Chapter 109: Thank You, Aunt Yun
Yun Chu wandered aimlessly through the streets.
Her two attendants, Ting Shuang and Qiutong, had clearly overheard her conversation with Qin Mingheng, and worry was written all over their faces.
Qiutong, in particular, was here at the Xie residence to teach Yun Chu martial arts and hadn’t paid much attention to the inner household affairs. What she had just heard completely overturned her understanding of everything.
“Madam, you must inform the Yun family about this!” Qiutong said gravely. “Xie Jingyu is utterly despicable, and Marquis Xuanwu is no better!”
For a servant to address their master and a noble by their names directly was a grave act of disrespect. Clearly, she was furious beyond measure.
“Tell the Yun family, and then what? Ask the Yun clan elders to intervene and arrange a divorce?” Yun Chu smiled faintly. “A divorce would only let the Xie family off too easily.”
Setting aside the repercussions a divorce would bring to the Yun family, even if she agreed, what then? Return to the Yun family after the divorce and let her mother and eldest brother seek revenge on her behalf?
She was no longer a three-year-old child, long past the age of running to her family with every grievance.
However, she would recount everything that had happened to her father in detail.
She said softly, “Send more people to investigate what happened on that snowy night four years ago. No matter how much silver it takes, no matter how long it requires, just…”
“Mother!”
At that moment, a clear, loud voice called out.
Even without looking up, Yun Chu knew who it was.
She turned and saw Chu Hongyu, dressed in snow-white brocade robes, running toward her with quick, pattering steps before throwing himself into her arms.
“Mother! Mother!” The little boy’s eyes sparkled. “We’re so fated to meet like this!”
Yun Chu patted his head and said, “Yu Ge’er, I am not your mother. Please don’t call me that anymore.”
What had started as a little secret between the two of them had, after their last visit to the Yin family, been overheard by the Yins and even Prince Pingxi. Now, the attendants following the child had also heard it. Once a secret was no longer a secret, more and more people would inevitably find out.
Soon, countless rumors would follow.
There was no need to invite unnecessary trouble.
Chu Hongyu was taken aback for a moment, then stood obediently, pouting as he said, “Aunt Yun, are you still angry about what happened last time?”
“I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have falsely accused Miss Tan, I shouldn’t have lied, I shouldn’t have run away in anger, and I definitely shouldn’t have pushed you on purpose, Aunt Yun.” The little boy cautiously reached out and tugged at Yun Chu’s sleeve. “Aunt Yun, Father said that as long as I study hard, you would forgive me. I’ve been studying diligently these past few days. Let me recite the Hundred Family Surnames for you: Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou…”
He recited it all in one breath, then said proudly, “Because I learn so quickly, Father specially allowed me to go out and play today. He said if I keep this up, I can have three days out of the mansion every month from now on. I won’t have to sneak out of the palace anymore!”
Seeing that he wasn’t accompanied only by A Mao, Yun Chu knew he must have gotten permission to leave the palace.
It had been some time since she last saw the child, and at a moment when her heart was heavy with gloom, he was like a lamp shining into her chest.
He allowed her to momentarily forget her sorrows and heartache, giving her a brief moment of joy.
She took the little boy’s hand and asked, “How is Changsheng? How has she been feeling lately?”"Father brought Changsheng a kitten." The little one chattered nonstop, "Changsheng loves kittens most of all, but whenever she touches cat fur, she breaks out in rashes all over. She can only watch from afar, though just seeing the kitten makes her happy. Changsheng used to stay indoors all the time, but since the kitten arrived, she often goes to the courtyard to watch it..."
Yun Chu's eyes unconsciously softened with a smile.
She held the child's hand as they strolled through the street, buying a whole box of trinkets: "Half of these are for Changsheng, half for you, and these few are for the kitten."
"Thank you, Mother... thank you, Aunt Yun!" Chu Hongyu beamed, his eyes curving into crescents. "Let's meet again in seven days, alright? I'll bring Changsheng along."
He extended his pinky finger, wanting to make a pledge with Yun Chu.
Yun Chu bent down, linking her little finger with his.
"Pinky swear, a hundred years no changing..."
Before the vow was complete, sudden commotion erupted on the street—restless crowds and the whinnying of horses.
She looked up to see nearly ten riders on towering steeds charging into the bustling market. The horsemen moved at such speed that stalls were overturned and people sent tumbling across the ground, plunging the street into instant chaos.
"Protect the Young Son!" shouted the guard A Mao abruptly. Chu Hongyu's attendants swarmed around him.
Qiutong and Yu Ke, who had accompanied Yun Chu outdoors and were both skilled in martial arts, immediately positioned themselves before her. The group hurried Yun Chu and Chu Hongyu to shelter against a shop wall at the street side.
They thought they'd avoided the mounted group, but unexpectedly, the fast-approaching horses halted right in front of them.
The riders on horseback suddenly drew long blades from their waists, slashing through the air. Two guards who had accompanied Chu Hongyu from the manor fell to the ground, blood spraying everywhere.
Immediately after, two black-clad figures leaped from their horses, charging straight toward Chu Hongyu.
Yun Chu realized these people were targeting the child.
She bent to scoop up the boy and fled.
Qiutong and Yu Ke shielded their escape.
A Mao led the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor's attendants to hold off the black-clad assailants.
Ting Shuang, who had no martial skills, feared becoming a burden and turned to dash toward the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor—she had to deliver a warning quickly.
Yun Chu, born and raised in the capital, knew the city well. She knew that just ahead, around the corner, stood the capital's Court of Judicial Review.
The Court of Judicial Review, where cases were tried, housed many constables. They would be safe there.
Yet, before they could reach the turn, the rapid clatter of hoofbeats sounded behind them.
"Madam, run!" Qiutong shouted, turning to engage the mounted pursuers in combat.
Yu Ke intended to continue protecting Yun Chu and the Young Son, but glancing back, he saw Qiutong's shoulder slashed by a blade.
The opponents, mounted and looking down from a high position, outnumbered them. Qiutong, a woman alone, was no match. Yu Ke leaped up, stabbing at the man on horseback. The black-clad rider screamed and tumbled from his steed.
Together, the two managed to fight the black-clad group to a stalemate.
Yun Chu, clutching the child, ran for her life. Just as she reached the corner, she heard hoofbeats ahead.
Her heart sank—the assailants had closed in from the front as well.
Turning, she found another black-clad figure blocking the way behind. She was trapped, caught between them.Although she had studied martial arts with Qiutong for a while, she was still a half-baked amateur and couldn't possibly win a fight, especially while holding a child.
"Young Son, blame your father for being ruthless and cruel. We've been forced into a corner!" the man in black said coldly. "Seize her!"
Yun Chu was given no chance to resist or stall for time until rescue arrived. The man in black struck the back of her neck with the hilt of his knife, and she immediately lost consciousness.
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