Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 249: Ting Xue's Thoughts

The room was warm with charcoal burning.

Chu Changsheng sat on the couch, reading the Three Character Classic by herself, occasionally reciting aloud and sometimes losing focus.

Yun Chu was embroidering a sachet using a floral pattern designed by Ting Xue. She had chosen an auspicious cloud motif mainly because it was simple.

However, having never formally studied needlework, even the simplest sewing tasks proved challenging. After working on it for nearly an hour, she packed it away to continue tomorrow.

Ting Xue gathered the sewing basket and returned to her room, secretly working on her own sachet.

She thought that if her mistress's embroidery turned out truly unpresentable, she could substitute it with her own creation, leaving just the final few stitches for her mistress to complete for appearance's sake.

"Ting Xue?"

Cheng Xu's voice came from the doorway, followed by his head peeking in.

His head entered but not his body, as he remained outside saying: "Sister Ting Xue is embroidering a sachet. Do you have any extras? Could you spare me one?"

Ting Xue put away her embroidery: "Is there something you need, Lord Cheng?"

Cheng Xu produced a paper package from his sleeve: "His Highness is occupied today and likely won't return. He specifically asked me to buy this delicious roast duck from town for Miss Yun."

Ting Xue promptly accepted it: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Cheng."

Cheng Xu continued rummaging in his sleeve and pulled out a small paper package: "The roast duck shop also had these charcoal-grilled sausages - exceptionally tasty. The shopkeeper gave them to me as a bonus when I bought the duck. I couldn't finish them all, so I brought some back for you to try, Sister Ting Xue."

Ting Xue: "..."

So he brought them to her because he couldn't finish them and didn't want to waste food?

This...

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Cheng." Ting Xue forced a smile. "I've never been fond of such foods. Is there anything else? If not, I'll take this roast duck to the kitchen."

Cheng Xu scratched his head.

Why did he suddenly sense Ting Xue's displeasure?

These sausages were truly delicious - he had specifically saved some to bring back for her, thinking she would be pleased. His good intentions had been misplaced after all.

Ting Xue went to the kitchen and had the cook slice the roast duck before serving it to Yun Chu: "His Highness instructed Lord Cheng to bring this for you, Miss."

The golden-brown duck emitted an irresistible aroma, and Yun Chu found herself eating several slices.

She realized she seemed to have gained weight recently, likely from frequently indulging in such delicacies that had added extra padding around her waist.

While eating, she noticed Ting Xue's distracted expression: "You seem preoccupied with something?"

Ting Xue quickly shook her head: "No, this servant has no concerns."

"Really?" Yun Chu mused thoughtfully. "Ting Shuang wrote recently saying she's with child. She's about to become a mother, while your marriage prospects remain unsettled. I'll be returning to the Yun family soon - accompany me, and I'll have my mother arrange some introductions for you."

"No, that won't be necessary!" Ting Xue shook her head and hands simultaneously. "This servant isn't ready for marriage yet."

Yun Chu smiled imperceptibly.

It seemed Ting Xue's marital affairs required no intervention from her.

She wondered which man had captured Ting Xue's thoughts so completely.

The arrival of foreign envoys had enlivened the entire capital.

Not being one for crowds, and with the cold weather besides, Yun Chu spent her days staying home with Changsheng.As the year drew to a close, managing year-end accounts for various shops kept her busy enough. Additionally, with her two children approaching their fifth birthday, she had to make preparations in advance.

Amidst the bustle, an invitation arrived from the palace.

The palace attendant delivering the message smiled and said, "Worthy Person Yun, the palace is hosting a grand banquet for foreign envoys and invites all noble ladies and young misses of the capital to attend."

Yun Chu knew that as someone personally conferred the title of Worthy Person by the Emperor, she couldn't avoid such palace banquets.

However, after the previous incident with Gongsun Ning, it was unlikely anyone would dare play matchmaker recklessly again.

Every five years, envoys from neighboring countries of the Great Jin Dynasty would come to offer congratulations before year's end—a truly grand occasion.

The Great Jin Dynasty showed full respect by arranging for the Crown Prince, Gong Xi Prince, Prince Pingxi, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince to jointly receive the guests.

Yun Chu traveled to the palace by carriage.

After two consecutive days of snowfall, the rooftops were blanketed in thick snow, though the long palace pathways had been meticulously cleared by eunuchs.

Accompanied by Qiutong, she followed a young eunuch toward the main hall where the banquet was being held.

As it was still early, Yun Chu didn't see any familiar faces when she entered.

She stood in the courtyard admiring the snow.

Ice had formed where snow clung to branches, creating an exceptionally beautiful scene.

"Miss Yun."

A voice sounded behind her.

Turning around, Yun Chu saw the pale-faced Prince Zhuang.

She quickly stepped back and curtsied. "Your Highness."

Chu Rui's voice also carried weakness. "I'm no longer any prince."

"Your Majesty." Yun Chu changed her address politely. "Though the snow has stopped, the wind remains strong outside. Your Majesty should go inside."

A bitter smile appeared on Chu Rui's face. "After that day's events, I never had the chance to apologize to you properly... cough cough... I hope it's not too late now."

Mentioning that incident made Yun Chu's expression tighten momentarily. She asked softly, "Is Your Majesty still taking medicine?"

"You said... if something is detestable, discard it. So I relinquished my princedom and territory, and naturally stopped using human heart's blood as medicine ingredient." A faint smile touched Chu Rui's lips. "After abandoning those things, I've felt much lighter... cough cough!"

He covered his chest, suddenly breaking into violent coughing.

His face turned deathly pale.

Yun Chu pressed her lips together.

Though she sympathized with Prince Zhuang's lifelong suffering from illness, she pitied even more the young maidens who had lost their lives because of it.

"Cousin Rui."

A clear voice sounded nearby. Yun Chu saw Chu Yi approaching.

Having just entered the hall, Chu Yi had immediately noticed Yun Chu and Chu Rui standing uncomfortably close—whether admiring the scenery or conversing, he couldn't tell.

That proximity stirred a sense of crisis within him.

Thus, he swiftly approached, subtly positioning himself between Yun Chu and Chu Rui to separate them.

cough cough!

Chu Rui continued coughing, covering his mouth until he suddenly coughed up blood.

Yun Chu frowned. "Your Majesty is unwell. Please go inside quickly."

Several palace attendants came forward to support Chu Rui, helping him toward the main hall.

He coughed repeatedly with every few steps, his body hunched over—the very silhouette spoke of extreme suffering.

Yun Chu sighed.

In such condition, why attend banquets instead of resting properly to recuperate?

She turned away. "Who exactly claimed heart's blood could cure illnesses?"

Using heart's blood as medicinal ingredient for treatment seemed utterly absurd."It's the Grand Astrologer," Chu Yi spoke. "The Empress Dowager deeply believes in the Grand Astrologer's words."

A trace of mockery appeared at the corner of Yun Chu's lips.

This was precisely why she needed to replace the Grand Astrologer.

Fortunately, she hadn't chosen the wrong person. Ding Yiyuan had already gained reputation among the meritorious noble families. The next step was to recommend him to the Emperor—they only needed to wait for the right opportunity.

As time passed, the main hall gradually filled with more people.