Prince Ning had noticed Song Chaoyu quite some time ago.
He always felt that among the three daughters of the Song family, Song Chaoyu was the most special.
Initially, everyone was attracted to Song Yanjiao. He was no exception, feeling that Song Yanjiao was like a fairy descended from the heavens, someone one would want to possess.
But now, he found that although Song Chaoyu always stood in the corner, she was actually the most dazzling one.
However, he also noticed Song Yanjiao's gaze, so he finally shifted his eyes away from Song Chaoyu and walked towards Song Yuan. "Father-in-law, I am very sorry. For keeping you all waiting for so long, please, everyone, be seated quickly! Today is a family banquet, there's no need for too many formalities."
His attitude was quite good, finally bringing a smile to Song Yuan's eyes.
After everyone was seated, Prince Ning spoke some pleasantries, and it was hard to tell that he would usually neglect Song Yanjiao.
Moreover, he was the first to raise his cup, apologizing to the Old Madam and Song Yuan, saying that he had been busy and had not had the opportunity to visit the Song family, which was his dereliction of duty.
He then quickly brought another cup of wine, toasting Song Yanjiao alone, saying that Song Yanjiao had been managing the entire Prince Ning's mansion these days and had worked hard.
This made Song Yanjiao beam with joy and express her gratitude repeatedly.
But based on Song Chaoyu's understanding of Prince Ning, his sudden attentiveness must mean something!
As expected—
After two cups of wine, he actually brought another cup, stood up, and said, "Today, I have another joyous occasion to share with everyone. It is my joyous occasion, and also the Song family's joyous occasion. I ask everyone to share in my happiness."
Another joyous occasion?
Song Yuan couldn't help but smile and look at Song Yanjiao, thinking that Song Yanjiao had some good news.
But Song Yanjiao was stunned for a moment, shook her head blankly, indicating she didn't know.
So everyone looked at Prince Ning with even more curiosity.
Seeing Prince Ning suddenly turn around and clap his hands outside, "Come in! Today, everyone here is family, there's nothing to be afraid of! I will protect you!"
All eyes turned towards the door—
A woman walked in from outside.
She was wearing a luxurious Guangxi brocade dress with fine willow gold chrysanthemums and flowing sleeves, her head bowed as she slowly walked in. Yet, one could see the dazzling colorful pearl tassel hairpins adorning her hair.
This woman was dressed so luxuriously and followed Prince Ning into the door, her identity was self-evident.
"How could it be you?!"
Song Yanjiao, upon seeing her clearly, could no longer maintain her dignity as Princess Ning. She exclaimed and stood up, her eyes becoming even sharper. "Didn't you leave?!"
The person who entered was none other than Song Jiaojiao, who had been personally driven out of Prince Ning's mansion by Song Yanjiao!
The former Song Jiaojiao had some beauty, but she didn't possess the demeanor of a young lady from a noble family. But today, she was like a changed person, possessing more of a woman's unique charm, along with a touch of girlish shyness.
Whether it was to impress Prince Ning or not, Song Jiaojiao always put on an act of being somewhat afraid of Song Yanjiao. "Second Sister, it's me."
Song Yanjiao could no longer control her anger, she looked up at Prince Ning, "Why is she by your side!?"
Prince Ning frowned, naturally feeling that in such a gathering, Song Yanjiao was being too disrespectful.
Song Jiaojiao, however, opened her mouth pitifully, "Second Sister, it's not Prince Ning's fault! After Second Sister drove me out of the mansion, I truly had nowhere to go, so I went to find His Highness. Fortunately, His Highness did not disdain me and took me in, saving my life. Otherwise, I fear I would have died without anyone knowing! Please, Second Sister, do not blame His Highness."
Song Chaoyu could only say that it was fortunate she had found a way to prevent Song Jiaojiao from entering Prince Chang's mansion that day.
She was indeed troublesome!
With these words, she not only implicitly revealed Song Yanjiao's cruelty in driving her out that day but also evoked much sympathy for herself from Prince Ning.
Seeing Song Yanjiao's face turn from pale to flushed, Song Chaoyu could only think one thing: Song Yanjiao, so you have days like this too?
At this point, even the Old Madam of the Song family frowned and glared at Song Jiaojiao, "You have no right to speak here!"
Then, she looked at Prince Ning with displeasure, "Your Highness, what is going on?"
Prince Ning was somewhat intimidated by the Old Madam's imposing aura, so he sighed and explained, "I know, Jiaojiao is the Princess Consort's cousin. She came to seek refuge with the Princess Consort, and I thought the Princess Consort would take good care of her."
This address... it was truly interesting!
After all, Prince Ning used to call Song Yanjiao "Jiao'er." Now he had changed to calling Song Jiaojiao "Jiaojiao" and referred to Song Yanjiao as "Princess Consort" in a more distant manner.
This showed that no matter how deep their affection was before marriage, it was ultimately just that.
In Song Chaoyu's heart, a sudden emptiness seemed to spread.
Would she and Prince Chang become like this one day?
But her thoughts were quickly interrupted.
Prince Ning, in front of the Old Madam, also revealed his dissatisfaction with Song Yanjiao, "I did not expect the Princess Consort to drive her own cousin out of the house. Jiaojiao said she did not want to return to the Song family, fearing she would disgrace the Song family's reputation. With nowhere else to go, she could only travel along the official road to find me! When I saw her, she was emaciated and looked extremely pitiful. Even a stranger, I would offer assistance, let alone Jiaojiao?"
He looked at Song Jiaojiao, his eyes filled with a hint of pity. "Jiaojiao is also willing to stay by my side to serve. So today, in front of all the members of the Song family, I want to inform Grandmother and my father-in-law and mother-in-law. I wish to take Jiaojiao as a concubine, and I ask for your approval."
Whether it was the Old Madam, Song Yuan, or the First Madam, they were naturally unwilling.
However, before they could speak, Prince Ning spoke again, "Moreover, Jiaojiao is already one month pregnant. I believe that if she cannot officially enter Prince Ning's mansion, it would be a disservice to Jiaojiao, and even more so to the entire Song family."
One month pregnant!?
This was not something that happened in her previous life! Even Song Chaoyu had to admire Song Jiaojiao's luck.
She had made the right gamble this time!
She was already pregnant. Even if the Song family disagreed a thousand times over, what use would it be?
Would they have her give birth outside the family, thus allowing others to gossip about the Song family?
The Old Madam's eyes suddenly turned icy.
Song Yanjiao's body also began to tremble slightly. Why did Wu Linyu get pregnant, and now Song Jiaojiao, who appeared from who knows where, was also pregnant, yet she couldn't conceive a child with Prince Ning?!
But now, all she could do was swallow her pride and endure.