At first, Song Chaoyu did not intend for Xun Lü to die.
The subsequent events were merely the result of their own doing.
"Miss—"
Song Chaoyu could hear Xun Lü behind her, crying out with all her might, "Miss! Don't leave me behind!"
Having followed her for many years, it would be false to say Song Chaoyu felt no emotion for her.
However, in both her past and present life, Xun Lü was someone Song Chaoyu knew would betray her.
Therefore, this time Song Chaoyu turned her back on Xun Lü and left, never looking back.
Later, Song Chaoyu never inquired about Xun Lü's fate again.
She only knew that when she left the courtyard that day, she saw the young servants returning with planks.
About three days later, Tiao Hong came to inform Song Chaoyu.
After twenty planks, Xun Lü had surprisingly endured!
However, although the servants did not strike her back, Xun Lü's legs were already crippled.
She struggled for two days. The Song family originally planned to send her to the human traffickers to be sold once she had recovered slightly.
Unexpectedly, this morning, news came from the back courtyard that Xun Lü had already passed away.
The death of a mere maid would not cause any impact on the Song mansion.
The Song family servants sent her body back to her maternal home. However, it was heard that not long after, her maternal family also threw her body into the back mountain, leaving her to the elements, claiming she had disgraced the family.
Seeing Song Chaoyu calmly listening to Xun Lü's fate, Tiao Hong also sighed, "Miss is so good! I don't understand why Xun Lü couldn't see it. Always by Miss's side, we have never suffered any grievances."
She also added, "By the way, Master said that the human traffickers will be coming in two days. He said Miss needs another maid by her side, and has asked the First Madam to decide!"
Song Chaoyu frowned slightly, "Go find an opportunity to tell Father that there's no need to trouble himself. Having only you by my side is enough. Later, let Grandmother find someone for me slowly. I believe if Grandmother is brought up, he won't insist on the First Madam finding a maid for me. If the First Madam finds someone, it's likely to be another Xun Lü, then everything we've done would be meaningless."
Tiao Hong nodded, "Alright, this servant will go now!"
Although Song Chaoyu's eyes appeared very calm, when she truly leaned by the window alone, she always felt a sense of emptiness in the room.
Concubine Liu also knew that Song Chaoyu was in low spirits after dealing with Xun Lü, and came to accompany Song Chaoyu for a long time.
Until dinner, everyone in the Song family acted as if nothing had happened. The death of a maid seemed insignificant to them.
At the dinner table, Song Yuan mentioned that a woman would be joining them in a couple of days.
She was sent by Prime Minister Lin's subordinate, and it was difficult to refuse.
This matter stirred up a thousand waves, and everyone at the table had their own expressions.
The First Madam's expression was the most unpleasant.
In fact, in Song Yuan's residence, besides the First Madam, there were only the Second Concubine, the Fourth Concubine, and Concubine Liu. Concubine Liu was the Fifth Concubine; the Third Concubine had passed away many years ago.
There were not many people in the back courtyard. The Old Madam merely glanced at Song Yuan and instructed, "Ensure the background is clean. The rest is up to you."
The Second Concubine, after the incident with Song Yanrou, dared not say anything.
Although she was dissatisfied, she only glanced at Song Yuan and remained silent.
The Fourth Concubine and Concubine Liu had always kept out of such matters, so naturally, they had no objections.
Only the First Madam was displeased, but she could not say anything.
The matter was thus settled, and the First Madam remained unhappy.
After dinner, Song Yuan seemed to be in a good mood today and went to the Fourth Concubine's residence.
The Old Madam said to the First Madam, "The Eastern Palace has sent an invitation. Tomorrow there is a handkerchief banquet. You will take the second and fourth girls."
"Huh?"
The First Madam was somewhat confused, "Why would the Eastern Palace send an invitation at this time?"
The Old Madam glanced at the First Madam, "What, are you going or not?"
The First Madam quickly lowered her head, "Of course I'm going! An invitation from the Eastern Palace, how could I not go?"
She glanced at the Old Madam, "Otherwise... should I bring the third girl as well?"
Was she not bringing up a sore subject?
The Old Madam glared at the First Madam in anger, "Why bring her?! Until she is married to that servant, she is not allowed to leave her room!"
The First Madam quickly lowered her head, knowing she could not save Song Yanrou.
She regretted not listening to Song Yanjiao, and should have completely abandoned Song Yanrou!
Having suffered a loss this time, the First Madam dared not say anything more.
—
Early the next morning, after Song Chaoyu had finished getting ready, the Song family's carriage was already waiting at the entrance.
Without Song Yanrou, Song Yanjiao and Song Chaoyu sat in the carriage, and the two had nothing to say to each other.
The First Madam, however, kept muttering, "These past few days haven't been anything special, why is the Eastern Palace hosting a banquet?"
Song Chaoyu said nothing, and Song Yanjiao merely smiled, "It's been too dull in the capital lately. It's good to go out. After all, when the weather turns cold, such banquets will cease."
The First Madam merely glanced at Song Chaoyu, "It's a pity the third girl cannot come today, it's a gain for the fourth girl."
Song Yanjiao frowned, "Mother, please don't mention the third girl again. Grandmother and Father have already given up on her. If you keep mentioning her, you might displease them."
The First Madam nodded. Fortunately, the carriage soon arrived at the entrance of the Eastern Palace, and the awkward atmosphere finally ended.
At the entrance of the Eastern Palace, someone was already waiting for them.
This time, the Crown Princess had not summoned many people; most were noble ladies and young ladies from the capital.
Song Chaoyu followed Song Yanjiao and the others into the Eastern Palace gate. The courtyard was a scene of harmonious joy.
Upon seeing Song Chaoyu, the Crown Princess personally stepped forward, "You're finally here? Come, come, come. I have some newly brewed apricot wine in the back. I know you like to drink it, I'll fill some for you to take away later!"
Everyone knew that ever since Song Chaoyu had saved the Crown Princess last time, the Crown Princess had been very affectionate towards Song Chaoyu.
Although the First Madam and Song Yanjiao's eyes held jealousy, they could only let the Crown Princess take Song Chaoyu away.
Away from the commotion in the front, the Crown Princess took Song Chaoyu's hand and placed the jade pendant into Song Chaoyu's hand, "Seeing this, I know what you mean. He is waiting for you in the back. Don't worry, I'll hold the fort in the front, no one will bother you. After you finish talking, come to the front. The mansion has prepared a good banquet today."
The Crown Princess was indeed intelligent. Song Chaoyu's confidence grew. In this life, the Crown Princess and her allies would surely be able to contend with Mu Hansu!
As they went deeper into the Eastern Palace's rear garden, there were fewer and fewer people.
Until the Crown Princess brought Song Chaoyu to a small courtyard, where she saw Mu Changxi from afar.