peace to Song Chaoyu's heart.
Yes, what she possessed now was something she had never even dared to dream of in her previous life.
Having experienced death once, what else could she fear now?
—
When the Song mansion's servant arrived for the second time, urging Aunt Liu to return, Song Chaoyu felt that the time had come.
Early that morning, she took the sleeping Xiao Qing'er, still in her swaddling clothes, and Aunt Liu into the carriage, heading towards the Song mansion.
Although the servant who delivered the message had said that Song Yuan had arbitrarily summoned Aunt Liu back, Song Yuan was not at home when they arrived at the Song mansion.
He was busy all day and seemed to find the mansion tedious. Even after the morning court, he rarely returned directly to the mansion.
Now that Song Yanjiao was dead, the First Madam was a foolish person. She had long lost her footing in the Song mansion and was likely being bullied by the other concubines.
Even the Old Madam turned a blind eye to it.
It could be said that the First Madam now only held the title of First Madam in the Song family.
Hearing that Little Monkey would also be coming today, the Old Madam happily led Xiao Qing'er to welcome them at the main entrance of the Song mansion.
Seeing Song Chaoyu and the others alight from the carriage, the Old Madam's smile was boundless.
Xiao Qing'er was also beginning to learn to speak. She was not much younger than Little Monkey, and when the two little ones got together, they naturally played happily.
Song Chaoyu and the others were also happy to see this.
However, the Old Madam was a shrewd woman. Only after they had lunch together in the mansion did she signal the wet nurse to take the two little ones to sleep.
Then she turned to Song Chaoyu and Aunt Liu. "Seeing that Aunt Liu did not bring her personal belongings back this time, are you trying to tell this old woman that you do not wish to return to the Song family?"
Aunt Liu was stunned, then lowered her head, remaining silent.
In truth, the Old Madam had always treated Aunt Liu well. She was now simply unsure how to express her thoughts.
The Old Madam sighed and then took Aunt Liu's hand. "Actually, I know you are a good child. At first, I disliked you too. I always felt, with your status as an actress, how could you enter our Song household? And back then, when you brought Ayu back, you used some tricks. But after these past two years, I know you are not that kind of person. You did all that simply to protect yourself, didn't you?"
The Old Madam saw things clearly, which made Aunt Liu's eyes redden with grievance, and she nodded.
The Old Madam continued to comfort her. "Yuan'er is my child, and I understand him better than anyone. In fact, he is a heartless man. Whether it's the First Madam, you, or any of the concubines in his embrace, he has never put his heart into it. You have all suffered grievances in the mansion to varying degrees. Since you gave birth to Xiao Qing'er, you have treated Yuan'er differently; I, this old woman, can see that."
Aunt Liu gave a bitter smile. Now, all she could say was, "The Old Madam is wise. Many times, my heart truly aches. But I don't know how to vent it, so I just suppress it, and the days feel even more unbearable."
"Alas... women all go through this."
She shook her head. "Wasn't I the same way back then? Isn't the current First Madam the same? We women, we just appear glorious. But once this period passes, won't things be better? Do you know why Yuan'er keeps urging you to return?"
Aunt Liu honestly shook her head. "Indeed, I do not know."
The Old Madam smiled. "Because to Yuan'er, you have become an indispensable person. Perhaps even Yuan'er himself hasn't realized it. Since you've been gone, he has returned to the Song mansion less and less. After the morning court, he goes out and does who knows what."