Chapter 182: A Failed Mother
Yun Chu handed Luo Zhan over to Madam Luo.
She quickly boarded the carriage and instructed the coachman to drive at top speed toward the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
Before the carriage came to a complete stop, she leaped out. Only when her feet touched the ground did her frantically pounding heart gradually settle.
It was then that she slowly calmed down and began to ponder the situation.
On the night Xie Jingyu died, even before the funeral arrangements were made, Prince Pingxi had already known of Xie Jingyu's death. This revealed that Prince Pingxi had been keeping a close watch on the Xie family.
Was he watching the Xie family, or was he watching her?
That night, his intense gaze had made her aware that Prince Pingxi harbored unusual intentions toward her.
She had thought those feelings had arisen suddenly.
But it turned out that as early as so many years ago, Prince Pingxi had already...
Yun Chu pressed her lips tightly together.
She didn't know what emotions to use to face such a truth.
She had always believed Prince Pingxi was different from others, which was why she had gone to seek his help late at night regarding the matter of Marquis Xuanwu.
But was he really no different from the likes of Xie Jingyu and Qin Mingheng?
Should she use the same methods she employed against Marquis Xuanwu to deal with Prince Pingxi?
Even if she had the capability, she couldn't bring herself to do such a thing.
Because—
He had raised her two children.
If he hadn't accepted two children of questionable origins, if he hadn't searched far and wide for renowned physicians for them, could these premature babies have grown up so healthy?
From every perspective, that man was a qualified father.
While she was a failed mother.
Combining both her past and present lives, she was unworthy of being called a mother...
She sincerely thanked him for raising the children...
"Madam Xie!"
Cheng Xu had just stepped out when he saw Yun Chu standing dazedly at the main entrance. He hurried over.
"Does Madam Xie have business to discuss with our prince? I'll go report it immediately."
Yun Chu quickly spoke up: "A new restaurant has opened on the street, serving the eight-treasure duck that Changsheng loves most. I wonder if it would be convenient for the young master and young lady to accompany me there?"
Cheng Xu beamed: "Of course, it's convenient. Please come in with me, Madam Xie."
Yun Chu remained standing still: "I'll wait here."
Entering through those gates would inevitably mean encountering Prince Pingxi, and she wasn't yet sure what mindset to adopt when facing him.
She didn't want to think about that now.
She only wanted to see her two children.
Cheng Xu cupped his hands: "Then please wait a moment, Madam Xie."
Yun Chu didn't have to wait long at the manor entrance before she heard cheerful voices.
"Auntie Yun!"
Turning around, she saw the two children far outpacing their servants, rushing toward her. She quickly knelt down and embraced her son and daughter.
Looking at the children, her throat tightened, and her eyes suddenly reddened.
"Auntie Yun, why are you crying?"
Chu Hongyu panicked and hurriedly wiped her tears.
"Did someone bully Auntie Yun?"
Yun Chu grasped his small hand and shook her head.
She was crying from overwhelming happiness—so overjoyed she couldn't control herself, so happy that tears flowed.
She felt the children's bones, from the tops of their heads down to their knees, wishing she could check their tiny feet too.
How wonderful—every inch of the children's skin and bones was perfectly healthy... She must be the luckiest person in the world.
"Mother..."
Chu Changsheng called out softly.
Chu Hongyu quickly covered his sister's mouth: "Changsheng, there are many people here. You can't call her that randomly."A crowd of matrons, maidservants, and guards followed them out, encircling them from behind. If they were overheard, it would cause trouble for Mother.
Yun Chu held the two children's hands, straightened her posture, and addressed the head matron: "Matron Zheng, I'll take the Young Son and Little Commandery Princess with me now. There's no need for you to follow."
Matron Zheng immediately grew anxious: "The Young Son is one thing, but the Little Commandery Princess is frail—this old servant must remain by her side to attend to her..."
The Young Son, being a boy, was sturdier and often sneaked out on his own. He could manage a day without attendants.
But the Little Commandery Princess was different—she was prone to mishaps without someone to care for her...
"I'll take care of my sister, it's fine..." Chu Hongyu patted his small chest, speaking with an adult-like demeanor, "Everyone, go back. Don't follow us."
Matron Zheng was far from reassured. Cheng Xu stepped forward and said, "His Highness has instructed that A Mao alone should accompany them. Later, His Highness will personally come to fetch the Young Son and Little Commandery Princess."
Yun Chu nodded, then led the two children onto the carriage.
Once inside and away from prying eyes, Chu Hongyu sweetly embraced Yun Chu: "Mother."
The corners of Yun Chu's lips curved upward: "Say it again."
Chu Hongyu's eyes lit up. In the past, whenever he called her that, Mother never seemed particularly pleased, but today felt different.
"Mother!" he shouted loudly.
Yun Chu's smile widened: "Ah—Yu Ge'er, so well-behaved. Say it again!"
Back when Yu Ge'er knew nothing, he had called her Mother.
She should have realized it sooner.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
"Mother!!"
The two children surrounded her, calling out in unison.
Yun Chu held her son and daughter tightly in her arms. No matter how many times they called her Mother, it would never be enough. She would make up for the more than four years she had missed.
But their father was the current Prince Pingxi. To make the Young Son and Commandery Princess of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor her own children—this path was undoubtedly difficult.
Yet, even if it were harder than reaching the heavens, she would still pursue it.
If the other party held high status and power, then she would proceed cautiously and devise a plan step by step.
There would surely be a way.
Chu Hongyu keenly sensed Yun Chu's emotions and, wrapping his arms around her neck, asked, "Mother, has something happened?"
Yun Chu replied gently, "Mother bought a new courtyard. Would you like to see if you like it?"
Chu Hongyu clapped his hands: "I like it, of course I like it."
"You haven't even seen it yet, and you already say you like it." Yun Chu tapped his little nose. "The carriage has stopped. We're here."
The carriage had come to a halt in front of the new three-section courtyard Yun Chu had purchased.
Yun Chu held the children's hands and led them inside. The courtyard had been renovated and looked almost like a brand-new residence.
"Wow, it's a persimmon tree!" Chu Hongyu recognized it at a glance. "The persimmons are almost red. Can we eat them now?"
It was a persimmon tree Yun Chu had paid a hefty sum to transplant—already bearing fruit. The branches were laden with heavy, cheerful-looking fruit.
A Mao, standing nearby, leaped up, plucked a persimmon from a branch, wiped it casually on his clothes, and handed it to Chu Hongyu.
The little one opened his mouth to take a bite.
Yun Chu finally understood why Matron Zheng was so worried.
She quickly reached out, snatched the persimmon away, and had a servant wash it thoroughly before bringing it back.
Chu Hongyu took a bite and immediately spat it out in disgust: "It's not good! Not sweet at all!"
Yun Chu smiled and said, "Persimmons only become sweet in late autumn. Be patient."She pointed to a small courtyard nearby and said, "Changsheng, Mother had people raise many kittens and rabbits in this courtyard. Would you like to go see them?"
Chu Hongyu immediately said, "Mother, Changsheng can't touch cats—she'll break out in rashes."
"No touching, just looking." Yun Chu led the two children toward the courtyard. "Look, do you like them?"
Chu Changsheng jumped with joy and, without being taught, spoke up: "Kitty... kitties..."
Chu Hongyu slipped through the fence, picked up a gentle cat, and brought it closer to his sister. One played with the cat, the other watched—the siblings were utterly delighted.
Yun Chu's heart felt full, and her once-empty world was now filled.
Life had never felt so complete.
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