In truth, Song Chaoyu knew that no matter what, it would be better than her previous life.
It was just that she truly didn't want to marry now, didn't want to live a life not controlled by herself anymore.
"There is still another path..."
Before Song Chaoyu could speak, the old madam spoke again, "It's best that you know."
Song Chaoyu looked at the old madam with confusion, "Grandmother, does this path you speak of have any issues?"
Otherwise, why did her tone sound uncertain?
Old Madam Song also sighed, "I will tell you this from the beginning, just listen."
The matter happened in these past few days, after that palace banquet.
The Crown Prince's people frequently came to send gifts. The old madam originally thought it was because Song Chaoyu had saved the Crown Princess. But later, she heard that the Crown Prince's people seemed to be proposing marriage for Song Chaoyu.
At first, the old madam didn't pay much attention. After all, Song Chaoyu had just returned then. The old madam told those sent by the Crown Prince that Song Chaoyu was the youngest at home and should stay for a few more years, which made the Crown Prince stop sending people to inquire about the matter.
Originally, the old madam thought this matter would pass.
Unexpectedly, a few days ago, when an old madam in the capital was celebrating her birthday, Old Madam Song went to the feast and was mysteriously called into the back hall.
Speaking of this, she stared at Song Chaoyu and asked, "Fourth girl, guess who I saw in that back hall?"
Song Chaoyu was truly puzzled by the old madam's words, "How would I know who Grandmother saw at someone else's house! I haven't been in the capital for long, and I probably don't even recognize everyone in every household!"
Old Madam Song mysteriously patted Song Chaoyu's hand, "It was a palace嬷嬷!"
Why would a palace嬷嬷 appear at a minister's house to celebrate the birthday of the minister's old madam?
Seeing Song Chaoyu's shocked eyes, Old Madam Song continued, "That Madam Ping is someone by Consort Xian's side. That's when I realized. That grand birthday banquet was hosted by Consort Xian's maternal grandmother, wasn't it? Do you know what Madam Ping said to me?"
Consort Xian? Mu Changxi's mother?
Song Chaoyu's brows furrowed tightly.
The old madam then delivered a shocking piece of news, "Madam Ping said that Prince Chang seems to have taken a liking to you since the palace banquet you returned from! That's when I realized that the Crown Prince's people who came earlier were probably also inquiring on behalf of Prince Chang! After all, Prince Chang has had a very good relationship with the Crown Prince since his return to the palace."
What?!
Song Chaoyu suddenly looked at the old madam, "Grandmother, what are you saying? Prince Chang likes me? How is that possible?"
Prince Chang, Mu Changxi, was also Han Xi.
He liked her?
Song Chaoyu's heart began to pound as if it would leap out of her chest.
Seeing Song Chaoyu's unusual expression, the old madam thought she was scared and said, "I was also startled when I heard it! I thought, why would Prince Chang want to marry a mere concubine's daughter like you? But later, when Madam Ping confirmed it was you, I finally understood. Fourth girl, this is the second path I was telling you about. You and Prince Chang..."
"Alas!"
The old madam sighed again, "It's just that this path is likely fraught with thorns! Prince Chang is really not a good match."
The old madam's words made Song Chaoyu's ears buzz.
Hearing the old madam say this, she couldn't help but let out a "Hmm?"
The old madam thought Song Chaoyu didn't understand and explained, "Now that it's just the two of us, grandmother will explain to you why I say Prince Chang is not a good match."
The old madam had clearly thought a lot for Song Chaoyu, "Firstly, as we all know, his legs... are completely useless now. Not to mention how difficult it will be for you to take care of him in the future, even in matters between men and women, he might not be able to fulfill them! If you don't have any children in the future, he is a prince, and people will gossip about him. But what about you, a concubine's daughter with no backing?"
Song Chaoyu lowered her head. In fact, regarding Mu Changxi's legs, Song Chaoyu was still a bit uncertain.
But she wouldn't tell the old madam.
The old madam thought Song Chaoyu was shy upon hearing about matters between men and women.
She stroked Song Chaoyu's head, "Also, Prince Chang's background is too complicated. He seems to be very favored by the Emperor now, but that's mostly the Emperor's guilt towards him. In reality, he has no foundation in the court at all. He is now half a Southerner and half a courtier. Even with the Crown Prince's affection, who can say for sure about court affairs?"
She shook her head, "Who knows what the court will look like in the future, and how Prince Chang will conduct himself in the capital. If you go, you will have to advance and retreat with him. If something truly happens in the future, in this vast capital, who can protect him, and who can protect you?"
The old madam's analysis was indeed accurate. Mu Changxi's current situation in court was indeed somewhat awkward.
Finally, and this was what pained the old madam the most for Song Chaoyu, "The last point is, even though Prince Chang is disabled and was once a hostage of the Southern Kingdom, he is still the Emperor's own flesh and blood, Prince Chang! But you are just a concubine's daughter who was raised outside the main residence. The position of Prince Chang's principal wife will never be yours. According to our dynasty's regulations, Prince Chang can have two secondary consorts."
"I have inquired."
The old madam's heart was still hurting, "The Emperor seems inclined to bestow the concubine's sister of General Pingyuan and the elder sister of the current top scholar upon Prince Chang as secondary consorts. So if it comes to you, you will likely only get the position of a favored concubine. You are clearly a daughter of the family, yet you would have to be a concubine, or even a servant."
She shook her head and said to Song Chaoyu, "This path, I see it as incredibly perilous. If it weren't for your father neglecting you now, and my old age, and being unable to find any suitable families for you in the capital, I truly wouldn't want you to take this path."
"Your granddaughter thanks Grandmother."
Song Chaoyu was truly grateful to the old madam, "Grandmother need not worry. When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road. I only ask Grandmother to keep me at home for two more years!"
Seeing that Song Chaoyu wasn't distressed, the old madam smiled, "You child, I never expected you to be so open-minded at such a young age. Alright, I will keep you by my side for two more years, and I will also search properly for suitable families for you in the capital! You spend more time with Grandmother for two more years, and Grandmother will be happy."
Song Chaoyu smiled and nodded, then got up and made some plum cakes for Old Madam Song.
But in her heart, she was still in turmoil.
Prince Chang wanted to marry her?
Did Han Xi truly think this way?