Chapter 143: Investigating the Xie Family's Affairs
The long night stretched on.
Yun Chu was in a deep sleep.
Feeling a tickle on the tip of her nose, she let out a big sneeze and opened her eyes.
Before her were two magnified faces. Her own face was reflected in two pairs of bright, limpid eyes—it was Yu Ge'er and Changsheng.
Last night, these two little ones had snuck in, insisting on sleeping with her. She had Jiu'er inform Prince Pingxi and let the two children stay.
Although they were boisterous for much of the night, she slept exceptionally well in the latter half. It had been a long time since she had slept so soundly.
"Mother, you're awake!"
Chu Hongyu called out sweetly. When no outsiders were around, the word "Mother" rolled off his tongue with incredible ease.
"Mother..."
The little girl echoed him, then crawled into Yun Chu's embrace.
Not to be outdone, Chu Hongyu wrapped his arms tightly around Yun Chu's neck.
The little girl lifted her leg and rested it on Yun Chu's waist.
"Changsheng, don't go too far," Chu Hongyu huffed. "You hugged Mother all night yesterday and I didn't say a thing. Now you want to monopolize her again. I won't allow it!"
With one kick, he knocked her little leg off Yun Chu's waist.
The little girl retracted her leg, her eyes widening as a mist of water slowly welled up in her pupils, the very picture of utter grievance.
Before Yun Chu could say anything, Chu Hongyu, the older brother, was the first to cave. "Alright, alright," he compromised. "I'll give you half the space."
He reached out, grabbed his little sister's foot, and placed it on Yun Chu's stomach.
Only then did the little girl's tears turn to laughter. She hugged Yun Chu's neck, her face pressed against Yun Chu's, looking utterly content.
Yun Chu held a child in each arm, feeling her chest fill with warmth.
Just then, the servants waiting outside heard the commotion, knocked, and entered.
Ting Shuang, who served Yun Chu, was long accustomed to this scene, but Zheng Momo, who served the two young masters, was utterly astonished.
She knew the two young masters were fond of this Madam Xie, but she hadn't realized their fondness ran this deep... And if her senses weren't mistaken, the Prince was also different toward Madam Xie... The father and his two children were all exceptionally fond of the woman before them.
If Madam Xie were still Miss Yun, she would likely have become the future Princess Consort of the Pacifying West. Unfortunately, the eldest Miss Yun had become Madam Xie five years ago... What a terrible shame!
"Yu Ge'er, Changsheng, time to get up." Yun Chu sat up, holding the two children.
Zheng Momo and several other servants hurried over. "Young Son, Little Commandery Princess, let's get dressed first..."
Yun Chu took the clothes. "Let me."
Such opportunities were too few, and she wanted to be closer to her children.
She meticulously dressed the two children one by one, then helped them wash up. As for combing their hair, Yun Chu wasn't very skilled, so she carefully selected hair ornaments for the little girl instead.
Soon, the three of them were finished with their morning routine. She led the two children out by the hand to the flower hall, where breakfast was already prepared.
Just as they finished their meal, Chu Yi walked in from the courtyard gate.
Seeing Bi Langzhong following beside him, the little girl was so frightened she immediately scrambled into Yun Chu's arms. Chu Hongyu also stood protectively in front of his sister.
Bi Langzhong chuckled in exasperation. "You two little rascals were saved by my own hands. Why do you treat your savior like an enemy?"
He and Chu Yi were old acquaintances, so of course, he didn't truly mind.
He placed his medicine box on the table and continued, "Little Commandery Princess, don't panic. This time, the needles will be administered in the hot spring. The water will act as a buffer, so it won't hurt as much as before. Just relax, and it will be over soon."
The moment the little girl heard the words "needles," she began to tremble, clinging tightly to Yun Chu's neck.
Yun Chu stood up, holding her, and coaxed her gently, "Changsheng, there are some nasty little bugs living inside your body. Bi Langzhong uses silver needles to kill those bugs. Once the bugs are all gone, your body will naturally get better."
