Until Song Chaoyu returned to the Huashu Academy and saw the delighted gaze of Aunt Liu, she realized she hadn't misheard or misidentified anyone.
It was indeed Mu Changxi who wanted to marry her as the official consort of Prince Chang!
This made it hard for her to believe, as if all the congratulatory remarks, whether genuine or not, surrounding her had become a form of illusion.
It was the Old Madam who dismissed everyone: "Alright, alright, why are so many people crowding the Huashu Academy? Fourth girl knelt all night, she must be tired and hungry now."
She instructed Aunt Liu: "Go prepare some hot water and food for Fourth girl, let her rest well after eating."
The Old Madam then said to the others: "You all go back to what you were doing. Let Fourth girl have a good rest, and we can discuss everything else later."
The First Madam's expression showed a hint of displeasure: "She's getting pampered now?"
Unexpectedly, Song Yuan also rubbed his hands, not hiding the smile in his eyes: "She should be pampered if she deserves it! Come, come, let's all go, so as not to disturb Fourth girl's rest!"
Song Yuan led everyone away, and the Old Madam also left after giving instructions to those outside. The Huashu Academy suddenly became quiet.
Song Chaoyu looked at the sleeping Qing'er before changing her clothes.
Fan Jiangyue had already prepared a blood-activating and stasis-resolving ointment and was personally applying it to Song Chaoyu.
Aunt Liu also brought the food and set up a small table on Song Chaoyu's bed: "You knelt all night, so don't get up. You must not have any lingering issues later, understand?"
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, still somewhat bewildered: "The imperial decree from the palace... did it really say I am to be Prince Chang's official consort, not a concubine?"
"Naturally!"
Aunt Liu, perhaps overcome with joy, wiped away tears from her face: "When the decree first arrived at our mansion, I was also frightened! I kept thinking, how did you become Prince Chang's official consort after just one visit to the palace? Your father and the First Madam both repeatedly confirmed with the eunuch who delivered the decree! Your father even personally examined the decree three times, and it was all in black and white! What, did you kneel all night in the palace and still not know that you are to become Prince Chang's official consort?"
But after saying this, Aunt Liu's excited heart calmed down, and she sighed, becoming a bit worried: "However... now that it's just us mother and daughter, I want to tell you something. His temperament, and his status, are truly worrying. Yu'er, I actually hope you can live a good life, and I don't want you to face criticism by his side. It's all my fault, I could only give you the status of a concubine's daughter, I—"
"Auntie!"
Knowing that Aunt Liu was about to lament her fate again, Song Chaoyu quickly took her hand and interrupted her: "We mother and daughter don't need to say these things. My future life will be lived by me, and it hasn't even begun yet, how do you know I won't live well?"
"Moreover..."
Although Song Chaoyu didn't know what had happened to make Noble Consort Xian change her mind.
But now that the matter was settled, she was still willing to manage her life well: "Moreover, I think he will treat me well too. In the future, we'll just deal with things as they come. You don't need to worry, just take care of yourself and Little Qing'er, that's the greatest support for me, isn't that right?"
Aunt Liu nodded, then served Song Chaoyu a bowl of soup: "Eat quickly! You must be hungry, right? After you finish, get some good sleep. I've blocked everyone else for you! You can deal with them after you've rested."
Song Chaoyu nodded. Although the food didn't taste particularly good, and her knees were numb with pain.
But after eating, due to exhaustion and sleepiness, she was able to fall asleep peacefully.
—
Song Chaoyu thought she wouldn't sleep very well that day.
Unexpectedly, she slept soundly, without dreams, until the afternoon.
If she hadn't heard Aunt Liu come in to check on her once, she might still not have woken up.
Seeing her eyes open, Aunt Liu said: "Did I wake you up? It's all my fault! It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."
Song Chaoyu shook her head, then sat up, feeling the pain in her knees: "I won't sleep anymore. If I sleep any longer, I might not be able to sleep tonight. Auntie, I'm hungry."
"Good!"
Aunt Liu opened a window for Song Chaoyu to get some air, then placed a new goose-down cloak in front of her: "Your grandmother said she would send someone to call her when you woke up. She'll be here soon, what do you want to eat? The small kitchen has lunch warmed up, and your favorite crucian carp soup, would you like some?"
Song Chaoyu felt a little unaccustomed to Aunt Liu's attentiveness: "Auntie, why are you so eager towards me! We are still mother and daughter, and you and grandmother are still grandmother and granddaughter. It should be me visiting her, not her coming to see me. However, regarding the crucian carp soup—you can give me more!"
"Hahaha! You girl, you can't just think about eating and drinking from now on!"
As soon as Song Chaoyu finished speaking, the Old Madam's voice appeared from outside the door.
Aunt Liu quickly stood up, and the Old Madam entered with a smile: "I thought you should be awake by now, so I came to see you. But then I heard you say that, do you still have the demeanor of a future Prince Chang's consort?"
Song Chaoyu chuckled: "Grandmother, please don't tease me!"
Seeing her about to get up, the Old Madam waved her hand: "Alright, don't get up! What can you do with your legs and feet? Your auntie's small kitchen has crucian carp soup, and I've also brought some seasonal vegetables for you. Let's have a meal together, grandmother, granddaughter, and your auntie, and discuss your marriage."
Song Chaoyu knew that the Old Madam wanted to ask what had happened to her at the Dengque Hall.
Helped to sit at the table, she told the Old Madam everything.
However, she didn't mention their past acquaintance with Han Xi, nor did Aunt Liu intend to.
The Old Madam frowned and pondered for a moment before saying: "I'm afraid this Prince Chang truly fancies you. But it's understandable, marrying you is better than marrying Princess Tiya. And although your status is low, it prevents him from being scrutinized by so many people in court. He currently favors the Crown Prince, and if he were to marry a legitimate daughter from a prominent noble family, many would be watching his back. I suppose he has such concerns, so you don't need to worry too much, just be Prince Chang's consort with peace of mind."
The Old Madam also spoke with great spirit: "Our Song family is not lacking either! Your father is a third-rank minister, and your brother also holds a position in the court. Including your cousin, he is diligent in his studies and will surely succeed in the imperial examinations in the future. With you registered under your mother's name, you are also considered a legitimate daughter of the Song family. You can marry into Prince Chang's mansion with your head held high. With your grandmother backing you, you don't need to fear anything."