Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 255: The Children's Birthday

Glistening snowflakes drifted down.

The snow in the courtyard piled up layer upon layer.

This day was the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month.

Five years ago on this night, Yun Chu still remembered every detail vividly.

She had been walking in the courtyard with her swollen belly when it suddenly began to rain. In her haste to return indoors, she slipped and fell, triggering premature labor due to the disturbance.

While giving birth, the rain turned to snow, with heavy flakes swirling outside as she sweated profusely during delivery.

She put away the short sword and returned to the room.

Waking the two children: "Yu Ge'er, Changsheng, it's daylight, time to get up."

Chu Hongyu was the first to crawl out from under the covers. Upon seeing the bright sky outside, he startled: "Oh no, oh no, I'm going to be late for school!"

Yun Chu chuckled: "Mother has taken the liberty of requesting a day off for you. You don't need to go to the Imperial College today."

"Wonderful!" The little one bounced up from the bed, then shivered and immediately retreated back under the blankets. "Mother, why did you request leave? Is something special happening today?"

"Today is your and Changsheng's fifth birthday." Yun Chu gently tapped both children's noses. "This is Mother's first time celebrating your birthdays, so of course we should spend the whole day together."

The little boy tilted his head: "But I thought my sister's and my birthday was tomorrow."

"It's today."

Yun Chu patted their heads.

It was on such a cold, snowy day that these two children had been abandoned by Xie Jingyu at the gates of Marquis Xuanwu's residence, then discarded by Qin Mingheng on Chu Yi's regular route.

She dared not imagine how long the children had been left freezing in the heavy snow.

Whenever the thought crossed her mind, her heart ached as if cut by a knife.

But fortunately, it was all in the past. Everything was over now.

Mother and children were reunited.

Having endured the bitterness, only sweet days lay ahead.

After dressing the two children, Yun Chu said with a smile: "We'll visit the Yun family this morning to celebrate with your maternal grandmother, then return in the afternoon to celebrate with your father. How does that sound?"

The two little ones naturally nodded eagerly.

Although the two residences were quite close, the weather was truly freezing. The mother and children sat in the carriage and soon arrived at the Yun family's main gate.

She carried her young daughter, wrapped tightly in a cloak, while holding her son's hand with the other.

"Quick, Yu Ge'er, let your maternal grandmother carry you."

Lin Shi walked out with deep affection evident on her face and picked up Chu Hongyu.

Yun Zhenjiang, following nearby, curled his lip: "A grown man still getting carried around. Aren't you ashamed?"

"Neener neener..." Chu Hongyu stuck out his tongue and made a face. "Grandmother just likes carrying me and doesn't like carrying you. Hee hee, that makes you mad!"

Yun Zhenjiang: "..."

Ever since these two came along, his aunt didn't favor him as much, his grandmother didn't dote on him as much now, and his own parents had prepared many gifts for these two interlopers.

He was genuinely feeling somewhat aggrieved.

Yun Chu set her young daughter down on the Warm Pavilion's couch and pulled her nephew to her side: "Jiang Ge'er, guess what wonderful thing Aunt has brought for you?"

Yun Zhenjiang immediately widened his eyes: "What is it?"

"Look, a sword." Yun Chu took the object from Ting Xue's hands. "Aunt knows you enjoy martial arts and weapon play. Before, our family wouldn't allow you to come into contact with these things, but from now on, it doesn't matter. You can learn whatever you like."

Previously, the Yun family feared that outstanding military achievements might provoke imperial suspicion. Starting from her elder brother's generation, descendants were forbidden from pursuing military careers.

But now, such concerns were unnecessary."Jiang Ge'er, if you wish to study, then study; if you wish to learn martial arts, then learn martial arts. A child's nature should not be suppressed."

Yun Zhenjiang exclaimed in surprise as he took the sword, casually swung it a couple of times, and said happily, "Thank you, Aunt! As expected, Aunt cares for me the most!"

Not long after, Yun Ze pushed Old General Yun into the Warm Pavilion, and the pregnant Liu Qianqian also arrived, making the room lively.

Servants from the mansion brought in many trays.

Lin Shi took two boiled eggs from the first tray, handing one to Old General Yun and keeping one for herself.

After peeling the eggshells, she rolled them over the two children's bodies.

Old General Yun chanted softly: "Roll away misfortune, roll away disaster, may the young master be clever, the young lady safe, and health always remain..."

"Next is the hand-washing ceremony," said Liu Qianqian, rolling up her sleeves to wash the children's hands. "First wash: may peace and abundance be yours. Second wash..."

After the second ritual came the dressing ceremony.

Yun Chu personally changed Yu Ge'er and Changsheng into their birthday clothes. These garments were embroidered by Lin Shi herself. Though not as skilled as professional embroiderers' work, they represented the deep blessings of their elder.

Next was the hair-combing ceremony.

Lin Shi had specifically spent several days learning from an old maidservant how to style boys' and girls' hair differently.

Finally, Yun Zhenjiang brought peace apples to his younger brother and sister, saying: "Take a bite of the peace apple, may you live safe and healthy forever!"

"Thank you, Jiang Ge!" Chu Hongyu expressed gratitude happily. "Thank you, Great-grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle and Aunt, thank you, Mother. This is the first time Changsheng and I have celebrated our birthday like this. We're so happy."

Yun Zhenjiang had previously felt somewhat jealous of all the attention and affection they received.

But upon hearing this, his heart filled with sympathy.

He celebrated his birthday like this every year, yet this was Yu Ge'er and Changsheng's first time.

Having received so much love himself, sharing a little didn't seem like such a big deal.

Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng spent an exceptionally joyful birthday at the Yun residence, reluctant to leave even as evening approached.

Had Yun Chu not repeatedly reminded them that their father would bring gifts, the two little ones would have preferred to stay at the Yun family home, even wanting to squeeze into bed with Jiang Ge'er at night.

Outside, the snow had stopped. The carriage passed through the alley and stopped at the mansion gate.

Just as Yun Chu was about to lift the carriage curtain, Qiutong outside announced: "Young Miss, the Eldest Young Master of the Xie family has come."

Yun Chu instructed the children to sit properly before descending alone. Sure enough, she saw Xie Shi'an standing under the mansion's eaves, dressed in thick cotton clothes.

"Mother."

Xie Shi'an immediately stepped forward to pay respects.

Yun Chu looked at him with distant eyes: "On such a cold day, you should have sent word before coming. Be careful not to freeze."

Xie Shi'an said: "My shop opens tomorrow. I wanted to invite you to join the celebration."

"Never mind," Yun Chu shook her head. "The Yun family's case remains unsettled. I wouldn't want to affect your shop's business."

This response was entirely within Xie Shi'an's expectations.

His true purpose in coming was simply to tell his mother that his business was on the right track and that he would continue to improve.

After a pause, he said: "The New Year approaches soon. I'll bring my younger brothers to pay New Year's respects to you then."

Yun Chu replied: "The Yun family will be busy with ancestral worship during the New Year. There's no need for you to come."

Xie Shi'an pressed his lips together: "Then, Mother, I shall take my leave."

He turned around, his footsteps echoing on the cleared path as his figure gradually disappeared into the northern wind.Yun Chu shook her head and led the two children down from the carriage. They entered the courtyard and walked to the backyard, where she immediately spotted the man standing alone in the yard.

"You're back," Chu Yi turned around, his stern face filled with a smile. "Yu Ge'er, Changsheng, happy birthday."