Song Chaoyu let out a scoff, "Then should I also thank Minister Han and Madam Han for thinking so thoughtfully for me?"
Minister Han lowered his head, inexplicably unable to do anything about the young woman, Song Chaoyu.
Madam Han also hid behind Minister Han, coughed lightly, and mumbled something that Song Chaoyu couldn't quite hear.
However, before Song Chaoyu could speak further, Mu Changxi stepped forward, his icy gaze fixed on Minister Han. "Minister Han, at the banquet just now, there were so many women attending to me. I naturally know what you intend to do. I advise you, don't waste your efforts."
So that was it!
If she, the legitimate princess consort, were also present, how could those women have made more moves on Mu Changxi?
Minister Han took a deep breath. Although he knew he was the one who had done it, he did not back down at this moment.
He also looked up at Mu Changxi and mustered his courage, saying, "Your subordinate merely thought of serving both His Highness the Prince and the Princess Consort well. Who knew you would not appreciate it..."
However, the words that followed were completely drowned out by Mu Changxi's killing intent, making Minister Han dare not speak further.
Song Chaoyu nodded, her gaze also falling on Madam Han. "So, confining me to this courtyard and preventing me from attending the banquet is the Han family's way of hospitality? Let alone whether I am the Princess Consort of Chang, even an ordinary guest would likely not be treated this way, would they?"
She glanced at Mu Changxi, "Your Highness, it seems the Han residence does not necessarily welcome us. Perhaps we should set off earlier and reach Haizhou sooner."
"Good."
Mu Changxi smiled and nodded at Tiaohong, "Go pack our things. We leave immediately."
"This is not appropriate, is it?!"
Minister Han naturally did not want to end up like Minister Zhang, being criticized. He quickly stepped forward to stop them, "It is our lack of hospitality. Your Highness and the Princess Consort should stay for another day?"
Song Chaoyu deliberately spoke loudly to Tiaohong, "Tiaohong, hurry up! If you are slow, someone might say we are putting on airs as His Highness the Prince and the Princess Consort, and throwing a tantrum in the Han residence!"
Knowing that they would definitely spread such news, Song Chaoyu decided to "strike first." "Qiuqing, you go. Go out and tell everyone why we are leaving in such a hurry! If the matter is reported to the capital in the future and the Emperor and Empress ask, we will at least have an explanation. We won't be accused of leaving in a hurry before we've even settled in Yuezhou City!"
"Yes, this servant will go now."
Qiuqing turned to leave, startling Madam Han, who flinched and grabbed Qiuqing, "Good girl, this is a misunderstanding. Don't go!"
Song Chaoyu's icy gaze fell upon Madam Han again. "Madam Han blocked me, and now you are trying to block my maid. Are you determined to block our path?"
"No... no, it's not!"
Madam Han realized that this matter today might not end well.
She held Qiuqing back, preventing her from leaving, and then stepped forward, kicking the maid who had just blocked Song Chaoyu fiercely. "You foolish thing! I sent you to deliver food, how dare you block the Princess Consort from leaving the room?! You've ruined the Han family's reputation, I will punish you!"
She shouted to the servants behind her, "Guards! Drag this ignorant girl out and give her twenty strokes as punishment!"
After saying that, she finally released Qiuqing, her expression shifting between happiness and anger as she looked at Song Chaoyu. "Princess Consort, are you satisfied now?"
Song Chaoyu nodded and glanced at Mu Changxi.
He remained seated there, unmoving, like an ice sculpture, as if freezing everything around him into ice.
Song Chaoyu then smiled at Madam Han, "Twenty strokes is a bit too much. Fifteen will suffice, so people don't say we mistreat our servants."
Hearing this, Madam Han's eyes lit up with a smile.
"However—"
Song Chaoyu suddenly changed her tone and pointed to the main gate of the Han residence. "Drag her to the main entrance and have her beaten. Let her explain to the outsiders why she is being punished. This way, everyone will know that it is not the Chang Prince's residence that is deliberately making things difficult for anyone."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only Madam Han, but even Minister Han's expression froze, and he could no longer smile.
"This... this is not appropriate, is it?"
Madam Han's lips twitched. "To have her, a young lady, beaten in front of everyone? Doesn't that strip her of all dignity?"
"Tch—"
Song Chaoyu scoffed, "That's only here. In noble families in the capital, aren't everyone's household rules strict? To allow a maid to be so presumptuous is already an unprecedented matter. If she doesn't learn her lesson, won't people point fingers at your Han residence in the future?"
These words completely silenced Madam Han.
To Madam Han, even Song Chaoyu, born of an outside concubine, spoke of such rules. If their Han family didn't act this way, wouldn't they be worse off than a family with such origins?
Minister Han also did not want his maid to be humiliated and frantically winked at Madam Han to signal her.
At this moment, Mu Changxi, who had been sitting in his wheelchair without speaking, finally let out a cold snort and opened his mouth. "Minister Han, I'm afraid you wouldn't want everyone along the way to know how lacking in rules your Han residence is, to the point where even a maid can block the Princess Consort, would you?"
Minister Han looked at Mu Changxi in surprise, not expecting that a prince like Mu Changxi would resort to such threats!
Minister Han was somewhat angry, yet also helpless.
He had merely intended to probe the depths of this Prince Chang, only to find that even the Princess Consort, rumored to be from an outside concubine, was so troublesome!
Minister Han could only remain silent.
Mu Changxi took his silence as consent and nodded at Xiao Ruizi. "You go and supervise the punishment. Fifteen strokes, not one less. Furthermore, make her tell everyone herself what wrong she committed to receive such punishment. This way, everyone will know that since the Princess Consort is married to me, she will not tolerate such grievances. If anyone dares to scheme against the Princess Consort in the future, this will be their fate."
With that, he pushed his wheelchair into the courtyard and looked down at the food boxes. "You wanted the Princess Consort to eat in the courtyard, didn't you? Then I shall accompany the Princess Consort. Go and reheat the dishes. Who do you intend to serve this lukewarm food to?"
So he had noticed everything!
A warmth surged in Song Chaoyu's heart.
Mu Changxi didn't even glance at Minister Han and Madam Han again, leaving them somewhat at a loss. They could only urge the maids and servants to reheat the dishes.
Song Chaoyu followed Mu Changxi into the house. As soon as they entered, Mu Changxi said to Song Chaoyu, "Help me find a set of clothes. These are dirty."
Dirty? Song Chaoyu looked carefully but saw no dirt!