Song Chaoyu lowered her head, intending to pay her respects, but the Emperor stopped her. "Enough, enough! You are with child now, and there will be no need for so many formalities when you enter the palace in the future!"
He rubbed his hands, his joy overflowing. "I truly never expected Chang'er to have an heir! Now that he is unconscious and you are with child, I am both happy and worried!"
The Consort helped Song Chaoyu to a seat and then called for an imperial physician before naturally picking up the Emperor's conversation. "Does Your Majesty recall that Chang'er had a wet nurse, surnamed Han?"
The Emperor thought for a moment and nodded. "It seems there was such a person!"
The Consort seized the opportunity. "This consort believes she is capable and trustworthy. I wish to invite her back to assist the Prince of Chang's consort."
"Good."
The Emperor harbored no suspicion. "Given the current situation at Prince of Chang's manor, you two may discuss it. However, there is one condition: I want Chang'er's child to be born safely, without any mishap!"
Excellent!
Now they could openly seek out Granny Han.
After the imperial physician arrived, he took Song Chaoyu's pulse.
He then informed the Emperor and the Consort that Song Chaoyu was in good health and the child was also fine. As long as she rested and took care of her pregnancy, the child would be born safely.
The Emperor impatiently asked the imperial physician, "Can you tell if the Prince of Chang's consort is carrying a boy or a girl?"
The imperial physician paused, then gave a wry smile. "This minister is incompetent! The child is still too young, and it is likely impossible to tell yet."
The Consort also stepped forward and stroked the Emperor's arm. "Your Majesty, whether the child is a boy or a girl, it is Chang'er's child, Your Majesty's grandchild, and this consort's grandchild! Let us not just sit and talk; let us dine!"
"Right, right, right!"
The Emperor's warmth towards Song Chaoyu was as if he had transformed. "Princess of Chang, you must be hungry too. Please, eat quickly. You need not worry about anything else now; just focus on taking care of yourself and the child. The Consort has told me that from now on, all matters of Prince of Chang's manor will be decided by you."
As he spoke, he suddenly frowned and asked Song Chaoyu, "I heard that you fainted today because you were angered by the Princess of Ning at your maternal grandmother's birthday celebration? She has become increasingly temperamental in the palace lately, causing the Prince of Ning to dislike returning home to see her daily. Why is she still so arrogant and unreasonable when she returns to her maiden home?"
The Emperor muttered, "If it weren't for the fact that Lord Song has two other good daughters, I would almost believe he was inept at raising his children."
He was naturally referring to Song Yanrou and Song Chaoyu.
Unexpectedly, in the capital now, even Song Yanrou's reputation was considerably better than Song Yanjiao's!
Yet, even so, Song Chaoyu knew what she should say at this moment. "Your Imperial Father, Your Imperial Mother, the Song family's upbringing has always been strict. It's just that my second sister... perhaps she has been feeling agitated lately, which is why she has done many things that are against the rules. After all, she is also carrying Prince Ning's child. Prince Ning should not be making his sister wait alone in the empty chambers every day!"
Her words, seemingly pleading for Song Yanjiao, only made the Emperor feel more stifled. "Hmph... this Prince of Ning is also reckless! His manor has always been in disarray, a chaotic mess of concubines and side consorts. And the Princess is no easy person to deal with; she is constantly in court, and I don't know what he is so busy with!"
It seemed the Emperor was not as satisfied with Prince Ning as he appeared.
Song Chaoyu shook her head and instead smiled. "Now that court affairs are busy, Prince Ning naturally has no time to manage his household. Things will improve in the future, Your Imperial Father and Your Imperial Mother need not worry. Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes; that is the way of it."
Unexpectedly, Song Chaoyu's cheerful and optimistic disposition made the Emperor feel much more relaxed.
He sighed. "If only everyone could be like you and Prince Chang! I only hope that Chang'er can wake up soon, and your child can be born safely."
Who wasn't hoping for that?
Song Chaoyu nodded and obediently accompanied the Emperor and the Consort to finish the meal.
Logically speaking, even as the Prince of Chang's consort, Song Chaoyu should not have stayed overnight in the palace.
However, this time the Emperor made an exception, saying it was too late to return and he feared she might fall on the road. He also thought the Consort wished to keep Song Chaoyu, so he allowed Song Chaoyu to stay in the Dengque Palace.
After the Emperor left, the Consort gave all the good things the Emperor had just bestowed to Song Chaoyu.
Then she sighed. "You have always been sensible in your actions, child. Did you already know about your pregnancy? I was startled when I heard you fainted today!"
Now that only the two of them were in the palace and the palace maids had withdrawn, Song Chaoyu dared to speak with ease. "It's nothing, Imperial Mother. The child has always been well. It is beneficial for us that the Prince of Ning's manor has suffered a setback now."
The Consort nodded. "Tell Chang'er when you return that if he gets tired lying down during the day, he can move around a little at night when no one is around. Take this opportunity to thoroughly cleanse the manor's staff when you return. Seeing Prince Ning's restless movements, the capital may not be peaceful in the future. You must also prepare yourselves; when do you plan for Chang'er to wake up?"
Song Chaoyu frowned slightly. "In another month. We still have many things to do within this month!"
The Consort sighed and personally tucked Song Chaoyu in. "If it weren't for you, no one else would be able to support Chang'er and me like this. Remember this clearly, no matter what happens, you and the child are the most important, understand?"
Song Chaoyu nodded and drifted off to sleep amidst the Consort's admonitions.
---
Actually, Song Chaoyu never slept well in unfamiliar places, but since she was pregnant, she always felt tired, and she slept quite well that night.
As soon as dawn broke, she woke up, feeling refreshed.
Since she was up early, she naturally had to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
The Empress Dowager did not favor Song Chaoyu, but out of consideration for the child in her womb, she treated her with considerable kindness.
Especially during their casual conversation, when they spoke of the Prince of Ning's manor again, the Empress Dowager's eyes quickly turned cold. "Before the Princess of Ning was pregnant, I thought she was quite good. But look at her now; since she became pregnant, has she not slept until the sun is high in the sky every day? She doesn't come to the palace to pay her respects, and her manners are gone. She goes around outside boasting that she is carrying a royal heir. It's no wonder she can't keep the Prince of Ning's attention; she is truly frivolous!"
Her speaking of this in front of Song Chaoyu was also a way of testing her.
Song Chaoyu could only explain, "Perhaps my second sister feels unwell. I beg the Empress Dowager's forgiveness. My second sister has always been pampered at the Song manor, unlike this consort, who grew up on a farm and is naturally healthier."
Even to this day, Song Chaoyu did not shy away from her background; instead, it made her appear dignified and generous.
The Empress Dowager nodded at her with satisfaction, her favor towards her growing even more.