But before leaving...
Song Chaoyu had not forgotten that they still had other matters to deal with.
Speaking of which, those assassins who had come to assassinate her while she was pregnant had been locked up in the woodshed in the backyard for a month.
During this month, no one in the Chang Wang Mansion was allowed to pay attention to them.
They were only given one meal a day, and all other living needs had to be met in that small woodshed.
Moreover, to prevent them from committing suicide, nothing was placed in the woodshed, and their hands and feet were bound.
In fact, on the tenth day, one of the three who were captured and not dead could not hold on and cried out that they wanted to see Mu Changxi.
But Mu Changxi did not see that person and simply left them to fend for themselves.
It was not until this morning, when Song Chaoyu was dressing up, that she asked, "How are those three?"
In fact, Mu Changxi knew that Song Chaoyu would always ask.
He nodded slightly, "We'll see them after we return from the palace today. It's about time, and I think they'll be able to say something."
Knowing that he had his own plans, Song Chaoyu did not ask further.
The two of them, holding the little monkey dressed exceptionally warmly, got into the carriage to the palace.
The Emperor, considerate of Song Chaoyu having just emerged from confinement, allowed their carriage to go directly into the palace, all the way to the Long An Hall where the banquet was held today.
In fact, banquets were rarely held in the somewhat secluded Long An Hall on weekdays.
However, the Emperor doted on the little monkey. Long An Hall was located in the southeasternmost part of the palace, the warmest place. Therefore, the Emperor chose this place, which was considered exceptional affection for the young heir of the Chang Wang Mansion.
Song Chaoyu had always been diligent and arrived at Long An Hall in advance, adhering to the rules.
But at this moment, many people had already arrived in the hall.
Seeing Song Chaoyu enter the hall with the child, almost everyone around them crowded over.
In an instant, Song Chaoyu was surrounded by people.
In fact, Song Chaoyu did not particularly like this feeling of being surrounded.
However, she also noticed that, whether it was because the Emperor was still concerned about the royal family's reputation, the group of Southerners led by Minister Qiu were also in Long An Hall today.
They probably knew Song Chaoyu's thoughts, so they did not approach Song Chaoyu and the child.
Only Princess Ti Le, with whom she had not interacted much, suddenly walked towards Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu handed the child to the wet nurse, then smiled and nodded at Princess Ti Le, "Princess, you've been in the capital for almost two years now, haven't you? How are you finding it? Are you accustomed to living here?"
Princess Ti Le also smiled, looking Song Chaoyu up and down as if she were meeting Song Chaoyu for the first time, "I am well. But seeing that the Chang Wang Fei is also well, I am relieved. Having been in the capital for so long, I thought I could become good friends with the Chang Wang Fei. I didn't expect the Chang Wang Fei to be so busy every day, perhaps unwilling to be my friend?"
What was she talking about?
Song Chaoyu felt that Princess Ti Le's approach to her this time did not seem very polite.
But given the dignity of both countries, Song Chaoyu still smiled at Ti Le, "Your Highness, you jest. I believe Your Highness should also know about the affairs of the Chang Wang Mansion over the past two years. I did not deliberately distance myself from Your Highness, and I believe Your Highness also has your own life, right?"
Song Chaoyu did not understand why Princess Ti Le's demeanor had suddenly changed so much today.
Over the past two years, she had been quite well-behaved in the capital.
Princess Ti Le heard this and gave a wry smile, "In fact, you just want to tell me not to stir up trouble." wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Her gaze, passing over Song Chaoyu, instead looked at Mu Changxi, who was sitting in a wheelchair not far behind Song Chaoyu. "My Chang Wang Gege and I grew up together. In fact, I really didn't understand him before. I didn't understand why he always looked unhappy. It seemed like he was always cautious in everything."
She said in a low voice, "Although in our Southern Kingdom, many people were wary of his identity at that time, most people were very good to him. I think I was also very good to him. I always loved to play with him and always wanted him to smile more. Chang Wang Gege, he always looked best when he smiled, don't you agree?"
Song Chaoyu didn't know about others, but she agreed with Princess Ti Le's statement.
When Mu Changxi smiled, he was truly warm.
It always reminded her of Han Xi at the manor.
But at this moment, Song Chaoyu did not understand what Princess Ti Le meant by saying these things in front of her.
She nodded, not revealing her confusion on her face, and instead remained very polite to Princess Ti Le, "I suppose the past is always the most unforgettable. Chang Wang often tells me about the past, about your shared experiences. I am very envious of Your Highness and your deep friendship."
"Heh—"
However, Princess Ti Le finally let out a cold laugh.
This time, she moved even closer to Song Chaoyu, then grabbed Song Chaoyu's wrist, and the smile on her face was no longer so relaxed and bright.
Song Chaoyu did not dodge. She understood that Princess Ti Le definitely had something to say today.
Whether she heard these words early or late, wouldn't she still hear them?
As expected, Princess Ti Le's hand held Song Chaoyu's wrist, and her tone became icy, "You can deceive others, but you can't deceive me. In fact, I felt it when I first came to the capital two years ago. But I didn't want to say it then, but now it seems I have to, lest you be so self-righteous!"
Her eyes gradually grew cold, and the hand holding Song Chaoyu's trembled slightly for some reason. "I know, he is not the real Chang Wang! At least... he is not the Chang Wang who came to us that year."
Song Chaoyu's heart turned cold, but her expression could not change at all.
Facing such a Princess Ti Le, she forced herself to remain calm and then scoffed, "What is Your Highness talking about? Has Minister Qiu's arrival in the capital influenced Your Highness this time?"
Song Chaoyu extended her other hand and tightly grasped the hand Princess Ti Le was holding her with. "I implore Your Highness to speak with caution. Although I do not know what Your Highness has heard, if the Emperor were to know such words, he might be displeased."
"Don't pretend!"
But even though Song Chaoyu wanted to push away Princess Ti Le's hand, Princess Ti Le's grip tightened even more. She did not intend to let go of Song Chaoyu, and with red-rimmed eyes, she stared intently at Song Chaoyu, "Chang Wang Fei, you must believe me! I am different from others! From the first day he came to the Southern Kingdom, I knew that he was the one I would follow all my life. I know that the current Chang Wang is not him, but I am not speaking nonsense!"
Her emotions seemed to change quickly, "Chang Wang Fei, I only ask you to do me a favor, just help me this once, okay?"
Looking at Princess Ti Le like this, Song Chaoyu knew that she was probably also a pitiable person troubled by love.
If Qian Shan knew that Ti Le had always had him in her heart, would he be happy?
But these words, Song Chaoyu could only bury in her heart.
She frowned slightly at Ti Le, then shook her head, "Princess Ti Le, I truly do not know what you are talking about. The palace banquet is about to begin, please let go of me. If others see us pulling like this, they might think I am bullying Princess Ti Le!"
"Chang Wang Fei! Song Chaoyu!"
Unexpectedly, Princess Ti Le not only did not let go, but pulled Song Chaoyu's arm even tighter, "Listen to me! Only your Chang Wang Mansion can help me with this matter!"