But Song Chaoyu remembered that when this incident occurred in her previous life, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had already fallen out of favor with the Emperor.
Therefore, the Crown Prince was directly confined to the Eastern Palace, and the Emperor even sent people to replace all the guards and attendants in the Eastern Palace.
In her previous life, the Emperor, in order to "compensate" the Prince of Ning, directly handed over the power of the Ministry of Justice to him.
So in this life, the Crown Prince was merely reprimanded by the Emperor, which was not a big deal.
However, in this life, the Prince of Ning's actions were much faster than Song Chaoyu had expected.
She did not know what would happen next.
Meanwhile, on the Song family's side, Song Jiayang's health seemed to be improving day by day, and he would soon be able to return to court.
Song Chaoyu did not have time to concern herself with others. As the weather grew colder, Concubine Liu's condition worsened.
She did not know what would happen in this life, but Song Chaoyu had only one thought in her heart: she must protect her aunt and the child in her womb!
The three of them, as a family, wanted to be together, no matter what happened in the future.
—
Perhaps because of Song Yanrou's incident, these days, Song Yuan had become increasingly insistent on Song Yanjiao's marriage.
Song Yanjiao was wavering between the Lin family and the Prince of Ning. Seeing that the Prince of Ning had stabilized his position in court, Song Yuan even "switched sides," hoping that Song Yanjiao would choose the Prince of Ning.
The Prime Minister's Lin family was not unaware of the apparent ambiguity between Song Yanjiao and the Prince of Ning. However, Song Yanjiao had always had a good reputation in the capital, so the Lin family was unwilling to let her go.
Therefore, these days, Madam Lin had been inviting Song Yanjiao to the Lin family as a guest. Seeing that Song Yanjiao was becoming closer to Lin Muyang and distancing herself from the Prince of Ning, Song Chaoyu felt that this would not do.
But before Song Chaoyu could figure something out, during the late autumn and early winter days, Song Xiuxiu suddenly came to find Song Chaoyu, saying she had something to discuss with Physician Fan.
Now that Fan Jiangyue was taking care of everyone in the Song family, if Song Xiuxiu was really unwell, she should have gone directly to Fan Jiangyue's room.
Yet she came to her own place, and Song Chaoyu guessed that Song Xiuxiu's health might be the issue: "Cousin? What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
Song Xiuxiu's face turned slightly red: "You'll know when Physician Fan arrives."
Song Chaoyu did not understand. When Fan Jiangyue took Song Xiuxiu's pulse, she frowned: "What's going on?"
This time, Song Xiuxiu looked at Fan Jiangyue with a hint of surprise: "Is it as I guessed? Have I really conceived?"
Conceived?!
Song Chaoyu gasped: "Cousin, how could you again—"
Fan Jiangyue also nodded at this moment: "Yes, it's been nearly two months. Have you missed your period?"
Song Xiuxiu nodded happily: "Yes, ever since you helped me regulate my body last time, my period has been very regular these past few months. But it's been more than half a month since my last one, and my situation is similar to last time. I feel dizzy all day, and I suspect I might be pregnant, so I specifically came to find you."
Fan Jiangyue was also observant. Seeing Song Xiuxiu's happy expression, she understood a bit: "This time, do you intend to keep the child?"
As expected—
Song Chaoyu also understood. Fan Jiangyue was pregnant.
Song Xiuxiu nodded, and a hint of shy joy even appeared in her eyes: "Of course, I want to keep it. That's my goal! If I can keep this child, I'll have hope for the rest of my life!"
Song Chaoyu had already guessed a bit: "Could the child you're carrying be the eldest legitimate son of the Lin family, Lin Muyang?"
Unexpectedly, Song Xiuxiu actually nodded: "My sister is truly clever. Of course, it's his."
Song Chaoyu sighed: "Sister... why did you have to provoke Lin Muyang?"
Song Xiuxiu sneered: "I think he's a good person. Moreover, he belongs to Song Yanjiao, so I want to snatch him! I treated Song Yanjiao as my best friend back then, but who knew she would treat me like dirt behind my back. She's now getting along famously with His Highness the Prince of Ning, so why must she also monopolize Lin Muyang?"
Song Chaoyu frowned. She felt that Song Xiuxiu's thinking was a bit too much.
But since things had come to this, she could only ask: "What does the young master of the Lin family think of you? I see his mother has been very attentive to my second sister recently. It seems their engagement is imminent."
Speaking of this, Song Xiuxiu lowered her eyes slightly: "He probably... also likes Song Yanjiao. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen in love with her at first sight at that banquet. He's not stupid. He knows that Song Yanjiao is trying to curry favor with the Prince of Ning. He also knows that I'm using him. Since things have reached this point, the three of us might as well tear down the facade and fight for it. What do I have to fear?"
She reached out and took Song Chaoyu's hand: "Sister, let me tell you frankly. I don't want to be pointed at in that small place of Jiangzhou for the rest of my life, so I've come to the capital by all means. What that heartless scoundrel couldn't do, I'll do it myself! I want to live a splendid life for everyone to see. I know I can't possibly marry into a family like the Lin family!"
Her palms were cold: "But if I have even the slightest chance, I will never let it slip away. If I can enter the Lin family, what worries will I have for the rest of my life? Now, in this Song family, I must consider my own future, right?"
Her hands were also trembling slightly: "Fourth sister, you too, you must consider your own future. Although you are better off than me in the Song family, if you truly want to achieve high status and wealth in the future, you must work hard yourself."
High status and wealth?
Song Chaoyu smiled and shook her head: "I don't want high status and wealth. But if my sister has made up her mind, she must have a complete plan. Look at my third sister, she caused such a scene that she was almost sent to a nunnery outside the capital. If you want to enter the Lin mansion with peace of mind, you must do things thoroughly."
Song Xiuxiu looked up at Song Chaoyu: "I came to find you today precisely to discuss this with you. You should also seriously help me think about how to do things thoroughly."
She lowered her head and looked at her abdomen: "This matter must not be known to the First Madam and Song Yanjiao first, otherwise, let alone this child, even my life might not be saved."
In fact, Song Xiuxiu's thoughts were quite clear on many matters.
She trusted Song Chaoyu now, and Song Chaoyu was not pretentious: "If my cousin has truly made up her mind, I am willing to lend you a hand."
The two of them exchanged a smile, both understanding each other's intentions.
In this grand mansion of the Song family, were there truly any clean people?