Chapter 222: Moving to Become Neighbors
"Mother Consort said her status is unworthy of me, unworthy of being the mistress of the prince manor." Chu Yi spoke slowly. "Since that's the case, then I renounce both my identity as a prince and this manor."
Yin Pin's eyes widened abruptly.
She said incredulously, "Yi'er, what did you say?!"
Chu Yi removed the jade pendant from his waist, which represented his imperial identity: "From now on, I am no longer a imperial prince, just Chu Yi."
"Are you mad or am I mad!" Yin Pin roared. "For a peasant girl, you'd actually do such an absurd thing! If this reaches your father's ears, do you know..."
"Then please inform Father Emperor of this matter, Mother Consort." Chu Yi's attitude remained firm. "Cheng Zongguan, pack our belongings. We're moving out of the manor."
Cheng Zongguan nodded and immediately began directing the maids and servants to work.
This display showed no signs of being an act.
Yin Pin's chest heaved with agitation, her head spinning.
She watched helplessly as the servants carried chests and boxes outside.
She knew she had made a wrong move.
Originally, no one knew about the third prince's absurd infatuation with a peasant girl. But with her making such a scene, the entire imperial palace would soon learn of it.
The third prince already had two children and had even established an heir. If he now had a beloved as well, which noble daughter in the capital would be willing to marry such a man?
"I'll have someone escort Mother Consort back to the palace."
Chu Yi summoned the manor soldiers.
"After seeing Mother Consort back, remain in the palace. There's no need to return."
These manor soldiers were standard for a prince. Since he no longer wished to be a prince, he naturally had to return them.
Yin Pin pointed at him, suppressing her anger: "You truly are my wonderful son!"
With that, she flicked her sleeve and departed.
She had arrived with great fury, and she left with equal fury.
Cheng Xu said with a worried expression: "Her Ladyship must be terribly angry. It would be unfortunate if this made her ill."
Chu Yi picked up the jade pendant Yin Pin had left behind: "The palace is unstable these days. Rather than letting her get involved in those conflicts, it's better she focuses her attention on me."
His mother consort wasn't a scheming person and could easily be used as a pawn by the Empress Dowager or Empress.
By creating this disturbance, he achieved three purposes: first, it served his personal desires; second, it gave his mother consort something to occupy herself with; and third, it gave the Crown Prince's faction and Gong Xi Prince's faction something to laugh at.
"Father, are we moving today?"Chu Hongyu came running into the front courtyard, leaping onto Chu Yi and whispering in his ear while lying on his father's shoulder, 'Does this mean we can be with Mother every day from now on?""
Chu Yi patted his little bottom: "Pack your own things. We're leaving soon."
The little boy was so happy he could barely contain himself, eagerly rushing off to organize his belongings. His various little trinkets alone filled more than half a carriage.
The carriage departed from the entrance of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor, heading toward Jade Forest Lane.
The watching commoners, unaware of the details, didn't understand what was happening and were simply enjoying the spectacle.
But among the upper circles of the capital, many had heard some rumors.
"Do you know why the Prince of Pacifying the West moved out of his manor?"
"I heard the Prince of Pacifying the West has a beloved, but she's just a peasant girl unworthy of being Princess Consort. To be with his beloved, the Prince actually gave up his title, fief, and manor. Yin Pin was so angry she fainted."
"The Prince of Pacifying the West is truly absurd. For a woman, he's given up everything. Has he lost his mind?""I originally thought Prince Pingxi might contend for that position, but alas, someone who values romantic attachments so highly is destined for mediocrity."
"Which family's daughter could possibly have Prince Pingxi so bewitched?"
"Let's see how long his infatuation lasts."
"..."
These rumors spread rapidly through the capital.
Naturally, they soon reached the Yun family's ears.
"In this world, parents can never truly prevail against their children's wishes," Lin Shi sighed. "Yin Pin will eventually soften and even help persuade the Emperor to grant the marriage. When that woman enters the household, will Yu Ge'er and Changsheng still have peaceful lives? Those poor children..."
Yun Ze's expression darkened: "With a stepmother comes a stepfather. No matter how much Prince Pingxi cares for the children now, once his beloved bears him children, Yu Ge'er and Changsheng will... We must quickly find a proper way to have the children raised in the Yun household."
As the family was discussing this,
a servant hurried in to report: "Madam, Prince Pingxi requests an audience."
Lin Shi immediately stood up: "After causing such a scene this morning, what business could he possibly have with our Yun family?"
Chu Yi had been waiting in the front courtyard for about fifteen minutes when Lin Shi and Yun Ze finally appeared.
He produced a card from his sleeve and presented it.
At the sight of the card, Lin Shi was startled, her first thought being that it was a wedding invitation.
But upon second thought, for Prince Pingxi to hold a wedding so soon after clashing with Yin Pin would show utter disregard for the imperial family - surely he wouldn't dare be so bold.
A faint smile appeared on Chu Yi's stern features: "The children and I have formally moved to Jade Forest Lane. We've prepared a modest feast, and would be honored if Madam Yun, Lord Yun, Young Madam Yun, and the young master would join us for some simple refreshments."
Yun Ze was taken aback: "Jade Forest Lane?"
"Indeed, the Jade Forest Lane behind your residence." Chu Yi made an inviting gesture. "The carriage is prepared. Please."
Lin Shi frowned slightly.
For Prince Pingxi to move out in the morning and host a housewarming banquet in the afternoon... wasn't this rather...
Liu Qianqian approached, supported by her maid, and said with a smile: "If I may be so bold, Your Highness, which families have you invited to this housewarming banquet?"
Chu Yi, recognizing her intelligence, replied: "Only the Yun family."
Liu Qianqian smiled: "Mother, husband, let's bring Jiang Ge'er and attend the banquet."
Once seated in the carriage arranged by Chu Yi, Lin Shi placed a cushion behind her daughter-in-law's back and asked quietly: "Why has he only invited our family?"
"Mother, Prince Pingxi's feelings toward Chu'er might be..." Liu Qianqian didn't dare speak too definitively. "In any case, he likely isn't as reckless as people say."
Lin Shi's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts.
One moment she wondered how she should act when she saw the children.
The next she pondered what kind of woman Prince Pingxi's beloved could be.
Then she contemplated what Chu'er truly thought about this situation...
The distance was short, and before she could reach any conclusions, the carriage had already stopped at the courtyard gate.
Lin Shi looked out in disbelief: "Isn't this right next to Chu'er's residence?"
Cheng Zongguan came out to greet them: "Madam Yun, Lord Yun, Young Madam Yun, Young Master Yun, please come inside."
As Lin Shi entered, she immediately spotted Yun Chu, with the two children gathered around her.
"Mother, elder brother, sister-in-law." Yun Chu looked up with a smile. "The hot pot is ready. Please come sit down."Lin Shi looked left and right but saw no other women present. Instead, her daughter Chu Yi was acting like the mistress of the household, bustling about to attend to the children...
Chu Yi stood by the table, personally adding ingredients to the hot pot and serving dishes to her son, daughter, and Jiang Ge'er, without any airs of being Prince Pingxi...
Setting aside her thoughts, Lin Shi turned to the two children and called softly, "Yu Ge'er, Changsheng."
Chu Hongyu responded generously, "Greetings, Lady Yun. My sister isn't very talkative, so I'll greet you on her behalf - hello, Lady Yun."
"Oh, what good children..." Lin Shi brought out the gifts she had prepared. "Don't call me Lady Yun so formally - call me Grandmother. These are your grandmother's gifts for you..."
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