It was not easy for the Song family to persuade the old madam to speak for Song Chaoyu.
Currently, within the Song family, besides Concubine Liu and Xiao Qing'er, the only person Song Chaoyu truly trusted and listened to was the old madam.
However, Song Chaoyu, who had always obeyed the old madam, lowered her head today and did not respond to her words.
The old madam was stunned, and even Master Song sensed something was amiss: "What? Do you not even wish to listen to your grandmother's words now?" The words were not pleasant to hear.
Song Chaoyu felt displeased. She was no longer the Song Chaoyu of the past.
She slightly raised her eyes and looked directly into Yuan Song's eyes: "Father, it's not that I am unwilling. It's just that some matters are not convenient to discuss here."
She then turned to her grandmother: "Grandmother... would it be convenient for you to visit our Chang Prince's manor? There are some things that grandmother should know before making any decisions later on."
Since she did not explain the matter, everyone in the hall frowned.
The First Madam was the first to express her displeasure: "If you have something to say, just say it directly. Why be so secretive? If people didn't know, they might think something had happened to our Song manor!"
But Song Chaoyu was not swayed. She glanced at Song Yanjiao, who was kneeling on the ground, with a sneer: "If you want me to speak directly, I can, but I think it would be best for Grandmother to decide."
For some reason, when Song Yanjiao felt Song Chaoyu's gaze, her heart turned cold, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on her back.
Song Chaoyu had always been someone who spoke her mind in front of the Old Madam Song.
Her sudden "mysteriousness" now made the Old Madam Song realize that the matter might be more serious than she thought.
Seeing that Yuan Song was about to speak again, the Old Madam Song suddenly reached out and waved to Yuan Song: "You don't need to say anything more. Yu'er knows what she is doing. This old woman will accompany Yu'er to the Chang Prince's manor. Could it be that they would eat me?"
He then looked at Song Yanjiao, who was still kneeling, and said, "However... Jiao'er's matter..."
Seeing that no one else spoke, Song Chaoyu finally said, "Grandmother and Father need not worry. Even if Prince Ning truly wishes to divorce his wife, it cannot be done in a day or two. Waiting for a day or two is not a big deal, is it?"
Master Song nodded, realizing that Song Chaoyu was right. He let out a sigh of relief and then glared at Song Yanjiao: "This is all your fault! Since you are back these past two days, you are to stay in your courtyard and not go anywhere! Reflect on yourself properly and do not cause any more trouble. Do you understand?"
What else could Song Yanjiao dare to say now?
She quickly nodded, and the matter was settled.
—
Originally, Song Chaoyu thought that since it was getting late, it would be better for the old madam to go to the Chang Prince's manor with her tomorrow.
However, she did not expect that the old madam, perhaps realizing the seriousness of the matter, decided to return to the Chang Prince's manor with Song Chaoyu in the middle of the night.
When the grandmother and granddaughter arrived at the Chang Prince's manor and saw that the Chang Prince had indeed woken up, the old madam was overjoyed.
But soon, she looked at Song Chaoyu with deep concern: "Yu'er, what is such an important matter that you brought me here? Why don't you just tell me!"
Song Chaoyu nodded and pointed to the backyard: "Grandmother, please follow me! I believe Grandmother also knows that my second sister gave birth in my Chang Prince's manor that day, so I paid attention to many things..."
The Old Madam Song's brows furrowed. She had a bad feeling.
Song Chaoyu led her into the courtyard where Xiao Taozi was. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard Xiao Taozi's crying.
The Old Madam Song was stunned: "What's going on? Why is there a child crying here?"
Upon entering the room, the wet nurse, holding Xiao Taozi, came forward to bow to Song Chaoyu: "Your Highness Princess, the little lady has just woken up. She is likely hungry now, but her health is weak, and she eats poorly. Please ask the Princess to have an imperial physician examine the little lady tomorrow!"
Song Chaoyu nodded and gestured for the old madam to come forward: "Grandmother, look at this little girl. Does she resemble my second sister?"
These words made the old madam break out in a cold sweat: "What did you say?!"
The old madam hurried forward and gently lifted the swaddling clothes covering Xiao Taozi.
She carefully examined Xiao Taozi's features, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead: "This... who is this girl? She truly resembles your second sister when she was young, but she is too thin, and her crying sounds very weak. Could she not..."
The old madam dared not think further. She shook her head: "Impossible! Second sister would never do something so audacious. Yu'er, you must know that such matters cannot be joked about!"
Song Chaoyu nodded slightly to the old madam: "How would your granddaughter dare to joke about such a matter with Grandmother? This girl is indeed the child that my second sister gave birth to in our Chang Prince's manor that day. If Grandmother does not believe me, then the matter of blood verification—"
"Stop talking!"
Upon hearing this, the old madam's body trembled involuntarily.
Song Chaoyu quickly stepped forward to support her.
The old madam waved her hand, signaling the wet nurse to take Xiao Taozi away, and then looked at Song Chaoyu seriously: "Tell me in detail what happened that day! If this is truly your second sister's daughter, let alone her, even our Song family might be ruined! How could she do something so audacious?!"
Song Chaoyu helped the old madam out of the courtyard and sat with her in the backyard. After wiping the sweat from the old madam's forehead, she told her everything that had happened that day.
The more the old madam listened, the more sweat appeared on her forehead.
Eventually, her eyes turned red, and she clutched a handkerchief, repeatedly beating the stone pillar beside her: "Damn it, she truly deserves to die! How could she do such a thing? What if Prince Ning finds out? If the Emperor finds out, the Song family will likely be punished along with her! She just can't stand to see our Song family prosper, can she? How dare she do such a thing?!"
The old madam kept repeating these words.
But no matter how much she said, it was useless. The old madam calmed down slightly and then took Song Chaoyu's hand: "Yu'er... what do you think we should do about this matter now?"
From the look in the old madam's eyes, Song Chaoyu had already guessed what she was thinking: "Grandmother wishes to conceal the matter? To just let it be as it is?"
The old madam closed her eyes, knowing that this approach was not proper.
But she had no other ideas, only sighing: "I was just thinking... if this can save everyone, then it is best. You have seen your second sister's current state. She will likely be nothing in Prince Ning's manor from now on. If this child's matter is known to others, not only will it be difficult for her, but our Song family will also be implicated. You are also a member of the Song family, and your concubine and Xiao Qing'er are in the Song family. You must consider them, won't you?"
At this moment, she spoke of considering the Song family, but how much consideration had been given to her in the past?
Song Chaoyu lowered her head and sighed: "Grandmother, you must understand that we are not the only ones who know about this matter. My second sister was careless in her actions. I have noticed it, so how can we be sure that Prince Ning will not discover it in the future? Moreover, there are so many eyes in Prince Ning's manor watching my second sister. Do you think this matter can truly be kept completely secret? Perhaps someone has already started investigating this matter!"