Madam Song's genuine ignorance made Song Chaoyu examine her more closely.
The current Madam Song was a shadow of her former self. She was aged and defeated, as if the bloom of life would never grace her again. Within the Song manor, she had become the one incapable of obtaining any news. Moreover, the matter concerning Concubine Liu had only transpired today, so Madam Song was naturally unaware.
Her surprise was evident in her eyes. "She went to great lengths to bring you into the Song manor. And now she wishes to leave? How is that possible? Did the Master tell her to go?"
"No."
To Song Chaoyu, Madam Song was now a figure both detestable and pitiable. Therefore, Song Chaoyu's tone remained exceptionally calm when facing her. "My concubine chose to leave on her own. While she did go to great lengths to enter the Song manor, she discovered that life there was not as easy as she had imagined. So, she regretted it and wished to leave the Song manor to reclaim her freedom."
"Ha!" Madam Song chuckled, finding it utterly unbelievable. "Do you know that for someone of your concubine's status, being accepted into the Song family, even as a mere concubine, was an honor? Moreover, with the vast Song family now under your concubine's control, she willingly wants to leave? Has she gone mad?"
"She has gone mad, but it is not my concubine." Song Chaoyu's gaze grew calmer and more resolute when faced with Madam Song. "Perhaps everyone in this grand manor has gone mad, which is why people find my concubine extraordinary! Madam Song, in all these years in the Song family, have you truly been happy?"
This question stunned Madam Song. It had been many, many years since anyone had asked her such a question. Was she happy? Perhaps for a time, she had been. Back then, she was the Madam of the Song manor, the matriarch, unrivaled in her glory! And now? Madam Song lowered her head, as if understanding Song Chaoyu's words. "Yes, in this large manor, what can truly bring happiness? When I married into the Song family, I knew I would face endless struggles."
She suddenly began counting on her fingers. "In the beginning, it was about bearing children for your father. I was quite content when Yang'er was born. But later, when Yang'er's health declined, I became greedy. I wanted another child, preferably a boy. With the birth of Jiao'er, although she was a girl, she gave me hope."
She let out a wry smile, her gaze drifting into the distance. "At that time, I followed my mother's advice. To be the true mistress of the Song manor, one must have the capacity to tolerate others. But what woman in this world can truly witness her husband entering another woman's chambers without feeling any sadness? That sorrow, in the lonely nights, nearly consumed me."
Madam Song lowered her head, spreading her hands, her eyes falling on her familiar hands. "Then... I began to fear. I feared the other concubines becoming pregnant, feared them giving birth to children better than Yang'er and Jiao'er, feared them swaying the Master's affections away from me. As long as they remained in this manor, I could neither eat nor sleep peacefully. But I couldn't be jealous; I even had to bring them into the manor one by one, presenting them to my own husband!"
Song Chaoyu suddenly realized that Madam Song might have once held some genuine affection for Song Yuan. However, in this grand manor, there were too many things more important than true affection.
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "My concubine was never your stumbling block. She was merely an actress, at most a concubine. Yet, because of one man, you became enemies for half a lifetime. Looking back now, was it worth it?"
These words alone were enough to make Madam Song's eyes well up. She suddenly looked up, and a tear fell. "What is worth it, and what is not? If I had known that Jiao'er and I would end up like this, I would certainly feel it was not worth it. But at that time... Jiao'er was the Princess of Ning! She clearly said that Prince Ning loved her so much! I clearly saw that our mother and daughter's good days were about to arrive!"
Song Chaoyu was puzzled. "But what would be considered good days for you? Is living a peaceful life not considered good? Must it be becoming the Princess of Ning, entering the royal city, and stepping on everyone you dislike to be considered good days?"
Each word was like a sharp knife, piercing Madam Song's heart. In just a moment, Madam Song was weeping profusely. "Isn't that how life is lived? My mother lived her life this way, and my grandmother lived her life this way. Which manor in this capital city is without its sordid and troublesome affairs?"
"Heh—" Madam Song gave a wry smile and then shook her head. "No, your manor is not like that. But if everyone in the world were like Prince Chang, perhaps the world would be turned upside down! Song Chaoyu, you are too fortunate! You met Prince Chang, but Jiao'er did not meet a good man. Perhaps this is retribution, retribution from heaven for all the wrong we have done!"
Even so, Madam Song remained bewildered. "You and your concubine have now reached the pinnacle. Why must she descend from that pinnacle?"
Song Chaoyu did not expect Madam Song to understand or comprehend, but she simply smiled. At this point, perhaps honesty was the last dignity and face they could offer each other. Song Chaoyu's tone remained as calm as ever. "Because the scenery on that pinnacle was not so beautiful. And to reach the pinnacle, my concubine had already lost too much. Her entire life, if not for me, she would never have wanted to return to the Song family. If not for me, why would she have endured such humiliation?"
Song Chaoyu perhaps now fully understood Concubine Liu. "In the beginning, she fought for herself. She could have been a stable, proper wife in another family; even as an actress, she was not without prospects. She chose your father instead, using half her life to gamble on him. But she lost, and so she was sent to the estate. Sent to a place where you couldn't even imagine how she would live!"
At this, Madam Song lowered her head. When Concubine Liu was sent to the estate years ago, it was she who instructed the estate staff not to treat Concubine Liu and Song Chaoyu too well. Yet now, Song Chaoyu seemed accustomed to the events of that estate, and it had even become an experience that spurred her growth. It was this that made the current Song Chaoyu exude an aura of confidence. "Later, after entering the Song manor, my concubine desperately gave birth to Xiao Qing'er. She did it for herself, but was it not also for the Song family, for your father? What did she gain? Your father's unquestioning words, that Xiao Qing'er could be kept, but Concubine's life would be forfeited. Madam Song, if you were in her place, how would you think?"