Chu Changsheng's long lashes were already wet with teardrops. She shook her head in refusal.
Yun Chu leaned close to her ear and whispered, "After this session is over, Mother will give you a little present."
She took out a pouch from her sleeve, opened a small slit, and let the little girl have a peek.
A light immediately shone in Chu Changsheng's eyes.
Inside was a small doll, identical to the one her brother had. However, her brother's was a boy doll, while the one in this pouch was a girl doll.
Her brother carried the pouch with the doll on his waist every day and wouldn't even let her touch it.
This was great. Now she would have her very own doll.
Seeing that her trick had worked, Yun Chu immediately put the pouch away and said softly, "Mother will go with you to the Hot Spring Pool. Let's get rid of the little bugs together, okay?"
Chu Changsheng nodded without hesitation.
"Your Highness, this Madam Xie is much better at coaxing children than you are," Bi Langzhong couldn't help but sigh. "Your Highness is unmatched in quelling bandits, but you're truly terrible at coaxing children."
Chu Yi said coldly, "No one will think you're mute if you don't speak."
The group walked to the Hot Spring Pool. Just as Yun Chu was about to enter the water with the little girl, the girl shook her head at her.
Chu Hongyu explained, "Auntie Yun, sister means she can do it by herself."
Chu Changsheng walked into the Hot Spring Pool with her little bare feet and sat on the chair a matron had already prepared. Bi Langzhong followed her into the water.
The little girl's outer robe was removed, and one by one, silver needles were inserted into the acupoints on her back. Although the hot spring water provided a buffer, the pain still made the little girl bite her lower lip.
Her small face was as white as snow, and large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
Yun Chu's heart clenched in sympathy.
How could she bear to just stand by and watch? She immediately walked down into the pool and held the little girl's trembling hand.
After about a quarter of an hour, or perhaps half an hour, the acupuncture finally ended. The moment all the silver needles were removed, the little girl's body went limp, and she fainted in Yun Chu's arms.
She quickly carried the child ashore. Zheng Momo wrapped the little girl in a clean blanket, and a crowd of servants rushed to follow.
Yun Chu was about to follow them.
"She will sleep for at least a day and a night before she wakes up," Chu Yi said. "Madam Xie should also hurry back and change your clothes."
Yun Chu looked down to see her soaked clothes clinging to her body. Just then, Ting Shuang draped a cloak over her shoulders.
She curtsied to Chu Yi, then turned and walked into the inner chamber, where Ting Shuang helped her change.
Ting Shuang was now dressed as a married woman, her hair coiled up, giving her some of the composure and authority of a Steward.
Yun Chu had originally given her a month's leave, but something had suddenly come up in the military camp, and Yu Ke was not at home. With nothing to do, Ting Shuang had come to stay here directly.
With Ting Shuang here, Yun Chu felt very much at ease.
She first went to check on the unconscious Chu Changsheng, then picked up Chu Hongyu. "I've been very happy these past two days with you, but it's getting late. Auntie Yun has to go home."
Chu Hongyu's nose tingled.
He had thought that by spending a long time together, it would be easier to part. But he found that the more time they spent together, the more he wanted to stay together forever.
But he knew that these two days were already a rare treat, and he couldn't ask for more.
He obediently climbed down from Yun Chu's arms and waved. "Auntie Yun, goodbye."
Yun Chu stroked his face, then looked at Chu Yi, who had been standing silently to the side. "Your Highness, I will take my leave now."
Chu Yi nodded, watching as she boarded the carriage with her maid's help.
Only when the carriage was far in the distance did he retract his gaze and look at the attendant behind him. "Cheng Xu, go investigate the Xie family's affairs."
Cheng Xu nodded. "Your Highness, should I start my investigation from Lord Xie's time in Jizhou, or from when he became an official?"
Chu Yi said faintly, "Investigate the affairs of the Xie family's rear residence."
Cheng Xu scratched his head, completely bewildered.
Since when did their Prince care about the backyard matters of other families?
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