It was unclear if the drunken stupor of that day had actually served any purpose. Song Chaoyu only knew that after Prince Wen returned, their relationship with Princess Tiele seemed to have eased considerably.
For many days afterward, both Prince Wen and Princess Tiele were diligently preparing for their wedding. No one exhibited any unusual behavior.
Song Chaoyu sometimes sighed to Mu Changxi, lamenting that truly, no one in this world lived an easy life.
Before they knew it, the wedding day of Prince Wen and Princess Tiele had arrived.
—
Although Song Chaoyu was the Princess Consort of Prince Chang, she still had to help with the preparations. Furthermore, Princess Tiele had specifically requested that Song Chaoyu accompany her for the "wedding," treating her as family. The Emperor, showing consideration for Princess Tiele, had agreed to this request.
Therefore, the day before Princess Tiele and Prince Wen’s wedding, Song Chaoyu had to enter the palace in advance. Otherwise, she would not be able to be there when Princess Tiele began her preparations for makeup and dressing in the middle of the night.
Princess Tiele’s original intention was for Song Chaoyu to stay in her palace overnight.
However, the Noble Consort was also in the palace and insisted that Song Chaoyu stay in her own palace. Naturally, Princess Tiele could not refuse.
As it was the eve of Princess Tiele’s grand wedding, the Emperor was also in his own palace. Thus, the Noble Consort’s Deng Que Palace was quiet, with only the two of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, present.
The Noble Consort had always been fond of Song Chaoyu and naturally would not make things difficult for her.
During dinner, she pulled Song Chaoyu aside for a casual chat.
She mentioned that she felt Princess Tiele had become like a different person these past few days.
She had kept Song Chaoyu at Deng Que Palace today for Song Chaoyu’s own good. After all, one must guard against others, and she feared Princess Tiele might act against Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu actually understood Princess Tiele’s thoughts: “Everything she is doing now is for Qianshan. Her heart still cannot let go of Qianshan.”
The Noble Consort also nodded: “I understand her heart as well. The matter of love can indeed drive people to madness and recklessness. But her status is what it is, and besides, Qianshan does not feel the same way about her. Is it not also a way of living to let go of Qianshan and let go of oneself?”
Song Chaoyu deeply agreed. She believed that it was acceptable for two people to love each other, even if it was not permitted by the world. However, they should not harm others because of it, nor should they be too insistent.
Princess Tiele clearly could not achieve either of these points, which was why she appeared so tormented and was torturing herself and others at this moment.
—
Although she was told to rest, Song Chaoyu only slept for an hour.
Shortly after midnight, she went to Princess Tiele’s palace.
The vast palace was brightly lit. Princess Tiele also seemed not to have slept, appearing energetic as a嬷嬷 cleansed her face.
As Song Chaoyu entered, Princess Tiele, with her eyes closed and without lifting her gaze, recognized Song Chaoyu’s footsteps: “Has the Princess Consort of Prince Chang arrived?”
Song Chaoyu nodded: “Greetings, Your Highness the Princess.”
Princess Tiele curved her lips slightly: “There is no need for such formality between us. I am alone here, and now that you are accompanying me, my heart can finally feel at ease.”
Saying this, she opened her eyes, then waved away the maids beside her, leaving only two嬷嬷 and a personal attendant.
She looked at Song Chaoyu, her expression calm: “It is rare for us to have such an opportunity. Why don’t we have a good chat? Tomorrow, I will become Princess Wen, and I will call you sister-in-law.”
Song Chaoyu felt that Princess Tiele was acting strangely, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.
She remained vigilant but had no reason to refuse Princess Tiele: “It is my honor that the Princess trusts me and considers me family.”
“Heh—”
Princess Tiele smiled: “You are indeed my family. Here, the only person I am familiar with is my elder brother, Prince Chang. Do you know why I am marrying into your Great Yue Dynasty?”
Song Chaoyu raised an eyebrow: “Is it not because the two countries are on friendly terms?”
Tiele closed her eyes again: “Naturally. But I am not the only princess or county princess of the Southern Kingdom. I am coming because of my identity, but more importantly, because I have decided to come.”
She spoke to herself: “When Prince Chang was with us before, I always accompanied him. I knew he was unhappy, but I didn’t know why. Later, as I grew up, I gradually understood a little. So I thought, my coming here is like Prince Chang going to the Southern Kingdom back then. Only by understanding everything Prince Chang experienced can I truly understand what he is thinking, don’t you agree?”
Tiele must have truly thought this in her heart, which was why she accepted her current identity so calmly and serenely.
Song Chaoyu could only try to remind Tiele tactfully: “Everything will pass. You are about to become Princess Wen and have your own new life. Rest assured, the people of our Great Yue Dynasty are kind and gentle. They will surely not let you live like Prince Chang did back then. You will find your life here.”
“Is that so?”
But this time, Tiele’s tone carried a hint of mockery: “But how do you know what Prince Chang’s life was like in the Southern Kingdom back then? Although you are Princess Consort of Prince Chang, you were not the one who accompanied him through all of that.”
If it were someone else, they would probably feel that these words had struck a nerve.
But Song Chaoyu did not feel that way. Even if Mu Changxi had truly gone to the Southern Kingdom back then, she would not have felt this way.
However, she also knew that there was probably no point in saying anything more to Tiele now.
She simply looked at Tiele, listening as Tiele continued to speak to her: “Do you know Prince Chang? In fact, you only know the Prince Chang of today, don’t you? You don’t know his past, nor do you know what we all went through. So you won’t understand how I feel right now.”
The嬷嬷 had meticulously cleaned the fine hairs on her face with a thread.
She also opened her eyes: “In fact, today I just want you to witness how you all ruined my life, how you ruined Prince Wen’s life. If I had known the truth from the beginning, I would never have chosen to come to the Great Yue Dynasty, nor would I have chosen to marry Prince Wen. You created everything, and I want you to see firsthand what it looks like to ruin someone else’s life!”
Her eyes suddenly turned fierce, unlike a bride about to be married.
It was fortunate that there was no one else here, otherwise, if this were to reach the Emperor’s ears, the situation would not be like this.
Song Chaoyu shook her head: “I don’t think I have ruined anyone’s life. If, back then, when Prince Chang went to your Southern Kingdom, he hadn’t encountered so many people with ulterior motives, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out this way. Moreover, your own life should be decided by yourself. If you want something, go and strive for it. If you cannot achieve it, learn to find another path. Everyone lives for themselves; you are like that, and so is he.”