“I am truly sorry, Tiao Hong.”
Qiu Qing’s eyes were filled with guilt and heartache for Tiao Hong. “If I weren’t so incapable, you wouldn’t be in this state where your body cannot recover. To have to make such a choice now, Tiao Hong, I’m sorry!”
Tiao Hong, usually boisterous, was genuinely good to everyone around her.
This was why Qiu Qing felt so, and why Song Chaoyu felt so much pity for Tiao Hong.
“How can this be your fault?”
Even facing such immense pain, Tiao Hong held Qiu Qing’s hand and shook her head. “It’s not your fault, nor is it the Princess Consort’s. If someone must be at fault, then it’s Princess Consort Wen’s fault, and the fault of those who want to harm me!”
“But…”
A great confusion also appeared in Tiao Hong’s eyes. “But I really don’t know what to do! Princess Consort, what should I do? Qiu Qing, what should I do?”
Naturally, no one could decide this for Tiao Hong.
Song Chaoyu gently stroked Tiao Hong’s hair. “Tiao Hong, it’s alright. This is not something to despair over, there are many solutions to this matter.”
With her reason returning, Song Chaoyu patiently and gently told Tiao Hong, “Firstly, your choices are not necessarily limited to just two paths. If you choose not to keep the child, you should not carry any burden or guilt. We trust Qiu Qing, and we trust ourselves. Take good care of yourself, and your body will recover. Perhaps there is hope in the future, perhaps things will change.”
Qiu Qing nodded and also promised Tiao Hong, “I swear, I will diligently study medicine.”
Song Chaoyu continued, “If you choose to keep the child, we don’t necessarily have to keep the child with us. You can give birth and then send the child to a manor to be raised. If you wish to acknowledge the child, let the child know your identity. Perhaps they won’t understand when they are young, but they will surely understand when they grow up. If you don’t want to acknowledge them, then let this secret remain for a lifetime.”
Song Chaoyu also promised Tiao Hong, “I will definitely find a good family for you, someone who will raise this child as their own, and I will never let them wander alone in this world.”
Song Chaoyu also believed that there would be people among the manor folk who liked children.
She had deeply experienced this when she and Han Xi lived on that manor.
There were even two orphaned children on the manor who grew up eating from many households and wearing clothes from many families.
Everyone treated them very well, and they even supported one of the children in their studies and examinations.
Song Chaoyu had told Tiao Hong this, and Tiao Hong naturally believed that if the child were born, suitable people could be found for them.
Of course, there was another possibility.
Song Chaoyu smiled gently. “Of course, if you want to keep the child, you are welcome to. Little Monkey could also have a companion, and they could grow up together, playing together. Our Prince’s Mansion would become even livelier, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes!”
Even Qiu Qing seemed to find future strength and hope in Song Chaoyu’s gentle words. “Yes! Everything will be alright. No matter what choice you make, we will support you and help you! Tiao Hong, don’t worry, no matter what you choose, I will take care of you and the child.”
Song Chaoyu also nodded. “It’s alright, Tiao Hong. These choices don’t have to be made right now.”
Qiu Qing also said, “Yes, you still have four or five months to consider. However…”
Qiu Qing still brought up something that had to be considered. “Whether to tell Wu He is also your decision to make. After all…”
“I know.”
Tiao Hong had already thought of this.
From the beginning, she hadn’t hated Wu He that much.
Moreover, Wu He was now serving Mu Changxi with great diligence, so Tiao Hong’s impression of him naturally improved.
“It’s alright, Tiao Hong, cheer up!”
Song Chaoyu took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the tears on Tiao Hong’s face. “Everything has a solution, and everything will pass. Since we are leaving the capital this time, you can rest well in your womb. Just remember, as Qiu Qing said, no matter what decision you make, or what kind of future you hope for, we will support you and always stand by your side. Do you understand?”
Song Chaoyu’s words were very gentle, but extremely powerful.
It finally allowed Tiao Hong to recover slightly from her immense pain.
She still held Song Chaoyu’s hand. “But… if I am not here to serve the Princess Consort, won’t everything be inconvenient for you?”
Qiu Qing was also worried about this. “Yes, I won’t be serving the Princess Consort either. This journey is long and arduous. Who do you plan to bring with you, Princess Consort?”
Song Chaoyu had called them to ask this very question. “What are your thoughts, the two of you? Or do you have anyone to recommend? The Prince’s intention is that I should have at least one person by my side, and two would be best. But whoever we bring must be someone trustworthy.”
Qiu Qing frowned and thought of someone. “I have someone, my junior sister. Her name is Dong Shuang, and she is my father’s adopted daughter. Her parents were killed by bandits when she was ten, and I saved her. She has always considered our family her benefactor, and although her medical skills are not as good as mine, they are also well-known and quite good. If the Princess Consort is willing, I will have her wait for you in Binzhou, and then travel with you and the Prince.”
Since it was someone Qiu Qing recommended, Song Chaoyu naturally trusted her.
Tiao Hong also said, “The little maid I have under me, named Tao Zi, do you remember her, Princess Consort?”
Song Chaoyu remembered that girl. Although she was young, she was very astute.
Tiao Hong said, “She always mentions how much she likes you, Princess Consort, saying you are like her sister. She is also a girl who has suffered before. After coming to our Chang Prince’s Mansion, she says every day that you treat them well. I believe she can serve you well by your side.”
This Tao Zi was formerly a maid in another fourth-rank official’s household. She had accidentally broken something at a banquet and was almost beaten to death by their mistress.
It was only after Song Chaoyu pleaded that she was able to bring her over.
Her injuries at that time required many days of recovery in the Chang Prince’s Mansion before her life was saved, so she was naturally grateful to the Chang Prince’s Mansion.
Song Chaoyu nodded. “Alright, then it’s decided. Tao Zi and Dong Shuang it is!”
She stood up and patted Qiu Qing’s shoulder. “Everything in the capital, I entrust it to your care.”
She then looked at Tiao Hong. “You must watch Little Monkey often. If it were anyone else, I would never be at ease. I am entrusting everything to the two of you!”