This is going a bit too far, isn't it?
Not only is it unreasonable for the Empress Dowager to send two palace maids as concubines to their Chang Prince's mansion on the second day of their wedding, but it's also a slap in the face to Song Chaoyu, the legitimate Princess of Chang, to have these palace maids take over the management of the household affairs from her.
As Song Chaoyu slightly raised her eyes, she saw the shrewd calculation and smugness in Noble Lady Liu's eyes, and knew that she had likely played a part in this.
This Noble Lady Liu...
In her previous life, she was unremarkable, and Song Chaoyu didn't know her well.
It seemed she needed to get to know her better in this life.
Song Chaoyu knew that with her current appearance, she probably couldn't directly refuse the Empress Dowager.
So, she smiled, rose, and bowed to the Empress Dowager, thanking her: "Thank you, Empress Dowager. Your Majesty's concern for us juniors truly warms my heart."
No one had expected her to react without crying or making a fuss.
Even the Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow and asked Song Chaoyu, "Oh? I never expected you to be so learned and sensible. You've only been married for two days and you're taking in two concubines. I'm afraid Prince Chang will say I'm causing trouble and ruining your newlywed bliss!"
Whether to accept or not, she was in a difficult position.
Since the Empress Dowager had already said everything, what else could Song Chaoyu say?
She could only smile and reply, "Your Majesty, you jest! Isn't your Majesty the one who knows Prince Chang best? Doesn't he know that your Majesty is acting for his own good? Even if he feels something is amiss, he would never blame your Majesty for it. Please rest assured, Empress Dowager, Prince Chang is an exceptionally filial person."
The Empress Dowager immediately understood Song Chaoyu's meaning.
She placed her teacup down with a slightly heavier hand and sneered, "Tell me, then, what does Prince Chang find amiss? Or is it actually you, Princess of Chang, who finds something amiss?"
Song Chaoyu could feel the Empress Dowager's oppressive aura, making it difficult to breathe.
Yet, she maintained her smile, revealing a hint of an unspeakable difficulty: "Since only your Majesty is present, I shall speak frankly."
The Empress Dowager, unsure of Song Chaoyu's intentions, was nonetheless drawn in by her words: "If your Chang Prince's mansion truly has any difficulties, then speak your mind. My Emperor and I will naturally support Prince Chang."
Song Chaoyu sighed, "Your Majesty knows that ever since Prince Chang returned to the capital, there have been constant rumors. Prince Chang lost a leg in the Southern Kingdom when he was young. This is a lifelong pain for him, and a point of contempt for others. Although no one dares to say anything to his face due to his status as Prince Chang, your Majesty and I both know that most of the rumors say he is useless—"
No one expected Song Chaoyu to be so candid!
Whether Mu Changxi's leg was truly broken or faked, Song Chaoyu would have spoken of it directly.
Because only by facing one's own wounds can they be transformed into the strongest points, making them impervious to pain.
The Empress Dowager frowned, knowing Song Chaoyu was speaking the truth: "And then what?"
Song Chaoyu lowered her gaze and sighed again, "Now that Prince Chang has just married, I, as his concubine, know I am useless, but I truly dare not hold Prince Chang back. I only hope to build a better life with Prince Chang, which is truly thinking of him."
The Empress Dowager still didn't understand Song Chaoyu's meaning: "What do you mean? Are bringing these two palace maids to serve you not helping you build a better life?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, "I dare not defy your Majesty's good intentions and kindness. I am merely thinking that now, everyone says the Chang Prince's mansion is useless. If your Majesty were to send two more palace maids into the mansion to manage all the household affairs, wouldn't that make people say the Chang Prince's mansion is even more useless? By then, everyone will likely be gossiping about Prince Chang, saying he was useless from the start, and that he married a useless Princess. How will Prince Chang be able to conduct himself in the capital then?"
At this point, Song Chaoyu still didn't know whether the Empress Dowager's bestowal of these two palace maids was a test or had another purpose.
In her previous life, the Empress Dowager and Prince Chang had always had a good relationship.
Therefore, Song Chaoyu decided to take the initiative: "I know that your Majesty truly loves Prince Chang, and your maternal love is truly moving. But please, your Majesty, reconsider! Even... even if it's a few days later! If I truly cannot manage the vast Chang Prince's mansion, let alone two palace maids, even if your Majesty wishes to punish me and hand over the authority of the Chang Prince's mansion to anyone else, I will willingly accept the punishment!"
After saying this, she knelt on the ground and earnestly kowtowed to the Empress Dowager: "I once again thank your Majesty for your kindness and grace. I wish to grow old with Prince Chang and strive to learn everything for him."
Song Chaoyu's words were impeccably crafted.
This caused the Empress Dowager's brow to furrow slightly once more.
She knew that she had underestimated this Princess of Chang before, and indeed, Prince Chang had his reasons for marrying an outsider.
The Empress Dowager nodded and waved, signaling the two palace maids to return: "Very well! Chu Jiu and Chu Shi, it seems you do not have the fortune to live a life of ease in the Chang Prince's mansion. You shall remain by my side and Noble Lady Liu's side, serving in the palace."
"Empress Dowager!"
Consort De smiled slightly at Song Chaoyu, as if she too had breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, Noble Lady Liu quickly stood up, her tone tinged with urgency: "Your Majesty, please reconsider! These two palace maids were originally intended to serve Prince Chang. Now that the decision has suddenly changed, how are they to manage themselves in the palace?"
"Furthermore!"
She pointed at Song Chaoyu again: "Even if these two palace maids are not given the authority to manage the household, doesn't Princess Chang need someone to assist her? Doesn't Prince Chang need someone to serve him?"
"Ahem, Noble Lady Liu!"
Seeing Noble Lady Liu pointing at Song Chaoyu while speaking, Consort De beside her coughed lightly to remind Noble Lady Liu: "According to rank, Princess Chang's status is higher than yours. Pointing at her like this is extremely impolite."
Before Noble Lady Liu could speak, she continued, "Now that the Empress Dowager has made her decision, you need not say anything further. Prince Chang and his wife are newly married, and you wish to stuff two concubines into their household, isn't that asking for marital discord? We consorts, residing in the palace, should mind our own affairs. Why extend our reach so far?"
These words, in fact, were already a clear rebuke to Noble Lady Liu.