When Song Chaoyu and Hu Xiaoye returned to the bridal chamber, Lin Muyang and his group also arrived.
In truth, those who truly joined in the revelry of the bridal chamber would not go too far.
Lin Muyang naturally knew what had just transpired, but as he led his group over, he feigned ignorance.
After the bridal chamber festivities concluded, he seized the opportunity to nod at Song Chaoyu: "Fourth Sister, thank you. I accept the favor today. If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to tell me. From now on, we are family."
Family?
Song Chaoyu had not expected to become family with a household like the Lin family.
However, she also spoke from the heart to Lin Muyang: "I know Brother-in-law is a wise man. Whatever my cousin has done, I hope Brother-in-law can let it go. Everything she did was merely to live a better life. Moreover, she will treat Brother-in-law well in the future, so please take good care of her as well."
It was impossible for Lin Muyang to have no grievances towards Song Xiuxiu.
Yet, after hearing Song Chaoyu's words, Lin Muyang felt a little better: "Fourth Sister, please rest assured. I will do everything I should, and I hope Fourth Sister will marry a man of her liking in the future. Second Brother will definitely not trouble Fourth Sister again. Fourth Sister, please be at ease."
Yes, that Lin Zhaofeng, he would likely never appear in the capital again, would he?
But Song Chaoyu still felt a sense of aimlessness.
Where did her future lie?
—
No matter how lively the Lin family was, Song Chaoyu felt like an outsider.
All she knew was that in her previous life, even as Lin Muyang's concubine, Song Xiuxiu had lived quite well.
Therefore, in this life, as Lin Muyang's official wife, she should also be able to manage her own life well and live with dignity and status.
When Song Chaoyu and Song Jiayang left the Lin mansion in the evening, Song Jiayang learned about what had happened in the back courtyard.
Sitting in the carriage, Song Jiayang truly felt indignant on Song Chaoyu's behalf: "Those scoundrels, to act so outrageously in the capital! Fourth Sister, I know your situation is difficult. Your sister-in-law told me everything. Don't worry, when we return to the Song family later, I will speak to Father and ask him not to make things difficult for you. You handled this very well; it was all that Lin the Second's fault!"
In her previous life, Song Chaoyu had never experienced Song Jiayang's brotherly affection.
Therefore, in this life, her heart was filled with immense gratitude: "Thank you, Brother. Brother, you must take care of yourself. In the future, the vast Song family will rely on you to support it!"
Song Jiayang couldn't quite explain why. He had known before that he had a sister living in an outer chamber.
But seeing Song Chaoyu now, he felt an indescribable closeness.
When the carriage returned to the Song family, Song Jiayang alighted first.
Seeing that Song Yuan and the First Madam were waiting in the main hall, he knew what they wanted to discuss.
But before the First Madam could question him, Song Jiayang cupped his fists towards Song Yuan and informed him of everything that had happened at the Lin family that day.
He did not exaggerate or conceal anything.
Anyone who heard the truth would understand Song Chaoyu.
Song Yuan was naturally one of them.
He stepped forward, showing a rare concern as he looked Song Chaoyu up and down: "Is Fourth Girl alright? Those scoundrels must have frightened you and that Hu girl today, right? I was wondering why the Hu family sent someone to deliver gifts earlier, saying they wanted to thank you. Now I understand that such a thing happened. Hurry back and rest, and have your concubine prepare some food for you. You did the right thing today, protecting the honor of the Song family and yourself."
The Hu family had also sent someone to deliver gifts?
Song Chaoyu had not expected Madam Hu to send gifts so quickly.
However, as a woman, Madam Hu likely knew something of her situation, and Song Chaoyu was filled with boundless gratitude.
—
Back at the Painting Scroll Courtyard, Concubine Liu also learned the news and naturally felt distressed for Song Chaoyu.
But Song Chaoyu, on the contrary, felt her heart calm down. After leaning on Concubine Liu's shoulder and acting spoiled for a moment, she peacefully went to sleep.
She had thought that sleeping early today would make her unable to sleep.
Unexpectedly, not long after Song Chaoyu lay down, sleepiness overcame her.
She wasn't sleeping very deeply, and in her daze, she even knew she was dreaming.
She dreamed of her time at the manor, of the joy of running and playing there when Mu Changxi was still Hanxi.
Back then, it seemed they were together every day, without worries or sorrows.
She even thought that her life would go on like this forever.
She didn't want to be a daughter of the Song family, didn't want to return to the deep courtyards.
When she reached a suitable age, she would marry the person she was meant to marry and live a peaceful life.
But who knew that fortune and misfortune, earth-shattering changes, could happen in an instant.
In her previous life, they never had a chance to meet again. In this life, it was as if a galaxy that could not be crossed separated them.
The legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could only remain a legend.
It was as if the days in midsummer, when Hanxi would take her to sit on the highest treetop at the manor to watch the stars, would never come again.
Song Chaoyu seemed to hear Hanxi say to her in a certain year, on a certain day, "Ayu, I will marry you in the future!"
She smiled and refused, but in her heart, she was secretly delighted: "Brother Hanxi, you are so shameless! If your mother and my mother knew, they would surely say we two are too young and indecent!"
"Indeed, we are!"
Hanxi stood on the treetop, smiling more brilliantly and unrestrainedly than the sun in the sky: "I want to be with Sister Ayu forever. Let's never be apart!"
At that time, Song Chaoyu also reached out her hand to Hanxi: "Okay, pinky swear, we'll be together forever."
"Pinky swear, no changing for a hundred years!"
"Pinky swear, no changing for a hundred years!"
Such childish vows, they hardly knew how quickly those "hundred years" would pass.
"Brother Hanxi—"
When Song Chaoyu woke from her dream, tears had already wet her pillowcase: "Brother Hanxi, we can never go back, can we?"
That broken sigh drifted away in the early winter wind, finally disappearing.
The next day, Song Chaoyu woke up and still had to be the strong Fourth Miss of the Song family.
She had to make plans for her own future!
The next morning was Song Xiuxiu's return visit.
Song Yanjiao left before dawn, saying she was going to the palace to pay respects to the Ning King's mother.
But everyone knew she was avoiding Song Xiuxiu and Lin Muyang's return banquet.
In fact, without Song Yanjiao, the return banquet was not awkward at all.