Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 188: Widows Can Remarry

Upon hearing Liu Qianqian's words, Yun Ze couldn't help but laugh. Shaking his head, he said, "Qianqian, you're too naive... Even if Prince Pingxi did something inappropriate in confusion that night, later he even raised the child. Now he allows Chu'er to interact freely with the two children - the deeper the mother-child bond grows, the more advantageous it is for him... Actually, he's fully aware of the wrongs he committed, step by step forcing the Yun family onto his ship."

"I don't think Prince Pingxi is that kind of person," Liu Qianqian said, supporting her belly as she sat down. "When Chu'er was injured and staying at the Yun residence before, Prince Pingxi visited several times. I could tell he must have genuine feelings for Chu'er."

"Chu'er is the number one beauty in the capital - what man wouldn't have feelings for her? Even a beast like Xie Jingyu held a special place in his heart for Chu'er." Yun Ze placed his hand on his wife's shoulder. "You're pregnant now, filled with maternal instincts, so you tend to see the good in everyone. I don't blame you for that."

Liu Qianqian furrowed her delicate brows. "Is that so?"

"Actually—" she hesitated before speaking, "without harming the children, there's a very simple way to have them return to your side."

Yun Chu immediately pressed, "Sister-in-law, please tell me quickly."

"It's..." she sighed, "you're a widow now. Although widow remarriage is unconventional, it's not explicitly forbidden in our dynasty. If you marry him and become the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West, all problems would be solved."

Yun Chu was utterly astonished.

She had never considered this path...

Yun Ze immediately rejected the idea: "If a Yun daughter marries into the prince's household, then our family would openly become part of Prince Pingxi's faction. Wouldn't that be exactly what he schemed for? He harmed Chu'er to this extent, and yet our Yun family would help him reach that position? This would be the greatest humiliation for both the Yun family and Chu'er."

Liu Qianqian said nothing more.

When it concerned Yun Chu, she could offer some advice, but once it involved court struggles for the throne, it wasn't something a woman like her could participate in.

She changed the subject: "Let's eat first."

The group walked toward the flower hall for the meal.

Lin Shi had been waiting and said to Yun Chu, "Chu'er, why don't you move back home?"

Yun Chu smiled and replied, "I bought a courtyard in Yulin Alley behind the Yun residence. After I leave the Xie family, I'll move there. Then I'll come home for meals every day - I hope you won't find me annoying, Mother."

"You, you... with too much money to burn," Lin Shi said disapprovingly. "We've kept your pre-marital courtyard for you all along. Why waste money like this?"

Yun Chu didn't argue with her mother about this and happily began the meal.

After the family finished eating, a servant came to report: "Prince Pingxi has arrived and went to Old General Yun's courtyard."

Yun Ze's expression immediately darkened. "What does he want with Grandfather?"

He stood up and headed toward Old General Yun's courtyard.

"What's wrong with your brother?" Lin Shi was startled. "Why does he look like he's going to fight Prince Pingxi? I'd better go check."

Yun Chu was also worried her brother might lose his composure and cause a scene.

She quickly stood up and followed with Lin Shi.

Before they even entered the old general's courtyard, Yun Chu heard hearty laughter."Prince Pingxi, you're quite impressive, young man!" Old General Yun clapped Chu Yi on the shoulder. "The most notorious bandit in Jiangnan had been entrenched in Dongshan for over twenty years. Who would have thought you'd subdue him with a single move, without wasting a single soldier or weapon. Brilliant, truly brilliant."

"As a junior, please just call me by my name," Chu Yi said with utmost humility. "I came to seek your wisdom regarding the Maple Forest Battle from over thirty years ago. I heard you repelled thirty thousand enemy cavalry with just two thousand troops and recaptured the lost city. May I ask what strategy you employed?"

When it came to battlefield matters, Old General Yun became endlessly talkative, always delighted to share his military experience.

Chu Yi listened attentively, occasionally offering words of praise that made the old general beam with delight.

The Minister of Secretariat had told him that it was only after gaining his father-in-law's approval that he later married his daughter.

He could follow the same approach.

Although things hadn't progressed that far with Yun Chu yet, winning the Yun family's affection in advance could never be wrong.

As they were speaking, the Yun mother and her two children entered.

Yun Ze's gentle eyes were barely containing his anger as he stared coldly at Chu Yi.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Chu Yi met Yun Ze's gaze with some surprise: "Minister Yun, is something wrong?"

Yun Ze lowered his eyelids, concealing his emotions. "Grandfather hasn't been well. I was just concerned about his condition earlier, no offense intended toward Your Highness."

Old General Yun yawned. "I am indeed feeling tired. I'll rest now. You young people go talk among yourselves."

Chu Yi walked outside and addressed Lin Shi: "Madam Yun, I recently acquired a bottle of Snow Skin Jade Muscle Cream specifically formulated for women over forty. I brought it especially for you."

He took a white bottle from his attendant and handed it to Lin Shi.

As a woman, what woman doesn't love beauty? Regardless of whether the product worked or not, since Prince Pingxi had specially brought it, she naturally accepted it.

Yun Ze sneered.

Did he think he could buy off the Yun family with such things? Could he erase the harm done to Chu'er? Make the Yun family willingly help him seize the throne? What a dream.

"Minister Yun," Chu Yi turned to him, "I heard your wife is with child. I specially obtained a prescription from Physician Li that helps women deliver smoothly and ensures both mother and child's safety. It should be taken every three days starting one month before delivery."

He handed a prescription to Yun Ze.

The sneer vanished from Yun Ze's face.

This was a royal secret formula, accessible only to royal members.

Though the Yun family held high positions, they would have to humble themselves to request it from the Emperor, who might grant it.

But that would require great effort to obtain.

Now, Prince Pingxi had delivered the secret formula right before him.

He simply couldn't refuse.

Lin Shi had already beamed and accepted it: "Thank you, Your Highness. If there's anything our Yun family can assist with, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chu Yi looked completely sincere: "Minister Yun and I are the closest of friends. There's no need for thanks over such small matters."

Yun Ze's lips twitched.

At most they were acquaintances, barely even friends. When had they developed such deep friendship?

Closest friends - he had to admire how easily the man could say such things.

Only then did Chu Yi dare to glance at Yun Chu. After just one look, he said: "I came to visit the old general. I won't disturb you further. Farewell."When evening came, Yun Chu would come to pick up the two children for dinner, and there would be plenty of opportunities to talk then.

After he left, Lin Shi expressed surprise: "Prince Pingxi sent all these gifts and just left like that? I feel something isn't quite right."

Yun Ze didn't respond.

Chu'er had already decided to leave the Xie family—he would never let her step into another wolf's den.

He needed to think carefully about how to bring his two nephews back to Chu'er's side...