As the words were spoken, Aunt Liu's body began to tremble slightly.
Song Chaoyu stepped forward and gently held Aunt Liu's hand. "Mother, I know you've had a difficult time in the Song family these past two years. I often think of our days at the estate. Those days were truly good, but they are gone forever. It's my fault for not paying enough attention to your feelings; that's why you've felt so lonely, with no one to talk to."
"No, it's not like that."
Aunt Liu knew Song Chaoyu's temperament. She shook her head, unwilling to let Song Chaoyu think that way. "As a mother, I only wish for my children to live peacefully and well. That brings me happiness. Ayu, I know you and Prince Chang are good children. You have your own lives to live. As long as you are doing well, that is the greatest benefit to your mother, and you don't need to worry about me constantly."
Song Chaoyu had already guessed what Aunt Liu wanted to say and do. "Mother, you want to leave Father, don't you?"
Aunt Liu was stunned, then raised her head in surprise and gave Song Chaoyu a wry smile. "How did you know?"
Song Chaoyu smiled faintly. "I've long sensed your disappointment in Father. Truly, whether as a husband or a father, he hasn't been good. If it were me, I would have left this man long ago."
Aunt Liu was surprised by Song Chaoyu's perceptiveness and delighted by her understanding. "Ayu, you don't object to Mother's idea? I spoke to the Old Madam about it, but she reprimanded me. I haven't dared to tell anyone else. If it weren't for spending time with you these days and seeing how deeply you and Prince Chang care for each other, I wouldn't have realized what kind of life I was living, and I probably wouldn't have had this thought."
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "Grandmother reprimanded you because she is the grandmother, the Old Madam of the Song family. She cannot support you from a woman's perspective. Grandmother's life's work is to ensure the Song family passes through each year, month, and day peacefully."
"Yes, I understand. The Old Madam is not wrong."
Aunt Liu was happy that her daughter was so calm and composed. "I have never blamed the Old Madam. She has helped us mother and daughter a great deal and protected Xiao Qing'er as well."
This time, she reached up and wiped away her tears fiercely. "Ayu, this time, I just want to tell you, I also want to live for myself, just like you and Prince Chang!"
Song Chaoyu nodded, guessing Aunt Liu's thoughts. "Mother, you want to leave Father and the Song manor?"
Aunt Liu's eyes showed a hint of shock. "You guessed?"
Song Chaoyu nodded and smiled. "Have you thought it through? What do you plan to do?"
Aunt Liu became even more surprised. "You... you don't object?"
Song Chaoyu, in turn, looked surprised. "Why should I object?"
Looking at Aunt Liu's expression, Song Chaoyu sighed softly. "Mother, I understand very clearly. Life isn't lived for others. There are so many years ahead; one must be happy in their heart for life to have hope, wouldn't you agree?"
Aunt Liu tilted her head and looked into Song Chaoyu's eyes, a hint of doubt arising. "Ayu, sometimes I feel as if you've suddenly experienced a great deal. Ever since we returned to the Song family, you've become different. Do you truly support my decision?"
"Truly!"
Song Chaoyu looked at Aunt Liu with an unprecedented sincerity in her eyes. "Mother, I support your decision. In this world, if a woman wrongs a man, she is damned for eternity. But if a man wrongs a woman, and she must bear the pain of a lifetime, spending it in a dark, sunless courtyard, isn't that too pitiful? However, you must think carefully. Once this matter begins, there will likely be no turning back."
"Mm."
Aunt Liu naturally understood. "I've thought it through. These days spent with you have made me think even more clearly. I want to leave him, leave your father, and leave the Song family!"
"Good."
Song Chaoyu, on the contrary, was relieved and happy for Aunt Liu's decision. "Then Mother, have you considered how you will explain this to Grandmother? As for Xiao Qing'er, even if Father permits you to leave the Song family, he certainly won't let you take Xiao Qing'er away!"
Aunt Liu had naturally considered these issues long ago and sighed now. "I have already thought about these matters. You no longer need my worry. From now on, Xiao Qing'er will need you, his elder sister, to look after him more. I will not take him from the Song family."
Aunt Liu gave a wry smile. "Now that you are also a mother, do you think I, your mother, am too heartless?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head; she could understand Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu continued on her own. "How could I bear to part with Xiao Qing'er? He is still so young, only recently born! But with my status, keeping him by my side would only ruin him. If he stays in the Song family, when he grows up, he will have more possibilities and choices. He can have a better life and future, which I cannot give him. Therefore, I will leave him in the Song family so that he can be a son of the Song family with his head held high."
A parent's love for their child is deep and far-reaching.
Song Chaoyu understood this principle.
But she also felt that precisely because they love their children, parents should strive to be better themselves.
Otherwise, in front of their children, if they cannot even be good to themselves, what kind of role models can they be for their children to emulate as they grow up?
Since Aunt Liu had made up her mind, Song Chaoyu had also made up hers. "If Mother doesn't know how to speak to Grandmother, then let me do it. I may not be able to convince Grandmother, but I am willing to try my best. If we can get Grandmother's support for this matter, then Mother will have a greater hope of obtaining the freedom she desires."
Song Chaoyu's gaze became even more serious. "Furthermore, I want to ask Grandmother to help so that Mother can see Xiao Qing'er whenever she wishes in the future. Although Mother has left the Song manor, she is still Xiao Qing'er's mother. What do you think?"
Aunt Liu had initially thought her tears had run dry.
But at this moment, her eyes welled up again. "Good, it couldn't be better! Ayu, you are a good child, my best child!"
Song Chaoyu smiled, already looking forward to the future for Aunt Liu. "In the future, I'll buy Mother a small courtyard in the capital. It doesn't need to be too far, just closer to me, and closer to Xiao Qing'er, alright?"
She did not invite Aunt Liu to live in Prince Chang's manor.