As Song Yanyan's shouts gradually faded, Song Chaoyu's ears began to clear.
Song Chaozong and Madam Ning exchanged glances, a flicker of fear in their eyes.
They had previously relied on their shared surname, "Song," to engage in many disreputable deeds. Now, they realized that Song Chaoyu and the Old Madam were not afraid of a complete falling out!
The two stood there tremblingly, silent.
Song Chaoyu closed her eyes, feeling a sense of weariness.
The Old Madam also glared at Song Chaozong, "What, is there anything else? If not, our Yu girl needs to rest. These unsavory and messy affairs of the Song family are for you to resolve yourselves. They have nothing to do with us, as long as my Fourth Girl is well and Song Yanyan faces justice. I said I wouldn't implicate you, and I won't!"
Song Chaozong understood the Old Madam's unspoken meaning and quickly said, "Second Aunt, please rest assured, I will have everyone outside withdraw immediately! I hope our two families do not harbor any grudges because of this presumptuous girl, Song Yanyan!"
Song Chaozong was genuinely afraid.
The Old Madam nodded slightly, "Alright, you may both leave! Prepare yourselves. Once Fourth Girl's health improves, we will return to the capital. I hope for peaceful days ahead!"
Song Chaozong dared not delay and readily agreed.
After all, Song Chaoyu had completed the necessary rites before fainting that day, so her status on the family genealogy had been changed to that of a legitimate daughter.
Their mission in Jiangzhou was now thoroughly accomplished.
It was time... to return to the capital!
---
Perhaps it was due to witnessing the formidable presence of Song Chaoyu and the Old Madam, or perhaps it was because Song Yanyan received a letter of divorce from her husband's family the day after she was sent to the yamen.
For the following days, the entire formidable Song family remained orderly, with no one daring to provoke Song Chaoyu and the Old Madam.
Even Song Chaozong and Madam Ning showed them great deference.
As Song Chaoyu's health gradually improved, she began to understand Qiu Qing's intentions.
Qiu Qing, originally from a family of physicians, now willingly lowered her status to remain by Song Chaoyu's side, serving her as a maid, much like Tiao Hong.
In fact, Song Chaoyu could see that Qiu Qing was spirited and aloof, likely possessing aspirations for her own path.
Therefore, when Qiu Qing first proposed this idea, Song Chaoyu did not agree.
However, Qiu Qing did not seem to care whether Song Chaoyu agreed or not; she simply came to the Song residence daily to attend to Song Chaoyu.
By the time Song Chaoyu was nearing recovery, she felt this matter could no longer be delayed.
Thus, she proactively summoned Qiu Qing. Observing Qiu Qing's cold, bowed head, she sighed, "Qiu Qing, you need not be like this. I know that a girl like you should have her own aspirations. You possess great skills and need not remain by my side as a maid. Rest assured, you have taken excellent care of me this time, and I will inform His Highness Prince Chang upon our return to the capital. You need not feel compelled to stay by my side out of consideration for him."
Song Chaoyu smiled slightly, "After all... in this world, freedom is the most precious. I do not wish to constrain anyone who is meant to be free by my side; that would be my sin."
Song Chaoyu, who had once lost her freedom, spoke these words with genuine sincerity.
Her sincerity caused Qiu Qing to pause.
But Qiu Qing shook her head resolutely. Looking at Song Chaoyu again, her eyes lost their coldness and instead held a newfound earnestness, "His Highness Prince Chang once saved my entire family. I also promised him that I would respond to any request. While freedom is important, if one is untrustworthy, it would be a betrayal of my father's teachings over the years. My father also supported my coming to Jiangzhou. Regardless of whether you wish for me to be by your side, I will follow you!"
She had made up her mind and never wavered, "If you feel that I am being forced to stay by your side and cannot trust me, that is also acceptable."
She was a person of strong will, "I have already promised His Highness Prince Chang that I would serve by your side, regardless of my status. Whether you place me outside the courtyard to sweep, or to empty chamber pots. Even if you do not acknowledge my identity or allow me into the Song family, I will remain outside the Song residence, in the closest possible place to you, and continue to serve you!"
For some reason, her character made Song Chaoyu feel that she was truly like the people Mu Changxi chose!
Wasn't Mu Changxi the same in the past?
No matter how he appeared on the surface, once he made a decision, he would not change it.
Perhaps, in a sense, she, Song Chaoyu, was also such a person!
"Alright, alright!"
Ultimately, it was Song Chaoyu who compromised first, shaking her head and smiling, "Since you wish to stay, then stay. However, forget about the status of a bondservant you mentioned! I will inform my grandmother and have you remain by my side as a physician's attendant. In the capital, I also have a female physician friend. Her medical skills are exceptional, and perhaps after you meet, you will become close friends. At that time, you might not feel so lonely."
After speaking, she continued, "You are like the others by my side. If you miss home, or have anything you need to attend to, just tell me. I will allow you to do what you need to do and will not restrict you."
In fact, during the past two days of attending to Song Chaoyu, she had also discovered that Song Chaoyu was different from the young ladies of other families.
Although Tiao Hong was outwardly a maid, in reality, she was almost like Song Chaoyu's sister.
She took care of Song Chaoyu's every need, but Song Chaoyu also took care of hers.
Moreover, Song Chaoyu was very kind to her servants; she did not treat anyone as a mere servant.
This made Qiu Qing feel that even if she had to give up her freedom, staying by Song Chaoyu's side did not seem as difficult as she had once imagined.
Thus, Qiu Qing's decision to stay was settled.
In the evening, Tiao Hong entered to light the lamps for Song Chaoyu and glanced at Qiu Qing, who stood straight outside the door, keeping watch for Song Chaoyu. Tiao Hong seemed to like Qiu Qing, "Miss, don't let Qiu Qing's cold and fierce demeanor fool you; I think she's a good person!"
Song Chaoyu smiled and playfully chided Tiao Hong, "Why do you say that?"
Tiao Hong said earnestly, "Qiu Qing's medical and poison skills are formidable; she will surely be able to protect us in the future! And I see that she is diligent in her work and never causes trouble. However... she was sent by His Highness Prince Chang, and I wonder if she is an informant arranged to be by our side."
In Song Chaoyu's heart, she naturally had the same thought.
However, she shook her head, "Since we will be living together in the future, there is nothing I need to hide from him."