This was Song Chuyi’s second time entering the palace in this life. Compared to her first palace visit when she harbored deep resentment toward Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian’s Changning Palace, this time she was much calmer.
With her mind more at ease, she naturally had the leisure to appreciate the scenery of Fengzao Palace—compared to the Fengzao Palace where Prince Duan’s secondary consort had lived in her previous life, Consort Song had managed this place in a much simpler and more charming manner. At first glance it seemed unremarkable, but the further in one walked, the more dazzling it became. Every item was placed just right.
Young ladies from prestigious families were very particular about such things, but to arrange such a vast palace without displaying wealth while everywhere manifesting nobility was no easy task. From this perspective, Consort Song had indeed been taught well by Old Madam Song. At least in terms of taste, she was an extremely elegant person.
The twelve gilt-covered screens depicting ladies in the main hall stood wide open. Six palace maids ushered Old Madam Song’s party inside, whereupon Old Madam Song led the First Madam and Song Chuyi in a bow.
Consort Song quickly stopped them, personally descending from her seat to support Old Madam Song with one hand and the First Madam with the other. With tears in her eyes, she called out “Grandmother” and broke down sobbing.
Ever since the Empress’s people had come to take several people away from her palace last time, and Old Madam Song had admonished her, her heart had remained stuck in her throat—whenever she thought about how Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian had actually planted informants and so-called evidence in her palace, she felt a chill run down her spine.
If the Song family hadn’t notified them quickly, if the Empress hadn’t protected her, the one who died wouldn’t have been Princess Shijia, but rather herself, Song Chuchen, and everyone in the Song family.
At the same time, she had also keenly realized the mistakes she’d made in the past. Perhaps the Emperor’s attitude had given her the wrong impression—she had always thought that Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian was the Empress Dowager after all. But in reality, the Empress and Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian were already on the verge of an open break, and the Emperor’s remaining affection for Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian truly wasn’t enough to protect her as she rampaged about doing as she pleased.
How laughable that she had actually pushed out her own little sister just to have an easier time herself.
Thinking of these things, her face alternated between pale and flushed. It took her quite a while to collect herself. She stared at Song Chuyi and asked, “Is this Sixth Sister?”
She examined Song Chuyi carefully for several moments and couldn’t help but praise her—inheriting the best qualities of Song Yi and Cui Zhanmei, she was indeed extremely pleasing to the eye. Her eyes were bright and lively as if they could speak, making people like her at first sight.
“Indeed.” The First Madam wiped the tears from her face, looking at Consort Song with a tearful smile. “Come to think of it, you’ve never seen her before.”
Consort Song granted Old Madam Song and the First Madam seats, pursing her lips in a slight smile. “Speaking of which, among the sisters at home, I only remember Second Sister and Third Sister’s faces somewhat. I’ve been in the palace too long—in a few more years, I’m afraid I won’t even remember Second Sister and Third Sister anymore.”
In the past, when Song Chuxuan was still at Marquis Pingyang’s residence, they could perhaps meet once during festivals and holidays. But now that she had divorced and remarried, wanting to meet again was truly difficult. And Song Chuwan had married merely a seventh-rank Hanlin Academy compiler. Though his prospects were bright, who knew how many years it would take before she accumulated enough seniority to enter the palace for an audience or attend a palace banquet.
Bringing up these matters made the First Madam feel even more sorrowful. She covered her eyes with her handkerchief for quite a while before removing it, forcing a smile to comfort her daughter. “Don’t say such disheartening things. This time, your Second Sister may truly have found a blessing in disguise. If she lives well in the future, it will be her good fortune. Won’t it be better than her life at Marquis Pingyang’s residence?”
Consort Song looked at Old Madam Song with surprise, then at the First Madam, frowning slightly in confusion. “Are Grandmother and Mother planning to select a new family for Xuan’er? But it’s been barely a year since the divorce at most. Moreover, in a place like the capital, public opinion is always fearsome. In this palace’s opinion, it would be better to wait a few more years. Once the gossip has passed, then arrange this matter—it would also show that our family has done everything possible for her.”
The First Madam quickly shook her head. After all, Song Chuxuan was flesh that had fallen from her own body—whether she lived well or not was truly too important. This time, Yu Shi had taken the initiative to act as matchmaker for Song Chuxuan, and the family she mentioned was a prominent clan in Jiangyin, with impeccable family traditions and character. Such an opportunity was truly rare—if they missed this chance, they might never find another like it.
“No, no, no.” She quickly waved her hand and smiled at Consort Song. “It’s not in the capital. Come to think of it, we haven’t told Your Ladyship about this matter yet. Madam Cui personally made the connection. Although with her guarantee there’s naturally nothing to worry about, Old Madam has also been extremely careful this time, specially instructing Madam Cui to have the family come to the capital in person for us to see, while we also send people to Jiangyin to investigate.”
If that was the case, it truly was a good thing. After all, she was her own younger sister—Consort Song naturally only hoped for her wellbeing, not her misfortune. Hearing this, she nodded, then asked about Li Qingzi. “I received word long ago that she was about to give birth. How is it that more than ten days have passed and there’s still no movement?”
At the time, she had even prepared the rewards, but in the end it was just a false alarm, which startled her and made her think some accident had occurred.
This time the First Madam sighed deeply, extremely worried. “The commotion was so great at the time, but after the midwife was called and the birthing room prepared, even the water was heated, she stopped showing signs. Tell me, isn’t it maddening? Three or four imperial physicians have come to examine her. They all say it will be within these next few days at the latest. This kind of thing can’t be rushed—we can only wait.”
Consort Song saw Old Madam Song looking over. After thinking for a moment, she quickly smiled. “Isn’t my brother returning soon? The child must be spiritually aware and insists on waiting for his father to return before coming out.”
The First Madam burst out laughing at this, feeling much more relaxed. “If it’s as Your Ladyship says, that would naturally be wonderful.”
Shortly after, tea was served. Consort Song specifically asked Song Chuyi, “Is this tea to your liking? Our residence is accustomed to drinking Longjing, but here I prefer using scented tea.”
Song Chuyi felt somewhat puzzled—looking at Consort Song like this, how could she possibly be the kind of unwise person who would impulsively push her sister out to take the fall? She was clearly meticulous and tactful on all sides, thoughtful in every respect. Every sentence she’d just spoken was clearly meant for Old Madam Song to hear, trying to please Old Madam Song, while also displaying the demeanor of an elder sister and the human warmth of the Song family’s eldest daughter in front of herself, using it to draw closer or eliminate barriers.
Would such a person truly act without thinking and fear Grand Empress Dowager Rongxian to such an extent, sacrificing family interests just to make things a bit easier for herself?
As she was pondering this, she saw Consort Song suddenly furrow her brow and, pressing her hand to her chest, hand her tea to Zhuying beside her.