For Song Chaoyu, this was not something she alone could refuse.
She looked at Mu Changxi and found his gaze to be extremely cold.
However, just as Mu Changxi was about to speak, he was interrupted by the Empress Dowager: "This is also the love your father and I have for you. With these two by your side to serve you in the future, your father and I can be more at ease. Chang'er, this matter brooks no refusal from you!"
To exert pressure on Mu Changxi, the Empress Dowager continued: "Moreover, these two women are not some random girls from common households. They are good girls from respectable families. Even if you want to refuse, must I and your father bear the shame of apologizing to these old officials again?"
Random girls from common households?
Upon hearing this, Song Chaoyu knew the Empress Dowager was referring to her.
She merely lowered her head, pretending not to understand.
Mu Changxi's gaze remained fixed on the two portraits.
Finally, under the Empress Dowager's expectant gaze, Mu Changxi still withstood the pressure and did not agree: "Your son has long told Father of his feelings. I thought Father would understand. Even if Grandmother wishes to take a concubine for your son now, your son must first ask Father's opinion. Please grant your son a few days, and if Father still insists on taking a concubine for your son, your son will certainly not refuse further."
In fact, Song Chaoyu did not hold much hope in her heart.
What could they do in just a few days?
But all she could do now was probably to trust Mu Changxi.
The Empress Dowager did not expect that at this point, Mu Changxi would still dare to defy her.
She let out a cold snort and finally ordered the portraits to be put away: "Fine, fine! Since you are so insistent, I have nothing more to say. You do your thing, and I'll do mine. However, Chang Er, you must always remember. If not for your father and my love, you would never have reached this point. As Prince Chang, you must always remember the responsibilities on your shoulders, and do not disappoint me, nor the world, understand?"
Mu Changxi nodded, which served as his reply to the Empress Dowager.
When Song Chaoyu emerged from the Empress Dowager's palace, she felt as if the sky had darkened a few shades.
If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but it had to be Mu Changxi! She had to admit that, perhaps for a long time, her heart had already held Mu Changxi.
It was precisely because of this that she could not do as she had thought before and stand idly by.
On the carriage ride back, neither Mu Changxi nor Song Chaoyu spoke first.
After an unknown period of silence, it was Mu Changxi who finally broke it: "Ayu, don't worry. In my Prince Chang's mansion, besides you, there will be no one else!"
In fact, his single sentence was enough, but for some reason, Song Chaoyu still felt a ripple of mist rise in her heart.
It caused the unfounded grievance she felt to well up from the bottom of her heart, then moisten her eyes.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as she tried to suppress that inexplicable grievance.
But upon feeling Mu Changxi embrace her, she could no longer control herself.
Song Chaoyu prided herself on never being a crybaby.
She didn't know what was happening today, but she just couldn't help it.
Seeing Song Chaoyu like this, Mu Changxi's brows were almost furrowed together.
He became even more certain of what he wanted and what he didn't want!
—
After crying, Song Chaoyu actually felt much better.
Although Mu Changxi said nothing, he thoughtfully handed her a clean handkerchief as he always did.
But Song Chaoyu knew in her heart that Mu Changxi would not let such a thing happen again.
Then Mu Changxi became busy again, and naturally, the first place he headed was the Crown Prince's mansion.
Song Chaoyu also had to return to the Song mansion to visit. Even though she knew her relationship with the Song mansion was not close, it would not do to appear too estranged.
Song Chaoyu brought many local specialties from Yuezhou City and Yizhou City back to the Song family. Perhaps in the vast Song mansion, only the Old Madam and Song Yanrou truly welcomed her return.
Now, Song Yanrou had divorced Zhu Zi. Although she was raising a child on her own, she appeared much better than before.
Moreover, when Song Yanrou visited Song Chaoyu at Prince Chang's mansion previously, she had somehow taken a liking to a deputy general in Prince Chang's mansion.
The two of them had not met in secret; their meetings almost always took place at Prince Chang's mansion.
When Lord Song learned of this, he did not say much. He only asked if the man was willing to marry Song Yanrou, the illegitimate daughter with a child. After returning to discuss with his family, the man had made up his mind.
At this moment, they were actually grateful to Song Chaoyu because she and Mu Changxi were engaged.
The female members of the Song family also gathered around Old Madam Song due to Song Chaoyu's arrival, creating a rare warm and harmonious scene in the room.
However…
Song Yanjiao's arrival shattered all this peace.
Even though everyone in the Song family now knew that Song Yanjiao was not living well in Prince Ning's mansion.
But on the surface, Song Yanjiao still appeared radiant and beautiful.
Today was just an ordinary day, and everyone was returning to the Song mansion to see the Old Madam.
Today, however, she was wearing a palace gown of gold thread and jade, adorned with a mandarin duck gold crown, making her appear opulent and dignified.
The moment she entered, she overshadowed the simply dressed Song Yanrou.
But everyone noticed that even her radiance seemed unable to dim Song Chaoyu's serene demeanor.
Song Yanjiao seemed to arrive with an oppressive aura, yet she did not diminish Song Chaoyu's presence in the slightest.
After entering, Song Yanjiao paid her respects to the Old Madam quite properly.
The Old Madam, who had doted on Song Yanjiao the most before, frowned upon seeing her like this, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure: "You're just visiting your old grandmother back home, why are you acting as if you're going to the palace for an audience? When returning home, why put on such airs?"
Song Yanjiao's expression turned somewhat awkward. She felt as if everything she did was wrong, and she quickly explained: "Your granddaughter merely wished to bring honor to our Song family; she had no other intentions. I beg Grandmother to see clearly!"
The Old Madam took a sip of tea and gave Song Yanjiao a sidelong glance: "Alright, sit down and talk. You cannot act this way when you are outside in the future."
What the Old Madam cared about most was Song Yanjiao's pregnancy: "Why is there still no news? By rights, you have been married for quite some time. I heard that Prince Ning's courtyard has gained two more concubines? If this continues, when will you conceive?"