Chapter 186: Father Is No Match for Me
Yun Chu arranged for someone to keep an eye on Xie Shi'an.
Then she boarded her carriage and headed to the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
She now had an additional daily task—picking up the two children to have dinner together. This would become the most anticipated and happiest moment of her day.
When the carriage arrived at its destination, Yun Chu alighted and had someone announce her arrival.
She hadn't been standing long when she heard cheerful laughter; she didn't need to look to know it was Yu Ge'er.
She looked up and saw the father and his two children walking out. Chu Yi was holding Changsheng in one arm while holding Yu Ge'er's hand with the other.
Yu Ge'er quickly broke free from his grip and dashed toward Yun Chu, throwing himself into her embrace.
Changsheng also slipped down from her father and rushed over to Yun Chu.
"Mother."
"Mommy."
The two little ones whispered softly into her ears.
Yun Chu patted their heads and stood up, saying, "Your Highness, I'll take them with me now."
"Ahem." Chu Yi covered his lips with his hand and coughed lightly. "The manor's chef is ill today. If you don't mind, Miss Yun, may I join you?"
The manor's head chef, who was currently stewing pork knuckles, sneezed loudly.
The moment Yun Chu saw the man before her, her emotions became complicated.
For Xie Jingyu and Qin Mingheng, she felt pure hatred and disgust. But for Prince Pingxi, because of the two children, she felt gratitude, making her emotions somewhat tangled.
Qin Mingheng had called Prince Pingxi a coward.
The word "coward" clearly didn't suit the man standing before her.
Yet, he had indeed done such things while pretending nothing had happened...
Was he truly scheming to use the children as bargaining chips? Did he really plan to leverage the children to win the Yun family's allegiance?
His disguise was so perfect that, if not for various coincidences and the natural bond between mother and child, she might even have doubted Qin Mingheng's words...
Perhaps she should question Qin Mingheng's credibility instead?
Seeing Yun Chu remain silent, Chu Yi spoke again, "Is it inconvenient?"
Last night, while meeting with several ministers, the Vice Minister of Personnel mentioned that the reason he won his wife's heart was by appearing before her every day.
That was why Chu Yi had proposed going along with the children.
He knew it was improper.
But precisely because etiquette and upbringing were ingrained in his bones,
he had never dared to reveal his feelings when Yun Chu was still underage.
By the time she came of age, he was far away on the western battlefield. When he returned to the capital, it was the day of her wedding.
He had missed too much.
He didn't want to miss any more because of propriety.
"It's not inconvenient at all," Yun Chu replied. "What foods does Your Highness prefer? I'll have someone prepare them in advance."
Chu Yi's clenched fist instantly relaxed. "The guest follows the host's arrangements. Anything is fine with me."
Yun Chu nodded, took the children's hands, and boarded the carriage. Chu Yi rode his horse alongside them.
Yulin Lane was located just behind the Yun family residence, not far from Prince Pingxi's manor either. They soon arrived at the courtyard gate.
Having visited once before, the two children were already familiar with the place. Holding hands, they rushed inside to play with the cats and rabbits, while Yun Chu instructed the servants to prepare additional dishes.
Chu Yi stood at the main courtyard entrance, looking around. It was indeed a fine location—tranquil despite being in a bustling area.
Stepping inside, he could tell the courtyard had been meticulously renovated. The landscape design, layout, flowers, trees, artificial hills, and flowing water... every detail showed careful thought.
This meant Yun Chu would likely frequent this courtyard in the future; otherwise, she wouldn't have bothered with such extensive renovations.Chu Yi recalled the words of the Assistant Censor-in-Chief from last night—he and his wife had been neighbors since childhood, playmates who naturally married when they grew up.
He pondered whether he should purchase the small courtyard to the right of this one, thinking it would make future interactions more convenient...
"Your Highness, please have a seat."
Yun Chu had tea served, then turned away without looking back to find the two children.
The cats and rabbits raised in the courtyard were all very docile. No matter how Yu Ge'er hugged and played with them, the little animals never got angry, and the two children were having a wonderful time.
After playing for about a quarter of an hour, dinner was ready.
Yun Chu had the servants set a table in the side hall for Chu Yi to dine alone, while she and the two children sat in the flower hall on the other side.
The two dining areas were separated by a long corridor and a wall in between.
Sitting there alone, Chu Yi could only occasionally hear the loud laughter of the little rascal. He couldn't see Yun Chu, nor could he even hear her voice.
He instantly lost his appetite.
But he worried that Yun Chu might think he disliked the food here, making it difficult for him to visit again in the future.
So, he had no choice but to force himself to eat two large bowls of rice.
While the atmosphere was somber on Chu Yi's side, the two children were exceptionally happy during their meal. Both were premature babies with generally small appetites, but today, each of them ate two bowls.
"Mother..." Chu Hongyu whispered, afraid his father might hear, "If only we could stay here to sleep. I really wish to be with Mother every moment."
"Me... me too..."
Chu Changsheng mimicked her brother's words.
Yun Chu's eyes suddenly reddened. How could she not feel the same way?
But it wasn't the right time yet.
"That day will come..." She hugged her two precious children. "Until that day arrives, being together like this is already wonderful."
Chu Hongyu sensed the sorrow in her voice, but even more so, he sensed hope.
After the meal, Yun Chu led the two children out of the flower hall and handed them over to their father.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Yun," Chu Yi said, looking at her. "If the opportunity arises, I hope to host you as my guest and ensure you feel completely at home."
Yun Chu did not refuse. "Alright."
On the way back, Chu Yi did not ride his horse but instead shared the carriage with the two children.
It was evening, and the golden autumn sunset shone from the western sky. Lifting the carriage curtain, he saw Yun Chu standing at the gate of the small courtyard, her face exceptionally gentle in the evening glow.
He imprinted this beautiful image deeply in his heart.
"Father, you're blocking me!" Chu Hongyu pushed him aside, stuck his head out, and shouted loudly, "Aunt Yun, see you tomorrow!"
Chu Changsheng waved, imitating her brother, and stammered, "Goo... goodbye..."
Only after the carriage left Yulin Alley, turned a corner, and Yun Chu was no longer in sight did the two children settle down obediently.
Chu Yi spoke calmly, "Yu Ge'er, do you wish to stay with her all the time?"
Chu Hongyu stuck out his tongue, "Oh, how does Father know what I'm thinking? You're like a worm in my belly."
Chu Yi: "..."
This kid really was—three days without a spanking, and he'd tear the roof off.
He curled his lips, "I have a way for you to be with her forever. Do you want to hear it?"
Chu Hongyu immediately leaned in, "Father, don't keep me in suspense. Tell me quickly!"
"Marry her into our family," Chu Yi said firmly. "But this path is difficult. I need your help."He thought he would receive his son's full support.
Unexpectedly, the boy showed a disdainful expression: "Rather than relying on Father, I'd better rely on myself. Aunt Yun likes me so much—once I grow up, Aunt Yun will definitely marry me. I don't need anyone's help to marry Aunt Yun. Father can't even compare to a child like me. Hmph!"
Chu Yi: "..."
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