Song Jiaojiao's sudden appearance did not please anyone in the Song family, except for Song Chaoyu.
However, Song Yuan cleared his throat, sensing the awkward atmosphere, and tried to smooth things over. He nodded slightly at Song Jiaojiao and said, "Since that's the case, then sit down. It is the Ning King's wish that you serve by his side from now on. Give birth to this child safely, serve his Highness and your cousin, and live a good life!"
In fact, as long as it did not touch upon the fundamental core interests of the Song family, even if Song Yanjiao was Song Yuan's most beloved daughter, at this moment, Song Yuan knew only how to curry favor with the Ning King and would not stand up for Song Yanjiao.
Since Song Yuan had agreed to Song Jiaojiao remaining by the Ning King's side, what else could others say?
What was originally a happy meal at the Ning King's mansion turned into a meal where everyone harbored their own thoughts.
Song Chaoyu observed that Song Yanjiao clearly had no appetite for food. Her eyes would occasionally dart towards Wu Lingru, then towards Song Jiaojiao, as if contemplating some scheme.
Song Chaoyu thought that this was an opportunity for Song Yanjiao.
With both women in the Ning King's mansion now pregnant, wouldn't she have more time and opportunity to "monopolize" the Ning King?
If she could prevent the Ning King from taking more concubines, her life might be a little easier.
Unfortunately, Song Chaoyu felt that the current Song Yanjiao could not calm down to think about these things.
As long as she became anxious, the Ning King would likely dislike her even more.
For now, with the Song family present, Song Yanjiao couldn't make a scene, and the Ning King couldn't say much either.
The meal was an uncomfortable affair for everyone.
After the meal, Song Yuan took the Song family members and hurried back to the Song residence.
The First Madam went to Song Yuan's room and cried for a long time, lamenting how pitiful Song Yanjiao was, with Wu Lingru before her and Song Jiaojiao after her.
But what could Song Yuan do? Now, he could only watch the situation in the Ning King's mansion and regret it was too late!
—
After the Ning King returned to the capital, his proper handling of the salt affairs earned him considerable favor in the Emperor's eyes.
The Ning King was now suddenly in high demand, making the Crown Prince appear somewhat weak.
However, it was much better than in the previous life. Song Chaoyu remembered that by this time in her previous life, the Crown Prince was almost suffocated by the Ning King's pressure.
Now, the Crown Prince was merely weak, and there were still many people in the court who supported him.
Concurrently, Prince Chang, Mu Changxi, still enjoyed favor with the Emperor.
Therefore, the upcoming wedding of Prince Chang was also a matter of great attention in the capital.
As for Song Chaoyu, her wedding dress was finally completed just before the wedding!
This wedding dress, adorned with pearls and embroidered with gold thread, was even more striking, eye-catching, and elegant than the wedding dress that was initially given to Song Yanjiao when the Ning King married.
And having learned from the "lesson" of Song Yanjiao and the Ning King's wedding last time, Qiu Qing and Tiao Hong meticulously checked everything that would be needed for the wedding.
The people who would be needed for the wedding were also thoroughly vetted by the maternal grandmother herself.
Now, with only Qiu Qing and Tiao Hong by Song Chaoyu's side, it was clearly not enough.
The First Madam wanted to bring two more maids to Song Chaoyu's side, but the Old Madam would not fall for her scheme.
Instead, she and Concubine Liu each sent a maid from their own retinue to Song Chaoyu. Having served them for a long time, they were naturally more reliable.
Since they did not find any new maids for Song Chaoyu, the First Madam and the others were left with no recourse.
As the date drew nearer, Song Chaoyu's heart also grew nervous.
When she married in her previous life, she only remembered feeling immense grievance and despair.
In this life, she actually felt the anticipation of becoming a bride and the hope for a new life.
—
Prince Chang's wedding arrived as scheduled.
The capital began to bustle from midnight on this day.
Song Chaoyu entered the palace the day before and spent a long time talking with the Noble Consort.
Upon returning to the mansion in the afternoon, she was urged by Concubine Liu to go to bed quickly, saying that she would have to wake up in the middle of the night to get ready.
Indeed, while the night was still deep, Song Chaoyu was woken from her sleep to be dressed and made up.
The one who came to do Song Chaoyu's hair this time was Granny An, an old嬷嬷 from the palace.
Granny An was an old嬷嬷 who had served the Empress Dowager for a lifetime, and even the noble ladies in the palace showed her respect.
Granny An's skill in hairstyling was recognized as top-notch in the palace. Even when the Emperor ascended the throne, it was this Granny An who styled the Empress's hair.
Song Chaoyu heard that it was the Noble Consort who pleaded with the Empress Dowager to have Granny An come, and only then did the Empress Dowager permit Granny An to leave the palace for a day.
Even when the Ning King married, Song Yanjiao had not been able to have Granny An style her hair.
Therefore, when Granny An arrived at the Song residence, everyone naturally treated her with courtesy.
Granny An, having served the Empress Dowager in the palace for many years without error, naturally possessed her own abilities.
Even though the Song family was only a third-rank household, Granny An was very polite and courteous, regarding herself as a "servant" and not acting arrogantly because she was an old嬷嬷 from the palace.
Song Chaoyu sat before the dressing table, feeling a little reserved. Granny An, however, proactively comforted her, "Fourth Miss, do not be afraid. Although Prince Chang appears to be a man of few words, he is actually very kind to people in daily life. Now that the Emperor favors Prince Chang, he will surely not mistreat the Princess Consort. Moreover, this servant sees that the Noble Consort is very fond of Fourth Miss! Your future days will surely be prosperous and bright!"
Song Chaoyu looked at her slightly flushed cheeks in the mirror and smiled, nodding at Granny An, "Thank you, Granny, for comforting me. You have served in the palace for so long, and I fear many things today will trouble you!"
"Fourth Miss is too kind!"
As Granny An styled Song Chaoyu's hair, she couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "Your hair is so beautiful! Dark and lustrous. This servant has styled the hair of so many noble ladies in the palace, yet I rarely see such hair."
She seemed to be genuinely praising her, not just saying pleasantries to Song Chaoyu.
This caused Song Chaoyu to turn her head slightly and look at her own hair.
She had never noticed before that her hair was indeed very shiny. In the glow of the candlelight, it cascaded down her back like satin.
A gentle expression also appeared on her face.
She also hoped that her future days would get better and better!
Even if there were storms, it would not be difficult for the two of them to support each other through them.
She would absolutely not let the "history" of her previous life repeat itself!
She wanted her future days to be filled with light and hope.