Mu Changxi also slowly opened his eyes, sensing Song Chaoyu's movements. Seeing that it was still early, he reached out and pulled Song Chaoyu, "Sleep a little longer!"
His voice was like he was coqueting with Song Chaoyu, making her cheeks flush a few shades deeper.
However, before Song Chaoyu could lie down again, a knock sounded from outside, "Your Highness, Consort, it's time to rise! We still need to enter the palace to pay respects to His Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and Her Imperial Consort."
That's right, on their first day of marriage, the rules must not be broken.
Mu Changxi sighed, seemingly reluctant to get out of bed, "Father Emperor won't blame us!"
Song Chaoyu patted his quilt, "You never used to be such a lazy riser. You always got up early every day, and you often used stones to tap my window, which also disturbed my sleep."
Speaking of the past, Mu Changxi's lips curved upward slightly.
"Alright, I'm getting up!"
He sat up, pulled Song Chaoyu into his embrace, and then gently nuzzled her shoulder, "Whatever you say, goes."
Was this still the Mu Changxi from outside, who was always cold and seemed indifferent to everything?
Song Chaoyu threw off the quilt and got up, then put on a robe and opened the door.
Tiaohong, along with several maids, carried hot water and entered in an orderly fashion.
She entered with a cheerful smile, placing the hot water before Song Chaoyu, "Consort, your servants are here to help you freshen up!"
As maids went towards their bed, Song Chaoyu saw a maid holding a blood-stained wedding sheet, which was directly presented before Mu Changxi.
Song Chaoyu's cheeks turned red once more.
Mu Changxi also sat up straight and waved at the maid, "Take it to the palace."
This was something that had to be done after the wedding night in a royal family. Song Chaoyu knew this, but still felt a bit uncomfortable.
And as someone entered the room, Mu Changxi had to put on an act of his legs being unable to move. After the maids dressed him, Xiao Ruizi carried Mu Changxi down from the bed and placed him in the wooden wheelchair.
Since they were entering the palace, they would also be accompanying the Emperor for breakfast, so the prince's manor had not prepared any food for them.
In fact, Song Chaoyu was hungry, but it would not look good for the new consort to be constantly asking for food on her wedding day.
So, after they tidied themselves up, they boarded the carriage to the palace.
Originally, palace carriages were only for the Emperor, Empress, and consorts.
Others entering the palace had to travel by sedan chair or on foot.
However, the Emperor, understanding Mu Changxi's leg inconvenience, had specially granted permission for Mu Changxi to enter the palace without disembarking from the carriage.
Song Chaoyu naturally benefited from Mu Changxi's privilege and did not have to exert herself so much.
The carriage stopped in front of the Empress's residence, Chengfeng Hall. As Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi alighted from the carriage, they saw the Crown Prince and Crown Princess also descending from their sedan chairs.
Upon seeing Song Chaoyu, the Crown Princess walked forward affectionately, smiling as she took Song Chaoyu's hand, "Consort Chang is here at just the right time! You were married yesterday, the Crown Prince and I also attended, and it looked very lively! How was it? Did Prince Chang bully you?"
Song Chaoyu originally thought she wasn't a particularly shy person.
But being teased by the Crown Princess like this, she lowered her head, feeling quite embarrassed.
It was Mu Changxi who looked up at the Crown Princess, "When did Imperial Aunt learn to tease people?"
The Crown Princess covered her mouth and smiled, "Look, you never cared what others said normally. Why is it that now you can't even make a joke with your consort? Alright, alright, let's go in! We shouldn't be standing outside talking."
Song Chaoyu truly liked the Crown Princess and hoped that she and the Crown Prince would remain in love forever.
As the four of them entered the hall, the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Consort were already present.
However, the Empress Dowager did not show herself. Song Chaoyu had heard that the Empress Dowager did not approve of Mu Changxi marrying her. But the Empress Dowager was old, and she had entrusted all previous matters to the Empress. Her absence today was not a big deal.
The Emperor doted on Mu Changxi the most. Seeing Mu Changxi enter, his lips curved upward, "Enough, enough, you've just gotten married, no need to bow! I am very happy to have you here today to have breakfast with me, your Empress Mother, and your Imperial Mother."
At breakfast, many fresh dishes were served, including even dishes from the Southern Kingdom.
However, Song Chaoyu knew that these were not what Mu Changxi liked to eat.
He enjoyed spicy food, while most of what was presented was bland.
But it must be what the "Prince Chang" of the Southern Kingdom liked, so Mu Changxi had to pretend to enjoy it as well, lest others notice.
Originally, Song Chaoyu felt that the atmosphere among the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Consort seemed quite good.
However, soon the Empress glanced at Song Chaoyu, "After you have finished breakfast, Mother Empress wants you to go to her Qirui Palace."
Song Chaoyu was stunned, then nodded quickly.
Mu Changxi, standing beside her, naturally said, "Your son hasn't visited Imperial Grandmother for quite some time either."
The Empress, however, frowned slightly and said to Mu Changxi, "You stay by your Father Emperor's side and accompany him to court."
Whether it was Song Chaoyu's imagination or not, she felt that the Empress's words carried a hint of testing.
Did even the Empress not trust Mu Changxi?
But fortunately, the Crown Prince had always been good to Mu Changxi.
Mu Changxi pouted, "Your son dislikes court affairs. Please grant your permission, your son and Consort will together—"
"Cough, cough!"
However, before he could finish speaking, the Emperor coughed lightly, interrupting him, "You just follow me. The Empress Dowager won't eat your Consort!"
So Song Chaoyu understood, it seemed this time... the Empress Dowager was "coming with ill intentions."
But as the daughter of an outside concubine, she had already considered this possibility when she decided to become Consort Chang.
Therefore, she gave Mu Changxi a reassuring look, and after finishing breakfast, she headed towards Qirui Palace.
Logically, the carriages of Prince Chang's manor could travel freely within the palace, and it would be fine for Song Chaoyu to go by carriage.
But she decided to walk, quickening her pace slightly. Qirui Palace was not far.
By the time she reached Qirui Palace, the Empress Dowager had also just finished her breakfast.
Beside her sat two consorts.
Song Chaoyu, at this time, could not recognize all the consorts in the palace. She only knew that the one sitting to the left of the Empress Dowager was Consort De. It was said that she had the gentlest disposition. Although not favored by the Emperor, she often accompanied the Empress Dowager and was deeply trusted by her.