Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 221: Who Truly Lost Their Mind

Chu Yi was just about to exit the palace gates when he was intercepted by an elderly maid from Yin Pin's retinue.

"Your Highness, Her Ladyship requests your presence."

Chu Yi glanced sideways. The old maid immediately lowered her head. His gaze had always been icy, a bone-chilling coldness radiating from him that merged with the autumn night's frigid air, making one instinctively step back.

Just as she thought Chu Yi would refuse, the man strode toward Everlasting Autumn Palace.

It was already late in the Xu hour. Lanterns in many palace halls had been extinguished, and the quiet corridor echoed with rhythmic footsteps.

He soon arrived at the hall where Yin Pin resided. As Chu Yi reached the entrance, a teacup came flying toward him. He didn't need to dodge—he knew his mother would never harm him. The teacup shattered three steps away from him.

"Look at you! How much trouble have you caused in just these few days?" Yin Pin pushed through beaded curtains and emerged. "First refusing the imperial marriage decree, then arbitrarily taking command of the Yun Family Army, and now you dare kill the Empress Dowager's attendant! That Granny Qin was someone who walked sideways through the palace, and you actually chopped off both her arms! You—you—are you rebelling?"

"If I truly intended to rebel, how could I have emerged unscathed from the Imperial Study?" Chu Yi poured a cup of tea and handed it to Yin Pin. "Mother, calm your anger. Such trivial matters aren't worth getting upset over."

Yin Pin had no mood for tea. Frowning, she said, "So the matter with the Empress Dowager ends just like that?"

"His Majesty will handle this matter. Mother need not concern yourself further." Chu Yi spoke calmly. "During this period, aside from paying respects, do not visit Kunning Palace again."

As a seasoned palace veteran, Yin Pin immediately sensed something unusual and nodded in agreement.

After speaking, Chu Yi turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Yin Pin's voice came from behind. Chu Yi turned back. "Does Mother have other matters?"

Yin Pin settled comfortably into her chair, taking a sip of tea before speaking. "I've had someone investigate that woman in your residence."

"Mother, you..." Chu Yi's face showed disbelief. "You actually investigated me?"

Yin Pin smiled faintly. Although her son had strong opinions, whenever she, as his mother, wanted to investigate something, she would always succeed. In this world, what son could truly escape his mother's grasp?

"Yi'er, you are the esteemed Third Prince, His Majesty's personally titled Prince Pingxi. With your status, you shouldn't have any involvement with a peasant girl." Yin Pin spoke earnestly. "Moreover, I've discovered she served at Marquis Xuanwu's residence five or six years ago. Someone of her status isn't even fit to carry your shoes."

Chu Yi's expression turned cold and stern. "Since Mother knows, I won't hide it. Regardless of how lowly her status, I intend to marry her as my Princess Consort."

"What did you say? Have you gone mad?" Yin Pin slammed her teacup heavily on the table. "The Miss Tan and Miss Fang I selected for you—aren't they both superior to that peasant girl? You..."

Chu Yi directly interrupted her. "Though there are countless noble daughters in the capital, she alone holds my heart. I will request His Majesty to issue an imperial marriage decree."

"How dare you?!" Yin Pin felt pain shooting through her temples from anger. "Your father will never consent to such a marriage decree! Don't entertain such delusions!"

"Whether His Majesty agrees or not doesn't matter. I'll persuade him gradually." Chu Yi pressed his lips together. "Since Mother is in poor spirits, I won't have Yu Ge'er and Changsheng disturb your rest."He instructed the nursemaid to bring the two children out.

The nursemaid glanced at Yin Pin and, seeing her mistress showed no reaction, carried out the two already sleeping children.

"Mother, rest early."

Chu Yi held a child in each arm and turned to leave the Everlasting Autumn Palace.

"What kind of scourge have I given birth to!"

Yin Pin, fuming, lay on the couch and had her maid press her acupoints, fearing she wouldn't sleep all night due to a headache.

"Granny Guo, tell me, if the Emperor really bestows a marriage between the third prince and that peasant girl, what should we do?"

The old nursemaid shook her head: "How could a peasant girl be worthy of our prince? Even being a foot-washing maid in the manor would be reaching too high for her. But, the prince has refused a marriage for that girl's sake, which shows he's already fallen for her. The prince knows the Emperor and Your Ladyship would never agree, so he secretly brought her into the manor... With that girl by the prince's side, whispering in his ear every night, this old servant worries the prince might truly do something treasonous for the sake of his beloved."

Yin Pin's expression darkened.

The third prince had defied an imperial decree by refusing a marriage, taken command of the army without authorization, and executed the Empress Dowager's trusted aide—which of these three acts wasn't treasonous?

If he did something more, it wouldn't be surprising.

The Emperor's patience had its limits; he wouldn't indulge the third prince's recklessness again and again.

She had to dispose of that peasant girl.

The autumn night was cool as water.

A layer of frost formed by morning.

Chu Hongyu opened his eyes and, realizing the bed curtains weren't those of the palace, quickly nudged his sister beside him: "Changsheng, wake up! We're home, we can see Mother now!"

Although the palace was fun, he preferred being with his mother.

The little girl rubbed her eyes, looking around in confusion before hopping off the bed.

"Oh, Little Commandery Princess, you mustn't walk barefoot on the floor—you'll catch a chill." Granny Zheng entered just in time. "Let this old servant dress the Commandery Princess first..."

Maidens waiting outside came in with water to attend to the two young masters, helping them dress and wash up.

Just then, Chu Hongyu, with his sharp ears, caught a sound from the front courtyard: "Huh? Did I just hear Grandmother's voice?"

Granny Zheng straightened his clothes, keeping her eyes downcast as she said, "The Young Master must have misheard. Breakfast is ready—let this old servant assist the Young Master and Commandery Princess with their meal."

Chu Hongyu rubbed his ears.

Perhaps he missed Grandmother now that they'd left the palace.

Meanwhile.

In the front courtyard of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor, Yin Pin stood facing Chu Yi with dozens of palace attendants.

"Yi'er, don't force your mother to make this ugly." Yin Pin's face was extremely somber. "You know it's not easy for me to leave the palace. Since I'm here, I must take that peasant girl away."

Chu Yi replied, "Mother, it's not easy to meet one's beloved in this lifetime. Since I've brought her into the manor, I will protect her."

Yin Pin laughed in anger: "What, are you going to stand against your own birth mother for a woman?"

Chu Yi shook his head: "It is Mother who has chosen to stand against me."

"Yi'er, are you forcing me to search the manor?" Yin Pin enunciated each word. "You are a prince of our Great Jin Dynasty. The mistress of your manor should be a model of noblewomen, a young lady who can hold her own—not some peasant girl. If you truly fancy that girl, you may keep her. I can beg your father to let her be a Concubine—that is already a tremendous honor."

Chu Yi's expression darkened.Granny Guo quickly mediated: "Your Highness, that woman's status indeed only qualifies her to be a Concubine. However, if she bears a child in the future, Your Highness could promote her to Side Princess Consort. Wouldn't that satisfy everyone? Please don't quarrel with Her Ladyship over such a trivial matter."

Yin Pin frowned deeply.

She had already conceded many steps, hoping this son of hers wouldn't disappoint her too greatly.