Chapter 223: A Happy Day
"I'm so happy, I have a grandmother now!"
"And I have an uncle and aunt too!"
"Hehehe, what a joyful day indeed!"
Chu Hongyu was so ecstatic he could hardly contain himself, circling around the group instead of sitting properly for his meal.
"Can't you just sit still, you little rascal?" Yun Zhenjiang puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "Are you going to eat or not?"
He was genuinely displeased.
His aunt, his father, his mother, his grandmother—they were all fussing over these two children.
And they kept pulling out all sorts of gifts.
He felt completely overlooked.
Annoyed, just utterly annoyed.
"Jiang Ge'er, mind how you speak to Yu Ge'er," Liu Qianqian chided gently, patting her son's head. "You're their cousin now, so act more mature."
"Heehee, cousin! I have a cousin now too!" Chu Hongyu exclaimed excitedly, throwing his arms around Yun Zhenjiang before reaching to touch Liu Qianqian's belly. "And soon we'll have a cousin sister too... Wow, Auntie, she's moving! She's kicking my hand..."
Chu Changsheng curiously approached. Though she remained silent, her dark eyes sparkled with longing.
Liu Qianqian took the little girl's hand and placed it on her belly. "Changsheng, why don't you stroke your cousin sister more? Maybe she'll grow up to be as beautiful as you."
The small, soft hand rested on the pregnant belly, gently caressing it before breaking into a smile.
Lin Shi smiled along with them.
The heavy burden that had weighed on her heart for so many years had finally lifted. What more could she possibly want?
Chu Yi's typically cold expression softened.
Every sharp angle of his stern features now radiated tenderness.
So this was what it meant—when surrounded by true family, Changsheng would indeed emerge from her small world.
He believed Changsheng would only continue to improve.
The meal concluded amidst the cheerful banter and playful tussles between Chu Hongyu and Yun Zhenjiang.
Lin Shi thought the antique hot pot was absolutely delicious. If given another chance, she would definitely return to enjoy it again.
"Grandmother, let's go over here for a private chat..." Chu Hongyu tugged at Lin Shi's hand, his round eyes wide with curiosity. "Why do Changsheng and I get to have an uncle, aunt, and grandmother now? Is it because Mother is going to marry Father?"
Lin Shi quickly covered his mouth. "Don't speak nonsense."
The little boy pulled her hand away and said earnestly, "Grandmother, I'm not talking nonsense. Father told me he wants to marry Mother as his Princess Consort. Now that the Yun family has acknowledged Changsheng and me, treating us so well and giving us all these gifts, doesn't that mean they approve of the marriage too?"
Lin Shi: "..."
How was she supposed to discuss such matters with a child not even five years old?
And she certainly couldn't mention that his father had a beloved woman, for whom he had even quarreled with Yin Pin—the child wouldn't understand anyway.
"Never mind, Grandmother, you're probably too old to understand these things," Chu Hongyu sighed. "I suppose we'll have to wait until Grandfather returns to the capital before Father and Mother can truly marry."
Lin Shi: "..."
She didn't understand?
Right, of course she didn't understand.
"Grandmother, I have a gift for you too," Chu Hongyu said, leading her by the hand toward the back.
Lin Shi followed him through the corridor, past a doorway, around a long gallery, through another archway, and then—
She frowned.
This courtyard before her... why did it look exactly like Chu'er's courtyard?Lost in thought, she was led into the house by the little one. Upon entering, she noticed even the furnishings were identical—the teacups on the table bore the same floral pattern.
Pushing aside the beaded curtain into the inner chamber, even the scent in the room was exactly the same.
Then, Lin Shi spotted clothes belonging to Yun Chu.
Her eyes nearly popped out: "Chu... Chu'er's clothes... h-how could they be in the prince's residence...?"
"This is Mother's room! Where else would her clothes be?" Chu Hongyu blinked. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, Grandmother. The wall between Father's new home and Mother's new home has been opened up. Now Changsheng and I can go wherever we want!"
"What?!"
Lin Shi was astounded.
She turned and walked out.
There, she saw the newly created doorway.
On this side was Chu'er's inner courtyard.
Walking through it led to Prince Pingxi's quarters.
Heavens!
How was this any different from living in the same courtyard?
A lone man and an unmarried woman... Though they had two children, this situation would be impossible to explain if discovered.
Moreover, Prince Pingxi already had a beloved woman by his side. If this came to light, it would be extremely detrimental to Chu'er.
As Lin Shi stood frozen in shock, Chu Yi appeared at the doorway on the other side.
"Madam Yun."
He nodded in greeting, showing none of the airs expected of a prince.
Suppressing her astonishment, Lin Shi took a calming breath: "Your Highness, whose idea was this doorway?"
"It was my decision," Chu Yi replied directly. "Lady Yun is the children's birth mother. Having missed over four years together, both mother and children wish to spend more time with each other. No excuse could legitimately keep the children constantly by Lady Yun's side, so I resorted to this measure. Rest assured, Madam Yun—without Lady Yun's permission, I will not cross this doorway."
Lin Shi struggled to contain herself but finally asked: "Your Highness may guarantee you won't cross, but can you ensure your beloved will do the same?"
Chu Yi's voice remained clear: "There is no beloved."
"Then didn't Your Highness move here precisely for your beloved?" Lin Shi pressed.
"Allow me to share a story with you, Madam Yun," Chu Yi spoke across the doorway. "In ancient times, a man wished to add a window to his house to enjoy the beautiful view outside. Knowing his family would refuse, he waited until everyone was present and proposed tearing down the entire house to rebuild it. His family naturally objected. Then he suggested adding just a window—and they agreed without hesitation."
He was typically a man of few words, but with Madam Yun, he dared not be brief. He would say what needed to be said.
"I do have a beloved, but it is not the woman of public speculation." He enunciated each word clearly. "I intend to marry Lady Yun as my principal wife with the utmost sincerity."
It felt as if thunder had struck Lin Shi.
She stood dumbfounded, utterly at a loss for how to respond.
After a long pause, she managed: "Is Your Highness doing this for the children's sake?"
"No." Chu Yi gazed into the distance. "It is because of the children that I dare let my true feelings see the light."
Lin Shi's lips parted, but she said nothing more.
Regarding Chu'er's lifelong matters, she had been wrong once before. She had no right to speak—remaining silent was the greatest respect she could offer.
"I am at ease knowing the children are under Lady Yun's care," Chu Yi spoke again. "Next, I will request imperial orders to journey to the Southern border region in search of General Yun.""No need."
A voice came from behind.
It was Yun Chu walking over.
She had been standing there for a while and had heard most of what Chu Yi said to her mother.
Did she feel moved in her heart that a man would go this far for her?
Of course, somewhat.
Marrying this man for the children's sake was indeed a good choice.
But it was only for the children.
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