Song Chaoyu, even if she wanted to leave quickly, probably couldn't.
She slowly got up, then allowed Taohong and the palace maid to help her, and then shuffled out of Dengque Hall.
Outside the hall, someone saw Song Chaoyu coming out and pointed at her, seeming to say something.
Song Chaoyu didn't care much, she just lowered her head as she walked towards the hall.
Having made this decision, perhaps she shouldn't regret it anymore?
But in her heart, there was always an indescribable discomfort.
Everyone said that even being a side consort to Prince Ning was climbing a high branch. Who would have known that the once bright and flamboyant young man Han Xi, under that giant tree, told the little Song Chaoyu.
He said that if he loved someone, he would never be unfaithful. He would not let that person suffer any grievance, nor would he let that person have any worries.
He wanted to give the best of everything in this world to his future wife.
In his life, he could only have one wife, no one else.
Those words seemed to echo in her ears, but they were already distant memories.
—
Outside Dengque Hall, carriages were already waiting.
Shortly after dawn, as Song Chaoyu got into the carriage, snowflakes began to fall.
Inside the carriage, there was a warm charcoal basin.
As Song Chaoyu got into the carriage, the female official also followed her in. "Please wait a moment, Miss Song. Our mistress has many things to send to the Song family, and they will be accompanying us shortly!"
Song Chaoyu was stunned. "You... you're going to the Song family too?"
"Yes."
The female official nodded and smiled at Song Chaoyu. "Since your marriage to our Prince Chang is to be settled, to express the sincerity of the Noble Consort, naturally, I must make this trip myself."
Song Chaoyu nodded and didn't say much more. "Thank you, Noble Consort."
—
The carriage headed towards the Song family. Because of the heavy snowfall, Song Chaoyu felt that the capital seemed to have become more lively.
Children were playing snowball fights, rolling snowballs, and building snowmen... Adults were also talking about "auspicious snow bringing a good harvest," looking forward to a good year next year.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't slept all night, or perhaps it was due to the exhaustion of kneeling.
Song Chaoyu always felt a bit dazed.
It was as if everything outside had become a hazy illusion, making the world feel unreal for a moment.
It wasn't until the eunuch driving the carriage shouted, "Song family has arrived—"
Song Chaoyu finally snapped back from her unreality. Then, she was helped to stand up and alighted from the carriage.
To her surprise, there were many people standing at the entrance of the Song family!
Song Chaoyu looked closely and realized that not only Song Yuan, the First Madam, the Fourth Concubine, and Concubine Liu were there.
Even the Old Madam was standing at the entrance. Each of them was dressed elegantly, as if they were waiting for her return!
"This..."
Song Chaoyu limped towards the Song family. "Father, Grandmother, why are you standing at the entrance? Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes!"
Before the morning court, Song Yuan, dressed in his court attire, eagerly stepped forward to greet Song Chaoyu. "Fourth girl, good, very good! Just now, an imperial decree came from the palace. You, girl, can now stand on equal footing with your elder sister! Good, it is truly the Emperor's great grace that our Song family has two consorts in the court!"
Wait—what was he saying?
Song Chaoyu didn't react for a moment. What did he mean she could stand on equal footing with Song Yanjiao? What did he mean the Song family had two consorts in the court?
While she was still stunned, the Old Madam also stepped forward and happily took Song Chaoyu's hand. "Fourth girl, I heard you knelt all night in front of Dengque Hall yesterday to take Prince Ning's punishment? Your knees must be sore and cold right now! Come, come, let's go back to the mansion quickly. Your concubine had already asked Physician Fan to be ready to prescribe some medicine for blood circulation and dispelling stasis. Your knees must not be left with any lingering problems!"
Song Chaoyu looked around and found that everyone around her was smiling at her.
She didn't even know what was happening when she heard the female official from Dengque Hall step forward and say to Song Yuan, "Master Song, I have returned the Fourth Miss safely. Please rest assured, Master Song. Please let Miss Song prepare for her marriage with peace of mind. Our Noble Consort said that she likes Fourth Miss very much. She doesn't mind Miss Song's status as a concubine-born, knowing that Miss Song has rare filial piety and kindness, and only hopes that she and Prince Ning will be in love until old age."
Song Yuan hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands towards the female official. "Thank you, thank you! Thank you, auntie, for taking the trouble to send our Fourth daughter back. Please tell the Virtuous Noble Consort that we will certainly raise our daughter well in the mansion. I will find the elders of the clan on an auspicious day and move Fourth daughter under the First Madam's name. From now on, Fourth daughter will be a legitimate daughter, and it will certainly not tarnish Prince Ning's reputation!"
"This is excellent. Thank you all."
The female official added that after unloading and checking the gifts from the Virtuous Noble Consort, she would return to report. Song Yuan couldn't say much more.
Song Chaoyu, still not fully understanding, was slowly led back to the mansion by the Old Madam, who whispered, "The Virtuous Noble Consort is also thoughtful. These gifts will be added to your dowry later. Now that the auntie has explicitly stated it, it will be difficult for your mother to shortchange you later. Rest assured, fourth girl, when it comes to the dowry, you still have me! You are going to be Prince Ning's main consort, so you certainly cannot be inferior to your sister."
Song Chaoyu finally seemed to come to her senses and looked at the Old Madam of the Song family in disbelief. "Grandmother... what did you say? I am going to be Prince Ning's main consort? Not a side consort?"
Now, it was the Old Madam's turn to be confused. "Yes! Early this morning, before you, people from the palace came to deliver the Empress Dowager's decree. You were bestowed to Prince Ning as his main consort, and the wedding will be held after the Mid-Autumn Festival. How... you didn't even know yourself? Then what were you kneeling in front of Dengque Hall for all night yesterday?"
No, no!
Yesterday, the Virtuous Noble Consort clearly told her that with her status, she could only be Prince Ning's side consort!
Song Chaoyu tightened her grip on the Old Madam's hand. "Grandmother... is it really the main consort? Am I the only main consort? No one else?"
The Old Madam glared at Song Chaoyu reproachfully. "Pah, pah, pah! Why would you say such a thing? There can only be one main consort for Prince Ning, and that is naturally you! The imperial decree is now in your father's study. Do you want to go and see it yourself?"
That was not necessary.
Song Chaoyu's heart thudded. She didn't understand, nor could she comprehend.
But looking at the joyous atmosphere of the entire Song family, she knew this must be true.
So... Mu Changxi was really going to marry her as his main consort!