Chapter 22: It's Not My Fault
Prince Pingxi's gaze fell upon Yun Chu.
She was dressed as a married woman, her long black hair piled high and secured with a gold and jade hairpin. Her light purple gown was embroidered with camellia blossoms.
He recalled meeting her once many years ago, before she was married.
He had gone to the Yun residence to pay respects to Old General Yun when she happened to be bringing tea to the old general.
Back then, she wore a young maiden's goose-yellow dress, lively and charming - almost like a different person from who she was now.
"I think she's wonderful too," Chu Hongyu blinked his large eyes. "Imperial Aunt, can she become my mother?"
The Princess Consort burst out laughing: "Such childish talk from a child indeed. Sister Chu, pay no mind to this child's words."
Yun Chu bowed her head: "I am honored to receive the Young Son's praise."
When she was younger, she often followed Lin Shi to the Princess Consort's residence. The Princess Consort still addressed her affectionately as "Sister Chu" as before.
But now that she was married and the wife of a fifth-rank official, she couldn't speak as casually with the Princess Consort as she once did.
The banquet soon concluded.
After Lin Shi bid farewell to the Princess Consort, their party made their way out.
Before they had even left the Princess Consort's residence, at the second gate, she heard a child's crying. Following the sound, she saw two figures - one tall, one short - standing in a nearby pavilion.
Prince Pingxi stared coldly at the child before him, who was crying loudly and retreating in fear.
"I only brought you to the Princess Consort's residence because you promised to behave," Prince Pingxi's voice was icy. "Raising havoc at home is one thing, but to run wild here - who gave you such audacity?"
The little one sobbed between breaths: "Father, I've admitted my mistake. Imperial Aunt has forgiven me too. I'll never dare again..."
Prince Pingxi's expression darkened further.
Those Koi were priceless treasures, having cost tens of thousands of taels to transport to the capital. Only two had survived the journey, and now they had perished by this child's hand.
If he didn't discipline him properly now, who knew what greater disasters might occur in the future.
He grabbed the child and lifted him up.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Chu Hongyu kicked his legs wildly, crying loudly. "Imperial Aunt said it wasn't my fault! Waaah... It's your fault! You're the one who won't find me a mother..."
Prince Pingxi's face grew even darker.
Constantly busy with official duties, he had indeed neglected the child's upbringing - that was his failing.
Without another word, he carried the little one outward.
The child's cries grew increasingly loud.
Yun Chu's heart suddenly clenched with pain. Before she even realized what she was doing, her feet had already started moving toward Prince Pingxi.
"Chu'er!" Lin Shi grabbed her arm. "Where are you going?"
Yun Chu came to her senses and pressed her lips together. "I was the one who persuaded the Young Son to admit his fault. I told him everything would be fine if he admitted his mistake and reformed..."
Lin Shi asked: "Then do you think you were wrong to persuade the Young Son to admit his fault?"
Yun Chu shook her head.
Lin Shi continued: "Then is Prince Pingxi wrong to discipline his own child?"
Yun Chu shook her head again.
"Exactly," Lin Shi patted her hand. "A father disciplining his son is only natural. What would you accomplish by going over there? Do you think Prince Pingxi would listen to you? He would only consider you meddlesome. Furthermore, look around you."
Only then did Yun Chu notice that many noblewomen and young misses had gathered along the path.She realized that Prince Pingxi disciplining his child regardless of the occasion was meant to completely sever any thoughts these people might have about marrying their daughters to him as Princess Consort.
Prince Pingxi soon disappeared from the Princess's residence, carrying the child away.
Many noblewomen whispered among themselves.
"I've long heard this Young Son is unruly, and today I finally witnessed it."
"Isn't it said that the Young Son's birth mother is of low status and the imperial family doesn't treat the child well? Why do I see the Princess showing him such affection?"
"The Princess dotes on Prince Pingxi, and by extension, she naturally cares for the Young Son. Otherwise, why would she worry daily about finding a Princess Consort for Prince Pingxi?"
"What a pity. With such a grown son, no noblewoman would be willing to marry him."
"If this son weren't the Young Son, it might be manageable. But since he holds the position, any legitimate son born to a future Princess Consort would be in an awkward position."
"..."
After leaving the Princess's residence, Yun Chu's heart remained unsettled.
For some reason, she couldn't stop thinking about that child.
"Mother." Xie Ping suddenly spoke, interrupting Yun Chu's contemplation. "I just saw the Princess chatting happily with Lady Li. Does the Princess intend for the Li family's eldest daughter to marry Prince Pingxi as Princess Consort?"
Yun Chu replied calmly, "Why are you concerning yourself with royal matters?"
Xie Ping felt somewhat guilty and forced a smile. "I'm just curious about what kind of woman would be worthy of becoming a Princess Consort."
"Currently, only two princes have taken principal wives. The Crown Princess is the eldest daughter of the Grand Preceptor, and the second prince's wife is the second daughter of the Grand Secretary." Yun Chu looked at her. "At minimum, the daughter of a second-rank official family would be worthy of the Princess Consort title, or at the very least, from a third-rank family."
Xie Ping's fingers tightened.
Her father had taken five years to rise to the fifth rank. The higher the rank, the more difficult the promotion. Who knew how many years it would take to reach the third rank...
She lowered her head, afraid Yun Chu would notice the disappointment in her eyes.
The carriage soon stopped at the Xie residence's entrance. As soon as they crossed the main gate, Mama Zhou invited them both to Anshou Hall.
Anshou Hall was bustling with activity. Not only was Xie Shi'an there, but Xie Jingyu was also present, clearly waiting for their return.
Old Madam Xie smiled and asked, "Chu'er, how was the Princess's flower banquet? Which distinguished guests attended?"
"Third Prince Pingxi and Fourth Prince Anjing were also present." Yun Chu noticed the eagerness in the Xie family's eyes. "All the noblewomen present were from first to third-rank official families, with me being the only exception."
"You're the daughter of a first-rank general's household. Such occasions are precisely where you belong." The Old Madam laughed. "Did you speak with Lady Yu, Chu'er?"
Xie Jingyu also looked at her.
Yun Chu curved her lips slightly. Lady Yu's husband was Xie Jingyu's superior. With evaluations approaching, if Xie Jingyu wanted to advance further, he needed Lord Yu's approval.
If Lord Yu consented, he could rise from regular fifth rank to upper fifth rank.
While there was no substantial difference between upper fifth rank and regular fifth rank, when promotion opportunities arose, officials from the upper fifth rank would be prioritized.
After Xie Jingyu achieved the Number One Scholar title, he rose from seventh rank to fifth rank in just five years. Besides his marital connection to the Yun family, the main reason was his own skill in networking...
In the past, regardless of which banquet she attended, she would always help him cultivate these relationships for him.Lady Yu, being the wife of a third-rank official, was completely unable to enter the Yun family's social circle and remained on the periphery. Under normal circumstances, she would have actively drawn Lady Yu into the circle.
But at this banquet hosted by the Grand Princess, she only glanced at Lady Yu from afar.
Since Lady Yu couldn't enter the circle of first-rank noblewomen, she would surely become resentful and then whisper in her husband's ear. Xie Jingyu could forget about being promoted to the upper fifth rank.
A smile appeared on Yun Chu's face: "I did exchange a few words with Lady Yu."
Xie Jingyu stood up and cupped his hands in salute: "Thank you, my lady."
"What is there to thank? We are all family." Old Madam beamed with delight, "When Jingyu becomes a fourth-rank official, our Xie family will truly be able to hold our heads high."
Yun Chu's smile deepened.
That day would probably never come.
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