Chapter 183: The Missing Four Years
After the tour of the courtyard ended.
Yun Chu took the two children to a restaurant for a meal.
She softly asked Chu Hongyu, "Besides mushrooms, what else can't your sister eat?"
"She can't eat spicy food," the little boy thought seriously for a moment. "She also can't eat large pieces of food. Sister's throat isn't good and she easily chokes."
Yun Chu's heart ached with sorrow.
She had previously heard from Nanny Zheng that when Changsheng was first born, she couldn't even drink milk properly. She would choke with every sip and had to be fed drop by drop.
The child hadn't developed properly in her womb, lagging behind in many aspects. For over four years since coming into this world, she had suffered every single day.
But at least she was alive. As long as she was alive, everything would get better.
"Egg...The little girl pointed at the steamed egg on the table, speaking in a soft, glutinous voice.
Yun Chu taught her: "This is steamed egg. You should say, 'Mother, I want to eat steamed egg.'"
"Stea...steamed egg!" The little girl struggled to learn. "Eat...eat egg..."
Yun Chu mixed some steamed egg with white rice, shredded some eight-treasure duck and mixed it in, then placed it before her.
Previously, Nanny Zheng had always fed her, but today Nanny Zheng wasn't here. Yun Chu took the spoon and slowly fed her.
When she was young, around two years old, her parents had made her learn to eat by herself, not allowing servants to assist.
In her mind, a child over four years old should indeed be eating independently.
But when facing her young daughter, all her principles and educational philosophies could be set aside. She wished she could hold Changsheng on her lap.
The future was still so long, there would be plenty of days for eating independently, while the time when she was this small and needed to be fed was already limited.
"Come, Changsheng, open wide—"
Yun Chu's voice was so gentle it could almost drip water.
The little girl obediently opened her mouth wide and ate the food from the spoon.
Chu Hongyu looked on enviously: "Mother, mother, I want to be fed too."
"Alright."
Yun Chu fed Changsheng one bite, then fed Yu Ge'er another, happily busy.
If only she could eat with both children every day. She truly wanted to make up for everything that had been missing over the past four years.
Every day in the future was worth cherishing.
But not every day belonged to the three of them, mother and sons.
"Mother, you haven't eaten anything yet."Chu Hongyu picked up chopsticks and picked up a lion's head." "Mother, ah—open your mouth."
Yun Chu smiled, parted her lips, and ate the lion's head meatball. It was truly the most delicious lion's head she had ever eaten.
The little girl, not to be outdone, scooped some chicken soup with a spoon and brought it to Yun Chu's lips.
This was also the most delicious chicken soup she had ever tasted.
Just as the mother and children were eating, Chu Yi appeared at the door of the private room.
He saw Yun Chu sitting in the middle, with the two children on either side. The three of them wore identical smiles, making him momentarily dazed.
It was as if these three people before him were biological mother and children...
He stepped inside.
From the corner of her eye, Yun Chu saw him enter and immediately whispered: "Your father is here. Remember what I said earlier."
Chu Hongyu nodded vigorously, whispering: "Mm, we mustn't call you mother in front of father. Sister, remember?"
The little girl blinked her big eyes and nodded.
Only then did Yun Chu stand up: "Your Highness.""The children are at that mischievous age, so I must thank you for your efforts, Miss Yun," Chu Yi began. "A couple of days ago, my subordinates presented me with a novel trinket. As a man, I have no use for it, so I thought it fitting to give it to you."
He produced from his sleeve a small object the size of a palm.
Yun Chu lowered her gaze, her long lashes veiling the emotions in her eyes.
She wondered: Was Prince Pingxi being so amiable toward her because she was the mother of his children, or was it out of guilt over that night, an attempt to make amends?
If only she could ask for the children back.
But she knew Prince Pingxi would never agree.
By making Yu Ge'er his heir, he had shown how much he truly cared for the children—he would never relinquish them.
If she wanted more time with them, she couldn't afford to antagonize the man before her.
Since he could conceal his feelings so well...
Why couldn't she do the same?
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Yun Chu offered a radiant smile.
She accepted the small object.
Opening it in front of him, she saw a tiny, round mirror—a type of imported luxury that wouldn't become popular in the palace for another decade or so.
At this time, such items were exceedingly rare; there were likely no more than three in the entire capital. He must have gone to some trouble to acquire it, yet he had given it to her.
Had she not known the truth about that night five years ago, she might have found it too precious to accept.
Moreover, as a widow, she shouldn't be accepting gifts from a man.
But now, she had fewer reservations.
Anything that could be of use, she would take without hesitation—even her own appearance.
"This mirror is so clear—I really like it," Yun Chu said, her smile blooming before she sighed. "I have a favor to ask, though I'm not sure how to bring it up..."
Her smile made Chu Yi momentarily lose himself.
The towering tree in his heart had already reached his chest; this smile nourished it, causing its branches to grow once more, bursting violently through the crown of his head.
His throat moved involuntarily, and his arm lifted.
He couldn't help but want to place his hand on her face, to touch her smile at the closest possible distance.
But just as his hand rose, he heard her sigh.
Reason returned instantly. He quietly lowered his hand and said, "Miss Yun, whatever request you have, please speak freely. If it is within my power, I will grant it."
"I was thinking..." Yun Chu's shimmering eyes gazed at him. "I would like to have Yu Ge'er and Changsheng join me for dinner every evening... Your Highness, I mean no offense—I only wish to speak more with Changsheng, hoping she can gradually become as lively as Yu Ge'er."
Chu Hongyu immediately chimed in: "Father, you don't know—Changsheng said so many words today! She was amazing."
"I... I also..." The little girl came over, tugging at Chu Yi's sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "Want... want to eat eat with Auntie."
"Changsheng means she wants to have meals with Aunt Yun," Chu Hongyu corrected his sister, then looked triumphantly at Chu Yi. "See, Father? Changsheng has improved so much, all thanks to Aunt Yun."
Chu Yi was actually somewhat uneasy about the three of them dining alone outside every day.
But one adult and two children—three pairs of eyes, six pupils—gazed at him expectantly.
He simply couldn't bring himself to refuse."Your Highness, rest assured, we won't be dining at the restaurant every day," Yun Chu spoke up. "I have another quiet courtyard where I plan to hire four cooks specializing in children's meals. After each meal, I will personally escort Yu Ge'er and Changsheng back to the prince's residence. If Your Highness remains concerned, you could arrange for someone..."
Chu Yi directly agreed: "With Miss Yun taking care of them, I have nothing to worry about."
Yun Chu smiled, this time with genuine warmth: "Thank you, Your Highness."
At least they could meet every day now. At least they could have dinner together daily. No need to rush—step by step, they would take it slowly.
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