Back in her own room, Song Chaoyu indeed saw Song Jiaojiao following her.
She sat down first, then began to scrutinize Song Jiaojiao in earnest.
She remained silent, just staring at Song Jiaojiao, which made Song Jiaojiao somewhat at a loss as she smoothed down the stray hairs at her temples: "Fourth sister... why are you staring at me like this? Are you angry with Jiaojiao?"
"Alas!"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, her eyes filled with regret and sadness: "I just think you look so beautiful! What a pity!"
She sighed and did not continue the topic, instead saying seriously: "Since you are to enter the Prince of Chang's mansion, there are some things I, as someone who has been through it, must explain to you."
Song Jiaojiao frowned, but was very curious: "What did sister mean by 'what a pity' just now?"
Seeing that she had "taken the bait," Song Chaoyu sighed again, saying ambiguously: "It's a pity about your good looks and fine figure! They will all be wasted in vain in the future!"
Before Song Jiaojiao could ask more, she suddenly became serious: "The rules in Prince of Chang's mansion are many. Since you are going in, you must understand them clearly. Do you know about the night I knelt in the Noble Consort's Dengque Palace?"
Song Chaoyu's sudden words made Song Jiaojiao a little flustered.
A trace of fear even arose in her heart: "Is the Noble Consort... difficult to get along with?"
Song Chaoyu silently recited in her heart: Noble Consort, I apologize!
On the surface, she did not say whether she was easy or difficult to get along with, but put on a pitiful and hesitant appearance: "They are royalty, so naturally they have their rules and requirements. Whether it's kneeling according to rules or observing etiquette in the future, these things are unavoidable. I'm not forcing you to do anything, but you must be aware of it yourself. You can't come to me crying about kneeling today or being punished tomorrow!"
Song Chaoyu sighed again, looking helpless: "You are a庶女 (shu nu - daughter of a concubine), but no matter what, you are the only offspring of the fourth branch now. Unlike me, who was raised in a manor outside the capital. Even if I marry into Prince of Chang's mansion, what prestige can I have?
Seeing Song Chaoyu so worried, Song Jiaojiao suddenly realized: "I used to envy sister for becoming the Princess of Chang. Now I realize that this position also has so many difficulties?"
"Isn't that so?"
Song Chaoyu sighed again: "Everyone sees that our Song family has produced two princesses, which is such an honor. But how can my position as Princess of Chang compare to Second Sister's position as Princess of Ning? Speaking of which, you too! Your names are similar, Second Sister is also 'Jiaojiao'. But your fates are worlds apart! You can only be with me, in Prince of Chang's mansion, and who knows how life will be in the future!"
Seeing Song Chaoyu envy Song Yanjiao so much, Song Jiaojiao felt increasingly uncomfortable.
She asked Song Chaoyu: "Why does it sound like Prince of Chang's mansion is a living hell? It is said that His Highness Prince of Chang is currently most favored by the Emperor, and the Princess of Chang should also be immensely honored!"
Song Chaoyu shook her head: "Then tell me, why is His Highness Prince of Chang so favored by the Emperor? Because they were separated for many years? Because the Emperor wants to compensate Prince of Chang? These are all reasons, but the most important point is also key. You know, right? Prince of Chang... he is someone whose legs cannot move, who has to sit in a wooden wheelchair every day!"
Song Jiaojiao naturally knew this point: "Eldest Uncle and Eldest Aunt said that he is crippled, but he is still the apple of the Emperor's eye, and the Emperor will not treat him too badly."
Song Chaoyu silently recited in her heart again: Mu Changxi, I apologize!
She sighed softly, her voice lowering a few notches: "You haven't heard? His legs can't move anymore, and in the future... he probably won't be able to have children. Who knows if you go to Prince of Chang's mansion, you'll have to live as a widow. I can endure it, but I really can't bear to see you, Sister Jiaojiao, so beautiful and young, having to endure it with me! I know this is all Uncle's and Aunt's intention. You see, when I see you, I think of my past. We are both helpless!"
Song Chaoyu's words left Song Jiaojiao completely stunned: "Wh-what?! Fourth sister, is what you're saying true?"
"Hush!"
Song Chaoyu quickly made a shushing gesture to Song Jiaojiao: "Not only that, do you think Prince of Chang's mansion is a palace of immortals? You are not in the capital, so you don't know. Nowadays, in the court, who doesn't guard against His Highness Prince of Chang? After all, he was raised in the Southern Kingdom for many years, and the Southern Kingdom has always been coveting our Great Yue Dynasty. With his broken body and such an awkward identity, if not for the Emperor's favor, could he still have a place in the capital?"
Song Chaoyu lamented again: "It's not like His Highness Prince of Ning, whom Second Sister married. He holds real power! His influence is growing day by day, almost surpassing the Crown Prince. It's a shame that we can only envy him in the future. How can we hope for anything from Prince of Chang? As long as he treats us well, that's enough."
Seeing Song Chaoyu's brow furrowed, Song Jiaojiao's joy vanished: "Fourth sister, you can't say that! Who knows what Prince of Chang's temperament is like? Besides, if there are no children, how can we rely on ourselves in Prince of Chang's mansion in the future? This is not a solution!"
Song Chaoyu hesitantly reached out and took Song Jiaojiao's hand: "I was still thinking that I would be alone in my misery in the future. Now it's better, with my sister here to accompany me. Whether there are children or not, as long as we sisters are together, we will always have someone to talk to."
Song Jiaojiao, however, subtly withdrew her hand from Song Chaoyu's.
Her eyes darted around, and then she asked Song Chaoyu: "How is His Highness Prince of Ning... in the capital?"
Song Chaoyu pretended not to understand the meaning of her question and blinked: "Naturally, his influence is at its peak! Although His Highness Prince of Chang seems to be more favored, His Highness Prince of Ning has been helping the Emperor with official duties lately. What could be wrong with that?"
Her eyes filled with envy: "The person I envy most now is Second Sister! As the Princess of Ning, she holds great power, and everyone respects her! Even my father treats her politely. Father always praises His Highness Prince of Ning. It's not like when he talks about Prince of Chang, everyone knows his current predicament!"
Song Jiaojiao nodded, her brow slightly furrowed, but she also sighed: "Fourth sister, don't worry too much. Everyone has their own destiny. It is also an honor for sister to be the Princess of Chang now. Most people don't know Prince of Chang's situation, and they all envy sister, don't they?"
Song Chaoyu sighed again: "Anyway, only I know my own suffering! My life is just like this!"