The old lady, unusually, followed the Eldest Madam's wishes. She sprinkled herself with mugwort water using a willow branch, then stepped over a brazier before entering with Song Yanrou.
"Mother, you're not going to Ping'an Temple anymore, are you? That was terrifying!"
The Eldest Madam now wished she could be of service to the old lady at every turn.
The old lady could barely stand to hear the words "Ping'an Temple" anymore. "I'm not going, and I won't be going ever again."
The Eldest Madam nodded. "Mother, the manor has prepared a table of food. Please go in and eat quickly, and then you can calm your nerves!"
The old lady glanced at Song Yanrou. "You go back and continue your confinement."
"Ah?"
Song Yanrou didn't react for a moment, then her face fell as she looked at the old lady.
The Second Concubine stepped forward, attempting to plead for Song Yanrou. "Old Madam, you see... Third Miss has just returned and was also frightened. Why don't you let her join us for a reunion meal? I'll personally ensure she stays confined afterward, is that alright?"
But the old lady's gaze was stern, showing no intention of backing down. "If any of you have an opinion, you can be confined with her!"
Song Yanrou's eyes quickly reddened, tears welling up, but she dared not defy the old lady. "Your granddaughter understands. Your granddaughter will go now!"
The old lady snorted coldly and looked at Song Yuan. "This girl of yours, I can't manage her anymore! When we were at Ping'an Temple, she secretly sent someone to deliver a message to that stable boy! After she was caught, she almost caused the death of other young ladies with her careless talk. If others hadn't shown me respect for my old face, they might have thrown her to those bandits. How to discipline this child is your responsibility!"
For the old lady to speak such heartless words, it seemed Song Yanrou had truly angered her.
However, no one else said much about Song Yanrou being sent back to confinement.
Instead, the Eldest Madam and Song Yanjiao noticed that the tide in the Song manor was turning.
At the dinner table, Song Yuan, happy that the old lady had returned safely, had a few extra drinks.
After drinking, he began to praise Song Chaoyu incessantly, saying that if it weren't for Song Chaoyu, they might not have found the old lady so quickly.
Even Song Jiayang praised Song Chaoyu for her composure and insightful analysis in the face of adversity.
The Eldest Madam and Song Yanjiao exchanged glances, their expressions turning grim.
Song Yuan then looked at the heavily pregnant Concubine Liu. "Excellent! I should have brought you all back sooner! Now that Yu'er can stay by our side, and once the child in your belly is born, our family will be complete! Then, the three of you will be by my side, bringing joy to Mother, just as a family should be!"
Song Chaoyu keenly noticed that the Eldest Madam's expression changed drastically after Song Yuan said this.
However, as long as Song Yuan paid attention to Concubine Liu again, Song Chaoyu was happy for her.
As for Song Yanjiao and the Eldest Madam... how they thought or felt was utterly unimportant!
***
In the following days, the weather in the capital grew increasingly cold.
The first snow was a heavy one, and the Emperor was pleased.
He always said, "A timely snow promises a good harvest," and for Da Yue, any year with a good harvest was a good year.
In Song Chaoyu's memory, a plague had only struck the capital shortly before she died in her previous life.
However, she had died too early to know the final outcome of that epidemic.
It was still early now, with over two years to go. She refused to believe that even such natural disasters could alter the flow of time.
What was most important to Song Chaoyu now was Concubine Liu's pregnancy!
Physician Fan said that Concubine Liu's child would be born before the New Year.
With Physician Fan taking care of Concubine Liu daily, Song Chaoyu felt at ease.
However, as time drew closer, Song Chaoyu's anxiety grew.
Since it started snowing, Song Chaoyu had not allowed Concubine Liu to go out alone.
Physician Fan had instructed Concubine Liu that she should walk frequently to ensure a smoother delivery.
So, every evening after dinner, Song Chaoyu would accompany Concubine Liu for a walk.
With the child about to be born, Song Yuan naturally also paid attention.
Whenever he asked the Eldest Madam if the painting academy was ready, the Eldest Madam would always complain, "Does the painting academy need me anymore? Of course, Mother has already helped them find all the midwives, maids, physicians, and doctors!"
She grumbled to Song Yuan, "She's just born to a concubine, is it really necessary?"
It was foolish of her to say such things in front of Song Yuan.
Song Yuan glared at the Eldest Madam. "I am blessed with a child in my old age, so naturally, I will pay extra attention. As the Eldest Madam of the manor, isn't a son born to a concubine also your son?"
The Eldest Madam dared not say anything more, but in her heart, she cursed Concubine Liu, hoping she wouldn't give birth to a son.
***
As the days turned to October, less than a month remained until Concubine Liu's due date.
Concubine Liu had maintained her health well, so Physician Fan said the child could be born full-term.
With the capital experiencing two heavy snowfalls in October, Song Chaoyu decided to have Tiaohong also stay by Concubine Liu's side.
Concubine Liu wasn't as worried, always saying Song Chaoyu was worrying too much, making Song Chaoyu seem like the mother and herself like the maid.
So, when she heard that the Duchess was hosting a banquet for the noble ladies of the capital, Song Chaoyu was reluctant to go. Concubine Liu also actively persuaded her. "A'yu, I'll be fine! You've assigned so many people to watch over me, and with Old Madam here, what is there to fear?"
She took Song Chaoyu's hand. "Besides, since the incident at Ping'an Temple, His Highness Prince Wen and Consort Hai have praised you highly. Which family in the capital doesn't invite you to their banquets now? If you only let the Eldest Madam and the Second Miss go, others will ask the Eldest Madam, and she will come to me again."
How could Song Chaoyu not know that Concubine Liu simply wanted her to meet more people?
However, after tidying herself up, she left the Song manor with the Eldest Madam and Song Yanjiao.
Perhaps it was due to the Ping'an Temple incident, but the Eldest Madam and Song Yanjiao had been much better to Song Chaoyu these days.
Song Chaoyu was now like a sought-after treasure in the Song manor.
Arriving at the Duke's manor today, even the Duchess took Song Chaoyu's hand and praised her repeatedly. "Thanks to you that day, we were saved. Good girl, at my place, just eat and drink at ease, and come to me if you need anything!"
She had saved the families of half the officials in the capital; who could treat her with anything less than courtesy?
However, what surprised Song Chaoyu was that she met Mu Changxi again at the Duke's manor!
Didn't Mu Changxi dislike such occasions?
Song Chaoyu nodded at him, considering it a greeting.
These banquets were somewhat boring, but now that Song Chaoyu's reputation had spread throughout the capital, those women who had previously disliked her now came to curry favor with her.
Whether their intentions were sincere or not, Song Chaoyu simply dealt with them perfunctorily.
However, after a few rounds of drinks, Song Chaoyu saw Tiaohong.
She hurried into the backyard of the Duke's manor, and upon seeing Song Chaoyu, she quickened her pace.
The haste on her face made Song Chaoyu realize something might have happened. "Tiaohong, why are you here?"
Tiaohong grabbed Song Chaoyu, and after catching her breath, said, "Finally found you, Miss! Something has happened to Concubine, Miss, please hurry back and see!"
The cup in Song Chaoyu's hand almost fell to the ground as she rushed outward.
The Duchess saw this and came over. "Good girl, what's wrong?"
Whenever it concerned her concubine or grandmother, Song Chaoyu could not remain calm. "My concubine is in trouble, and I must return. Duchess, please forgive my rudeness!"
The Duchess naturally understood Song Chaoyu's filial piety. "Alright, alright, your concubine is about to give birth, isn't she? Hurry back. If you need anything, just send someone to find me!"