Before Song Chaoyu could speak, Consort Li personally poured her a cup of tea. "It was I who personally requested to stay in this place. The Emperor and I... our fate has run its course."
This was something Song Chaoyu had never anticipated!
She was stunned. "How... how could this be? The rumors outside say it was the Emperor who was angry with you, so it's not like that, is it?"
Consort Li smiled, leaning back against the chair with a hint of relief. "The Emperor is naturally displeased. He knows that I have been deceiving him since the day I sent Chang'er away. He asked me why I didn't tell him the truth of the matter. But Ayuyu, tell me, could I have told him the truth?"
In those circumstances back then, Song Chaoyu probably wouldn't have either.
Because the Emperor was not Mu Changxi; he could sacrifice Mu Changxi's life at any moment for other interests.
No, it should be said that he already had.
Consort Li said she knew what the Emperor wanted to hear.
It was nothing more than wanting her to admit her mistake, to say that she would never deceive him again.
But speaking of this, Consort Li herself chuckled. "We came to this palace, speaking words of never deceiving again, for so many years. The Emperor is not tired, but I am. If I truly said it, wouldn't that also be a form of deception?"
Her eyes revealed a profound weariness.
Even her speaking speed had slowed. "These years, I have grown tired of being his most beloved consort. Everyone says I am charming and captivating, alluring and enchanting. But no one knows that I truly did not wish to be this way. I am not a person of such temperament; I only wished to live a peaceful life in a corner of my own. If I hadn't entered the palace, I think I would have married another man and become an ordinary woman."
Consort Li's eyes were full of regret. "Perhaps that person would have been Tan Ye, or perhaps someone else. In any case, I would have stayed home, managed the household, and lived a peaceful life."
She tugged at her clothes. "I detest these bright red and purple garments. I prefer simplicity and elegance. But to maintain my image as the alluring and enchanting consort, I cannot wear the clothes I like. In fact, the Emperor understands this, but what he needs more is a consort who is alluring and enchanting, someone who would not make the officials suspect me of plotting for the empress's position. That's all."
Indeed!
If one were to become empress, one had to be dignified and elegant.
A consort could only maintain an alluring and enchanting demeanor to reassure the officials and the empress's clan.
"I am tired."
At this moment, Consort Li was no longer the consort. The tranquility she exuded far surpassed her usual allure. "Ayuyu, I am truly tired. I no longer wish to be this consort, so I told the Emperor. In this palace, and even in the capital, no one can ever avoid deceiving him. It's the same for me. I told him I don't want to be this consort anymore. Acting in front of others every day, pretending to be alluring, I am truly exhausted."
Song Chaoyu could even imagine what the Emperor looked like at that moment. "The Emperor must have been very angry?"
"Yes."
Consort Li smiled slightly. "He was very angry. He even said on the spot that if I was unwilling to be this consort, there were plenty of others who would. He said he was giving me this one chance, that as long as I admitted my mistake, I would still be his consort."
Clearly, Consort Li had not admitted her mistake.
Without the position of consort, she did not regret it at all at this moment. "I said, then I will not be this consort, and will make way for others."
Seeing the smile on Consort Li's face, Song Chaoyu couldn't quite articulate her own feelings. "The Emperor must have been very angry when he heard that, right?"
"Yes, the Emperor was very angry."
Consort Li nodded. "In fact, over the years, the Emperor has treated me quite well. Apart from the matter of Chang'er and the empress's position, he has given me everything he could. I know that the Emperor does have me in his heart."
Song Chaoyu sighed. "Mother Consort, you do have Father Emperor in your heart as well, don't you?"
Consort Li did not answer, but continued on her own. "But these past few days, while I was ill, without my usual busyness, I have been dreaming of our past. I have been thinking, does the Emperor truly have me in his heart, or the alluring and enchanting consort he desires? In this life, I have already played so many roles with him. Can I not return to myself and be who I am?"
Actually, Song Chaoyu understood that even if none of this had happened, the Consort would sooner or later have pondered this question.
But as long as it was a life she liked, Song Chaoyu felt there was nothing wrong with it.
"Ayuyu, speaking of this, I might have to thank you."
Consort Li saw that Song Chaoyu wasn't saying anything else and spoke first. "If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have made this decision in my life. But at least, after making this decision, I feel much more relaxed."
"Me?"
Now it was Song Chaoyu's turn to be truly confused. "Mother Consort, your decision has something to do with this concubine?"
"Indeed."
Consort Li smiled. "I have also heard about your mother's affairs. Don't blame me; I even sent someone to inquire about your mother's current situation!"
Liu Shiyi Niang now lived in a small courtyard in the capital. Initially, she only tended to flowers and plants.
Later, by chance, she took in two disciples and began to teach them opera. Time passed quickly. She even visited the Prince's manor to see Song Chaoyu and the children less often.
Song Chaoyu also heard that Liu Shiyi Niang seemed to have some connection with the head of the Fuyuan Opera Troupe in the capital recently. That troupe leader was a widower in his middle age, with a son and a daughter, both of whom were very fond of Liu Shiyi Niang.
Song Chaoyu took these matters lightly. In any case, Liu Shiyi Niang had already left the Song family, and whoever she married in the future, or what kind of life she lived, was entirely up to her.
She never expected that this matter would also affect Consort Li.
Her eyes looked into the distance with a hint of envy. "In this life, I cannot leave the palace. But many times I think, since I cannot leave anyway, why must I confine myself to death in this palace? Why can't I strive to live the life I desire? Ayuyu, don't you think that's the case?"
Song Chaoyu nodded, understanding the Consort's thoughts. "Mother Consort, if this is your choice, then the Prince and I will support you. We also hope that Mother Consort will live happier and happier, and find the life she desires. As for what others think or say, it truly doesn't matter!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Li also held Song Chaoyu's hand. "Don't worry, I won't let you worry. In this palace, I will also live my own life!"