The old woman's eyes held a momentary daze.
With a hint of imperceptible despair, this elder who had dedicated her life to the Song family felt as though her heart were bleeding: "But if I speak of it, my precious child will be ruined! What will become of the Song family in the future?"
"Alas!"
Song Chaoyu sighed softly, "Actually, Grandmother, you know that Second Sister made mistakes, and made many mistakes a long time ago."
"Yes, I know."
The old woman gave a bitter smile, and for the first time in front of Song Chaoyu, she displayed such a bewildered and helpless side: "I also know that you harbor some hatred for her. Before you were even married, she did many things she shouldn't have. I know all of this, but you endured it then, and no one remembered it later."
"I remember."
Song Chaoyu rarely revealed the grievances she suffered in the Song family so directly.
But how could the old woman not understand?
She nodded, then stared at Song Chaoyu and sighed, "Yu Yatou, Grandmother knows you have been wronged. And I know that neither from your perspective nor from the Prince of Chang's estate's perspective do you wish to save Second Girl. But Grandmother still wants to ask, please help the Song family, won't you? Your father has been muddled for many years, it is his fault. But the Song family is not just your father, not just Second Girl!"
In fact, Old Madam Song's words made Song Chaoyu's heart feel somewhat chilled.
They clearly knew everything, yet did nothing. They watched as she and her concubine suffered grievances in the Song family.
Song Chaoyu could only shake her head helplessly at the old woman, "Grandmother, if it were any other matter, I could agree to your request. But this matter, I cannot agree to it. This matter is too significant; I cannot risk protecting her secret and implicating our Prince of Chang's estate. I hope Grandmother will forgive me. The reason I told Grandmother the truth today is not for her to protect her, Grandmother should know."
Song Chaoyu scoffed, "In fact, there is another way the Song family could use. But clearly, Grandmother is unwilling to use that method, and I fear Father is also unwilling. Therefore... I will not mention that method today. I only hope that Grandmother will take care of herself in the future, and I hope the Song family can remain peaceful."
Having said all she intended, Song Chaoyu stood up, "Grandmother, it is getting late. You are old and likely cannot bear fatigue. Please return to rest early. Granddaughter will not see you off."
"Yu Yatou..."
Looking at Song Chaoyu's cold expression, the old woman finally had to admit that they had all been wrong about many things.
But it was too late to say all that now.
Old Madam Song turned and wiped away a tear that was about to spill, "Then... I will go back. You must take good care of yourself and don't worry Grandmother. This matter... Grandmother cannot stop you. I will go back and discuss it thoroughly with your father, and you can rest assured, we will figure it out."
Song Chaoyu understood that this was a compromise the old woman had to make.
And after today, it was likely that Song Yanjiao would have even less of a place in the Song family.
When Song Chaoyu returned to her chambers with a somewhat weary body, Mu Changxi had already had hot water brought.
He dismissed everyone and personally carried the basin of hot water to Song Chaoyu's feet.
Song Chaoyu struggled a little, but Mu Changxi reached out and patted the top of her foot, "Ayu, be good. I know you must be tired today, so rest peacefully tonight, alright? Leave the matters outside to me from now on. You don't need to worry about your Song family's affairs anymore."
Hearing this, Song Chaoyu finally let out a long sigh and allowed Mu Changxi to place her feet into the soothing hot water, "What do you think my grandmother will choose?"
Mu Changxi gently washed Song Chaoyu's feet and smiled, "Actually, she and the Song family have no other path to take, do they?"
As long as Mu Changxi was by her side, Song Chaoyu felt as though all her weariness and fatigue vanished.
---
The next morning, when Song Chaoyu woke up, she was still the spirited Song Chaoyu.
As Mu Changxi had finally "awakened," they were to go to the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress, and to see the Consort whom they had not seen in a long time.
The Emperor had arranged a sumptuous breakfast in the palace early in the morning, and when they entered, the table was laden with dishes.
Although Mu Changxi still entered the palace in his wheelchair, seeing him truly awake brought tears to the Emperor's eyes: "Good, very good! Chang'er, you are finally awake! Quickly sit down, let your father see, do you feel any discomfort after waking up?"
Mu Changxi shook his head and smiled knowingly at the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, your son is well and feels no discomfort. The Princess Consort has taken excellent care of me. That day, I heard the cries of children in the manor and thought my child had been born, so I struggled to wake up. After I woke up, I realized the beauty of this world. Now, there are cries of children in the manor every day, and I feel that life has become much more hopeful."
"Hmm, excellent!"
The Emperor nodded, his eyes filled with relief.
But soon, the Emperor realized something was amiss with Mu Changxi's words: "Hmm? What did you just say? You said there are cries of children in the manor every day? That's not right!"
The Emperor pointed at Song Chaoyu, whose belly was still swollen, "Prince of Chang's Consort's child has not yet been born, and the Princess of Ning and her child have already been sent back to the Princess of Ning's manor. How can there be cries of children in your Prince of Chang's manor every day?"
"Your Majesty!"
However, as soon as the Emperor finished speaking, a young eunuch hurried in from outside: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites, Song Yuan, has arrived with his family's Old Madam Song and Second Daughter Song Yanjiao, saying they wish to beg for punishment from Your Majesty!"
"Oh?"
The Emperor glanced at Song Chaoyu in surprise, "Is that your maternal family?"
Song Chaoyu nodded, "Indeed, Grandmother has brought Second Sister."
The Emperor also realized that this matter likely had ulterior motives: "Let them in! The Princess of Ning has just given birth, and after the Prince of Ning sent her back to her maiden home, she likely has something to say to me!"
It seemed the Emperor did not approve of the Prince of Ning's actions.
After the young eunuch left, it wasn't long before Song Chaoyu saw her family members.
As it was a day to enter the palace, the Song family members were all dressed formally.
However, only Old Madam Song, Song Yuan, and Song Yanjiao had come; the First Madam was not seen. It was unclear whether Song Yuan had forbidden her from coming or if she herself was unwilling to come.
Seeing their group enter the hall, the Emperor frowned.
He looked at Song Yanjiao and said, "Princess of Ning, you have just given birth and your family has also suffered greatly. Why are you not recuperating at your maiden home? This is only the second day after your childbirth, why have you come to the palace?"
Song Yanjiao immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word.
Then Song Yuan also knelt on the ground and performed a deep bow to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty as a father, allowing my daughter to commit an unforgivable mistake. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
His sudden admission of fault left the Emperor bewildered: "What is going on? Explain yourselves clearly!"