Chapter 156: An Absurd Possibility
Yun Chu massaged her forehead.
She had made three identical pendants. If she made one for Prince Pingxi too, what would that imply?
But this matter couldn't be explained clearly to a four-year-old child.
She took out another bundle and said with a smile, "With the remaining uncut jade, I made a set of jewelry for Changsheng and a jade pendant for you."
"Wow, I love it so much!" Chu Hongyu's face burst with delight, completely forgetting about his father now. He said cheerfully, "I'll hang this jade pendant on the sword Grandfather gave me. It'll definitely look especially handsome."
The little girl held the jewelry, dancing with joy.
Yun Chu said softly, "Changsheng, let me try putting these on you."
It was a complete set of gold and jade hair ornaments with jeweled chignons and floral clusters, suitable for a girl who had just reached adulthood. Since the little girl was still young, Yun Chu only put two floral hairpins in her hair.
Chu Hongyu clapped his hands and said, "Beautiful, sister looks really beautiful."
Du Ling looked at them and remarked, "Chu Chu, I remember when you came of age, you also wore a similar set of gold and jade hair ornaments with floral clusters. The Little Commandery Princess looks somewhat like you... especially her eyes. They're similar, really similar, as if carved from the same mold... No, no, the more I look, the more I think you and the Little Commandery Princess resemble each other - the nose, mouth, facial shape..."
Yun Chu's fingers suddenly stilled.
Her mother and sister-in-law had also mentioned that she and Changsheng looked alike.
Now Du Ling was saying the same thing.
Not long ago at the hot spring manor, when she accidentally ate wild mushrooms and fell unconscious, Prince Pingxi had mentioned that Changsheng had also had a serious incident with wild mushrooms when she was young.
More than four years ago on a snowy day, she had given birth to twins.
That same year, Prince Pingxi had gained a son and daughter.
An incredible thought emerged in Yun Chu's mind.
Was it possible?
Too absurd...
Her hands began trembling uncontrollably.
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, but couldn't calm the turbulent blood in her chest.
"Aunt Yun, what's wrong? Are you unwell?"
Chu Hongyu's voice was full of concern.
Opening her eyes, she saw her own reflection in the child's large eyes. In his world, it seemed there was only her...
She forced a smile and said, "I heard from your father that you and Changsheng were born in winter. When exactly is your birthday? Tell me in advance so I can prepare gifts for you."
"I don't know," Chu Hongyu blinked. "I don't want any gifts. I just want Aunt Yun to be with me on that day."
Yun Chu looked at him: "Then when we arrive, could you ask your father which day you were born?"
Chu Hongyu nodded vigorously.
It was already autumn now. When winter reached its coldest point, it would be his and Changsheng's fifth birthday. Having their mother with them would make this birthday especially different.
The two children, being young, soon fell asleep amid the rocking motion of the carriage.
One slept leaning against Yun Chu, the other lay against Du Ling.
Du Ling said quietly, "Chu Chu, you're getting so close with the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor. Is this the Yun family's decision?"
Yun Chu replied, "I'm a married woman. My actions don't represent the Yun family.""But would the Empress see it that way?" Du Ling spoke up. "The Young Son specifically went to the palace to request the Empress issue an Imperial Decree inviting you to join the hunt. The two children even made a special trip to your carriage. This matter likely hasn't escaped Her Majesty's notice either. The Empress must believe the Yun family has already boarded Prince Pingxi's ship."
Yun Chu looked at her and said, "Then what about the Du family? The Ji family? Whose ship have they boarded?"
Du Ling sighed. "Both the Du and Ji families wish to avoid involvement in the succession struggle. But rejecting any party will make them think we've sided with their opponents. Inevitably, we'd offend all the princes. My father's position is to remain loyal to the Crown Prince chosen by the Emperor. Whoever becomes Crown Prince will receive the support of both the Ji and Du families."
Yun Chu shook her head.
In her previous life when she died, the Crown Prince's position was precarious, sustained only by the Empress's support. It was only a matter of time before he was replaced. If the Crown Prince fell, the Du family would likely...
As someone reborn, her previous life had been too short. She only knew which princes had failed, not who ultimately ascended the throne.
Choosing which ship to board was a fateful decision for her too.
One misstep could mean losing everything.
"Why talk about such matters?" Du Ling changed the subject. "This isn't something we women should worry about. Help me see if my hair accessories could be arranged more beautifully."
Yun Chu had to admire her friend's carefree nature. She chuckled and said, "They're already perfect."
"When I'm with the number one beauty of the capital, I have to pay attention to my appearance, lest I be completely outshone." Du Ling adjusted her hair. "By the way, Xiao Ying's marriage has been settled."
Du Ying's future husband was the son of the Left Vice Commissioner of the Censorate, quite an impressive family background.
Yun Chu thought for a moment but couldn't recall what became of this family in her previous life. Still, any outcome would be better than becoming Princess Anjing.
The two continued chatting idly about various topics until they finally arrived at Mount Yan.
This was imperial hunting grounds where the court gathered every autumn for hunts. The mountains had already been enclosed, with dangerous animals like tigers and leopards driven away, leaving only herbivores and small game like rabbits and pheasants.
The accompanying servants began setting up camp while their masters prepared for the hunt.
Yun Chu stood quietly at the edge of the crowd. She couldn't understand how these people had so much energy. After riding in a carriage for most of the day, her body felt completely battered from the jostling. How could they still have strength to hunt...
The Emperor, mounted on a tall horse, declared, "There's less than two hours until sunset. You have one incense stick's time. Whoever bags the most game will receive my reward."
The princes, important ministers, and young nobles all cheered enthusiastically in response.
Yun Chu spotted Anjing Prince following behind the Emperor, dressed in riding attire and looking spirited. Xie Ping's eyes seemed permanently fixed on Anjing Prince.
She also saw Prince Pingxi. Among all the princes, Prince Pingxi stood out conspicuously. While the other princes pursued scholarly paths—the Crown Prince with his exceptional talent, the Second Prince known for his virtue, the Fourth Prince still slight of frame, and the others even younger—Prince Pingxi stood tall and straight. His build was robust without being brutish, imposing without being coarse, clearly that of a martial practitioner...
As she watched, the man on horseback suddenly turned his gaze toward her.
She started, realizing she had been staring at Prince Pingxi for quite some time without realizing it.She quickly put on a smile and gestured to the side, informing Prince Pingxi that the two children had already been taken away by the nurse.
Prince Pingxi's lips curved upward as he returned a smile in response.
"Third Brother?" Prince Gong Xi looked at him and couldn't help but remark, "I think this is the first time I've seen Third Brother smile."
The third prince always maintained an icy demeanor. Of course, he did smile occasionally—either a cold smirk or a faint, superficial one that never reached his eyes.
But this current smile was clearly genuine from the inside out, his entire expression brimming with delight.
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