Time passed quickly. Under the strict watch of Song Chaoyu, the first joyous occasion for the Song and Lin families arrived: the wedding of Song Xiuxiu and Lin Muyang.
The weather in the capital grew colder. After the autumn leaves fell, winter was approaching. Old Madam Song also took Song Yanrou to the mountains to pray for blessings, a trip that would last a full month. It was unclear if this was also to avoid Song Xiuxiu's wedding, as for the old madam, Song Xiuxiu's conduct was not honorable.
After the old madam left, Song Chaoyu felt the Song household was much quieter.
This year, the early winter in the capital was late to snow, with only the biting cold wind, yet it could not chill the liveliness of the Song and Lin families.
Concubine Liu's pregnancy was advanced, and the doctor estimated she would give birth around the New Year.
With only three months left, Song Chaoyu now spent almost every day by Concubine Liu's side.
In this life, with the old madam's care, their painting academy was not as deserted as in the previous life.
Even while praying in the mountains, the old madam sent Granny Yin to deliver winter fabrics. Concubine Liu personally made two thick outfits for Song Chaoyu.
Seeing Song Chaoyu wearing new clothes on Song Xiuxiu's grand wedding day, Concubine Liu was somewhat emotional. "Back when we were on the estate, we always patched up old clothes and stuffed them with cotton to get through winter. Now that we've returned, our Yu'er can also have such warm fur-lined jackets. All this concubine hopes for is that you will have enough to eat and wear in the future."
Her warm palm gently stroked Song Chaoyu's cheek. "Yu'er, concubine hopes you won't be so tired in the future. I brought you back because I wanted you to have a better life. Do you understand?"
Although Concubine Liu had used a few tricks when she returned to the Song mansion, Song Chaoyu knew that she understood her own changes better than anyone.
She leaned her head on Concubine Liu's shoulder and heard her sigh softly. "That day... I went to buy things on the street and saw Prince Chang. The old madam told me, I don't care who he is, I just don't want Yu'er to suffer any grievances. Do you understand? If you are unwilling, I will beg your grandmother and your father on my knees to protect you."
Concubine Liu knew everything!
For some reason, Song Chaoyu felt wronged at that moment. "Concubine, actually, no matter who he is, I won't care, nor will I speak of it. He is Han Xi, he is Han Xi. But now he seems to be not Han Xi anymore, and I don't know how to face him."
Concubine Liu's hand gently stroked Song Chaoyu's hair.
This was the first time she had seen Song Chaoyu so sad, and she didn't know how to comfort her, only saying softly, "Yu'er, if you don't dwell on many things, you can live more easily. When I met your father back then, I was like you. But the more you expect, the greater the disappointment. My dear Yu'er, you are so good, how could anyone bear to hurt you? If you don't want to be his concubine, then forget him."
Concubine Liu was a concubine herself, and she did not want Song Chaoyu to bear the same bitterness again. "Just as your grandmother said. We will find you a family with a modest household in the capital, and you can be the main wife. Wouldn't life be good then?"
Yes.
Life had to go on, whether he was Mu Changxi or Han Xi.
The current Song Chaoyu was a concubine's daughter of the Song family.
---
After indulging in a bit of affection with Concubine Liu, someone came to look for Song Chaoyu.
It was said that Song Yanjiao claimed to be unwell today, and Song Yanrou had accompanied the old madam to the mountain. Today, in the Song mansion, perhaps only Song Chaoyu, as a sister, could accompany Song Xiuxiu for her wedding.
Song Chaoyu got up and tied a red silk ribbon around her wrist.
In fact, the scene of Song Xiuxiu's wedding was rather somber.
Although Song Yuan and Madam Da were present, their gazes were all distant.
The Song family had hung red ribbons, but it did not appear festive.
Only Song Jiayang and Song Chaoyu saw Song Xiuxiu off. Song Yanjiao claimed to be unwell, but everyone knew she was doing it on purpose.
It made sense, after all. What would Song Yanjiao say if she went to the Lin family today and saw Lin Muyang?
In fact, what Song Chaoyu admired most about Song Xiuxiu was that no matter when, she never changed her mind because of others' gossip or strange glances.
Even with few people accompanying her outside, seeing Song Chaoyu arrive, Song Xiuxiu smiled and welcomed her in. "Quick, come! You have to stay with me today! They say I have to get up early to get ready tonight, and I'm not letting you go."
In fact, Song Chaoyu also knew that, often, Song Xiuxiu must also be lonely.
"Okay!"
Song Chaoyu had planned to do so anyway. She looked at Song Xiuxiu's abdomen with some concern. "Cousin, you are pregnant now. Can you get up in the middle of the night? Won't you be tired?"
Song Xiuxiu lowered her head. When this child was mentioned, her tone became extremely gentle. "With Physician Fan here, I'm not afraid of anything. She said the child is very healthy, but after a day of exertion tomorrow, it should be fine. Besides, if my child cannot withstand this little bit of hardship before it's even born, how can it survive in the Lin family later?"
Song Xiuxiu was truly rare in her clarity.
Song Chaoyu sent Hong to inform Concubine Liu that she would be staying here to accompany Song Xiuxiu today.
They went to bed early, as they would both be exhausted tomorrow.
At night, Song Chaoyu seemed to hear Song Xiuxiu crying softly under her quilt.
She wasn't as strong as she appeared, was she?
But Song Chaoyu said nothing, pretending not to know. She didn't want to incur Song Xiuxiu's displeasure again.
This night, Song Chaoyu slept restlessly and uneasily.
After having several nightmares about her past life, the maids filed in and woke them up.
It was still deep night outside, and all the lamps in Song Xiuxiu's room were lit.
Song Chaoyu got up with them, stretching. The maids and matrons of the Song family treated Song Chaoyu quite well now. "Look, Fourth Miss is still like a sleepy kitten! Hurry up and get up, or you'll be late!"
But they were not as polite to Song Xiuxiu.
Especially the older, more experienced matrons, who were always cold towards Song Xiuxiu. It wasn't exactly impolite, but it was certainly not as affectionate as they were towards Song Chaoyu.
Song Xiuxiu didn't mind at all. After all, once she went to the Lin family, she would have no connection with these matrons.
Just watching Song Xiuxiu being dressed layer by layer, Song Chaoyu felt that marriage was very troublesome.
In fact, she could barely recall what her own wedding was like in the previous life.
At that time, her heart was probably filled only with sadness and reluctance, and she was almost pushed into the sedan chair.
Now, seeing the anticipation in Song Xiuxiu's eyes, she felt a pang of envy.