That day, Song Xiuxiu stayed at the painting academy until dinner.
It wasn't until Song Yuan returned to the manor that the two of them went to the main hall together.
Song Yuan was in a good mood today. When everyone was present, she pulled Song Yan Jiao and announced to everyone, "Today, I have a great piece of news to share. Our Jiao'er is already betrothed to the Lin family!"
They had indeed chosen Lin Muyang.
The Old Madam nodded at this decision.
Since everyone present was family, the Old Madam did not hold back: "It is best that you have come to understand. Although Prince Ning appears to be in favor now, his birth mother's status is ultimately not high. The day the Emperor tires of him, it will only be a matter of moments. Instead, the Lin family is more suitable for Jiao'er."
Song Chaoyu's gaze involuntarily shifted to Song Xiuxiu, who was sitting at the very edge.
Even though she knew about Song Yan Jiao and Lin Muyang's engagement, Song Xiuxiu's face still held a smile of blessing, revealing no hint of her true feelings.
Song Yan Jiao stood before everyone, like a proud peacock: "I must thank Grandmother and Mother for your efforts!"
The First Madam was also beaming with joy: "Therefore, we must sit down and dine with the Lin family to finalize the marriage for our second daughter. The Lin family said they would follow our wishes. I thought, since it is a joyous occasion, why not choose the day after tomorrow to invite the Lin family to our Song manor for a drink, and then finalize their affairs? Mother, what do you think?"
The Old Madam nodded happily: "That is only right. You go and make the arrangements, make it presentable, and do not let the Lin family laugh at us!"
The First Madam responded and sat down. This dinner, due to this matter, had a pleasant atmosphere.
In the evening, Song Yuan, who had neglected the First Madam for many days, finally entered the First Madam's courtyard.
Song Chaoyu helped Concubine Liu walk in the courtyard. After the child grew larger in her womb, Concubine Liu's body became very sluggish.
She always needed Song Chaoyu to urge her and accompany her before she would take a few more steps.
Concubine Liu tightly held Song Chaoyu's hand and sighed softly, a puff of white mist escaping her mouth: "Yu'er, now that your second sister's marriage is settled, and your third sister is also settled. What will you do?"
Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of melancholy appeared in her eyes: "Mother is incapable and cannot find anything for you. I inquired about your father's intentions the other day, and he said he has no suitable candidates in mind at the moment. Yu'er, seeing how you've pleased the Old Madam, you should also ask the Old Madam to make decisions for you. In the future... do not be like Mother, a concubine, enduring disdain from others."
Did Song Chaoyu want to be a concubine?
But in this life, she knew the approximate future of many people, yet she knew nothing of her own.
However, for now, she could only force a smile at Concubine Liu: "Mother, don't worry, I have it under control. For now, you should focus on yourself and the child in your womb. With Eldest Brother awake, I don't think everyone's eyes will be solely focused on you."
"Heh—"
Concubine Liu lowered her head and gently stroked her abdomen: "Yes, before, everyone's eyes were on me. Now, even your father doesn't hope for it as much, and this child is a boy. Yu'er, your father is a heartless man. Your future path will ultimately depend on yourself!"
"Mother—"
Song Chaoyu's heart ached uncontrollably, and she leaned her head on Concubine Liu's shoulder, calling her "Mother" for the first time in the Song family: "Since you've known for a long time that Father is heartless, why did you insist on returning?"
Perhaps she was reminiscing about the days on the estate.
With her mother, and... Brother Han Xi.
"Alas!"
Concubine Liu sighed again: "If we had truly stayed on the estate, and your father had forgotten about us, what would you have done? Yu'er, I have paid half my life for the choices I made back then. But I cannot let you pay half your life for my past choices. I know this path will be very difficult, but we must do it."
She extended her other hand and gently stroked Song Chaoyu's hair: "Yu'er, no matter when, if others give up on us, we cannot give up on ourselves, understand? I know you have been working very hard since returning to the Song family. Yu'er, I only wish that you can live well in the future."
No matter when, Song Chaoyu understood Concubine Liu Shi'er's kindness to her.
Now, she only hoped that they could both become better and better.
—
Because of the engagement between the Song and Lin families, the Song manor had been bustling with activity for the past two days.
It seemed that only Song Chaoyu's courtyard was peaceful.
The Second Concubine had not caused any trouble these days, especially since Song Yanrou was still confined. The Song family also had to elevate Zhuzi's status.
The Second Concubine had long since taken out her personal savings and asked the First Madam to find a way to remove Zhuzi's slave status.
The First Madam's suggestion was to find a respectable position for Zhuzi, either as a steward or to give him some money to start a small business outside.
The Second Concubine chose the latter.
After all, marrying a steward in the household was different from marrying a small merchant outside.
Besides all this, what everyone did not know was that in the vast Song family, there was still one person who was busy – Song Xiuxiu.
When the auspicious day for the Song and Lin families arrived, Song Xiuxiu also took out her best attire. Once she had made up her mind, she would not waver.
Originally, Concubine Liu should have gone to the front to meet the Lin family when they visited.
However, Song Chaoyu knew that something significant would happen that day, so she stopped Concubine Liu: "Mother, perhaps you shouldn't go. Your belly is getting bigger, and there will be so many people in the front hall later, I fear Father will not notice you. It's best not to stir up any trouble, and the noise in the front hall is not conducive to your pregnancy. I will go alone."
Concubine Liu knew that Song Chaoyu was shouldering everything: "You girl, ever since you returned to the Song family, it's as if you've grown up overnight. Take care of yourself too, I won't add to the trouble."
She attributed all of Song Chaoyu's changes to her return to the Song family.
Only Song Chaoyu knew how painful the lessons from her previous life had been.
In this life, she no longer hesitated.
Today was Song Yan Jiao's big day, and she was naturally dressed appropriately.
Song Chaoyu wore a very understated light jade-green ink-wash skirt and stood behind the crowd, not drawing any attention at all.
However, the Old Madam was very fond of Song Chaoyu now, and before going to the front hall, she specifically asked Song Chaoyu to serve her.
Song Chaoyu looked back and noticed that Song Xiuxiu was also walking at the very back of the crowd.
Song Xiuxiu also looked at Song Chaoyu and nodded to her. Song Chaoyu then understood that she had chosen today.