Even after receiving the reward, Song Chaoyu returned to Madam Song's side with neither arrogance nor impatience.
Princess Tiya's bewildered and unwilling gaze remained fixed on Song Chaoyu. She couldn't understand why she had lost to a mere concubine's daughter!
The First Madam also couldn't comprehend it. While smiling at Song Chaoyu on the surface, she still grumbled, "You've been hiding your depths, girl! To possess such excellent zither skills, we never knew before."
Song Chaoyu curtsied to the First Madam, "Daughter often practices the zither in her chambers, but Mother simply didn't hear."
The implication was that the First Madam had never truly cared about her.
In fact, if not for the need to prevent Great Yue from losing face today, Song Chaoyu would not have intended to let others know.
When she was at the estate before, she indeed disliked practicing the zither, finding it tedious.
However, during the three years she was confined to the small courtyard of Prince Ning's mansion in her previous life, she realized that having a zither by her side to pass the lonely, long hours was actually a source of great happiness!
In her previous life, Mu Hansu had someone throw a broken zither, discarded by Song Yanjiao, into that small courtyard.
Who would have thought that it was precisely because of that broken zither that Song Chaoyu in this life could break through the current predicament?
The First Madam did not question Song Chaoyu further, only feeling a secret shock.
They had underestimated Song Chaoyu by more than just a little!
Even Mu Changxi was filled with confusion.
Why? They had parted ways at the estate less than a year ago, yet he felt that Song Chaoyu seemed completely different from before.
Those were merely feelings before, but now... why did she possess such excellent zither skills?
Mu Changxi was perplexed, yet also surprised and inexplicably pained.
He always felt that the Song Chaoyu before him still seemed to be his "Yu girl," yet also entirely not.
He couldn't articulate his feelings, only looking at Song Chaoyu's calm eyes and wanting to ask, what else could change?
***
After Song Chaoyu played the zither, the other musical performances seemed less impactful.
Princess Tiya implicitly conceded her loss and no longer objected to her marriage with Prince Wen.
Prince Wen, being a gentle and refined gentleman, found Princess Tiya after a few rounds of wine and spoke with her at length.
Song Chaoyu also had a cup of wine. It wasn't intoxicating, but she felt a sense of melancholy.
It was only towards the end of the palace banquet that a personal maidservant of the Noble Consort approached the First Madam and said, "After the palace banquet concludes, please have Madam and Lord Song return to the manor. Our Lady wishes to summon the Fourth Young Lady, and only the Fourth Young Lady is to accompany her."
"This—"
The First Madam hesitated, "This might not be proper, would it? This humble subject shall wait for Fourth Young Lady here and return to the Song manor with her."
Song Chaoyu did not believe the First Madam was being kind. She likely feared Song Chaoyu gaining the Noble Consort's favor.
The Noble Consort's maidservant glanced at the Empress, "This is also the Empress's wish. Please rest assured, Madam. We will ensure the Fourth Young Lady returns safely to the Song manor. It is just that the Noble Consort has a few words she wishes to speak with the Fourth Young Lady."
"Very well."
Since they had invoked the Empress, what else could the First Madam say?
Song Chaoyu felt a subtle sense of unease.
Fortunately, not long after, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess came to speak with Song Chaoyu. Although the Crown Princess did not mention the day's events, she did comfort Song Chaoyu. She said that Prince Chang was indeed somewhat reckless, but she liked Song Chaoyu and did not care about her status as a concubine's daughter. She also hoped that Song Chaoyu and Prince Chang could be happily married forever.
***
It wasn't until the palace banquet concluded that Song Chaoyu saw the Noble Consort's personal maidservant approach.
With a heart full of trepidation, she followed the maidservant towards Dengque Hall.
As the palace banquet dispersed, the imperial harem was filled with busy eunuchs and palace maids.
On their way, they encountered many consorts returning to the palace. Most of them were curious about Song Chaoyu.
However, upon learning that the Noble Consort wished to see Song Chaoyu, no one blocked her path, and Song Chaoyu proceeded all the way to Dengque Hall.
The Noble Consort had already returned by sedan chair. By the time Song Chaoyu arrived, calming incense had been lit in Dengque Hall.
The Noble Consort had changed into a more familiar plain water-red long skirt, removed her jewelry, and was leaning lazily on a grand chair with her hair unbound.
Song Chaoyu knelt as soon as she entered, but heard the Noble Consort chuckle, "You girl have great skill. The music you played today was excellent. You not only helped Prince Chang out of a predicament but also intimidated the envoys from the Southern Kingdom. I shall bestow that Qin, the Lüqi, upon you. It is a fine Qin, and it deserves to be paired with your beautiful zither playing."
"This humble one dares not."
Although the Noble Consort was smiling, Song Chaoyu felt a hint of coldness in her tone and hastily declined, "Lüqi is something the Lady cherishes. My meager skills are truly afraid of tarnishing Lüqi's reputation."
"You dare not?"
Indeed, the Noble Consort suddenly sat up, her gaze instantly becoming sharp, "If you dare not, then no one in this world would dare to accept Lüqi, would they? To tell you the truth, I know about you and His Highness Prince Chang. Originally, after Prince Chang returned to the capital, you should have died. But Prince Chang pleaded for you before me, and furthermore, you were clever that day and saved the Crown Princess once. That is why I spared your life. Who knew you would covet the position of Prince Chang's consort? Do you know your crime?!"
Afraid?
Song Chaoyu was surprisingly astonished to find that she was not afraid!
She knew the Noble Consort was not lying. But such a day would eventually come, and perhaps she had long been prepared.
She could only try her best to defend herself, "Your Ladyship, this humble one would never dare to covet the position of Prince Chang's consort. Otherwise, upon first returning to the capital, this humble one would have pestered His Highness Prince Chang. However, this humble one did not. This humble one only wishes that she had never known His Highness Prince Chang, nor does she understand why things have turned out this way today. I beg Your Ladyship's forgiveness!"
"Hmm—"
The sharpness in the Noble Consort's eyes lessened slightly, and she leaned back into the grand chair, "So, you are unaware? Ah Xi told me that she does not wish to marry that Princess Tiya. Therefore, the Emperor has designated the daughter of Grand Tutor Sun as his primary consort. Your meaning is that you are completely unaware of this matter as well?"
The daughter of the Sun family? She seemed to be at the palace banquet today.
So, Mu Changxi had acted on his own accord and replaced the name of the Sun family's daughter with his own?
Song Chaoyu closed her eyes, feeling a pang of sadness.
Seeing her silence, the Noble Consort frowned, "Now that things have reached this point, I cannot kill you. I will only ask you one question: in your heart, do you have Prince Chang?"
Song Chaoyu had not expected the Noble Consort to ask her this!