She vaguely suspected that the cause of Zhou Weizhao’s death in her previous life wasn’t as simple as Fan Liangdi colluding with Prince Duan, but she also felt this thought of hers was perhaps too sensational. After hesitating for a long while, she ultimately didn’t mention it to the Crown Princess—no matter what, Zhou Weizhao was still the Crown Prince’s biological son, and moreover his only legitimate son. Unless he had gone mad, he probably wouldn’t develop such thoughts, would he?
Harboring such thoughts, the small hope for the future that had just arisen couldn’t help but transform entirely into heavy worry. Although most in this world were parents who loved their children, and the saying went that even a vicious tiger wouldn’t eat its cubs, there were still conscienceless people—hadn’t Shen Qingrang in her previous life been able to move against Ran’er? Ran’er had also been his biological son, and moreover his only son at that time, but for the sake of pleasing Song Chuning, he could still be ruthless enough.
The Crown Princess pulled Song Chuyi to keep her for dinner. Song Chuyi smiled and declined: “Today is cousin Mingzi’s happy occasion. I must hurry back home for the evening banquet. I’ll accept Your Ladyship’s meal another time.”
Today was the grand occasion before Xiang Mingzi’s marriage when she invited her close maiden friends to add to her trousseau. Song Chuyi had already added to her trousseau with her family sisters early in the morning, then chatted with Song Jue for half an hour before leaving. Returning now, she could still make it for the evening banquet. For such a major occasion, Changning Earl Manor customarily held an evening banquet for celebration.
Only then did the Crown Princess remember this matter, exclaiming softly: “That’s right! I almost forgot your family’s young lady is getting married. Last time when Eleventh came to the palace, she mentioned this to me. I heard she’s marrying the second son of the Li family?”
Song Chuyi smiled in confirmation: “Of the six rites, only the wedding ceremony remains. The date has already been set for the day after the Double Ninth Festival. Therefore, my grandmother and eldest aunt are busy preparing cousin Mingzi’s dowry and the accompanying residence—although the Li family has a residence in the capital, Grandmother fears cousin and her husband won’t be comfortable living with his elder brother and sister-in-law, so she specially consulted with Madam Li and plans to have them first live in cousin’s dowry residence, so brother-in-law can also wholeheartedly prepare for next year’s imperial examination.”
After talking a bit more, the sky outside gradually began to darken. The Crown Princess had Nanny Liang find the prepared gifts and hand them to Song Chuyi: “Since it’s the grand occasion of adding to the trousseau, this is also my token of regard. Take it back with you, and convey some auspicious words for me.”
Song Chuyi hastily thanked her on behalf of Xiang Mingzi. Just as she raised her head, she heard voices outside calling out repeatedly for His Highness the Imperial Grand Heir. She couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows—the Crown Princess had just said Zhou Weizhao was so busy his feet didn’t touch the ground, and they hadn’t seen him for several days…
The Crown Princess smiled at Song Chuyi with a trace of mischievous humor, first exempting her son from the formalities, then said: “You’ve returned at just the right time. Sixth Miss Song is about to leave. You can see her off for me.”
Zhou Weizhao nodded as a matter of course and personally accompanied Song Chuyi out. Nanny Liang couldn’t help but smile as she changed fresh tea for the Crown Princess: “Our Highness clearly truly cares for Sixth Miss Song. When have we ever seen His Highness return this early? I’m afraid he remembered that Sixth Miss Song was entering the palace today and deliberately timed his return.”
The Crown Princess took a sip of tea, her eyes also filling with smiles. She wasn’t the type of mother-in-law who couldn’t bear to see her son and daughter-in-law close. If the young couple had such good feelings even before marriage, naturally they would be even more harmonious afterward. This was a good thing.
Zhou Weizhao first took Song Chuyi to Chongyin Workshop. Seeing she seemed about to get angry, he quickly smiled and assured her: “I’ll definitely send you back before your family’s banquet begins. It won’t delay your affairs, don’t worry.”
Qing Zhuo quietly whispered to Qing Ying: “His Highness specially made time to rush back today. There’s still a huge pile of matters outside, but he came specifically to see how Sixth Miss and Her Ladyship the Crown Princess were getting along.”
Zhou Weizhao glanced back at him, and he became obedient, but still couldn’t help sighing to Qing Ying: “Delaying for this while, who knows how late we’ll have to stay up tonight. So busy everyone’s dizzy…”
Zhou Weizhao’s gaze lingered on Song Chuyi’s wrist for a moment, his smile revealing two dimples at the corners of his lips: “I was originally worried that you and Mother would need to adjust to each other for a while before getting along, but now it seems you’re clearly quite likeable and don’t need my worry at all.”
Song Chuyi lowered her head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed under his gaze, even her ears reddening. After a moment, she forced herself to maintain her composure and asked him: “What makes you say so? How does Your Highness know I’m liked by Her Ladyship?”
“If she didn’t like you, how would her ji li ceremony gift end up on your hand?” Zhou Weizhao glanced at her, his smile deepening: “Mother treasures it greatly. All these years she couldn’t bear to wear it herself, but now she’s given it to you. If that’s not liking you, what is it?”
Song Chuyi had previously heard Old Madam Song mention that Crown Princess Lu’s ji li ceremony before marriage was extremely extravagant. Her Majesty the Empress personally bestowed a pair of exquisitely carved jade bracelets that took an old craftsman three or four years to complete. She hadn’t expected the Crown Princess to give these bracelets to her. She was somewhat overwhelmed with favor and had just lowered her head to look when Zhou Weizhao’s voice stopped her.
“Wear them. Since Mother gave them to you, they’re yours.” He reached across the table to grasp Song Chuyi’s hand: “Keeping this item with her would only make her sad when she looks at it. Giving it to you is a new beginning.”
Song Chuyi vaguely understood Zhou Weizhao’s meaning. Crown Princess Lu’s ji li ceremony was extremely glorious and grand, but it was as if her life ended at that moment—afterward, she was betrothed to the Crown Prince by Empress Lu and forced to separate from Prince Gong, her childhood sweetheart.
She sighed almost inaudibly and unconsciously touched her own wrist, immediately nodding. Suddenly remembering the Crown Princess’s words, she asked Zhou Weizhao: “Do you know what reason Her Ladyship used to persuade Her Majesty the Empress?”
Before Zhou Weizhao could answer, Han Feng knocked and entered, somewhat out of breath as he reported to Zhou Weizhao: “Your Highness, the messengers from the vassal princes have arrived in the capital. Minister Wang has already arranged for them to lodge at the courier station.”
These messengers had come to deliver Mid-Autumn Festival gifts and to prepare in advance the princes’ residences in the capital for when the vassal princes entered the capital. The Ministry of Rites was responsible for receiving them. Zhou Weizhao acknowledged this, then turned to look at Song Chuyi: “I must first go to the Ministry of Rites office to meet with Minister Wang. My mother has told me all those matters. I’ll explain everything in detail when I return.”
Since he was currently in charge of arrangements for the vassal princes entering the capital, and the messengers had arrived in the capital, he naturally couldn’t get away. Song Chuyi nodded and stood up, then heard Zhou Weizhao instruct Han Feng and Qing Zhuo: “You two carefully escort Sixth Miss back first.”