Chapter 135: Gentleness in the Eyes
Chu Hongyu’s eyes turned green with envy.
Yun Zhenjiang suddenly felt a pang of pity for the boy. Not only did he lack a mother, but there were probably few in the palace who genuinely cared for him.
And he himself had just tricked the boy out of a flying whirl fork.
Reluctantly, he took out the flying whirl fork and tossed it back to him. "I'm tired of it. You can have it back."
Chu Hongyu quickly caught it. "You’re the one who didn’t want it, so don’t come crying to me later!"
Yun Zhenjiang snorted.
Yun Chu couldn’t help but laugh. These children were all too adorable.
Just then, a voice came from behind. "Madam Xie."
She turned and saw a tall figure standing at the entrance of the courtyard.
Dressed in dark brocade robes, a jade crown adorning his hair, and a jade pendant hanging from his belt, he exuded an imposing aura.
Chu Hongyu guiltily hid behind Yun Chu. He had promised his father he would only take a quick look at his mother, but he had secretly arranged to meet her here.
His father would surely never agree to such requests again.
"There’s something I’d like to ask for your permission, Madam Xie," Chu Yi’s voice was calm. "As you know, my daughter Changsheng was born frail and has always been weak. I sent a physician to the hot spring manor, and he said the hot springs there would be beneficial to Changsheng’s health. So, I was wondering if it would be possible to set aside a private pool for her in the manor… Rest assured, Madam Xie, I will cover all expenses without hesitation."
Yun Chu nodded without a second thought. "The hot spring manor is a joint venture between you and me, Prince. Discussing money seems unnecessary…"
"Most of the preparations for the hot spring manor are nearly complete," Chu Yi continued. "There are a few matters that require your final decision. If you have time tomorrow, perhaps you could visit?"
Yun Chu nodded.
After reaching their agreement, Chu Yi had appointed a steward for the hot spring manor.
Chen Bo had reported that this steward was a loyal servant who managed Yin Pin’s properties and was highly capable. Since his appointment, progress at the hot spring manor had advanced rapidly.
Since she was venturing into the hot spring business, she couldn’t afford to be a hands-off proprietor. A visit was necessary.
"Father, can Changsheng and I go to the manor tomorrow?" Chu Hongyu tugged at Chu Yi’s sleeve, his expression pitiful. "Changsheng needs treatment the day after anyway, so going a day earlier shouldn’t matter, right? Father, please? I promise to write ten pages of calligraphy—no, twenty! Father, please say yes!"
Chu Changsheng remained silent, her misty eyes fixed on Chu Yi in a wordless plea.
Chu Yi’s resolve was already wavering.
When he saw the anticipation in Yun Chu’s eyes, his last shred of resistance melted away.
He spoke, "You may go, but you must behave. If you misbehave, I’ll have someone escort you back to the manor."
"Father, you’re the best!" Chu Hongyu exclaimed, jumping for joy. "Father, I love you the most!"
Chu Changsheng smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
Chu Yi gently patted the little girl’s head and glanced at Yun Chu, noticing that the woman before him was also smiling, her eyes as curved as the moon.
Just then, Yun Ze walked into the courtyard and witnessed the scene.
He saw Prince Pingxi gazing at his sister. The usually aloof, cold-eyed, and stern prince now had a hint of gentleness in his eyes.
Yun Ze thought he must be mistaken, but upon closer look, the gentleness remained.
He then turned his gaze to Yun Chu.The heir and young lady of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor were laughing, Yun Chu was watching the children, and the Prince of Pacifying the West was watching Yun Chu—it resembled a family of four.
Only his silly son Jiang Ge'er was squatting off to the side, playing with mud.
"Ahem!"
Yun Ze coughed.
Breaking the brief tranquility in the small courtyard.
"Your Highness," he began, "Lord Fang was just searching everywhere for you."
Chu Yi's expression remained indifferent. "What does he want with me?"
"It seems..." Yun Ze paused, "I noticed Lord Yin speaking with Lord Fang for quite some time. It appears they intend for Lord Fang's eldest daughter to become the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West."
Chu Yi's expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
After the incident with Tan Er Xiaojie last time, he had made it clear to his mother that he wasn't considering taking a princess consort for the time being.
Why was his mother still having her maternal family arrange these matters?
Seeing her elder brother engaged in conversation with the Prince of Pacifying the West, Yun Chu took the children's hands and led them to the other side of the courtyard. There stood a swing that their grandfather had personally made for Jiang Ge'er. The three children took turns sitting on it while Yun Chu pushed them, their laughter filling the entire courtyard.
"Auntie Yun, higher, push me higher! Wow, I'm flying!" Chu Hongyu showed no fear, even wanting to stand on the swing.
Yun Zhenjiang stood with hands on hips, puffing his cheeks angrily. "We said ten pushes each! You get down, come down now!"
"Ah, you're so stingy!" Chu Hongyu stubbornly refused. "This is your family's swing—you can play on it every day. Why are you fighting me for it?"
"Changsheng, let's ignore him." Yun Zhenjiang took Chu Changsheng's hand. "There are other fun places over there. Come on, Jiang Ge will take you to play."
Seeing his younger sister actually obediently following Yun Zhenjiang away, Chu Hongyu immediately felt as if facing a great threat.
Without waiting for the swing to stop completely, he jumped off and shouted, "Changsheng!"
Yun Zhenjiang deliberately misbehaved, holding Chu Changsheng's hand and running faster and faster.
Unable to catch up, Chu Hongyu ran to complain to Yun Chu: "Auntie Yun, Jiang Ge won't play with me anymore."
Yun Chu crouched down. "Then think carefully about why he doesn't want to play with you."
Chu Hongyu hung his head low, kicking small stones on the ground with both feet.
"Before we started playing on the swing, we agreed—ten pushes each. But you monopolized the swing all by yourself. Isn't it natural that he doesn't want to play with you?" Yun Chu patted his head. "Jiang Ge'er isn't a stingy person. If you go apologize, he'll play with you again."
Chu Hongyu tilted his head in thought for a moment, then turned and shouted, "Jiang Ge, I was wrong! I promise I'll never cheat again!"
Soon the three children were playing together again.
Happy times always pass quickly. Yun Chu felt she hadn't spent much time with the children before the banquet concluded.
Chu Yi led his two children to bid farewell.
Fortunately, they would meet again tomorrow at the hot spring manor, so there wasn't much sorrow at parting.
After seeing off the guests, Yun Ze called Yun Chu to Old General Yun's courtyard.
"Chu'er, this is a secret decree the Emperor gave me this morning." Yun Silin placed the imperial edict on the table. "As you predicted, the Emperor is sending me to the Southern border region to execute the Chariot and Horse General. Because the Emperor received secret intelligence that the Chariot and Horse General has been colluding with the King of Nanyue, attempting to seize several of our cities in the southern border..."
Yun Ze, who had just learned of this matter, looked utterly astonished. "Has the Chariot and Horse General gone mad? He's the Empress Dowager's own nephew. Why would he commit treason?"Old General Yun began, "You younger generation probably don't know this, but the current Empress Dowager is not the Emperor's birth mother."
Yun Ze's face showed shock.
Yun Chu was also hearing about this for the first time.
"Because the Empress Dowager holds substantial military power and has long been distrusted by the Emperor, the Chariot and Horse General hasn't returned to the capital for many years. It's not surprising that he has developed rebellious intentions," Yun Silin said. "But these matters aren't the main point. The crucial thing is, Chu'er, in your dream you said that over ten years from now, our Yun family would be executed to the last person..."
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