Song Yanjiao felt indignant but dared not provoke Mu Hansu when he was displeased, so she only grumbled, "What can I, a mere woman, do about matters in the imperial court? You underestimate Prince Chang too. How can you blame me?"
"Slap—"
Mu Hansu could no longer restrain himself and slapped Song Yanjiao directly. "I have tolerated you for a long time! Arru's child is gone, and you are still gossiping behind my back. I think your time as my consort is over! If you don't want to be my consort, there are plenty of others who do!"
"You... you dare to hit me?!"
Song Yanjiao could not believe that Mu Hansu would hit her! And they had not been married for long. How could Mu Hansu lay a hand on her?
Seeing Song Yanjiao stand up and throw a tantrum, Mu Hansu sneered, "I should have hit you long ago, you treacherous woman! If I had known your temperament, I would never have married you!"
With that, Mu Hansu flicked his sleeves and left. Song Yanjiao was left alone in the room, blankly covering her face, her eyes red and her heart filled with grievance.
Her maid stepped forward, indignant. "How could His Highness hit you? Consort, why don't we return to your maiden home and tell Lord Song and Madam Song about this?"
"No!"
Song Yanjiao quickly grabbed her maid and shook her head in a panic. "My father was already unhappy when I married Prince Ning. And on previous visits to my maiden home, both my mother and grandmother were quite displeased with me. If I tell them about being beaten now, they won't be able to help me, and I might even become a laughingstock!"
As she spoke, more hatred flickered in Song Yanjiao's eyes. "I know his thoughts. Doesn't he just think that Song Chaoyu, that fourth girl, is better than me? Since they are coming to the capital, I will quietly find out who is better, me or that girl!"
—
The Emperor had dispatched someone he trusted to Yuezhou City, someone recommended by the Crown Prince. Therefore, Mu Changxi could confidently hand over the affairs of Yuezhou City to that person. They, too, had to pack and prepare to return to the capital immediately.
Although they had not yet reached the capital, Song Chaoyu knew that Mu Changxi had gained great merit this time. Who among the common people outside did not praise Mu Changxi? These words would reach the Emperor's ears and carry some weight. For Song Chaoyu, what could be more prideful than the current situation? What could make her feel prouder than the current Mu Changxi?
The day they departed from Yuezhou City was a clear and sunny one. It was as if the vast, clear sky was telling everyone that the flood had passed, and all that followed would be bright and sunny days.
When Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi left, they took almost nothing with them. The common people had given them many things, but they had all been left at the Yuezhou City yamen.
On the way back, Mu Changxi instructed Pingjiang and Xiao Ruizhi, "Although the capital is urging us, there is no need to rush. I am feeling a bit unwell. Proceed slowly."
Pingjiang immediately became anxious. "What's wrong, Your Highness? Should we call for a doctor?"
Qiu Qing, by Song Chaoyu's side, glared at the oblivious Pingjiang. Xiao Ruizhi also stepped forward and pulled Pingjiang's arm. "Ah, just slow down as he said. If we rush back to the capital, our Prince won't be able to rest before going to the palace to report to Ah Hu. Can't you just let His Highness rest on the road?"
"Oh!"
Only then did Pingjiang understand. He scratched his head and said no more. However, the speed of the carriage outside noticeably decreased.
Song Chaoyu sat in the warm carriage, holding a cup of hot tea, and sighed, "After returning to the palace this time, I'm afraid the situation in the capital will change, won't it?"
Mu Changxi nodded. "We can't hide forever. I'm afraid that in the future, your Prince Chang's manor will be busy again."
Song Chaoyu was not afraid of anything. The two of them held hands, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
—
Neither the floods in the south nor the heavy rains outside seemed to affect the prosperity of the capital. As the Prince Chang's manor carriage arrived at the city gates, Song Chaoyu heard the lively sounds of people coming and going in the capital. However, upon seeing that it was the Prince Chang's manor carriage returning, everyone made way for them.
Song Chaoyu heard people whispering about Mu Changxi's "competence," and it seemed the entire capital knew that Mu Changxi's disaster relief efforts had been a "great success." As they traveled to the entrance of the Prince Chang's manor, they occasionally encountered carriages from other officials' residences, and congratulatory greetings were heard. Song Chaoyu felt that the day of her wedding with Mu Changxi was probably not as lively as their return to the capital now.
However, upon returning to the Prince Chang's manor, they both hastily changed their clothes, freshened up, and then headed to the palace. Mu Changxi naturally went to report the disaster relief matters to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, while Song Chaoyu went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Noble Consort.
The Empress and the Noble Consort praised Song Chaoyu highly, but the Empress Dowager did not favor her. As expected, after the everyday matters in Yuezhou City were discussed, the Empress Dowager spoke to Song Chaoyu. "In the past, this old woman felt that Prince Chang was quite pitiful. I never expected him to be so resilient in the southern kingdom. Now that he has done so well with the task his father assigned him, and can assist his father in handling state affairs in the future, naturally, things are different now."
Song Chaoyu felt that the Empress Dowager was almost telling her that her status was not worthy of the current Prince Chang. Indeed, although the Empress Dowager did not say it explicitly, she frowned. "I think if there is only you in the manor in the future, it might not be of much help to him. Therefore, His Majesty and I have chosen two secondary consorts for His Highness Prince Chang."
With that, she clapped her hands, and servants below brought up portraits of two women. The one on the left, looking petite and cute, was the legitimate sister of the current General Huwei, seventeen years old and of marriageable age. The one on the right, looking more mature and dignified, was the eldest illegitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites. Although twenty years old, she was dignified and graceful, and often visited the Empress Dowager in the palace, reportedly gaining her favor.
And the matter of Mu Changxi taking secondary consorts was different from having concubines or maids. Although a secondary consort of Prince Chang was still a concubine, she held the title of "Consort." A formal wedding ceremony was to be held, and she would be welcomed into the Prince Chang's manor in a bridal sedan.