Princess Consort Lu naturally preferred to return to their fief. No matter how good the capital was, one had to live cautiously there, constantly entering the palace to pay respects and socializing with everyone. How could that compare to the freedom in their fief, where she never had to accommodate others—it was always others who had to accommodate her?
Yet she still felt reluctant: “But she’s still so young.”
Prince Lu was also reluctant, but since the matter had already been decided, no amount of reluctance on their part would help. It would be better to appear happy on the surface, so Emperor Jianzhang would favor them more, and Empress Lu would favor them more too. Then in the future, Zhou Weizhao and the others wouldn’t mistreat their daughter.
Because the princess was to remain in the capital, Princess Consort Lu wished to maintain good relations with everyone connected to Song Chuyi. When Xiang Mingzi completed her postpartum confinement month, she specially sent a white jade Guanyin statue and many children’s clothes. Even when Song Chuyi’s concubine-born younger sister got engaged, she made a special trip to the Song residence to attend the banquet.
Song Chuyi understood what she was worried about. At this point, she didn’t wish to make things difficult for anyone. Since she would become Empress in the future, she should demonstrate that bearing. She smiled and kept the young princess for a meal, and even specially praised how excellent the young princess’s manners and etiquette were.
Princess Consort Lu knew this was Song Chuyi making her position clear, and her heart settled considerably. When she returned home, she told her husband: “In the past, rumors in the capital always said the Crown Prince’s Consort was formidable, but I never knew in what way. Now that I’ve seen for myself, I finally understand. She’s simply thoughtful in every aspect, meticulous in every way. You say one sentence, and she already knows what you’ll say next. You do one thing, and she’s already discerned your purpose from subtle signs. That the Song family could raise such a person is truly remarkable.”
Prince Lu put his arm around her shoulder and laughed: “Don’t worry about how the Song family educates their daughters. Right now you’d better worry about our own children first. They’re all staying in the capital alike, so they’ll have to look after each other in the future. Weiyin is heavy-minded—you should have a good talk with him.”
Princess Consort Lu was very capable at handling matters. Hearing this, she nodded.
When Princess Consort Su came over to pour out her grievances, she could even help console her, saying: “Not only are our daughters in the capital, but Consort Liang is also in the capital. Besides, that the court is willing to let us return is already a tremendous favor.”
Princess Consort Su was persuaded until her eyes reddened. She had to leave both her biological son and daughter in the capital—how could she not be reluctant? But hearing Princess Consort Lu put it this way, she knew her advice was extremely sound. The court had just experienced Prince Gong’s rebellion, so allowing them to return to their fiefs was already a pleasant surprise. To demand more would be insatiable greed. Only then did she wipe away her tears and painstakingly prepare things for her children.
The Crown Princess told Song Chuyi about these matters. As she spoke, she instructed Qing Ying to place another cushion behind Song Chuyi’s lower back. Seeing Song Chuyi looking thoughtful, she smiled again: “Although these two sisters-in-law haven’t interacted much, they truly aren’t troublesome people. I’m just telling you these things so you know what’s going on.”
Song Chuyi nodded with a smile and drank the soup the Crown Princess personally handed her, then heard that Old Madam Song had arrived from outside.
Old Madam Song insisted on making this trip no matter who tried to dissuade her. The First Madam couldn’t sway her, so she had no choice but to submit a palace entry request. After receiving the palace’s summons, she accompanied the old madam into the palace together.
They first went to Qingning Hall and Fengzao Palace to pay respects, then came to the Eastern Palace. After walking just a few steps and seeing Song Chuyi, the old madam smiled first, tremblingly reaching out her hands toward Song Chuyi.
After all, she was getting on in years. No matter how well she maintained herself, many spots and marks had appeared on her hands. Song Chuyi grasped Old Madam Song’s dry, thin hands and didn’t know why, but suddenly felt like crying. Even her throat seemed stuffed with cotton as she called out “Grandmother” in a voice thick with tears.
Old Madam Song may have shown favoritism in the matter of Cui Shi, but she had always treated her and Song Yan extremely well. All these years of kindness were enough to offset the knot in Song Chuyi’s heart from back then. She pouted at Old Madam Song like she did as a child, wanting to say something more, but suddenly tears poured forth like a spring and she couldn’t speak a single word.
Consort Song had already told her before that Old Madam Song’s health had deteriorated recently. She was always drowsy throughout the day, couldn’t eat much, and complained of chest tightness after drinking even a few more sips of soup.
Yet even in this condition, Old Madam Song still insisted on coming to see her.
She leaned against Old Madam Song just like when she was young, smelling the pleasant sandalwood fragrance on Old Madam Song’s body, speaking to her in a low voice: “Grandmother, please don’t exhaust yourself traveling around for my sake.”
Before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Song grasped her hand and squeezed it, pushing her away slightly to look at her face with a smile: “If I didn’t make this trip, I’d feel even more uneasy. Seeing that you’re well, I can finally feel at ease.” She then rambled on to Song Chuyi about various matters of health maintenance and careful precautions, and finally smiled again: “I’ve also sent someone to tell Mingzi. She’s happy for you too, and said she wants to make clothes for her little nephew.”
After finishing with all this, she spoke of serious matters: “Xiao Yi.” She hesitated for a while, as if not knowing how to say it. Only after a moment did she make up her mind to tell her: “Old Madam Cui, she—”
Song Chuyi sensed something ominous. By rights, since Princess Rongcheng had entered the palace, it was impossible that Princess Duanhui, who was as close to Princess Rongcheng as sisters, wouldn’t have received the news. And if Princess Duanhui had received the news, then Old Madam Cui should have received it too. Yet up until now, not only had Princess Duanhui not entered the palace, she hadn’t even sent word.
She had just straightened up when she heard Old Madam Song lower her voice: “I’m afraid things aren’t looking good.”
Seeing Song Chuyi staring blankly as if she hadn’t reacted yet, she gently stroked her head: “When people get old, this day inevitably comes for everyone. I’m telling you in advance so you’ll be prepared and won’t be frightened.”
Song Chuyi had originally been worrying in her heart about Old Madam Song’s health, fearing Old Madam Song couldn’t hold on. But when she heard that Old Madam Cui’s condition was likely grave, she only felt her whole body go soft, unable to summon even a bit of strength.
No wonder her aunt hadn’t entered the palace. She recalled how Old Madam Cui had looked when she first met her and started crying, recalled the tone in which Old Madam Cui said Cui Shi must have followed her home too. She couldn’t speak a single word.
“I wouldn’t feel at ease if anyone else told you, so I came in person.” Old Madam Song took the handkerchief Qing Ying handed her and gently wiped away her tears, her voice very low and gentle: “No one can avoid having this day eventually. Your in-law has been laboring mentally and physically recently. Once she relaxed, she couldn’t hold on anymore. You should also try to accept it. Even the longest pavilion on a thousand-mile journey must end—there’s no banquet that doesn’t disperse.”